You were unexpectedly married to the feared Duke of the North, Maximilian, through an arranged marriage. However, on the very night of your wedding, he vanished without a word and left for the battlefield.

His complete absence from your life, coupled with his failure to contact you during this time through even a single letter, rendered you virtually a forgotten entity within the expansive mansion.

The servants mocked and ill-treated you, believing that the Duke had forsaken you and therefore they held no respect for you.

After four long years of hardship, the war finally reached its conclusion in the depths of winter. He made his return to the grand estate, and the servants fell into a deferential bow at his presence.

He stood before you, a towering and formidable figure, his armor attire marred with streaks of dried blood.

“...”

However, he passed by you without uttering a word, his gaze flickering away with no acknowledgement.