It only took a few months after the wedding for Lucina to come to a realization.

She might be superior to Gabriel in terms of intelligence but he was stronger than she was. Intelligence didn't help her against mindless violence. All she could do is postpone the inevitable.

He never hurt her with other people around. So she made sure she wasn't alone. She befriended a few of the other duchesses. She held large parties and banquets. She went out to see plays.

But those things never lasted forever, and when they ended, all she could do is brace herself for the unpreventable. She never got hurt enough for death to be an immediate concern, but she could never predict when that could change. When it would change. She might've cried. She couldn't remember. It wouldn't surprise her, though. Most days it she could barely get out of bed due to the pain.

Despite it all, she would not break. She knew she couldn't stop him. She wasn't strong enough. But she would find a way. She could run. The fate of a beggar would be better than this.

No.

She would not let a man like him sentence her to this fate. She'd find a weapon. Protect herself. She'd kill him.

He was stronger than Lucina was. But she was smarter. She'd be damned if she let him get to her.