As they entered the inner part of the castle, they saw lush greenery on both sides of the wide central avenue.

The winding paths through the greenery seemed not to be naturally formed, but rather like a maze garden had been created.

Litania slowly looked around as she walked along the central avenue with Orbis.

Reaching the central square before heading to the castle, they saw a large fountain in the middle.

The multi-layered streams of water created mysterious sounds, and around the fountain were planted colorful flowers rarely seen in autumn, exuding their fragrance.

‘How strange. Perhaps in the dragon castle, flowers bloom regardless of the season?’

Passing the fountain and reaching the main entrance, the doors opened automatically and a man in a neat suit walked out from inside, bowing to the two of them.

“Welcome, Master. And Madam.”

“What?”

Litania asked in surprise. The man, judging by his appearance and attitude, was unmistakably a butler.

‘There were people here?’

Since it was said to be a place inaccessible to humans, Litania thought no one lived in the dragon castle except Orbis.

But thinking about it, Orbis had never actually said that no humans lived in the dragon castle.

Those permitted by Orbis could enter, so this butler was probably someone Orbis had brought.

Litania realized her vague assumption that she would be the only human here until the servants and knights arrived had been mistaken, and she felt somewhat relieved.

“Nice to meet you. What should I call you?”

“Simons, ma’am. And please speak informally to me, Madam.”

“Ah.”

‘I suppose that’s how the hierarchy works.’

She hadn’t realized it when speaking formally to the knights since no one minded, but thinking about it, knights were external personnel while butlers and servants were castle employees, so speaking down to them was appropriate.

‘To speak like I did with Snow… but he’s older, so that feels a bit…’

Litania cleared her throat and belatedly put on an air of dignity.

“I’ll be in your care, Simons.”

“I will serve you without fail.”

Simons was a man with light ash-gray hair and purple eyes. He was tall, but not as robust as Orbis.

‘But his eyes seem a bit… strange.’

More precisely, the way he directed his gaze was somehow awkward.

It wasn’t simply being nervous in front of someone he was meeting for the first time, but he seemed to have trouble focusing.

‘Is his eyesight poor?’

He seemed to see well enough to walk properly. Why did his expression seem odd? Litania wore a puzzled expression.

“This way, please.”

As they followed the butler’s guidance inside, the interior came into view.

The castle, too large to take in at a glance, was clean, contrary to the preconception that it would be unmaintained.

Warm autumn sunlight seeped in through the stylishly decorated windows, and the curved windows under the high ceiling contained stained glass, creating a colorful and elegant atmosphere.

‘There’s already a banquet hall?’

At the front of the hall with its large chandelier was a staircase connected in the form of two symmetrical spirals.

Under the spiral of the stairs was a small indoor fountain, with small flower beds arranged around it.

The stairs, made of soft beige and gray-patterned marble that harmonized with the banquet hall floor, looked sturdy, and the black marble columns featured golden decorations with harmonious curves and straight lines, creating a sophisticated contrast.

‘Amazing… I thought it wasn’t flashy, but looking closely, it’s incredibly intricate.’

The iron railings formed patterns of plants and flowers as if delicately bent by magic, and above them on the walls were small windows.

Seemingly for controlling light and ventilation, flat windows were made under which long corridors existed, and beyond them were rows of black and blue doors with the same decorations.

They probably led to each room.

“Where’s my room, Simons?”

“I’ll guide you, Madam.”

“No, I’ll do it.”

Orbis brushed aside the butler’s hand and embraced Litania’s shoulder to lead her.

The butler stepped back neatly without showing any sign of confusion, and Orbis gently lowered his hand from Litania’s shoulder and lifted her up.

“Oh, Orbis?”

“You looked tired.”

There seemed to be many stairs, but Orbis climbed them in one breath without effort while carrying Litania, crossing the second floor.

At the end of the corridor lined with black and blue doors, an ornate door covered in red leather was visible. It seemed to be the room where Litania would stay.

Again, without touching it, the door opened on its own, and bright sunlight poured out from inside.

