Chapter One – Part 6: Beneath the Devil's Mask
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Rain fell over the capital before the cathedral bells had finished ringing.
What had begun as a day of celebration ended beneath a curtain of dark clouds, as if even the heavens mourned the fate awaiting the kingdom.
The guests departed one by one.
Elegant carriages disappeared through the palace gates, their wheels splashing through rain-soaked streets. The laughter that had once filled the cathedral square was gone, replaced by hurried whispers and anxious glances.
No one spoke of the wedding anymore.
Everyone spoke of the attack.
Of Ravenshollow.
Of the mysterious warrior bearing the Montecielo crest.
And of the Devil Duke.
---
Seraphina stood beneath the cathedral's stone archway, silently watching the rain.
The cold wind slipped beneath her veil, carrying the scent of wet earth and burning torches.
She barely noticed it.
Her thoughts remained fixed on Kael's words.
"There is someone... who should have died many years ago."
Who was he talking about?
A former soldier?
A traitor?
A member of his own family?
The questions circled endlessly inside her mind.
"You'll catch a fever if you stay there."
Kael's deep voice pulled her back to reality.
She turned.
He had already removed the ceremonial cloak he wore during the wedding. Instead, he stood in the dark military coat that every commander of the Northern Legion was known for.
Without another word, he draped the heavy cloak over her shoulders.
Its warmth surprised her.
So did its scent.
It carried traces of cedarwood, leather, and faint smoke from countless campfires.
A soldier's scent.
Not a nobleman's.
Seraphina instinctively wrapped the cloak around herself.
"You'll be cold," she said softly.
"I've endured winters far harsher than this."
His answer was simple.
Matter-of-fact.
Almost indifferent.
Yet...
He had still given her his cloak.
She lowered her eyes.
Perhaps kindness wasn't always spoken aloud.
Sometimes...
It was hidden inside quiet gestures.
---
Their carriage began the journey toward Montecielo Castle.
Neither of them spoke.
Outside, rain struck the windows in steady rhythms while lightning flashed across the gray sky.
Inside, silence settled comfortably between them.
It wasn't awkward.
It wasn't peaceful.
It simply existed.
Seraphina folded her hands neatly on her lap, occasionally stealing glances at the man sitting opposite her.
Now that she could observe him more closely, she noticed details that had escaped her before.
The faint scar above his brow.
The small white line crossing his chin.
The calloused fingers resting against the hilt of his sword.
Every mark told a story.
Every scar hinted at a battle survived.
He didn't look like a duke raised in luxury.
He looked like a man who had earned every title through blood.
As if sensing her gaze, Kael finally looked up.
"Is something wrong?"
Seraphina immediately looked away.
"N-No."
A faint silence followed.
Then...
"I've simply never met anyone like you."
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
"And what kind of man am I?"
She hesitated.
How could she answer honestly without sounding rude?
Finally, she spoke.
"The stories..."
"...don't match the person I'm seeing."
For the first time...
Kael looked almost amused.
"What stories?"
She laughed awkwardly.
"The ones saying you never smile."
"They're mostly true."
"They say you don't know mercy."
"I don't."
"They also say children cry whenever they hear your name."
A corner of his mouth almost curved upward.
"I've heard that one."
The unexpected response caught Seraphina off guard.
A tiny laugh escaped her lips before she could stop herself.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't elegant.
Just genuine.
Kael stared at her for a brief moment.
The sound lingered inside the carriage.
It had been years...
Since anyone had laughed naturally in his presence.
He found himself wondering...
Why did it sound so unfamiliar?
---
Hours later...
The towering silhouette of Montecielo Castle emerged from the rain.
Built atop the highest cliff in Northern Asteria, the fortress overlooked an endless sea crashing violently against black rocks below.
Unlike the bright palaces of the capital, Montecielo Castle had no colorful banners or blooming gardens.
Its towering walls were carved from dark granite.
Its windows were narrow.
Its watchtowers stood like silent guardians against the storm.
It wasn't built to impress.
It was built to survive.
As the carriage passed through the enormous iron gates, dozens of soldiers immediately saluted.
"Welcome home, Your Grace."
Their voices echoed through the courtyard.
Not one of them smiled.
Discipline ruled this place.
Kael stepped down first before offering his hand to Seraphina.
She accepted it.
This time...
His grip lingered a little longer.
Only for a heartbeat.
Then he let go.
The massive castle doors opened.
An elderly butler dressed in immaculate black attire bowed deeply.
"Welcome home, Your Grace."
His silver eyes shifted toward Seraphina.
"...Your Grace."
There was no warmth in his greeting.
No disrespect either.
Only uncertainty.
The servants behind him exchanged curious glances.
None of them had expected the Devil Duke to return with a bride.
As Seraphina crossed the castle's threshold, she couldn't shake the strange feeling growing inside her chest.
This place...
Didn't feel like a home.
It felt like a fortress filled with secrets.
And somewhere beyond those cold stone walls...
Someone was already waiting for the perfect moment to destroy everything Kael had built.
A pair of unseen eyes watched from the highest tower.
Hidden behind a rain-covered window...
A figure slowly closed the curtain.
"So..."
The voice was barely above a whisper.
"The Duchess has finally arrived."
A smile, cold and dangerous, spread across the stranger's face.
"Let's see how long she survives."
End of Chapter One – Part 6
Next: Part 7 – The Castle Where No One Smiles
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