Jane blinked at the jewelry box Mary held out.

“Isn’t it beautiful, my lady? The Duke sent it.”

Inside the velvet box was a set of diamond tiara, earrings, and necklace.

The antique design looked familiar.

“It’s what the previous Duchess wore, my lady. An heirloom passed down to the lady of Hastings.”

“Cain sent this to me?”

This precious thing to me?

Jane’s throat tightened.

Jane couldn’t believe it. Their marriage was a contract, and the wedding was just a formality.

Yet he’s giving this to me?

Jane’s eyes trembled greatly as she tried to fathom his intentions.

Is it a punishment?

A punishment to constantly remind her of her sins?

“Aren’t you happy? The Duke may seem cold, but he’s actually romantic. Sending the family heirloom on the wedding day. What could be a better gift than this?”

When Jane remained fixated on the necklace without much reaction, Mary made an even bigger fuss.

“Let me put it on for you.”

Mary took out the necklace and went behind Jane. Soon the heavy necklace hung around Jane’s neck.

Click, as the necklace’s clasp locked, Jane flinched. Jane unconsciously touched her neck. The moment she put on the necklace, it felt as if her neck was being tightly squeezed.

If this were a marriage of love with him, she would have accepted it very happily.

If only the words of the former Duchess of Hastings hadn’t come to mind.

For Jane, who couldn’t forget the moment when her shining love turned pitch black, the jewels worn by generations of duchesses were just handcuffs in a different form.

* * *

The outdoor wedding venue was decorated very splendidly and beautifully despite the short preparation period. It was the result of Mary’s utmost efforts.

A long tunnel-like arch decorated with hydrangeas and roses stretched out, with tables and chairs for guests placed on both sides.

Whenever a cool breeze blew, flower petals and delicate lace awnings fluttered like butterflies.

“As expected of the Hastings family, I suppose? Look at that lace. Not a single thing was prepared carelessly.”

“Where did they get all these flowers? They’ve completely surrounded the venue with expensive tulips.”

Jane heard the appreciation pouring out from the guests inside the temporary tent that served as the bride’s waiting room.

From the tiara to the venue and even the wedding dress, everything was too much for her.

It’s all fake anyway.

She felt guilty towards the guests who came to celebrate the wedding.

The plush bride’s waiting room chair felt like a thorn bush.

“It’s time to go out.”

Mary said as Jane twisted uncomfortably.

The time for the bride’s entrance had already come. Outside, the bridal entrance music was playing.

Jane took a deep breath and stood up. Looking at herself in the mirror one last time, she smiled forcefully.

Even if it’s a fake wedding, she must appear as a happy bride to others.

She would act as a bride so happy that even Cain would mistake this marriage for real.

With that resolution, Jane put on a bright smile like a flower on her face.

“You look so beautiful.”

Her effort wasn’t in vain, as Mary kept admiring her.

Jane, who responded with a nod, stood straight, and the tent opened. Jane carefully went outside so as not to disturb her hair ornaments and raised her lowered head.

As if on cue, applause from the guests erupted at her appearance, but it sounded distant to Jane’s ears.

At that moment, Jane’s senses were captured by what was in front of her.

Only by Cain.

He stood before the altar looking like an arrogant god. Though the sunlight was shining evenly, the spot where he stood seemed especially bright.

It was as if he was absorbing all the color and light around him.

The splendid decorations the guests had been raving about were nothing compared to him.

Jane was completely captivated by Cain.

To the point of forgetting she had to walk.

“My lady.”

At Mary’s call, Jane snapped back to her senses and began to move.

Cain waiting for her looked merely relaxed.

But that was Jane’s misunderstanding.

In reality, Cain was just as surprised.

When he saw her like a single lily, Cain momentarily felt a migraine coming on.

The visual stimulus was too intense.

Cain stared at her coming towards him without even blinking. He didn’t want to miss even that split second of closing his eyes.

With each step Jane took, her wedding dress embroidered with jewels sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight.

Exclamations of admiration burst out here and there. Along with praise for the bride. Cain found it displeasing.

Possessiveness boiled from deep within his heart. It was an emotion he shouldn’t feel towards Jane, but he couldn’t stop it.

“The bride and groom, please join hands.”

Jane, who had arrived before him, held out her hand to Cain following the officiant’s instructions.

Though her face was flushed, her eyes were calm.

She seemed to have smiled when she came out of the bride’s waiting room, but she stiffened up again in front of him.

Is it because of what happened seven years ago?

Because he stood her up?

Does Jane resent him?

Thoughts he had put off came rushing forward.

Cain quickly shook off these inappropriate thoughts for a wedding.

Just then, the archbishop officiating the ceremony gave a signal.

As the ceremony hall became solemn at the archbishop’s gesture, the marriage ceremony was conducted. Following the archbishop’s guidance, Cain put the ring on Jane’s finger.

Then the two recited their marriage vows.

Jane’s conscience stung throughout reciting the vows. It felt like deceiving God watching from above.

“I hereby declare these two married.”

After the archbishop’s declaration of marriage, cheers erupted.

Though few sincerely celebrated Jane and Cain’s wedding, they fully enjoyed the excitement that the wedding itself brought.

The two turned to face the guests. The most important part remained.

The kiss of the vow.

Jane’s hand holding the bouquet tightened.

It’s not even a marriage out of love, so maybe they’ll just skip it.

She was having such vague thoughts when Cain pulled Jane’s arm to turn her body. His long fingers lifted the bride’s veil.

