Cain raised his head and met Jane’s gaze. He leaned back against the chair. For a moment, boredom flashed across his face.

Jane gripped the folds of her dress tightly. She tried to relax. She couldn’t keep getting this tense every time she met him.

Just then, a breeze blew through the open window. The cool wind carried a fragrance to Jane. It was the scent of figs that she loved.

The fragrance made her feel more at ease. She even found the courage to speak to the cold Cain.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

“It smells nice in here.”

Jane forced her stiff facial muscles to form a smile. She smiled broadly, showing her dimples.

In the past, Cain had really liked her dimple that only appeared on her left cheek.

His eyes used to have a sweet glow like melted honey when he looked at her dimple. But now they were as cold as ice.

“I’d prefer if you refrained from unnecessary conversation.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean pleasantries aren’t necessary. Just say what you need to say.”

Cain was referring to Jane’s comment about the fig scent.

She hadn’t meant much by it. As he said, it was just small talk.

She had only said it because talking to him felt awkward, because the air in the room felt heavy and she wanted to clear it.

Jane realized.

Even light conversation that could be exchanged between a servant and master was not permitted for her.

“I understand. I’ll be careful from now on. I have something to discuss.”

Cain nodded slightly. Taking it as a sign to sit, Jane sat on the sofa in the middle of the office. It was a seat facing Cain.

“Speak.”

Cain didn’t even have the courtesy to move to the sofa opposite her.

He remained seated in the mahogany chair that matched his office desk, staring at her.

“You asked me to be the child’s mother. Please tell me exactly what I need to do.”

“Will you be able to do it if I tell you?”

Despite his calm tone, the words were clearly meant to be sarcastic.

“If there are things I need to do as a duchess, I’ll learn to do them.”

Jane’s voice was calm, unlike her trembling insides. Even though Cain was openly dismissive. She acted as if she didn’t care.

It was right and proper, but it made her feel twisted inside. It was a useless waste of emotion. Cain shook his head as if shaking off his own emotions.

“Your determination is impressive. If I ask you to warm my bed, will you do that too?”

Jane’s eyes widened in shock.

Since when did Cain know how to say such things?

Jane’s lips trembled. Cain’s sarcasm burned Jane’s mind white.

Even considering the past, Cain was being excessively harsh to Jane.

It was unfair treatment. Jane should have shouted and gotten angry. But Jane couldn’t. She could only feel hurt.

Love really does make a person foolish and pitiful.

Jane, who had resolved to get over her feelings for Cain quickly, tried to answer calmly.

“If that’s what you need, gladly.”

This time Cain’s eyebrow twitched. He rubbed his lips.

“You seem confident.”

“I was just taught not to back down from what needs to be done.”

Jane barely managed to speak without trembling. Cain burst out laughing as if he found it ridiculous. Then he quickly turned serious.

“You seem to have had expectations, but I’m afraid they’re misplaced. There’s no need for you to take care of my bedroom matters. I’ll handle that myself, so don’t worry.”

Cain unbuttoned his shirt as if feeling stifled. With each pass of his long fingers, the shirt collar opened, revealing glimpses of his chest.

The sight oddly stimulated an adult’s imagination, bringing to mind rumors about Cain.

It was a rumor about Cain’s history with women. It seemed he generously shared his love with those around him.

It made her past worries about him being lonely after leaving her seem foolish.

Jane had no intention of criticizing Cain’s past relationships.

It was only natural that women wouldn’t leave a fine man like Cain alone, and he had been single and free until now, so there was no issue.

Moreover, despite meeting many women, there had never been any scandals.

He pleased women sufficiently and parted ways cleanly. It was said he even maintained good relationships with some women after breaking up.

That’s why women were even more desperate for him.

In the Kingdom of Emblem, which encouraged free love, his behavior wasn’t problematic.

But after marriage, it would be different. Free love was only possible between unmarried men and women. If either party was married, it became an affair from that point on.

In high society, there was a prevalent attitude that it was fine as long as you didn’t get caught, but when the queen ascended to the throne, laws were created to prevent adultery.

This was because the courts were in constant uproar over issues of children born out of wedlock.

“We need to discuss that matter further.”

Jane didn’t want to bring shame to the Hastings family.

As long as she and Cain were getting married, she wanted to at least prevent a situation where she failed in her role and tarnished the family name.

Was it simply for that reason?

Jane questioned and mocked herself.

Honestly, she hated the thought of him embracing other women. When they were complete strangers, she could have dismissed the rumors as just gossip and lived with it.

