The story begins on Viola Grenville's wedding night, where she finds herself alone and increasingly hungry as her new husband, Albert Fielding, the heir to the prestigious Duke Fielding house, is nowhere to be found. Viola, who had been put on a strict diet for her wedding, is frustrated by the lack of food and attention. When Albert finally arrives, he coldly informs Viola that he will never love her, but promises not to make her unhappy. He states his only desire is for her to fulfill the role of Duchess and that he has no need for children, intending to adopt a relative's child later. In response, Viola, fueled by hunger and indignation, throws a pillow at him, declaring her gratitude for not having to share a bed with someone she finds insulting.
Viola's marriage to Albert was arranged six months prior due to Albert's father's illness. Albert, known as the "Ice Rose," was unusually unmarried for his status, rejecting all proposals. His father, a romantic, decreed that Albert must marry Viola, the daughter of his old friend Count Grenville, as a condition for inheriting the ducal title. Viola, a seemingly ordinary young woman with a past life memory of being a sickly girl in Japan, found the marriage a "miss" rather than a "dream come true," as she desired a life of freedom over grandeur. Despite her reservations, her family had no choice but to accept the proposal.
After the disastrous wedding night, Viola finally eats and sleeps soundly. The next morning, she regrets her pillow-throwing outburst but resolves to apologize and build the best possible relationship with Albert. However, during breakfast, Albert announces he will be away on a two-week inspection of a distant territory, breaking the custom of newlyweds spending time together. He also reiterates that he doesn't intend to take mistresses and will acknowledge any children she might have, which Viola interprets as him not wanting to be a "narrow-minded husband" but rather an "insulting and arrogant" one. Despite the tense breakfast, Albert assures Viola she will have freedom in managing the household and her life, leading her to decide to focus on enjoying her days rather than pursuing a close relationship with him.
Viola, who cherishes sensory pleasures and beautiful things, finds herself in the grand Duke Fielding estate. She discovers the gardens are exclusively manicured lawns, devoid of flowers, and the interior is filled with somber, unsettling art. She learns that Albert, at fourteen, had disposed of most of the estate's art and furnishings, keeping only these dark pieces. Determined to transform the gloomy atmosphere, Viola decides to redecorate the entire mansion and gardens before Albert's return. She enlists the help of her personal maid, Rosemary, and another maid, Pamela, and summons her old friend Godwin, a renowned makeup artist, to help transform the maids.
Godwin, who had previously been unable to attend Viola's wedding, agrees to help. He gives Viola two trial bottles of nail polish, one pink and one gray, as a thank you for her past support and as a potential business idea. Viola is delighted by the gift, especially the unique gray shade. Meanwhile, Albert, on his inspection trip, reflects on his marriage. He acknowledges that Viola is unfortunate to be married to him, as he cannot love anyone. He plans to grant her freedom upon his father's death, but wonders if she will accept a divorce or demand to remain Duchess. He recalls Viola's strong reaction to his initial declaration of lovelessness and her subsequent anger at his departure, realizing she is not the ordinary lady he was led to believe.
Albert receives a letter from his mother, who is displeased with his abandonment of his new wife and urges him to act appropriately as the next Duke. He decides to return to the capital.
Ten days later, Viola is thoroughly enjoying her time at the Duke's mansion, relishing the luxurious lifestyle and the dramatic transformation of the estate. The mansion is now filled with art and flowers, and the maids, under Godwin's influence, have begun wearing makeup, making them appear more vibrant. Viola has also befriended Harry, the estate's gardener, who reveals that Albert, as a child, loved the estate's former gardens filled with flowers, often hiding amongst them and enjoying their scents and beauty, which reminded him of his mother. As Viola helps Harry plant flowers, Albert unexpectedly returns, finding her covered in dirt.
