CH 4

The one who slammed the door open was none other than Owen. He looked at Hessen, who was grabbing me by the collar, and he spoke in a cold voice.

“Hessen Everett, let go this instant.”

“…My distinguished older brother, what brings you here? I guess you’re here to put this idiot on a leash.”

Hessen let go of my collar, and while watching the stare down between those two men, I took a sip of my lukewarm tea. The hand holding the teacup trembled minutely.

“I have to talk to Lily about something. You should get going.”

“Why? Is it something I can’t listen to? Why don’t you just do it now even when I’m here? There’s nothing to hide between siblings.”

Owen stared at Hessen with a tired gaze, then he sighed quietly. He ruffled his blue-silver hair once, then he came up to grab Hessen’s arm.

“Leave.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Do I have to force you out? Leave while I’m still asking you nicely, Hessen.”

“Oh, but I don’t want to. Are you deaf? Let me hear what you want to say to that wicked thing. Why? Can’t I? Are you trying to hide something?”

The atmosphere became more and more heated because of Hessen’s jeering. Owen’s eyes darkened as an ominous force rose from him. It was Frigga, the spirit of ice that Owen had entered a contract with, and in an instant, ice cold frost began to form on the floor and the air was charged with frost.

“While I’m saying it nicely.”

“……”

“Get out.”

I spotted Hessen’s quivering shoulders. Hessen also had a spirit he signed a contract with, but his power was nothing compared to Owen.

Perhaps feeling humiliated, Hessen gritted his teeth. He was ready to be fiercely persistent, but he could no longer protest now. All he did after this was to shake off Owen’s hand roughly.

“You—I’ll see you later.”

Hessen left a threat for me before he headed to the door, practically stomping his feet. I stared down at my teacup blankly.

When Hessen left and slammed the door shut, Owen sat in front of me.

“Lily Everett.”

“Yes, Brother.”

I answered mechanically and looked up. As it came into view, I saw that Owen’s face was expressionless as usual. When I made eye contact with him, there was a gentle smile on my lips. I feel like a well-trained dog.

“I don’t expect much from you, but… Try to capture Theodore Valentino’s heart. That bastard still hasn’t been tamed completely. For the sake of Everett, your role is important in getting him to submit.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And don’t forget, Lily.”

Owen’s voice became lower. His indigo eyes stared into mine, his gaze filled with a clear desire for domination.

“Even if you marry that bastard, you’re mine.”

“……”

“Until you die, Lily Everett… No, even after you’ve died—you are an Everett. Do not forget.”

“…Yes, I won’t… forget.”

My voice trembled.

Did it come out right?

Did I answer well?

I have no idea.

Like the devil’s face in my nightmares, Owen’s smile was distorted.

He slowly stood up from his seat and reached forward, stroking my cheek.

“That’s right. You’re a good child.”

“……”

“Good night, Lily Everett.”

It seems like I’ll be having a nightmare tonight.

* * *

I wanted to meet Theodore Valentino today to return his coat, but that would be difficult to do. He was currently at the front lines at the fissures in the Valentino territory.

In the meantime, I heard unsavory rumors. The Valentino household had reached its limit, and the Everett family had offered belated support. The Duchy suffered and continued to suffer a great damage, and Duke Valentino now had no choice but to bow his head towards the Everett family.

‘Even though it was considered belated support, if we’re talking about Father here, he’d only be looking at it as a great profit.’

It’s not that surprising. The previous Duke of Valentino had been at odds with Father in the past, so I’m sure he’s trying to take this as an opportunity to make them kneel.

…I can’t imagine the anger and humiliation that Theodore Valentino must be feeling. In the first place, the Valentino household would not have fallen this far if only His Majesty the King had not been under Father’s thumb.

‘And just as Father wishes, that man will eventually marry me, but…’

Can we be happy?

He and I will never get along harmoniously. I can already feel it.

* * *

Marriage between nobles in this era, more than anything, was like a transaction.

It was a form of a political relationship to ensure each household’s interests and safety.

The former Duke of Valentino was supposed to have entered a political marriage with Lord Alvinith’s daughter, but he fell in love with the daughter of a humble household and ended up marrying her.

As a result, Valentino earned very little benefit from this marriage. Their military had weakened as well.

It was inevitably different from other families who entered political marriages to bolster each other’s wealth and power, so even at that time, the Valentino household had already been at risk.

“In short, it’s a fool’s errand for you.”

Hessen spat these words sarcastically while leaning against the wall. From the moment he had entered the bride’s waiting room, it seemed like his gaze couldn’t leave me.

Those indigo eyes seemed to be holding unwavering flames.

A fundamental, fierce impulse. Anger. Those were the flames.

“If the Valentino Duchy’s finances were intact, you would never have married Theodore Valentino.”

“Yes, I know.”

I nodded indifferently as I answered back. At this, Hessen’s expression distorted.

He took a step as though he was going to come right at me, but he suddenly stopped and muttered, ‘Sh*t.’

