‘Imprinting’.

Some said it was a privilege only demons could enjoy.

But Cedric thought differently.

He firmly believed it was a curse placed upon demons.

A relationship of just one night.

How could that cause such intense affection and obsession for a single partner for life?

At first glance, it might sound like an incredibly romantic story.

But Cedric knew the drawbacks of imprinting too well to naively praise it.

In relationships where both felt affection, especially if both were demons, it was somewhat alright. They could simply live loving and desiring only each other for life.

However, the problem arose when it involved ‘humans’ who had no attribute of imprinting.

‘Moreover, if that spouse is someone hiding dark intentions like Rebecca… it becomes even more dangerous.’

Throughout their marriage, Cedric resented the Manakin who had matched him with Rebecca.

She had connected countless demon royal family members with safe relationships free from the pitfalls of imprinting.

There had never been a single mistake in Manakin’s choices.

‘But of all times… to make such a huge mistake on my turn.’

The thought of himself forever craving and obsessing over Rebecca’s love was horrifying even to imagine.

Rebecca would threaten to leave him if he didn’t do as she wished, and Cedric, fearing her departure, would surely go mad with obsession.

‘If that happens… I would voluntarily become Rebecca’s slave, frantically offering anything at her feet.’

That was the common end for powerful figures driven mad by imprinting.

He desperately didn’t want to crumble so disgracefully under the guise of love.

Moreover, wasn’t he the guardian of the ‘Heart of Lillian’?

If someone like him went mad with obsession, this continent would surely head towards catastrophe.

“I’m afraid I have no intention of moving according to your plans.”

Cedric slowly caressed the tip of Rebecca’s small chin with his thumb as she looked up at him.

In contrast to his gentle touch, his gaze was utterly cold.

“I will divorce you by any means necessary. And until then,”

Cedric paused briefly, his eyes growing even sharper.

“I will absolutely never take you into my arms.”

It was a firm declaration and a final warning.

However, Rebecca, who must have been struck at her core, still wore an expression of complete ignorance.

‘She’s being really tiresome. Is she going to pretend not to know again?’

Not many humans knew about imprinting.

But Rebecca had acted from the beginning as if she knew about imprinting.

Of course, whenever confronted, she always feigned ignorance like now.

Cedric became more and more certain that she knew about imprinting as time passed.

‘And that she’s trying to use me by obtaining an imprint from me.’

The sense of betrayal towards her had long since become familiar.

Looking at her indifferently again, Rebecca’s fine brow was now deeply furrowed.

‘Seems her patience has finally run out.’

Rebecca couldn’t ultimately control her emotions when struck at her core, no matter how hard she tried.

Especially when cornered so coldly like this.

Just as he was certain that her true feelings would now spill out irritably, it happened.

“…Who says that? That I would naturally want to embrace you?”

Cedric’s blue eyes lost focus and wavered.

Rebecca glared at Cedric, unable to hide her displeasure.

Then she quickly adjusted her robe and coldly brushed off his hand, stepping back.

“Your confidence is excessive, Your Grace.”

The corners of Rebecca’s mouth twisted upwards.

Faced with her like this, Cedric couldn’t easily continue speaking.

He had seen Rebecca’s angry expression countless times before.

But it was the first time he had seen her face twisted in such cold mockery.

“Really, do you still not understand why I’m being so cooperative about the divorce?”

She even scolded him for still not knowing her true intentions.

Cedric finally reached the point of giving up on even hiding his bewildered expression.

Rebecca silently stared at him for a while.

It was then that Cedric, for the first time since their marriage, gazed at her red eyes without any prejudice.

“I don’t love you anymore.”

Her red lips moved gently once more.

“I don’t want you anymore either.”

Cedric’s eyes slowly widened.

Had Rebecca’s eyes, her lips… always looked like this?

Listening to Rebecca’s voice that rang like an auditory hallucination, Cedric unconsciously had such thoughts.

Rebecca’s face and the words she uttered, no, everything about her felt so unfamiliar.

Rebecca blinked slowly towards Cedric and continued speaking.

“So don’t worry. I will absolutely never throw myself at you like that in the future.”

“…”

“Once the divorce is finalized according to my terms, I’ll leave for the Dark Mansion right away. Then we’ll have no reason to see each other again.”

Not even a faint trace of affection could be read in Rebecca’s red eyes.

There was no longing gaze, not even a resentful look.

All that was directed at him was an emotionless gaze, as if looking at a worthless object.

“So stop wasting my time with your constant suspicions and…”

“…”

“Would you please leave now?”

And so once again, a cold and unfamiliar dismissal was given.

* * *

The next morning.

I stretched out on the bed, savoring the sunlight seeping in through the window.

My whole body felt stiff, probably from tossing and turning all night unable to sleep.

