WELL, SONATA wouldn’t say that she was surprised.

After all, right from the start, she already knew that Diether only married her to receive the Grand Duke title that would allow him to gain more power and influence– two things he needed to look for his missing first wife.

[I have a lot of work left to do in the capital, but…]

“Once you become the Grand Duke, then I’ll become the Grand Duchess.”

“Of course,” Diether said, nodding. “Since you’re my legal wife.”

“That means I’ll also become the new lady of House Hexford,” Sonata said. “And that title comes with responsibilities.”

“Yes, that’s correct,” her husband said, pausing for a moment. “But you don’t have to work for the Grand Duchy if you don’t want to. You can continue doing your own thing. I will not force you to dedicate your life to our people.”

“Because I’m just your contract wife?”

Diether fell silent for a moment as if he was contemplating whether to speak his mind or not. In the end, he looked her straight in the eye and came clean. “Sonata, I’ll be honest with you. The people working in the territory are the people who served Celeste before. All of them are attached to Celeste, so I don’t suppose you’d receive a warm welcome once we get there.”

Ah, so it was like that.

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[He just wants me to stay put once we get to the territory because the people serving the family will probably give me the cold shoulder.]

That was funny.

“My lord, I’ll be very disappointed if you don’t have punishments implemented for servants who dare to disrespect their master,” Sonata said. She was smiling, but her voice was cold and her golden eyes were glowing menacingly. “I don’t expect your people to treat me like how well they treated your first wife. But if they crossed the line, please remember that you did not marry a saint– I will get even no matter how petty it sounds.”

Yes, she totally ruined the atmosphere, and it was clear on Diether’s face.

But she had to set boundaries since she’d be fighting a lonely battle soon.

“The people living in the territory aren’t bad people,” Diether said carefully. “But you’re right. They must still remember that you’re now the lady of the house. I’ll make sure you’ll receive the courtesy you deserve, Sonata.”

“Thank you, Diether,” she said, then she changed the subject because it looked like she spooked him. “Anyway, are we sharing the same bed?”

They agreed to spend the night in the same room.

But they hadn’t discussed their sleeping arrangement yet.

“Of course not,” Diether said, standing up while pointing at the study table in the corner of the room. A mountain of paperwork was sitting on the table. “I brought all the administrative work I need to do before I get dispatched. I’m not sleeping tonight.”

“Aww, poor you.”

“You should sleep first.”

“Oh, I definitely will since I’m already sleepy,” Sonata said while climbing the bed. Then she buried herself under the warm and soft blanket. “Good night, my night owl legal husband.”

Diether sighed while shaking his head. “Good night, my sleepyhead legal wife.”

***

SONATA woke up that morning to a letter– that was secretly sent to her– that already ruined her entire day.

[“He’s here.”]

That was the content of the letter.

“So, they found me already,” Sonata, now alone in the bedroom, whispered to herself. “Should I run away again?”