Chapter 1

My mother said I was fated to bring death to my husband. When my childhood sweetheart of seven years came to propose, she turned around and had my older sister marry in my place.

They brought in a big rock from the seaside, saying that only by marrying the rock could my life be spared.

"Do you know who Robert Stephens is? If you bring death to him, the Joyce family is finished!"

"A cheap fate should just endure it. Marrying a stone is for your own good too!"

I argued and made a scene, and Robert tried to fight for it too.

But the one who finally talked me into it turned out to be him.

"Think it over carefully. Your mother is right."

"As the legitimate heir of the Marquis' House, I can't treat marriage as a trifle."

"Once your sister has borne me a child, I'll take you as my concubine."

I froze.

The next day drums and gongs rang out, and my sister married up into the Marquis' House.

And I held the stone and went into the bridal chamber with it.

Drifting between sleep and waking, the big rock in my arms felt warm and cozy.

A mere mortal, and she's abducted the Dragon Prince and married him!

Fine! A mortal's life is no more than a hundred years, and now that the rites are done, I too must take responsibility for her...

1

When the voice came, I took it for a dream and shoved the stone away.

I'd cried myself weak these past few days, and had no strength left to think.

Feeling vaguely hot, I absently pulled off my shirt and lay down.

In my dream I soared through the clouds, wonderfully carefree.

When I opened my eyes again, it was the same room full of trivial matters.

"What's with the long face? Is marrying a stone such a hardship for you?"

"When your sister comes back for the return feast, don't you dare wear that miserable look!"

"You'll sit there holding your husband, right beside the young lord."

My eyes stung, and the tears came dripping down.

I'd known Robert since he was at the academy; we'd been stuck together for years.

Whenever people saw me, they'd always ask whether Lord Stephens had come too.

And now they said my fate was too poor, that I wasn't fit to marry the lord.

I couldn't accept it, and I fought against it.

But I never expected the one who dealt me the final blow to be Robert himself.

In the end, for a great and noble house, heirs mattered more than years of affection.

I reached up to wipe away my tears, then reached over and picked up the stone that had rolled to one side.

"Heh, my stone husband..."

"Do you think I was adopted?"

"Otherwise why would Mother favor only my sister and never once care about me?"

My tears dripped onto the stone.

I heard a muffled grunt.

I quickly lifted my head and looked around, but couldn't see who had made the sound.

"Am I imagining things?"

"Never mind. Things being what they are, I shouldn't cry anymore."

"Stone, our rites are done. In this life, I'll take only you as my husband!"

"Alive or dead, I'll never marry Robert as a concubine!"

I finished through gritted teeth, and felt a few waves of heat rise in my palms.

I thought to myself how strange this stone was, that it could turn warm after being held so long.

Then, unexpectedly, a deep voice came.

Nonsense! You're my wife—how could I ever let you go!

I shrieked and flung the stone out of my hand.

It frightened Mother into shoving the door open.

"What are you throwing a fit about! You even dare hurl a rock at the door!"

I instinctively shook my head, only to be grabbed by the ear and shoved.

Before she left, Mother added a few more locks.

Afraid I'd slip out and disturb their tender moment.

The stone let out a muffled thud, shouting and yelling.

Despicable! Who gave you leave to bully my woman!

Once my subordinates find me, they'll surely help me recover my true form!

I stared at the stone in astonishment, then looked at my mother.

Only then did I realize that no one but me could hear his inner voice.

I crouched and shuffled over beside the stone.

"Big Stone, where are your men? I'll help you find them!"

"Just take me away with you, and you can even divorce me!"

The stone exclaimed in shock.

You—you can actually hear me!