Chapter 1.3

“Even if a man who wasn’t even much of a father abandoned us, isn’t this too much?! The reason we’re in this state isn’t because of the Emperor or anyone else—it’s all because of you, Mother!”  

She was resentful. It had been so long since she had cried out of anger. 

Was this what it felt like to cry tears of blood?  

“What will you do if Baron Evris comes back and demands everything be returned?!”  

She shook her mother’s thin shoulders. Her mother swayed weakly, her eyes staring into space. The strength she had shown when she was locked in was now completely gone. Even if it was because of the alcohol, Leticia couldn’t help but feel hatred and disbelief.  

She loved her mother. She couldn’t live without her. She couldn’t give up on her. But she was a person before she was a daughter. The tears of frustration wouldn’t stop.  

She could no longer stay in this house. The way the men had looked at her earlier had clearly carried a purpose and a s*xual undertone. With the door handle broken, there was no way to keep them out.  

Leticia wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. No matter how much she wiped, the tears wouldn’t stop, but she couldn’t just sit and cry. She began packing her things. At least they hadn’t taken the suitcase. She let out a hollow laugh.  

Even as she packed, her mother didn’t open her eyes. With all the valuables already taken, the only things left to pack were clothes.  

Her mother was still lying on the floor. Leticia shook her.  

“Mother, get up.”  

“Ah, just one more round, just one more…”

Her mother mumbled in her sleep. Overcome with anger, Leticia stormed into the kitchen, filled her hands with water, and splashed it on her mother.  

“Wake up!”  

Even so, her mother didn’t wake. Leticia ended up carrying her mother on her back. Although her body felt limp and heavy, Leticia gritted her teeth, stood up, and dragged their luggage along.  

The moment she stepped outside the house, she felt as though she were stepping out n*ked, vulnerable to the world despite the weight of everything she carried. She could feel the stares of those around her.  

“That’s them….”  

Someone whispered as they glanced at Leticia and her mother. She already knew the rumors had spread. Still, she couldn’t claim that the mocking gazes and laughter didn’t affect her.  

Carrying both her own shame and her mother’s, Leticia headed toward downtown, where Baron Evris resided—the place she had stubbornly refused to go out of pride.  

***

Karl Lavresion had been engulfed by overwhelming boredom and monotony since arriving in the Chevrem Empire. Of course, there was plenty of work to do. He hadn’t come all this way in place of his older brother for no reason.  

He planned to return to Arhadan as soon as his tasks were completed. There was no need for him to stay here any longer than necessary.  

He stared at the mountain of paperwork before him and sighed. No matter how he looked at it, he wasn’t cut out to be buried in documents like his brother. Even though he had come here with a sense of duty and patriotism, the monotony was driving him insane.  

What bored him most, however, was the utter lack of excitement in his life here. Chevrem was not just dull—it was stifling. The air was perpetually chilly, and snow fell so frequently that outdoor activities were often disrupted.  

…He had at least hoped to sleep with a Chevrem woman during his stay.  

Leaning back lazily in his chair, he suddenly thought of a pale-skinned woman.  

Leticia Evris.  

He had heard bits and pieces about her even before arriving in Chevrem. The illegitimate daughter of the Emperor’s mistress.  

Whether in Chevrem or Arhadan, the mistresses of emperors were always a topic of intrigue. What made this particular story noteworthy was that the Chevrem Emperor, known for frequently changing his lovers, had kept this one around for quite a while—long enough to father a child with her. It had been a source of amusement among the nobility in Arhadan.  

He had heard she was beautiful… and she was even more stunning than expected.  

While Chevrem citizens tended to have pale skin compared to those in Arhadan, Leticia Evris was exceptionally pale. Her skin seemed so delicate that it would redden instantly at the slightest touch. So, naturally, he had touched her a little when they first met.  

He wanted to see her again.  

The impulse simmered within him. He wanted to make her pale face flush red, to force her tightly closed legs to open before him.  

Why not?  

Propping his chin on his hand, Karl mulled it over briefly before reaching a conclusion. There was no need to hesitate. What was the big deal about sleeping with her a few times? After all, she was merely the daughter of a mistress who had fallen out of the Emperor’s favor. There was nothing to feel guilty about. Of course, he wouldn’t treat her roughly since she carried the Emperor’s blood.  

