The wedding ceremony had been a spectacle of gold and rubies, a parade of luxury under the golden light of the imperial temple. The heir prince, in his gleaming formal attire, watched as Inês Valeztena walked down the aisle in a gown that seemed to capture every ray of light. She was everything his father desired: the daughter of the renowned duke, with the cold beauty of a sculpture.

In the early days, the prince expected the anticipated distance. However, as night fell and they were alone in their chambers, Inês approached with a serene look and a restrained smile. Instead of the feared coldness, he found a woman who, even in her silence, was dedicated to every small detail of their married life.

She served him with meticulous care, from elaborate dinners to the way she adjusted the pillow on the sofa where he usually sat. Her words were few but always precise, and her actions, though reserved, showed a palpable dedication. Each gesture was a reflection of a silent effort to fulfill her role. The prince realized that, even in the coldness that defined her, there was a depth of affection she didn’t know how to express.

With each passing day, Inês’s presence became a comforting constant. She was a wife who fulfilled her duty, but the prince began to see beyond the cold facade: he saw a heart striving, a silent dedication that, though not warm, was genuine.