Four months into our marriage, I started to feel suspicious about his constant outings.

He’d leave every day at dawn and return late at night. Curious, I quietly looked into it,

But my husband was simply working hard and coming home. Nothing seemed out of place.

It was a contract marriage anyway, and we’d agreed not to interfere in each other’s personal lives...

Then why do I sometimes feel something off about him?

“The Emperor still hasn’t gotten married.”

“That’s a serious problem.”

“I just wish he’d hurry up and abandon me and marry someone else...”

My contract husband was Dale, a mercenary who knew my situation well.

I had hired him for a 364-day contract marriage, to break off the engagement with the Emperor.

Unlike the original Emperor from the novel, Dale was pure, innocent, and kind.

If I were to get married for real, it should be with a man like him, I began to think.

And then a problem arose.

The day finally came when I had to return to the Duke’s household.

But determined to return to Dale’s side no matter what, I gave him a firm reminder.

“Don’t open the door for strangers, even if I’m not home.”

“Okay.”

“And don’t lend money to anyone, even if they're someone close.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“And don’t cry just because you miss me.”

Ah... I don’t want to leave Dale.

But I had no choice but to return to the Duke’s house, dragging my feet all the way.

“Your Majesty, the teleportation circle is ready.”

“Let’s go.”

Without knowing what was happening behind me...