The man stood there with a frightening face, holding a huge iron pipe like a hunter. That sight happened to trigger memories she didn’t want to recall.

“You think I don’t know about you meeting random men?”

Thud, whack. She remembered the days of being beaten while curled up on the wooden floor.

Her ears felt like they were underwater, unable to hear clearly. She could only see the hunter’s figure getting closer.

“Haven’t you heard we need to prepare from now for the grand event? Why are you causing trouble for so many people!”

The physician’s words spread like a buzzing liquid.

He ordered them to drag out Melissa who had collapsed on the floor.

“Put her on the bed. She’ll be fine after taking medicine. Once she calms down, you can change her clothes and wash her!”

The maids looked back and forth between Melissa and the physician, at a loss. Even though he was a physician sent by the imperial family, Melissa was the prince’s wife.

She would become the lady of this castle, so it was difficult to decide whose orders to follow. The maids exchanged glances and made tearful faces.

Physician Horrux shouted.

“What are you doing! Are your ears stuffed? I’m a physician directly sent by His Majesty! I’m trying to treat this woman’s unhealthy body, do you want to take responsibility if she stops breathing?”

“We-we’re sorry!”

The frightened maids hurriedly moved to lift Melissa up.

While being dragged to the bed, Melissa recalled what the maids at the imperial palace had said.

“Ugh, disgusting. How are we supposed to wash this?”

She didn’t want to offend their feelings.

“Why did His Majesty bring such filth into the palace? Do you really think that’s beautiful?”

The bruises and wounds were carved all over her body. She didn’t want to show the grotesque flesh of her split ankle and the brands all over her body marking four marriages.

Rather than suffer such humiliation again, she wanted to bite her tongue and die.

“Let… go.”

Melissa resisted weakly.

“Madam, please endure just a little. You’ll feel better after taking medicine.”

“Bring her quickly!”

When the physician shouted, the maids’ steps quickened.

“Let go, I said…!”

This wasn’t why she came to Castle Miellin. She didn’t get married to live suffering humiliation with her battered body!

Melissa struggled with all her might. She didn’t have the strength to struggle when dragged by maids in the imperial palace, but now was different.

She resisted desperately and was thrown to the floor.

With a thud! she rolled across the floor.

When the lady hit her head against the wall and lost consciousness while falling, the two maids holding her arms turned pale with shock.

That’s when it happened.

“Stop.”

A shadow fell across the doorway where the commotion was taking place.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the voice that resonated low like a cave. The man standing in the doorway was frighteningly cold and beautiful, but at the same time wore an expression so dark it was terrifying.

The air changed in an instant. The noisy room fell silent, and hot air settled heavily on the floor. It was an atmosphere that made everyone hold their breath.

Heavy footsteps approached steadily. He quietly looked down at Melissa who had been thrown to the floor, then bent down.

“Y-Your Highness Reizen! This isn’t…”

The maids tried to make excuses, but Reizen didn’t listen. He could tell at a glance who was at fault.

Reizen easily lifted Melissa in his arms and stood up.

The physician said nothing. He was an observer dispatched by the Emperor under the pretext of concern for the bride’s health.

He knew the man would throw his weight around with the Emperor’s backing, but not in such a low manner.

Blood was flowing from the unconscious Melissa’s head. It was the same spot as in Sorbet’s prison.

Back then, he thought she deserved what she got, but now thinking about it, this woman had no reason to endure such pain. If punishment was needed, it should at least be within the scope of her wrongdoing. Everyone shouldn’t trample on one person.

He barely suppressed the anger boiling inside him.

His blue eyes filled with killing intent stared straight at the physician. His words were brief.

“Return and wait until I pass judgment.”

***

A murderer who received a reduced sentence for being noble.

A wicked woman who, thanks to her beautiful appearance, had married not only high nobles that commoners couldn’t even dream of, but also a prince for the fourth time.

She knew she wouldn’t be welcomed anywhere. But because Reizen’s surroundings were so warm, because it seemed different from the rest of the world, she had been briefly greedy.

Melissa opened her eyes as she regained consciousness.

She was in an unfamiliar bed.

The breeze tickling one cheek carried a deep cypress scent. The translucent canopy cozily wrapping the bed swayed gently.

It was evening after sunset. A burning smell mixed with the cool breeze.

A strong scent that made her nose tingle.

Melissa coughed.

The man, sensing movement, acknowledged her while leaning one arm on the veranda railing.

“You’re awake.”

Their eyes met for a moment. Melissa’s mouth, which had been about to speak up courageously, froze.

She didn’t know how to describe this emotion. It was a bit complicated. It was the first time she’d been so struck by someone’s appearance that she forgot what to say.

The medical gown with its loose front precariously wrapped the man’s entire body. The contours of his firmly raised chest and clearly defined abs caught her eye.

His golden hair had slight moisture in it, as if he’d washed recently.

As he smoked a cigar while leaning on the iron railing, his eyes curved in a smile, his double eyelids deeply layered.

The cigar smoke rose once more.

The man who had been taking in the round moon spoke.

“Congratulations.”

The enchantingly beautiful man brought the cigar to his lips.

He deeply inhaled the smoke until his cheeks hollowed, then tilted his head to one side as he exhaled with a “hoo-“. He seemed to be checking what expression Melissa wore in the bed.

She sat up straight in bed. When she touched the bandage tightly wrapped around her head, it throbbed with pain.

‘Something must be wrong with my head.’

That must be why that man looked strange.

Melissa sorted out her rustling emotions.

The man put down his cigar in the ashtray and approached. The translucent canopy was drawn back and the unrealistically handsome man stood before her eyes.

“Congratulations on becoming a troublemaker in record time.”

“Ah.”

“You’re the first person since Sion to make a maid cry so quickly in our castle.”

“The maid… cried?”

Melissa asked with surprised eyes. The words came out because she couldn’t even imagine how such a thing had happened.

“I heard you refused to use the lady’s room.”

She nodded readily.

“…Yes.”

Reizen sat on the edge of the bed with his back to her.

He looked as if he was really listening to her words. Thanks to that, Melissa’s response, which was going to end with a short answer, lengthened into what seemed like an excuse.

“It was a room filled with Countess Miellin’s memories. If I moved in, things would have to be cleared out, and I didn’t want that.”

“She’s already passed away. This castle is mine now. If changes are needed, it’s right to boldly discard the old things.”

“You’re right. Your words are correct. But… I couldn’t do it.”

Melissa’s lips trembled. Thinking of the Countess made her emotions well up unconsciously.

Melissa straightened her back, firmly suppressing the rising emotions. As her breathing steadied, Reizen asked.

“What’s the reason?”

“It was… my memories too.”

It was a voice the woman managed to get out with great difficulty after swallowing for a moment.

The breeze lifted the canopy’s hem. Her crimson eyes also trembled finely as if responding to the wind.

“Countess Miellin was my dance teacher. She came to us after her husband passed away and this place’s finances became difficult.”

“I’d heard something about it but didn’t know it was her.”

“It was a secret. It’s shameful for nobles to work. Especially since the Miellin family was a prestigious house with living history and tradition. Grandfather didn’t want a noble house to be pointed at with shame.”

This was the first time she’d spoken about the past to others since her family fell three years ago.

Melissa suddenly became afraid of whether she should be saying such things.

Among the commoners, there were those who hated her grandfather so much they tried to take it out on her.

Even after time had passed, her grandfather’s existence still bound and tormented her like a shadow.

So she tried not to remember. Things like the good past.

She had intended to never speak of it for life. About the past glory and memories.

But once the words burst out, they swelled violently like a stream during the rainy season.