‘Wow…’

Litania was amazed.

It was a room that exuded a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

Though clearly a large room, it had a cozy and quaint feel thanks to its delicate furnishings, which was unique.

The warm-toned carpet covering the stone floor and the tapestries hanging on the walls served to richly fill the room that might otherwise have looked desolate.

Sunlight poured in abundantly through the large, wide arched windows, brightly illuminating the room.

Soft curtains in light pink and ivory were tied with tasseled cords, and beyond the windows, the castle gardens and lake were visible at a glance.

“Do you like it?”

“When did you decorate it like this? I thought I’d have to decorate the castle myself.”

“I told you you wouldn’t have to go through any trouble.”

Orbis spoke softly as he lowered Litania to the floor. Even the touch of the white, thick, soft fur carpet on her feet felt comfortable.

Next to it was a red carpet with intricately intertwined flowers and leaves, on top of which were piled cushions of various sizes and shapes, adding to the cozy feeling.

‘Is this Orbis’s taste?’

It was a space that could not have been created without consideration for the person living in it.

Litania looked at the large bed placed on one side of the room.

Through the translucent canopy, soft blankets and pillows could be seen on the luxurious wooden bed, and on the console beside it were candles with golden decorations.

On the other side, there was a desk and bookshelf, as if intending to create a small study. Seeing paper, ink, and brushes placed there, one could believe that someone else had originally lived in this room.

“It’s amazing. I didn’t think you’d go this far…”

“If you don’t like it, feel free to change it as much as you want.”

“No, it’s not that I don’t like it.”

When the Emperor ordered the marriage, she felt at a loss, and when Orbis accepted it, she was a bit suspicious.

But seeing how he had prepared such a cozy room with such consideration for her, a strange feeling welled up, making her heart ache in an odd way.

At first, she thought it was gratitude, but upon reflection, it seemed more like guilt.

Guilt for not trusting him and for leaving his feelings unattended.

‘Orbis was favorable towards me from the beginning.’

She had too simply concluded that his proposing to someone he didn’t know was because he wasn’t human.

Wasn’t it prejudiced to think that just because he wasn’t human, he couldn’t feel human emotions? This level of consideration wasn’t something that could be faked.

‘He’s made a sanctuary for me.’

He had shown his vow to be together for life not with words, but with actions.

Orbis truly wanted to make this space somewhere Litania would want to stay for life.

Thinking of his efforts, she felt sorry for doubting him all this time, and Litania wrinkled her nose to hold back the tears that were starting to well up.

She quickly blinked away the tears that had begun to form and conveyed her thanks to Orbis.

“Thank you, Orbis. For thinking of me.”

“I’m always thinking of you.”

Orbis smiled lightly and extended his hand toward her.

“Shall we go eat then? Or would you prefer to eat in your room?”

“What? The chef is still on the way by carriage…”

“I never said there wasn’t a chef in my castle.”

Come to think of it, that was true. If there was a butler, it wouldn’t be strange to have a chef.

“Wait a minute. How many staff are there in this castle right now?”

“They are not staff.”

Surely he doesn’t think they’re slaves. Litania felt her sense of gratitude diminish slightly but asked again.

“Anyway! How many people are working here?”

“If you count them as people, it would be seventy.”

“That’s a lot, isn’t it?”

With thirty knights sent from the Imperial Palace and the servants added, it would be over a hundred people. Of course, it seemed like about a hundred people would be needed to run a castle of this size.

‘That may be true… but I thought this place was secluded!’

Though no one had deceived her, Litania felt somehow betrayed and indignant.

While resting in her room after lunch, the door opened and a small shadow scurried in.

“Lady Litania, do you like your room?”

“Snow! How did you get here so soon? I thought it would take half a day by carriage…”

“I just came ahead because I need to serve you, Lady Litania.”

Does that mean Orbis went back to bring Snow? Litania tilted her head in confusion, but seeing Snow’s skillful movements as they wiped down the side table and set down a tray, she forgot to ask further.