‘Cedric looked a bit shocked, didn’t he? Did I accidentally upset him more by getting carried away?’

I shook my head at the thoughts that kept coming.

‘No, this is actually a good thing.’

I needed to clearly show Cedric that I no longer had any intention of obsessing over him like the previous Rebecca.

Only then would Cedric’s antipathy towards me gradually decrease.

‘Even now, if we were to spend the night together, after the divorce I… wouldn’t be able to endure even a single day without you.’

Of course, Cedric’s cool yet alluring voice did cross my mind a few times throughout the night, but…

‘Just from one night together? Our Grand Duke has too much fantasy about the wedding night.’

I got up from bed, shaking off the subtle feelings I had experienced last night.

As always, there was a list of today’s schedule on the bedside table.

However, I just glanced at it briefly and turned away.

There was no need to read it properly.

Thanks to the original owner who had no interest in the duties of a Grand Duchess, there was hardly any schedule to speak of.

‘It’s unfair to be possessed as a villainess, but this one thing is nice. Having nothing to do.’

It was then, as I sat on the bed massaging my stiff neck from the night.

“Your Grace, are you awake?”

Mina, who had come to prepare the washbasin, peeked her face through the opened door right on time.

She then naturally approached and helped me with washing up.

After finishing the face wash with rose petal-infused water, Mina handed me a soft towel.

I glanced up at Mina while wiping off the moisture with the towel.

“You’re spreading the word well, right?”

Mina pursed her lips, looking troubled at my subtle question.

I had made one request to Mina previously.

I asked her to gradually spread rumors among the other servants that I was no longer mistreating them.

Even better if she could say something more positive than that.

“Well, I’ve been saying it, but it doesn’t seem like anyone believes me…”

Mina trailed off.

‘I guess so. Even I wouldn’t believe it if they said a mad dog changed overnight.’

It was good that I had secured six months of time after the divorce.

During that time, I had to somehow prove to the half-demon servants that I had changed and gain their favor.

‘Alright. Let’s start with the servants at the Dark Mansion.’

If there’s no schedule, I can make one.

Besides, I needed to take a look around the Dark Mansion before moving there.

“Mina, how many servants are there at the Dark Mansion?”

“There aren’t many servants there. About 200?”

“Good…”

I nodded and looked at Mina again.

“Go to the head chef right now and relay my order. Tell them to prepare as quickly as possible.”

.

.

.

A wicker basket filled with desserts for 200 people.

Mina’s expression as she held it in one hand was as bright as someone carrying an empty bag.

‘They say half-demon strength is two or three times that of humans…’

I stared blankly at Mina as she walked, humming a tune and even swaying to the rhythm.

“Why are you so excited?”

“Mm, because we’re going to the Dark Mansion?”

“Is there a honeypot at the Dark Mansion or something?”

“Not a honeypot, but there’s someone famous for being as sweet and radiant as honey there!”

“A famous ‘person’?”

“Hehe…”

Mina’s cheeks quickly turned pink as she twirled her hair with her finger.

It seemed there was a popular senior servant at the Dark Mansion.

“Ah! But Your Grace, why are you suddenly going to the Dark Mansion?”

“…Just curious. I’m starting to get bored staying only at the Light Mansion.”

I vaguely answered while turning my head towards the Dark Mansion that was gradually coming closer.

As evident from the last name ‘Twins’, the Twins family originated from half-demon twin brothers in ancient times.

Those twin brothers later became the ancestors of all half-demons.

So within the Twins family’s castle grounds, two mansions stand side by side symbolizing the twin brothers.

The Light Mansion and the Dark Mansion.

However, the Dark Mansion remained only as a symbol, rarely used by the Twins family.

Finally arriving in front of the Dark Mansion after crossing the garden path, I tilted my head looking up at the building.

‘Why leave such a perfectly fine place empty?’

True to being twin buildings, its size and appearance were the same as the Light Mansion.

Three conical roofs rose high above the large building, and the first-floor windows were protruding forward, creating a three-dimensional effect.

The only difference from the Light Mansion was the color of the building.

Unlike the Light Mansion with its ivory bricks and light brown roof, the walls of the Dark Mansion were a stylish gray, and the roof was black.

After gazing for a long time, completely captivated by the unique charm of the Dark Mansion.

I took a deep breath, suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of tension.

‘Of course, no one will welcome me, right? Though they’ll pretend otherwise on the surface.’

Whatever their reaction, I intend to go in since I even made desserts.

But I couldn’t help feeling uneasy about suddenly facing those who must hate me.

Just as I hesitated momentarily due to the growing tension.

A soft and charming baritone voice that seemed to welcome me came from behind.

“Finally… you’ve come here, Your Grace.”