Besides, she was an easy target. She had weaknesses—her family and their debts. The fact that she had come to the Imperial Palace back then was proof enough that she was desperate for money. Given her dire circumstances, she would undoubtedly yield, even if she played coy at first. He could already picture it.  

She was the perfect companion to keep by his side during his stay in Chevrem. She wasn’t too lowly, nor would she demand any significant responsibility from him. As long as he helped her resolve her financial issues, there would likely be no complications when it was time to part ways.  

His decision was made.  

All that was left was to act.  

***

It was fortunate that Baron Evris’s house was located downtown. He was originally a wealthy merchant who had married Leticia’s mother in exchange for receiving his title.  

Downtown was dazzling with lights, even in the evening. Although Leticia had visited a few times before, she had never come this late at night, and the sights felt unfamiliar. But there was no time to dwell on her surroundings. She trudged forward, struggling under the weight on her back.  

When she finally reached the Baron’s house, she rang the doorbell. The door opened shortly after, revealing the Baron himself.  

Baron Evris showed no surprise upon seeing Leticia and her mother on her back. His expression was blank, as though he had expected this.  

“Baron, it’s been a long time… I’m sorry for coming like this.”  

Her face burned with shame. He must have heard the rumors. The story of the Emperor’s discarded mistress was a tantalizing piece of gossip for anyone.  

“Come in.”  

The Baron opened the door wide and took her mother from Leticia’s back. Unlike Leticia, who had struggled under the weight, the Baron carried her mother effortlessly into the house. Leticia, slightly taken aback, followed him inside.  

The Baron’s house was tidy, with only an elderly maid present. The maid approached Leticia and took her luggage without hesitation. Leticia expressed her gratitude and followed closely behind the Baron.  

“Baron, I truly apologize. I didn’t want to come here, but…”  

“It’s fine. I knew this would happen eventually.”  

The Baron glanced down at her mother, who stirred slightly as if waking up. A low groan escaped her lips as she shifted in his arms. The Baron carried her into a guest room and laid her on the bed. Her mother opened her eyes as soon as she was placed on the mattress. Looking around the unfamiliar room, she seemed to regain some clarity. She sat up and alternated her gaze between the Baron and Leticia.  

“Lichten…”  

Her mother murmured the Baron’s name in a dazed voice. The Baron tilted his head slightly in acknowledgment, crossing his arms.  

“You’ve racked up debts you can’t possibly repay.”  

“…”  

“How do you plan to pay them back?”  

“…”  

“By selling your body?”  

The Baron’s blunt words shocked not only Leticia’s mother but also Leticia herself. She stared at him in disbelief. The Baron’s expression remained stoic, though there was a faint glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.  

Was he pleased by my mother’s misfortune?  

“You have nothing to say. That must mean you were considering it. After all, all you have to offer is your face and body.”  

“Baron!”  

Leticia couldn’t hold back and raised her voice. No matter how much her mother had erred, such insults were unacceptable. Yet her mother remained calm, her expression unfazed. This only made it harder for Leticia to understand.  

“You two can figure out how to deal with the debt yourselves. Opening my house to you and letting you stay here—that’s as far as my goodwill goes.”  

The Baron alternated his gaze between Leticia and her mother, his tone sharp and condescending. Then, he left the room. The insults he had hurled remained in the air like footprints. Leticia bit her lip and clenched her fists tightly. She had never imagined the Baron would subject them to such degrading remarks.  

If he had merely criticized their irresponsibility and poor conduct, she would have accepted it humbly. But to treat them as though they were nothing more than prostitutes?  

“Mother, are you really unaffected by these insults? Sure, we brought this upon ourselves, but still!”  

“It’s fine, Leticia. Yes… it’s all my fault. Everything…”  

“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”  

Leticia would have preferred her mother to smash things or rant drunkenly about gambling. Seeing her mother wallowing in self-blame, as though she had given up on everything, felt completely out of character.  

“It’s all over now…”  

Her mother muttered before lying back down on the sheets. Leticia let out a sigh and collapsed onto a chair. Despite the humiliation, the fact that they had a safe place to stay was thanks to the Baron. She tried to suppress her emotions and think rationally, taking deep breaths.  

Still, the bitterness and sorrow didn’t fade easily. In the end, a few tears escaped her eyes.