Chapter 4

They had parted ways five years ago. After marrying Baron Dermann, Ellen had deliberately severed all ties with him and everything about him. She ignored her torn heart, even breaking the promise that he would always be by her side, simply hoping—praying—that he would stay alive. So when she heard he had suddenly disappeared one day, she did not search for him. As long as he was safe and alive somewhere, that was enough for her. But why was he here now?

Ellen stood frozen, unable to move for a while. Her black eyes trembled. His sudden appearance paralyzed even her reason and thoughts.

“Ellen.”

He bit her earlobe, whispering her name again.

“Let go of me!”

Ellen, snapping back to her senses, broke free from Lennox’s arms and stepped away. Seeing his face after five years, Ellen’s expression hardened.

“Theon?”

Even with a filthy robe and a distorted face, with a horribly sunken eyelid, she could never forget those piercing red eyes—the mute worker Theon she’d met only once in the basement. One corner of Theon’s mouth twisted upward.

“Theon? Ah, yes, that’s right.”

But why was Lennox’s voice coming from the mouth of that mute worker? Theon grabbed the skin of his own face and tore it off. Beneath the peeling mask, the face Ellen had tried so hard to forget for five years slowly appeared. Behind the rough, grotesque mask, a chiseled jaw and thick eyebrows emerged, along with those red eyes that seemed to pierce Ellen. It was always him, always by her side. Ellen’s eyes widened.

“Le…nnox.”

The distorted mask dropped to the floor. His clean shoes crushed the tattered human skin. The man’s face was even more solid and strong than five years ago. He glanced at the mask, then turned his gaze to Ellen. The red eyes where Ellen had once carved her wounds were now cold and dark as ice. The smile that used to be so gentle was now stiff, and the voice that once warmed her was now heavy and sticky, without any variation.

“It’s been a while, Ellen. Or should I call you Baroness Dermann now.”

Lennox’s gaze was no longer warm as he looked at Ellen. When he took one step closer, Ellen retreated two steps. When he advanced again, she moved back twice as far. Eventually, Ellen’s body hit the window, leaving her nowhere else to go, and Lennox stopped, staring at her with a blank expression.

“You look like you have a lot of questions.”

“Why are you here?”

“Why?”

Lennox stepped forward. Ellen tried to retreat, but she couldn’t move any further. Lennox looked down at her, his face expressionless.

“The day I came to see you after your wedding, you beat me and sent me away. I guess you really erased me from your life then.”

“That’s…”

‘Because you needed to survive’. 

Ellen swallowed the words. Lennox didn’t seem interested in her answer, instead looking around the room.

“This is your room, I see.”

“……”

“Certainly, this mansion is much grander than the Valère Viscountcy. There are rare items everywhere. I figured you’d be tempted.”

“Lennox. Answer my question.”

“Be quiet.”

Ellen was startled into silence by the rough tone Lennox had never used with her before. Lennox grabbed her chin, lifting her face. Ellen felt suffocated by his cold gaze. He stared at her with a fierce look, his voice icy.

“Listen, Ellen. Hear the sound of this place you’ve lived in for five years being utterly destroyed.”

“……!”

Suddenly, the sounds outside became vivid. The screams of servants and the crashing of objects in the mansion rang out like a dark orchestral melody—sometimes real, sometimes surreal. Then, like a lightning bolt, one person flashed through Ellen’s mind.

‘Innis!’

Remembering her precious daughter whom she’d sent for a nap, Ellen began to tremble all over. She needed to check if her child was safe, but she was pinned down by Lennox’s intimidating presence, unable to move.

“What are you doing…”

“It’s for you.”

“What?”

Bang. The door burst open, and a huge figure rolled in behind Lennox, choking on a scream. Lennox blocked her view, so Ellen couldn’t see who it was. Groans sounded from behind, and for a moment, the air around Lennox seemed to drop in temperature. Goosebumps prickled her skin. Heavy footsteps approached from behind him.

“Commander.”

‘Commander?’

