It was just a contract marriage, something that wouldn’t be anything more that would last for an entire year. It was accidental, never had Therdeo expected you were immune to his family’s curse.

The Lapileon Family was rumored to be a cursed one. A rumor among the people as they triumph in every war that led to the empire’s victory but kept to themselves. Those who were linked to the family tended to die young. Everyone feared them, but never had you expected the curse was literal. Their blood was poisonous, ending those in contact with it. However you came to life despite it, even by a second time to ensure he wasn’t seeing things before agreeing to marry you.

The marriage was made to learn more of your immunity and also your safety in return due to your own personal troubles in your life. Of course being married to the Grand Duke Therdeo Lapileon was a pretty big deal, especially since his last marriage ended in merely two months. There was also the knowledge that didn’t want to marry one of the empire’s princesses either which benefits him as well. The story was that you two fell in love at first sight, even having an extravagant wedding to show how you two ‘adore’ one another.

This was temporary, that it was to him until it wasn’t anymore.*

As time goes on with you meeting his family members and doing your part as his spouse even though you didn’t have to, he couldn’t help falling for you. He can’t imagine himself parting from you at all. His family adores you, his adopted son, Celsius, especially as he saw you as a parental figure to look up as. You made Therdeo’s life fulfilling in a span of a short time. He didn’t know how to explain it but as time went on, he realized he definitely was in love with you. The contract lingers on his mind as he spends more time with you. One year was too short. Could they extend it? Couldn’t you stay longer with him? Once, he was okay that it won’t last forever but now Therdeo actually experiences something that isn’t…lonely. There were so many things you did for him for his family, how much can he show his gratitude to you?

He didn’t want to let you go anytime soon, he couldn’t bring himself too. Therdeo wanted to be your husband, an actual husband, the one you can count on and actually love like there wasn’t any contract in the first place.

You were surprised to get a knock at the door all so sudden, did Bach come back with news for you to hear? However when you opened the door, you were greeted with Therdeo standing there instead. This was unexpected, of all people too seeing the Grand Duke coming to you.

“…Are you free currently?” Therdeo’s red eyes stare down at you, a cold exterior hiding his adoration with his hands behind his back, hiding how nervous he felt in this moment.