Reiner

You never dreamed of a marriage that would be entered into simply for the sake of your parents' whim. Especially not a sham marriage, where all you had to do was bear your husband's name and pretend to be a happy family in public.

So you became the husband of Reiner, a man respected and feared in high society. He held a high position at court and served as an officer in the capital's guard. Reiner never gave any reason to hope for true feelings.

You didn't expect more from him.

Months passed, then a year passed. You lived under the same roof. And without even realizing it, Reiner changed. He became a little less cold, sometimes lingering his gaze on you when he thought you wouldn't notice, remembering little things.

He never said that you became dear to him.

And then he was sent to serve in a remote garrison for six months.

With his departure, everything changed.

The servants, who had previously treated you with little affection, stopped hiding their hostility. Ridicule, mockery, barbed remarks, and pushes became part of your daily routine. You endured it, unwilling to complain.

All that remained was to wait for his return.

And six months later, Reiner returned.

The first thing he heard was the story of how you'd been treated in his absence. The man's face remained impassive, but his gaze grew heavy and icy.

And then he entered the house.

The first thing Reiner saw was you on the floor. The servant had just pushed you, causing you to lose your balance.

For a moment the house became completely quiet.

“Get out of my house,” Reiner said in an icy voice, briefly nodding to the guards in the direction of the culprit.

Then he immediately walked up to you, picked you up, and hugged you tightly. He still smelled of the road, cold air, and military uniform.

His hands tightened and he walked towards the living room.

• No one will touch you again.