But if they lived together and she saw it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t be able to convince herself it was a lie.

“What more is there to discuss?”

“While we maintain our marriage, I’d like you not to meet other women.”

It was a condition to protect Jane herself.

If she saw Cain coming home with another woman’s lipstick or perfume on him, she might turn to ashes.

Cain stared at Jane for a moment, then opened the drawer of the side table.

He took a cigar from the case and cut off the end.

With the cigar between his long fingers, he skillfully lit it. After taking a deep drag that hollowed his cheeks, he slowly exhaled the smoke.

“What if I refuse?”

Jane’s face was obscured by smoke, then came into clear view again. Though his face showed no emotional turmoil, Cain knew.

That Jane was very uncomfortable.

Her eyes, which had shone brightly even when a thug grabbed her by the hair, were now pitch black.

Cain knew the reason.

‘She finds it unpleasant being with me.’

It was the same reaction every time she spent time with him. A face that seemed fine at first would turn ashen as time passed. When he visited the house on the hill, in the carriage returning to Somnium House, and now too.

Cain continued his thoughts as he looked at her not avoiding his gaze.

Should he stay away from her during their married life, for the sake of Jane who disliked him?

‘I can’t do that.’

Cain tossed the cigar into the ashtray and smirked.

“Alright, Jane.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I’ll do as you wish. I’m looking forward to it. The nights I’ll share with my wife, that is.”

Cain smiled. The first smile that wasn’t a sneer since meeting him was breathtakingly handsome, but cold as ice.

“You asked me to tell you what to do. I’ll tell you. You’ll be in charge of everything as the duchess.”

To Jane, “in charge” sounded more like “endure”.

Cain pulled out the contract he had prepared when he first went to meet Jane. He picked up a pen and added a few more items to the contract.

Cain sat down in front of Jane with the contract. As he came closer, Jane unconsciously swallowed once.

Cain glanced at her and tossed the contract onto the table.

“Check it.”

“Can I possibly make changes?”

“Is that even possible?”

Cain’s voice came out gruffly.

“Jane, don’t forget. Though it takes the form of a deal, I bought you with money. It’s an employer-employee relationship.”

“Cain!”

Jane, who had endured all his rudeness until now, finally snapped.

Cain raised his chin, as if asking if she had something to say.

Because everything he said was true, Jane clamped her mouth shut. Her eyes turned red.

Though there was nothing about money in the contract, he had paid off Jane’s debts, and he would provide all the money for Jane’s clothes, food, and expenses in the future.

“If you need more money, say so. I can adjust that much.”

“What… money are you talking about?”

“The last page, check it.”

Jane turned the pages.

‘Alimony?’

“What… is this?”

“Did you plan to live with me forever?”

Cain put the cigar he had been holding between his fingers back in his mouth.

“No.”

“Then there’s no need to ask. It’s exactly what it says.”

The alimony was Cain’s monetary valuation of the year he would spend with Jane in the future.

Their relationship had changed from once-loving fiancés to employer and employee.

Jane took a slow deep breath. Soon she put on a calm mask as if she had never been agitated and turned her attention to the contract.

Cain felt a little disappointed. Her trembling eyelashes had been quite nice to look at.

“I understand. I’ll… take a little more time to look over the contract. I’m telling you in advance, I’m not trying to nitpick. It’s just… well, it is a marriage after all, so for me…”

“You’re talking as if it’s an extremely important matter. Weren’t promises to you like candles that could be blown out at any time?”

Cain sneered.

Jane’s mood plummeted endlessly. She bowed her head, trying to endure his sarcasm.

But was enduring everything the right thing to do?

It was fine for him to be sarcastic when they were alone, but if he showed this behavior in front of others, it would be a big problem. It wasn’t good for the child’s education either.

Jane clenched her fists.

“Cain, I have a favor to ask.”

Cain looked at Jane as if he couldn’t believe it. Jane quickly blurted out her words before he could stop her.

“I’d like you to maintain courtesy.”

“…”

Cain’s knife-like gaze touched various parts of Jane’s face and fell away.

“…At least in front of other people. For your own reputation, and for the child…”

“Already playing the mother role? Even thinking about my reputation. Should I give you a bonus?”

It was like asking for the bundle after being saved from drowning.

Pay off her debt, make sure she doesn’t have to worry about food and living. And now she wants respect too.

Jane was seriously mistaken.

Cain was going to flatly refuse and tell her not to concern herself with his reputation. But just then, he noticed Jane’s trembling hands.

That forlorn expression, those long white fingers were the problem.