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Chapter 5
The uninvited guest who entered without knocking was Tenus.
“You two seem to be getting along.”
He looked back and forth between Selachia and Chester, then raised one corner of his mouth in a crooked smile.
“Did your memory return or something?”
Selachia quickly gave Chester a silent glance — a signal to go along with her act of pretending her memory wasn’t fully intact.
As expected of a long-time friend, Chester caught on immediately. Though his expression showed reluctance, he gave a faint nod.
Feeling relieved, Selachia stood up and turned to Tenus.
“Conversations with someone as kind as him are always enjoyable. Don’t you think so, Sir Chester?”
“Even so, I’m disappointed. I wish you hadn’t lost your memory. How unfortunate…”
Chester looked at Selachia with a sorrowful expression. He played along with her performance flawlessly.
Though the only audience, Tenus, did not look pleased. But since Selachia wasn’t aiming for his smile anyway, she didn’t mind.
“You even came to visit me out of concern. Thank you so much. Once I regain my memory, I’ll be sure to send you a letter.”
It was a polite way to ask someone to leave, and Chester hesitated. He looked worried about leaving Selachia alone. Slowly rising from his seat, he stepped closer to her.
“Are you really going to be okay?”
“Of course. What reason could I possibly have not to be?”
“Sela…”
Chester parted his lips as if to say something. If he said anything suspicious, it would ruin everything.
Selachia furrowed her brows and gave him a stern look — a warning only he could see. That sharp glare made Chester sigh heavily instead of saying what was on his mind.
“I’m currently staying here with my merchant group. Since I’ll be in the duchy for a while on trade matters, don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything.”
The Seidon Duchy thrived on trade, so many merchant caravans passed through. Chester, leading his family’s merchant group, seemed to be staying long-term as well.
“I will. Thank you for your consideration.”
“….”
Chester looked at Selachia with concern that lingered even now. Then his gaze suddenly shifted.
Tenus, who had been standing by the door, was now standing close beside Selachia.
The warmth in Chester’s brown eyes turned cold. Selachia tensed up, worried he might say something inappropriate, but Chester only bowed politely to Tenus.
“Well then, Duke Seidon. Please take good care of Sela.”
Tenus stared at Chester with a blank expression. He didn’t open his mouth for quite a while.
Just as Selachia was about to glance sideways, puzzled by the long silence, Tenus muttered,
“Have there ever been cases of mere friends entrusting a wife to her husband?”
It was too clearly spoken to be a true mutter. Selachia, who was standing right next to him, and even Chester heard it clearly and looked confused.
Tenus, however, wore a dazzling smile as if he hadn’t said anything at all.
“You’ve used the wrong title, Viscount Piregen.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I haven’t officially inherited the title yet. Calling me Duke is inappropriate. If you were part of the ducal household, I might overlook the disrespect as misguided loyalty. But you are not, are you?”
Despite his clear criticism, his eyes crinkled as if he were smiling gently. It seemed he intended to hide his hostility with a charming smile.
Chester had called Tenus “Duke” because of Selachia’s influence. Everyone in the mansion referred to Tenus as the Duke, and he had never corrected them.
And now he had the nerve to scold Chester? It was petty and mean-spirited, yet technically not wrong, so Chester had no retort.
“Sir Chester. I’ve detained you for too long.”
Selachia gently urged him before things became even more difficult. Tenus, looking out the window now cleared of storm clouds, added nonchalantly,
“It is getting late.”
It was still early afternoon, with the sun high in the sky. But since the master of the house had said so, Chester had no choice but to accept.
“Sela. Take care of yourself. I’ll come see you again soon.”
Leaving those words behind, Chester reluctantly exited the reception room.
Click.
The sound of the closing door echoed through the quiet room. Tenus, watching Selachia stare at the door, was the first to speak.
“He’s been coming to the mansion every day since half a month ago asking to see you. You have a very devoted friend, Selachia. Or is he even a friend?”
Tenus’ gaze slid past Selachia. He stared coldly at the lone teacup sitting awkwardly in the middle of the table.
“Or maybe he’s your secret lover, hidden from your husband.”
There was an undeniable sharpness in his quiet tone. The jab irritated Selachia.
“Oh, I see now.”
Selachia rested her cheek on one hand and tilted her head.
“His face looked so cute when he got emotional seeing me. You should’ve told me earlier. I would’ve showered him with passionate reunion kisses.”
Words she never would’ve said if Chester had still been around flowed freely from her lips. Being interrupted during her reunion and accused of something absurd sparked a surge of mischief.
Not that she expected any reaction from Tenus. He would probably just throw her a cold look, as always.
But unexpectedly, Tenus turned toward her sharply.
“Selachia Rensh.”
There was a spark in his icy eyes.
They were endlessly cold, yet unbearably intense. Selachia was struck by how fierce a look of loathing could be.
Why doesn’t Tenus just ignore her?
If he disliked her, he could treat her as if she didn’t exist — the way Viscount Rensh or his servants used to. But Tenus never looked away from her.
Was it some sense of responsibility? Or pity?
Either possibility made her uncomfortable. She’d rather be ignored than pitied.
“You don’t even know your wife’s name properly.”
Selachia raised her chin defiantly.
“It’s Selachia Seidon, isn’t it? You said we’re married yourself. Right, Tenus Seidon?”
For a moment, the deep, unreadable light in Tenus’ eyes flickered. But it lasted only a heartbeat. He quickly returned to his usual aloof expression and handed her a sheet of paper. He said nothing more about Chester.
“Take it.”
“What is this?”
“Information that might help you regain your memory.”
“You’re awfully diligent. Not so urgent that you had to kick out a guest over it, though.”
“Is there a problem with the master of the house dismissing his own guest?”
At his blunt acknowledgment, Selachia let out a dry laugh.
“Well, if you put it that way, I, the guest, have no comeback.”
It was disappointing not to have had a longer talk with Chester, but this was Tenus’ mansion, after all. She had no right to complain.
“Selachia Seidon.”
As he looked down at her calmly accepting expression, Tenus suddenly spoke again.
“It may not feel real yet since we just got married, but the Seidon Duchy is yours too.”
“…What?”
“Even if the imperial seal hasn’t been affixed to our marriage yet, we are husband and wife. Don’t forget — you and I share rights and responsibilities now.”
“….”
Selachia blinked in stunned silence.
The Seidon Duchy is hers?
And Tenus Seidon of all people was the one saying that?
To him, Selachia had been nothing more than a tool to gain a noble title. Someone he could abandon once her usefulness ended.
So why was he now blocking her attempts to leave, and handing her rights and responsibilities of the house?
She couldn’t begin to understand the man in front of her.
“….”
Maybe if she read his expression, she could make some sense of it. But all she saw in his deep, dark blue eyes was an unfathomable coldness, like staring into frozen water.
“Well… for now.”
She, more than anyone, understood her current position. She had no choice but to act indifferent even if she couldn’t accept what he said, even if all she wanted was to leave.
No one had ever handed her rights or responsibilities before. It should’ve felt good — but it didn’t. Deep inside, something felt nauseating and uncomfortable.
Rights and duties given by the man who abandoned his bride on their wedding night?
Was he feeling guilty now?
Now, after she’d made up her mind to leave?
“You sure found the reception room well.”
Selachia’s mind went blank for a second, startled by his unexpected remark.
“You didn’t ask any servants — seemed like you found it on your own.”
At Tenus’ meaningful words, Selachia quickly replied.
“Mansion layouts are mostly the same. I never said I lost all my memories. I still have fragments of the past.”
“Oh, really?”
Tenus let out a short, breathy laugh.
“Lying seems to come naturally to you.”
