Contract Marriage with the Devil Duke (Completed Main Story) - Side Story 1

In preparation for winter, the Grand Ducal Palace was newly redecorated. Braziers were installed throughout to block the bitter cold, thick leather tapestries were hung on the walls, gaps in windows where drafts leaked through were sealed, and warm plush carpets were laid on the floors.

Orentia, who had grown up in a warm region, was clearly struggling as this was her first experience of winter in the Belial territory. Dimidius sent her room an abundance of winter supplies and told her to refrain from going outside on days with heavy snowfall.

Yet, since Orentia had officially started her business ventures after the charity bazaar held last autumn, she frequently traveled to the capital Geranium and other regions.

Seeing Orentia shivering despite wearing a thick fur coat, Dimidius sighed.

“Sigh… You went out again, didn’t you? Your lips have turned completely pale.”

The more Dimidius lived with her, the more he realized just how stubborn Orentia truly was.

When Dimidius voiced his complaints, Orentia put on a sullen expression.

“There are so many things I need to check on in person. It can’t be helped. Dimidius, you yourself go on frequent business trips regardless of the weather.”

“I was born and raised in the Belial territory. This level of cold means nothing to me. But every time you go out on days like this, you inevitably fall ill. So unless it’s truly urgent, please delegate it to your attendants.”

“It hasn’t even been long since I started my charity work. The system isn’t properly established yet—how can I possibly hand things over to attendants? I’ll eventually get used to the cold living here in the Belial territory. I can’t just stay cooped up inside the Grand Ducal Palace forever.”

Their opinions remained deadlocked. Dimidius was worried about Orentia, exhausted by the harsh winter cold, while Orentia wanted to focus on her work even if it meant feeling a bit unwell.

After staring seriously into each other’s eyes for a long while, Dimidius revealed a hint of disappointment.

“Do you realize how rarely we spend time together these days? We only see each other briefly at night before bed after both working until late evening.”

Before Orentia had fully thrown herself into her business, they often took walks together in the garden or shared tea. But now, with Dimidius already busy and Orentia overwhelmed by her ventures, opportunities to see each other had vanished entirely. It was an incredibly lonely and desolate feeling.

Yet Orentia merely pouted her lips.

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