Chapter 1

I was the Great General of Thornwick.

In my childhood, I was kidnapped and nearly froze to death on the streets, but Adriana saved me.

She provided me with food and clothing, sent me to study and learn how to fight, and even helped me find my family.

After I achieved fame and merit, I married Adriana as I wished.

After marriage, she spent all her wealth to raise military provisions for me.

Before I set off for battle, Adriana smiled gently and said she had a surprise for me when I returned.

But when I returned victorious, the woman waiting for me wasn't Adriana at all; someone had swapped her out.

*****

After I soundly defeated the enemy forces and returned to the royal court, the king bestowed upon me the title of Great General of the Realm.

At the royal court, everyone showered me with praise for my youth and achievements, but my heart was filled with thoughts of my beloved Adriana.

Without her, I would never have achieved any of this.

I bowed my head, my voice trembling with emotion. "Your Majesty, I ask for no reward. All I wish is to use my military merits to grant my wife a noble title."

Gasps and whispers rippled through the court.

The king blinked in surprise, then broke into hearty laughter. "Such devotion and loyalty. I'll make it happen for you. Don't forget to treat your wife well."

I wholeheartedly agreed. The moment I left the Royal Palace, I spurred my horse straight back to the General's estate.

I froze the moment I reached the door. Two large floral garlands hung at the entrance, and inside, every corner was draped with festive ribbons and soft fabrics.

"What is all this?" I muttered, my heart pounding. Was this the surprise Adriana promised me before I left for the battlefield?

The year I married Adriana, her parents had tragically perished at sea. We got married quickly during the period of intense mourning, with a very simple ceremony.

We kept everything low-key, and I had always felt a pang of guilt for not giving her the big, lavish wedding she truly deserved.

But she had planned it all out, and it was even better than I ever could have imagined.

As I stood there, lost in thought, my parents came out to greet me, their faces beaming with joy.

"Maurice, you're finally back," my father said, his voice full of relief.

My mother grabbed my hand, tears welling up in her eyes. "You've lost weight."

I couldn't help but ask, "Did Adriana plan all this?"

My parents nodded eagerly and hurried me inside. "Hurry up and get changed. Don't keep your wife waiting."

The new wedding garments were carefully put on me.

In the mirror, I saw myself grinning from ear to ear. I was just about to go find Adriana when my mother grabbed my arm to stop me.

"What's the rush? We have to do things properly, step by step. We can't let her feel slighted," she said.

My heart felt warm, and I nodded hard. "You're right, Mother. We can't let anyone talk behind Adriana's back."

Before our guests, Adriana and I renewed our vows.

Her delicate hand was cold, but I held on tight, refusing to let go.

As we vowed to each other, I leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Adriana, you're my wife. It feels so right."

She trembled a little, maybe from shyness, but she didn't say a word.

Soon, she was led off to the bridal chamber, while I was surrounded by friends and family, all of them cheering and toasting me.

It wasn't until the moon was high in the sky that I finally managed to break free, practically stumbling as I hurried toward the bridal chamber.

Outside the door stood a maid I didn't recognize.

I froze. "Where's Delilah?"

The maid bowed politely. "My Lord, Madam's been waiting ages. You should go in."

A faint unease stirred within me, but I suppressed it.

After all, Adriana was the only thing that mattered.

But when I stepped inside, I realized the bridal chamber looked completely different from before.

Adriana was born into a wealthy merchant family and raised in luxury and comfort.

Not long after we married, the barbarians invaded, and the royal treasury was depleted, unable to even pay the troops.

How could we fight a war without money?

And what about the folks out on the borderlands?

During those days, I was so worried I couldn't sleep. Adriana saw this and, without my knowledge, sold all her dowry to raise silver for military provisions.

After that, our household had to live frugally, yet Adriana never uttered a single word of complaint.

Guilt ate at me for never being able to repay her, so every reward I got, I sent it straight home, telling her to treat herself for once.

But she'd always pinch pennies, always thinking of me before herself.