Chapter 2

The northern sky painted in hues of ash as always, with snowflakes drifting in the bite of the wind.

A black flag was slowly descending to the restrained tune of a funeral march.

"Isn't that the daughter of the Cardel family?"

"Didn’t she go missing after the divorce? I thought her whereabouts were still unknown."

"Seems like she was alive. But when her father was desperately looking for her, she didn’t even show her face."

"Shouldn't someone inform the Duke Cardel?"

"And what's with her appearance?"

The murmuring from the crowd registered belatedly.

But whatever their rude chatter, Odely Cardel couldn't care less. 

Her eyes were fixed only on the coffin placed in the center of the hall.

As if drawn by something, she hesitantly took a step forward.

Approaching the coffin, an unbelievable scene burned itself into her vision. 

He lay there, surrounded by snowy white flowers, as if peacefully asleep.

Ludeville Ecsepsion, her ex-husband. 

Gone were the traces of the battlefield, the blood and dust. In death, he appeared composed and serene.

As if only now had he found peace.

Odely recalled the conversation she'd had with the aide in the carriage.

"No expert could determine the exact cause of death. Some claim it was suicide, others say it was murder. But the truth… only His Excellence would have known."

Even as he said that, the aide’s eyes held a quiet hope, perhaps expecting she knew something.

But Odely knew absolutely nothing about Ludeville.

Their relationship had been nothing more than a contract marriage from the start.

So…

In truth, they were little more than strangers.

'Why did he do it?'

Why had Ludeville left everything, his entire estate, to her?

Even now, as she stood at his funeral, she couldn’t make sense of it.

"Odely, as of today, our contract is terminated."

"This is the compensation we agreed upon. Please accept it."

"Anyone would have been fine for me."

"We won’t see each other again.”

Was that what he meant by "we won't see each other again"?

She yearned to ask.

But there was no one left in the world to answer that question now.

It was only when the black coffin was finally lowered into the earth that she could accept the truth 

That he was truly gone.

Until the last rites were done, she remained rooted to the spot, as if her feet were nailed to the floor.

Only the hem of her black gown fluttered weakly in the freezing breeze.

Odely first met him six years ago.

The plaza that day buzzed with festival energy.

Every year around this time, a grand ceremony took place.

"Look over there!"

On the castle wall, mages in white uniforms stood in formation along a circular ritual array.

"Oh, bearer of ancient blood, lantern of purification."

"Protect this empire from all impurities."

The chants rose like a hymn, and among them, one man stood out without question.

His sacred silver hair fluttered in the wind, and a low, firm voice echoed through the crowd.

"In accordance with the ancient covenant…"

Gawin Cardel, the heir to the House Cardel, known as the envoy of the gods. 

Hundreds of years ago, the Luminaire Empire was pushed to the brink of collapse by grotesque beings imbued with evil energy. 

In that crisis, a dragon, revered as a divine beast, cast a barrier over the entire empire using ancient magic. That barrier perfectly blocked external threats, safeguarding the empire.

But as time passed, the barrier began to lose its power…

And just when anxiety began to deepen, ‘they’ appeared.

The House of Cardel.

The only family capable of using ancient magic.

Each year, Cardel presided over a ceremony to restore the barrier. People began to call that day ‘The Day of Protection’.

And that tradition has continued unbroken to this day.

"Rekindle the sacred barrier."

Ancient characters glowed beneath his feet as if alive, and a golden pillar of magic soared high into the sky.

In that moment, the faint outlines of the barrier became visible above the heavens.

A giant, glass-like dome shimmered over the empire.

Proof that the empire was still under the dragon's protection.

The people gazed up at it with awe in their eyes.

"By chains eternal, I bind this empire."

It was at the moment Gawin chanted the final incantation.

Light from the mages’ hands converged into one, slicing through the sky.

Golden light flared along the castle walls, and the barrier’s shape was clearly etched even into the far-off horizon.

As the light faded, the barrier became transparent and disappeared from view.

But everyone knew.

That barrier would safeguard the peace of the empire for another year.

"Long live the Cardel family!"

"Descendants of the dragon, blood of heroes, long live!"

"Glory to the Luminaire Empire!"

The plaza was engulfed in cheers and celebration.

But far below, in a profoundly deep place.

Odely was trapped in a secret chamber accessible only through strict security.

“”Cough…! “

The hem of her white dress was stained crimson.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, blood dripped between her fingers.

This was Odely's role.

Descendants of the dragon? Ancient magic?

It was all a centuries-long fraud by the House of Cardel. 

The so-called ancient magic that protected the empire was a fabrication, all part of a well-written script.

There was only one thing real. 

Her sacrifice. She burned herself away to make the show believable.

‘This year is... worse than usual.’

Odely muttered to herself, swallowing blood.

Her throat felt like it was on fire.

In the Cardel family, only one person with "purification ability" was born each generation.

The family named those who could purify all impurities in the world "Purifiers."

And every year on the Day of Protection, everything defined as evil was forced into the Purifier's body.

A one-sided sacrifice to uphold a family legacy. That was the truth behind the ancient barrier Cardel so proudly claimed.

"Gasp, cough!"

Odely coughed up blood again.

The lifespan of a Purifier was not long.

At most, around 30 years old…

And when they died, another Purifier was always born in the next generation. 

As if even heaven itself supported this cruel cycle.

'How much longer can I endure?'

Leaning against the wall, Odely slowly closed her eyes.

Afterimages of light swirling behind her eyelids flared like flames. 

That's when it happened. 

Click—

She heard the sound of a lock turning. 

In this space where no one else could enter.

'Is it Gawain?'

What other torment is he planning?

Odely opened her eyes with difficulty.

Her vision swam, but gradually the face of the intruder came into focus. 

Her eyes met those of a man she had never seen before. Yet, he didn’t feel unfamiliar. 

Ludeville Ecsepsion.

The iron-blooded Grand Duke who ruled the North.

He was famous in many ways. 

Odely wondered why he was here, but she didn't even have the strength to ask. 

Ludeville stared down at her blankly, then said casually.

"Let me make a proposal."

"…"

"A five-year contract."

He sounded as if he had made such proposals hundreds of times. 

With a dry voice, showing no emotion whatsoever, he continued wearily. 

"If you successfully fulfill the role of Grand Duchess Ecsepsion for five years, I will sever all ties between you and the Cardel family."

"…"

Could this be… a marriage proposal?

It sounded insane. Completely unreasonable.

But what he said next made her freeze.

"At this rate, you will die within a year."

Odely blinked. He was still there.

It wasn't a hallucination.

'Five years…'

She wondered if it wasn't too distant a period when she didn't even know if she could survive this year.

But still.

"There seems to be no room for hesitation."

If she could stand under the hot sunlight and feel the cool breeze before she died. 

If she could live just a single normal day.

"…Right. There's nothing for me to consider."

"Very well."

He was a person far removed from expressions like "light" or "salvation."

"Can you stand up?"

"Yes."

"Then stand up."

"…Okay."

There was no gentle comfort, no extended hand.

Yet, his presence felt strangely distinct.

Odely slowly raised her weakly slumped body.

Ludeville didn't wait for her to get up, he immediately turned away. 

The moment he walked out without hesitation, passing through the secret room and opening the locked door.

"…!"

An intensely bright light poured in, dazzling her eyes.

Odely reflexively squeezed her eyes shut.

When she could finally open her eyes, she saw a ray of light and golden dust floating like waves.

"…"

Her life had been devoid of expectations and hope.

So why now, without any reason, did she suddenly want to live?

Odely took a deep, long breath for the first time.

In that quiet inhale, something fragile stirred. It was hope. Faint, but certain.