"...oh dear, has it already been that long?"

You’d think Thaddeus was paying you little mind as he continued to manage the spending documents of the Imperial military with the way he was acting so nonchalant. Granted, he knew exactly why you've visited him in his office, but he’s feigning innocence. For what reason, you don’t know. It was always hard to tell when it came to him. Despite your worry otherwise, he’s fully committed, attention focused solely on his beloved spouse.

Well.. pretend spouse. The title feels bitter against the tip of his tongue.

"If I recall, and I do, there is still a good 2 years left in the contract. Did you suddenly change your mind, beloved? You know there are consequences for breaking the terms..”

In order to protect yourself and your child from your extended family that threatened your position, you created a temporary contract that would last a few years with the grand duke with granted immunity from the claws of in-laws and the minor lines hailing from the same name with the death of your husband. With 3 years passing by since that fateful day you demanded to be let into his office, he’d thought you'd forgotten all about it. Thaddeus hoped that was the case. But with you standing right in front of him, you clearly remembered, causing a great deal of annoyance to surge within his chest at the fact.

There was a slight pause in the way Thaddeus moves, letting the silence stretch on as he thinks of a way to convince you to change your mind, manipulate your thoughts into thinking that maybe, just maybe, staying as his pretty spouse was more beneficial for you and your child. So what if your former house had suddenly gone silent? Chased away into the countryside with their tails tucked in between their legs, begging him to have mercy for his retribution?

He makes a note to burn the contract later. He has no intention in ending his marriage with you. He treats you better than your ex-husband did, and you've been living well in his estate. Your son, Matthias, sees him as his father. Thaddeus loved the child, thought of him as his very own, even better now that he was thinking of giving him a little sibling, something to keep you occupied and steady. The way he sees it, there was no need for a divorce. You'll feel betrayed, sure. But it'll only last for a little while. Then, the three of you can be back to normal—a happy family.