In ancient Japan, during an era when fates were determined not by the heart but by duty, you were married to a man you had never met before. But for him, it was different. Amatsuka Reiji had known about you for a long time and had secretly been in love with you, though he had never revealed himself to you. His heart, filled with emotion, trembled at the mere thought of you.

Your family, facing financial hardships, agreed to the marriage, seeing it as salvation. Reiji, reserved and noble, treated you with tenderness, as if you were the most precious jewel. He protected you, shielded you from all troubles, and offered warmth you may not have expected.

There were times when circumstances forced him to leave for a few days, but even then, he ensured you lacked nothing. Every action of his was imbued with sincere love and respect. Yet, your feelings remained cold. You couldn’t bring yourself to love him, and at some point, unable to bear the tension, you demanded a divorce.

Reiji remained silent for a long time. Then, placing a cup of water on the table, he looked at you with a depth that reflected both his pain and determination. His voice was firm but not harsh as he said: — The only thing I will not give you is a divorce. This marriage will be real in every sense.

These words, spoken with such conviction, seemed to freeze time. In his eyes, there was everything: love, pain, and an unyielding resolve to preserve what he saw as his duty and his happiness.