While balling both hands into fists, his features contorted in anger, and I saw how he was trying to suppress a sense of shame. When I saw that face, I felt like I was awakening a sadistic side in me.

I want to do something I wouldn’t normally do. Anyway, Hessen wouldn’t be able to do anything to me today.

If anything, this was my chance now.

To turn that goddamn Hessen upside down.

“Hessen, do you know?”

I rose from my seat carefully so that my wedding dress wouldn’t crumple, and on one side of the wall, my reflection could be seen in a full-body mirror. It was a pure white wedding dress decorated with lily flowers and blue jewels, trinkets that supposedly wish the bride happiness.

Her white-silver hair was neatly braided, and atop her head was a veil and a pure gold tiara. With light makeup on, she had a pure, elegant air to her as her peridot eyes shone brightly.

“Even if I were to die, I would never ask you for any help.”

At what I said, Hessen’s eyes shook for a moment. But soon, he clenched his fist as though he was going to kill me.

In the distance, the sound of a piano and many string instruments could be heard. As I walked past Hessen, I cursed under my breath.

“I’m sick and tired of you and Owen. I wish you both can just die.”

“You…!”

On the wedding day itself, the bride cursed out like this inelegantly.

But if not now, when can I ever say something like this to Hessen?

I’ve always wanted to tell them.

Dear Owen and Hessen. I always do well to curse you out in my mind.

You think of me as just some meek prey, but in fact, you’ve just never seen the bloodlust in me.

Hessen stood where he was, not being able to grab me. He knew that if he were to ruin the wedding, he wouldn’t be able to escape Father’s wrath.

I laughed at Hessen from the bottom of my heart.

·

The wedding hall was filled with flowers, fragrant scents and pleasant music. Because it was a cathedral, the atmosphere felt sacred at one glance thanks to the stained glass windows that were in the background.

However, my honest opinion of it was that this was hell—only decorated to look like heaven.

He was standing at the end of the white path in front of me. It was a marriage that neither of us wanted. On one side was my Father who was smiling kindly to the guests, and in turn, they gave their congratulations.

They were all smiles. It was a picturesque scene of hypocrisy.

And everyone who’s here today knew this very well.

Duke Everett had pressured the Valentino family for this marriage.

To make Valentino kneel down, he sent his troops for support late, isolated Valentino from other noble families, and he had also committed countless other malicious acts.

Still, those smiling faces continued to express their best wishes…

“You’re beautiful, Lily. Congratulations on your marriage.”

Father reached out to me. I smiled brightly and took his hand.

“It’s all thanks to you, Father.”

How happy must he be to have sold me for a high price?

The music had changed. As the string orchestra played a new piece to announce the arrival of the bride, petals fluttered from the ceiling.

It was like a theater play. It was amazing in the same way that it was amusing.

Do you feel the same way?

Theodore Valentino was looking at me with emotionless blue eyes. When I finally arrived in front of him, Father gave my hand to him. Like a doll made out of wood, his face was blank of any expression.

“We gather here today for the holy matrimony of…”

And the officiant began his sermon. This marriage was nothing but a rotten sham being covered in pretty wrapping paper.

Thus, Theodore Valentino and I became husband and wife.

* * *

The reception went on until late into the night. I came into the bedroom earlier in the evening, bathed, had fragrant oils applied to my hair and body, and then sat on the bed.

Tick, tock, tick, tock. Time flew by. I didn’t know I’d be deserted right at the first night. I don’t think he wants to spend the night with me.

I recalled the time I went to Duke Valentino’s estate not too long ago to return his coat.

’His Grace would like me to inform you that the coat is unclean, so please do whatever you please with it. You may tear it up or burn it to ashes.’

Rather than inviting her inside just like any other guest who had come to visit, I was forced to wait outside for more than twenty minutes—only to be greeted by an attendant with this message.

Upon hearing this, I noticed that Theodore Valentino wanted me to be hurt. But this wasn’t a fresh realization. For him, I was just a daughter of the Everett family that he despised so much.

Nevertheless, I neither hated nor resented him.

But the question arises. Did I deserve this?

Anyway, for me, it was best to just keep my distance from him—that I should not like him.

When I saw him at the Everett estate’s garden in the past, it was only a fleeting emotion.

For a short moment, brainwashing myself like this made me feel at ease.

Click.

The bedroom door opened quietly. After hearing the sound of footsteps against the floor, I looked up to see the person I’d been waiting for all evening.

He had just finished bathing, and his black hair was still damp. His blue eyes looked bored. With his robe tied with a rough knot of the cloth belt, his chiseled chest could be seen through the front.

I stared at him in a daze without realizing it, and at this, he chuckled as he picked up the wine bottle on the table.

I immediately knew that it was a derisive laugh. The moment he entered the bedroom, I had been mesmerized by him unknowingly—and he noticed this. My face heated up.

He poured liquor into a glass and, without hesitation, walked up to me.

“……!”

And my arm was suddenly pulled without any time for me to be startled. Even before realizing what was happening, my eyes widened as I tasted the fragrant yet pungent wine going down my throat.