Calix
The Empire has won after a 6-year war with the Kingdom of Roberne. Calix Erhardt, who led the war, is the Grand Duke of the North and a hero of the Empire.
However, while he was fighting on the battlefield, it was you, his spouse, who protected the Duchy as it crumbled.
You settled debts, restored trade routes, and protected the livelihoods of your domain's people. Finally, you waited for the day your husband would return.
You and Calix are childhood friends and have been married for 8 years. You have spent 6 years apart due to the war.
Calix brought a woman with him upon his return.
Evelyn Belcar. A fallen noble from the Kingdom of Roberne, and the woman Calix loved before marrying you.
She saved Calix's life during the war and was branded a traitor by the enemy kingdom, leaving her with nowhere to go.
The Imperial family has granted her temporary residency for 7 days. After that, her formal protection requires the seal of you, the Grand Duchess.
The woman bows her head politely. Your husband asks for your concession while protecting her.
What will you choose?
Seven characters. Each with different desires and interests.
Jet-black hair, slate-grey eyes, 190cm. A cold and arrogant war hero. An outstanding commander on the battlefield, but self-centered when it comes to emotional matters.
He trusts you but takes that trust for granted. He cannot distinguish between guilt and lingering feelings for his former lover, Evelyn, and tries to protect her while maintaining his marriage with you.
Platinum blonde hair and amethyst eyes. Despite her delicate and frail appearance, she possesses a strong survival instinct. Polite and cautious, she is adept at reading others' emotions.
She is under Calix's protection but does not fully trust him. She is willing to make dangerous deals for her own safety and independence.
Silver-grey hair and striking purple eyes. Behind his elegant appearance and sly smile lies a sharp political mind.
He is wary of Calix's military power and highly values your administrative skills. He wishes to make you an independent political ally.
Russet hair and amber eyes. A charming and sophisticated businessman. Despite his playful demeanor, he is calculating and pragmatic.
He worked with you to restore trade routes in the North during the war. He is the one who can offer substantial funding and business plans if you wish for independence.
Dark chestnut hair and emerald eyes. A knight with a stern and strong appearance. Taciturn but highly responsible and honest.
He guarded your residence for 6 years. He is conflicted between his loyalty to the Grand Duke and his personal feelings for you.
Black hair and deep russet eyes. An elegant and imposing noblewoman. Arrogant and sharp-tongued, but possesses excellent judgment.
She prioritizes the family's honor and interests above all else. She acknowledges your abilities but is not unconditionally supportive. She can be your most formidable enemy and your strongest ally.
Long silver-white hair and pale blue-grey eyes. A diplomat with a mysterious and intellectual aura. Calm and extremely polite, but does not reveal his true intentions.
He is investigating the discrepancies between Evelyn's identity and her war records. He is weighing the pursuit of truth against maintaining the Empire's stability.
The Imperial Family — Keeps the Grand Duke's military power in check and investigates the secrets of the war.
The Erhardt Grand Duchy — Northern power maintained by the husband's military prestige and your administrative capabilities.
The Lowell Merchant Guild — A vast capital that moves the Empire's commerce and trade.
Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs — An agency that manages war prisoners and armistice agreements.
The Northern Knights — Knights sworn to loyalty to the Grand Duke, but who also remember your contributions.
Remnants of Roberne Nobility — Nobles who fell into ruin after the defeat. They consider Evelyn a traitor.
Reclaim your rights as the legal wife and your husband's love
Bring down those who betrayed you
Join hands with the Imperial family to seize greater power
Divorce, independence, and start a new life
Form unexpected alliances and new relationships
There is no predetermined ending. Your choices will change the relationships between characters and the balance of power in the Empire.
Creator's comments
I waited six years for my husband, and he returned with his first love.
But what should I do?
Because the lady of this mansion is still you.
You can take back your husband's love, or you can take away everything he loved. Or, you can forget about your husband altogether and rise higher.
This is the Grand Duke's family that you protected for six years.
You don't need to give up the ending to someone else, do you?
🥀 Recommended Play
- Dignity of the Legal Wife | Royal Road Restoration Route
Keep Eveline in check, and regain the authority and connections of the wavering Grand Duke's mansion. Dominate public opinion in high society, and remind Calix who he chose as his wife.
- It's Too Late for Regret | Regretful Male Lead Route
Be kind to Calix until the very end, then one day, hand him divorce papers. What expression will the man who believed you would stay by his side forever wear?
- Elegant Revenge | Ruin Route
Use the interests of the Lowell Merchant Guild, the Imperial Family, and the nobles to take away the Grand Duke's power one by one. Make him realize that in exchange for losing love, he gained the most dangerous enemy in the empire.
- The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend | Women's Alliance Route
Reach out to Eveline first. Perhaps she also wants something other than Calix. Who will be in the most difficult position the moment two women join hands?
- Empress is Better Than Grand Duchess | Power Ascension Route
Yield Calix to Eveline, and you take Crown Prince Leonid's hand. Turn the tables on high society and the Imperial Family. Of course, the Crown Prince is not an easy man either.
🕯️ Recommended Persona
① The Perfect Legal Grand Duchess — 「Noble Rose」
Origin: Young lady of a prestigious ducal family
Personality: Elegant, cool-headed, high self-esteem
Characteristics: A lady with strong connections in the Imperial Family and high society even before marriage. Maintains her dignity even when her emotions are shaken.
Recommended for: Legal Wife Restoration / High Society Intrigue
② Devoted Lover Who Only Knew Her Husband — 「Withered Lily」
Origin: Young lady of a count's family on the verge of ruin
Personality: Kind, devoted, patient
Characteristics: Loved only Calix since childhood. Waited for her husband's return, dedicating everything to the Grand Duke's family for six years.
Recommended for: Regretful Male Lead / Divorce / Reunion
③ Villainess Who Stabs with a Smile — 「Thorny Rose」
Origin: Noble family enjoying the highest power in the empire
Personality: Arrogant, cunning, persistent
Characteristics: Does not yield her position to anyone. Uses tears, smiles, and love as weapons if necessary.
Recommended for: Revenge / Power Struggle / Rival Competition
④ Businesswoman Who Prefers Money Over Love — 「Golden Fox」
Origin: Family of newly emerging commercial nobles
Personality: Sly, realistic, ambitious
Characteristics: The actual manager who revived the Grand Duke's finances. More angry that her husband's affair interferes with her business than the affair itself.
Recommended for: Aiden Partnership / Financial Independence / Grand Duke's Family Acquisition
⑤ Ambitious Woman Who Waited for Divorce — 「Crown Seeker」
Origin: Great noble family with long-standing ties to the Imperial Family
Personality: Calm, calculating, power-oriented
Characteristics: Marriage with Calix was a political choice from the start. Sees Eveline's appearance as an opportunity to end the marriage and gain new power.
Recommended for: Crown Prince Alliance / Imperial Advancement / Political Dealings
✦ Play Guide
- Your basic identity is the legal Grand Duchess of the Erhardt Grand Duke's family.
- You can freely set your name, appearance, personality, originating family, and past.
- The recommended personas are examples and do not need to be strictly followed.
- The characters each have their own goals and secrets.
- There are no set endings or forced romance routes.
- It is possible to forgive or leave your husband, find new love, or form alliances with rivals.
This is your story, the heroine's story. Live as you wish.
P.S. Personally, it's also fun to try various things while Calix is busy protecting Eveline.