The eyes shining brightly under thick eyebrows touched and left various parts of Jane’s face. That gaze was so hot that it felt as if he passionately desired her.

Even though that couldn’t be true.

Cain placed his hand on Jane’s cheek. Her head tilted following his touch. Her eyes wavered greatly.

“Are you… going to do it?”

Instead of answering, Cain came closer. Cain and Jane’s noses brushed. He placed his hand on Jane’s fully exposed back. A thrilling sensation ran up her spine.

“Breathe, Jane.”

Though it wasn’t their first kiss, Jane was as tense as a girl having her first kiss.

Cain gently caressed her back as if to calm Jane. Not knowing that it only made Jane more nervous.

He’s probably just pretending. Even if it’s a fake wedding, they need to keep up appearances.

Jane slowly closed her eyes. Soon their lips met, and Jane’s hand holding the bouquet tightened.

The feeling of his lips was too familiar.

Though it wasn’t her first kiss with Cain, it felt as if they had kissed recently…!

Suddenly, memories of the night spent in the cabin came to mind.

Jane’s eyes flew open.

‘What have I done!’

That night, the two shared a very deep kiss. For a very long time. And Jane clung to him.

It wasn’t simply meant as a hug. The atmosphere that day.

Cain coaxed and soothed her like that and laid her on the bed. And he stayed by her side until the whining Jane fell asleep.

‘I made such a disgraceful scene!’

So that’s why Cain didn’t come looking for her for the past two weeks. He must have been disgusted that day.

Moreover, she said she didn’t even remember the next day, so how bewildered he must have been.

‘What other mistakes did I make.’

Just as Jane’s thoughts were about to lengthen…

“Focus.”

A low baritone resonated in her ear.

And Cain pulled Jane’s waist strongly.

Her chest pressed against Cain’s. In that moment, Jane’s breath tangled and her lips parted. Cain didn’t miss that opening. He poured into Jane’s mouth as if rushing in.

* * *

“So the rumors were true. That the Duke has fallen head over heels for Miss Whitney. Are you alright, Scarlet?”

The woman who spoke to Scarlet was Belle Scott, known for her loose lips.

Scarlet turned to Belle with a gentle smile.

“I have no reason not to be. The procession is starting. We should sincerely congratulate the two, Belle. Let’s stand up.”

Scarlet jumped up from her seat and clapped more enthusiastically than anyone else.

‘Pretending to be calm.’

Belle inwardly snorted. It was widely known in high society that Scarlet had her eyes on Cain.

Although Scarlet openly monopolized Cain at various parties, the decisive reason her feelings became known was something else.

It was because of Scarlet’s actions.

When a woman showed interest in Cain, she quickly approached to befriend her or ostracized her from high society.

With Scarlet, from a family favored by the Queen and with looks second to none, taking such an active stance, rumors about Scarlet and Cain spread like wildfire in high society.

That they would get married someday.

Of course, it was just a rumor, but they say if three people tell a lie, it becomes the truth.

As the rumor aged, at some point, people asked Scarlet about news of Cain.

There was a reason for this.

Neither Cain nor Scarlet had ever openly acknowledged the rumor, but they had never openly denied it either.

But suddenly Cain appeared with Jane.

For a while, speculation about Jane’s appearance was rampant in high society.

That Cain brought her to keep the vow of a past engagement, that it was for revenge, that Miss Whitney clung to him, that Jane knew Joseph’s mother, all sorts of rumors circulated.

But after it became known that the two went on a date following Jane’s debutante, the rumors roughly settled in one direction.

That in reality, the two couldn’t forget each other and met again.

Even those who had bet on predicting when the two would break up quietly disappeared.

From then on, Scarlet’s anxiety began to grow. She had tried to ignore Jane, thinking she was no match for herself, but Jane’s presence kept growing.

And today, after seeing Cain and Jane’s kiss, she was certain.

If she didn’t get rid of Jane, Cain would never be hers.

What should I do?

Scarlet’s eyes shone sharply. Then, as if a good idea had occurred to her, she turned to Belle with a bright smile.

“Belle, I’m going to the powder room.”

“But the reception is about to start?”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Be careful.”

Belle turned to another group as if uninterested in Scarlet.

Scarlet pretended to head to the powder room while moving towards the inner part of the Hastings mansion.

In fact, she was following a figure she had been keeping an eye on. It was Mrs. Burnett.

As if displeased with the marriage, Mrs. Burnett had been frowning throughout the ceremony. And as soon as the official order of the ceremony ended, she left the venue.

Scarlet’s movement was free. Usually, a servant of the Hastings family would have asked where she was going, but today, perhaps because of the wedding, no servant paid attention to her.

Scarlet naturally approached Mrs. Burnett.

“Mrs. Burnett.”

Mrs. Burnett’s eyes widened briefly upon seeing Scarlet, then she smiled and closed the distance with Scarlet.

“Scarlet, what brings you here?”

“I felt dizzy after being outside for so long. I was looking for a place to rest. But… there’s not a single servant to guide me.”

Scarlet touched her forehead.

“You don’t look well. I told them so many times not to insist on an outdoor wedding, and now look, Scarlet has suffered because of it. And the servant placement too. I told them they should be stationed everywhere to look after the guests in case something happens…”

After catching her breath for a moment, Mrs. Burnett continued.

“It’s really terrible. The Hastings family was never like this before.”

Burnett glanced at Scarlet and sighed.