Kiara was soaking in the bathtub, warm water mixed with fragrant oils filling the air with a calming scent.
"Turns out being a young lady with a rich husband is pretty nice," she mumbled, inhaling the soft aroma rising from the water.
After her bath, the maids helped her put on a nightgown.
"You sure I have to wear something like this at night? I'll catch a cold," Kiara protested.
"But this is the traditional first-night gown, milady," one of the maids explained.
"Bella," Kiara called.
"Yes, miss," Bella quickly stepped forward.
"Does Miss Arsella need anything?" she asked politely.
"Get me a cardigan. I am not walking into the young master's room dressed like this. Too revealing!" Kiara said firmly.
"Right away, miss," Bella replied and hurried off to fetch one.
Kiara put on the cardigan over what she considered an overly sexy gown. The other maids continued doing her light makeup and making sure she smelled fresh and clean—Master Sagara adored perfection, after all.
With her heart pounding violently, Kiara walked into the bridal chamber that Sagara had prepared. The moment she stepped inside, she saw Sagara sitting casually while sipping a glass of wine, his gaze sharp and cold.
His eyes traveled from the top of Kiara's head all the way down to her toes, but he showed no emotion whatsoever.
Then he stood up and walked toward her. Kiara panicked and stepped back several times. She was genuinely terrified he would demand his rights as her husband tonight.
"Why are you backing away? Are you afraid of me?" Sagara asked.
"I'm not afraid. I just… still feel like you're a stranger to me," Kiara said, meeting his eyes. She knew she had to be brave this time. No backing down.
"A stranger?" Sagara smirked.
"Don't pretend you forgot. Weren't you the one who came begging me to choose you as my wife?" Sagara said, making Kiara stare at him in disbelief.
"So you were pretending not to know me earlier?" she shot back.
"Of course," he said bluntly.
Arsella… what exactly were you planning? Offering yourself to this devil in human form? Kiara muttered inwardly.
"And I didn't expect your acting to be this good—pretending not to recognize me as well," Sagara whispered against her ear.
"I think you misunderstood. The one who came to you was Arsella, not me. I'm Kiara, and I've never met you before. I told you, I'm not from this world," Kiara insisted.
"You think I'm going to believe that? I don't." Sagara replied sharply, then suddenly yanked off her cardigan. In one swift movement, he lifted her and threw her onto the bed.
"What are you doing?!" Kiara gasped in fear.
"Isn't this what women like you want? You're after my children—just like what you said that day," Sagara said, leaning closer.
"W-wait! Maybe you misunderstood. I have no intention of having children with you. I just want to go home to my world!" Kiara panicked.
"And another thing—I'm not interested in you!"
"You're not?"
"I'm not," Kiara said firmly.
Suddenly, Sagara grabbed her chin and forced a kiss on her lips, stealing her breath. Then he began kissing her neck despite her struggle.
Kiara shoved him with all her strength. Sagara fell back onto the mattress, giving her a chance to scramble away from the bed.
"Don't you dare try anything with me!" Kiara snapped, panting hard.
Instead of getting angry, Sagara smiled—satisfied. He had never been rejected by a woman before.
"Why are you smiling?" Kiara asked.
"You're stronger than they said. They always described you as weak and frail."
"I told you already—I'm not Arsella!" Kiara barked.
"Fine. You may sleep. I'll leave," Sagara said calmly, walking out of the bridal chamber.
The moment she was sure he was gone, Kiara rushed to lock the door from the inside. She was terrified he'd sneak in during the night.
"God, I almost lost my virginity," Kiara muttered in relief.
"At least I survived today. Tomorrow… I'll deal with it tomorrow. I'm exhausted," she whispered, lying on the bed. Minutes later, she drifted into deep sleep.
---
A loud knocking echoed through the bedroom door, followed by voices calling her name.
"Miss… Miss Arsella? Why is the door locked? Please wake up, miss. The young master is waiting for breakfast," Bella called anxiously.
"Who the heck bangs on doors this early? Don't they know someone's sleeping?" Kiara groaned, stretching.
She opened her eyes slowly, noticing the morning sunlight streaming into the room.
"It's morning already?" she mumbled, then looked at the clock.
"Oh my God, it's already seven! Crap—!" She rushed to open the door. Bella and several maids stood waiting, all looking worried.
"Why are you just waking up, milady? Master Sagara has been waiting at the dining table," one of them said.
"Why does he have to wait for me? If he's hungry, he should just eat. My presence isn't going to boost his appetite," Kiara said carelessly.
"Miss, don't say things like that! If the young master hears—" Bella whispered nervously. Kiara had been acting bolder lately, and it scared her.
"Miss, you should take a bath quickly and go to the dining room," an older maid said.
"Yeah, yeah," Kiara nodded and went back inside with Bella.
"Do you want me to help you bathe, miss?" Bella offered.
"No need. I can do it myself. Just prepare my clothes," Kiara said, hurrying into the bathroom.
"Why is Miss Arsella so different now? So much braver…" Bella whispered, worried for her mistress.
**
After washing up and changing, Kiara headed to the dining room. Sagara was already seated, along with his four concubines—who all stared at Kiara as soon as she entered.
"So this is the real Arsella—no respect for rules," Nadia sneered.
"Exactly. We're all starving because we had to wait for her," Karin added.
They were clearly trying to provoke her, using her lateness as an excuse. They wanted Sagara to hate her—Arsella, whoever she was supposed to be.
Kiara ignored them. According to what the senior maid said last night, her status was higher than any of these four women. She was the official wife. The main mistress of the house.
"Why are these women talking so much just to eat?" Kiara muttered inwardly as she took her seat beside Sagara.
He finally turned to her.
"How did you sleep? Well?" Sagara asked.
"Well enough," Kiara answered casually.
"You forgot to cover this part," he teased suddenly, placing a kiss on her neck.
Kiara jerked up from her seat in shock.
All four concubines glared murderously—Kiara's neck was marked with a purplish spot. Meanwhile, Kiara felt completely set up. Sagara was deliberately turning the women against her.
Sagara smirked slightly.
Kiara glared daggers at him.
"I swear… I'll get back at you," Kiara hissed before storming out of the dining hall and heading back to her room.
"That crazy Sagara! In normal polygamous relationships, the husband wants his wives to get along. But him? He's the one causing chaos! Now it's not just him who's my enemy—those four concubines too!" Kiara groaned in frustration.