Ace recoiled as if she had struck him. His hand, still encased in stiff military leather, dropped from her chin as if scorched.

He had expected many things when he entered the bridal suite. He had expected Evelina to cry or be shy or fight with him. But the only thing he had not expected was to be treated like a piece of furniture obstructing a view.

"Blocking your settings?" he repeated, the word tasting like ash in his mouth at this point, "What nonsense are you babbling about, Evelina? Have the nerves of the wedding finally snapped your mind?"

Evelina didn’t answer. She thought he was overreacting. Although he couldn’t see the blue holographic interface that was visible to her, why was he so worked up?

Evelina didn’t bother to reply to him. She was busy reading a pop-up description for [Inventory Management]. It turns out, even the silk slippers on her feet could be liquidated for something called ’System Credits’ if she grew desperate enough.

The lack of a response stung Ace worse than a direct insult. He was the Iron Duke, a man whose presence usually commanded the breath out of the lungs of everyone in the room. When has he ever been treated like this?

He took a sharp step back, his cape swirling around his armored boots, and in his desperation of the moment, he tried to regain his footing by switching back to the one weapon he knew would hurt her: his absence.

"I see," he said, his voice dropping into that low tone that made his soldiers stiffen with fear, "If this is how you choose to play your games, so be it. I am leaving for the Northern Border tonight. The horses are already saddled. I won’t return for months, perhaps not until the winter snows melt.

Do not bother writing letters; I will not read them. Do not send messengers; they will be turned away at the camp gates."

He stood tall, chest out, waiting for the impact. He knew how much she had obsessed over this union. He knew how she had spent months embroidering handkerchiefs with the Alvarez crest.

This was the killing blow to her heart, the definitive proof that she was nothing more than a ghost in his house.

In her first life, this was the exact moment Evelina’s heart had shattered into pieces.

She remembered it clearly. She had collapsed to her knees, her heavy silk gown bunching up around her like a dying swan.

She had ruined the intricate lace of her sleeves by clutching at his boots, sobbing so hard she couldn’t breathe, begging him not to leave her in this unfamiliar fortress on their very first night.

She had looked up at him with eyes full of a desperation and love; a love he had found repulsive.

But that Evelina was dead. She had died in a tower, wondering why she had ever wasted her tears on a man who viewed her heart as an inconvenience.

Now, Evelina didn’t even flinch at his words. She felt a strange sense of detachment, as if she were watching a poorly acted play.

Months? she thought, a small spark of genuine relief fluttering in her chest. Only months? If I’m lucky, he’ll stay away for years.

Slowly, she reached out and grasped the edge of her pillow. She fluffed it with a soft thump, turned it over to the cool side, and lay back down.

The ruby-red veil was still draped over her head, but she didn’t care. She settled into the plush mattress, the expensive silk sheets rustling around her.

"Months. Understood," she murmured into the pillow.

Her eyes weren’t on him. They were fixed on a new, flickering gold box in the corner of her vision:

[New Mission from the System: Survival of the Fittest]

[Objective: Establish a power base in the Alvarez Estate while the ’Great Duke’ is absent.]

[Potential Reward: 5000 Gold & Skill: ’Merchant’s Eye’.]

System, huh?

The System was practically begging her to take over the house. Why would she cry about a man leaving when he was essentially giving her the keys to his kingdom? Shouldn’t she be seeing his absence as bonus?

’Evelina, oh, Evelina, what a fool you were in your past life!’ she smirked in excitement of what was about to come.

Ace stood frozen by the bed. He had delivered his ultimatum, but instead of the emotional outburst he expected, he was being treated to the sight of his wife getting comfortable for a nap.

"Evelina?" he prompted, his voice cracking with a hint of genuine confusion, "Did you not hear me? I said I am leaving. Now."

"I heard you the first three times, Ace," she replied, her voice muffled by the bedding, "Safe travels. Watch out for the mountain trolls or don’t. It’s entirely up to you."

The silence that followed was heavy and awkward. Ace felt a vein in his temple beginning to throb. He had won the argument; he was leaving, he was free but he felt like he had somehow lost a battle he didn’t even know he was fighting.

He waited. Surely, the delay was just her pride. Any second now, she would bolt upright, the tears would start, and she would beg for his mercy. He counted to ten in his head. Then twenty.

Evelina’s breathing merely slowed, becoming more rhythmic. She was actually trying to fall asleep.

Ace turned on his heel, his boots clicking sharply against the stone as he marched toward the threshold of the room. He stopped at the heavy oak doors, his hand on the iron handle.

He looked back one last time, hoping to catch her looking at him with regret.

All he saw was the back of her red-veiled head.

Evelina let out a long and weary sigh. It was the sound of someone whose patience had finally reached its limit.

"Ace?" she called out softly.

He perked up, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. Here it comes, he thought. The plea was coming.

"Close the door on your way out," she said, not even turning around, "The cold air coming from the hallway is annoying, and I’d like to get some sleep before the sun comes up."

Ace’s jaw tightened so hard he heard his teeth grind. Without another word, he stepped out and slammed the door with such force that the dust rattled off the chandeliers.

As the boom of the closing door echoed through the suite, a golden flash filled Evelina’s eyes, blinding her for a split second.

[Hidden Mission Success: The First Rejection]

[Hidden Bonus: 400 Gold]

[Current Balance: 500 Gold]

[System Note: Your indifference has caused ’Target: Ace’ to experience a 15% increase in unease. Well done, Host.]