Salvation Through Delusion C0

Prologue

I thought I was almost there. I had fought tooth and nail for this moment, for the sake of my purpose.
What purpose, you ask? To stop the destruction of the world I live in.
For that, I crossed into a strange new dimension and even agreed to a contractual marriage with a man.
All that’s left is for him to sign the contract. Once he does, I’ll have crossed the greatest mountain…

Click.
He slid the unsigned contract back into the drawer.

Why? Why would he do that?
I swallowed the question that rose to my throat and cautiously opened my mouth.
“Is there some sort of problem?”
“No.”
“Then please sign it now.”
“It’s not something that needs to be done right this instant, is it?”

No, it is. How am I supposed to trust a promise made only in words—especially when you already see me as an enemy?
“I need a written document as proof. Only then will I be at ease.”

His lips curved slowly. It was a smile the whole world adored, but not me.
To me, it was nothing but an ominous sign. That smile always came before something unlucky, and this time was no different.
“Then, depending on how you behave.”

What? I nearly let a string of curses slip but barely managed to hold them back. That man was supposed to be the hope of our world.
I forced a smile.
“What would you like me to do?”
“Keep your promise.”
“Be a dutiful partner to the Grand Duke’s house.”

I repeated my vow like a machine, reinforcing my tone with conviction.
“That’s why I packed my things and came to the Grand Duke’s mansion today, isn’t it?”
“And then?”

And then?
“What else are you going to do?”

He replied with a light laugh. Once again, I refused to be deceived by that smile. If there was a single person in this world immune to its charm, it would be me.
“Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

Straightening my posture like a soldier awaiting orders, I looked him directly in the eyes. His smile deepened at my response.
Anyone else would have smiled back, as if caught in a spell—but I held my expression firm.
He gazed at me, then slowly spoke.
“My beloved fiancé, to think you’d say that.”

Flinch. Beloved. No matter how many times I heard that word, I could never get used to it.
Ever since we agreed to a contract marriage, he’d been using that excuse—“to deceive others”—to call me that.
It was utterly revolting. And, of course, the more disgusted I looked, the more he seemed to enjoy it.

“From tonight on, I’ll be going to your room.”
“You mean… you’re switching rooms with me?”

Did he want my room? I had no idea what that had to do with my behavior. He replied casually to my puzzled expression.
“No. I’m going to hold you.”

For a moment, I blinked in confusion, unable to grasp his meaning.
A contract marriage—so why?
Before I could ask, a dry, commanding tone followed.
“Get out.”
“Wait, what about signing the contract—?”
“If you want it that badly, then get on my cock and beg for it while you move your hips.”

I couldn’t even tell what kind of expression I was making.
Sit where—and do what?

“Well, I suppose that’s the only way you understand. I have to say it plainly.”

No, I still didn’t understand. Was he serious? I stood frozen like an idiot, and after what felt like an eternity, barely managed to croak out a single word.
“Wait, why?”

His golden eyes, bright as the sun, glimmered with amusement. This time, his laughter wasn’t fake. He was genuinely entertained—
and that made it all the more chilling, because his joy carried a cruel edge.
“Guess.”

…What the fuck. Was that an open-ended question?