As the question formed in Ellen’s mind, Lennox released her chin. He stepped back, and as he shrugged off the damp, grimy gray robe, a pale blue uniform with golden epaulets was revealed. A knight in armor approached, knelt on one knee, and handed Lennox a large sword. Lennox strapped the sword to his waist. Ellen saw it clearly then—the pommel of the sword was engraved with the Aryan Empire’s symbol, the black panther. Only one group of knights bore that mark: the Pamphilenet Order, Crown Prince Richel Aryan’s personal guard.

‘Pamphilenet Order of the Aryan Empire!’

He had once been a knight without rank in Kursh Kingdom, but now he was a knight of the Aryan Empire—and the Commander of the Pamphilenet Order. Realizing this, Ellen’s heart swelled with excitement and joy. Her eyes sparkled and trembled with a thrill. It was what she had always wished for.

But only for a moment. As reality sank in, her heart quickly turned cold.

“Lennox. Don’t tell me…”

“Is this your husband?”

Lennox nudged the writhing figure on the floor with his toe. Ellen’s face filled with shock as she recognized the large shape.

“Dear!”

Thud!

Ellen’s cry of “Dear!” and Lennox’s kick to Baron Dermann happened almost at the same time. Baron Dermann rolled on the floor, gasping in pain. Ellen tried to rush to him, but a burly knight blocked her with his arm.

“……!”

Ellen had seen this knight before. Years ago, at the Kursh–Aryan autumn tournament. He was Karan Drshell, a knight of the Aryan Empire, who had faced Lennox in the first round.

“Lennox, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing?”

Lennox knelt on one knee before the gasping Baron Dermann, staring into his terrified eyes. He pulled a couple of rings from Dermott’s fingers and slipped them onto his own. The rings sparkled in the sunlight as Lennox turned his hand. He spoke in a heavy, flat voice.

“Tur Dermott, your father was said to be very wealthy.”

Baron Dermann, who had shouted so fiercely while striking Ellen, was now so terrified of Lennox that he couldn’t speak. He knew that if he said a word, those strong hands might end his life in an instant. Instinct screamed danger. His trembling chin betrayed his fear.

“Buying a title from my mother was already beyond your place. You should never have desired more.”

“What?”

Ellen’s gaze shifted to Baron Dermann. She’d never heard this before. She’d heard that Baron Dermann’s father had bought his title, but never wondered from whom. She’d never grown attached, living in the mansion like an outsider, a guest, seeing only Innis. But now she learned that Baron Dermann’s father had bought the title from Lennox’s mother, Laura. Lennox’s cold gaze fell on Ellen, then back on Baron Dermann.

“Judging by your face, you didn’t know. I thought even if you abandoned me for this man and a miserable marriage, you would at least know where his title came from.”

“……”

Lennox grabbed Baron Dermann by the collar and lifted him. Baron Dermann’s bulky body rose like a piece of paper.

“Well, it doesn’t matter.”

“U…ugh…”

Lennox looked at Baron Dermann’s terrified face and let out a short, incredulous laugh. Then, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes, and Baron Dermann froze like ice. Thud. A dull sound echoed through the room.

“Guh! Guhh!”

Baron Dermann screamed, choking. Teeth, which had been firmly rooted in his gums, rolled across the floor. Blood stained Lennox’s palm and the rings that had once struck Ellen’s cheek.

“……!”

Ellen’s face turned pale as Karan blocked her path with his bulk. Lennox stared impassively at Baron Dermann’s terrified face and spoke slowly.

“Yes, Karan. Well done. No need to show her this.”

‘This horrible sight.’ 

Lennox muttered briefly, and with another thud, Baron Dermann’s head snapped to the side. More teeth flew out and rolled across the floor.

“Le… Lennox! Stop it. He’s still my husband…”

When Ellen uttered the word ‘husband,’ the sound of a slap seemed even louder—perhaps just her imagination. The dreadful noise silenced Ellen.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Lennox’s palm struck Baron Dermann’s cheek again and again. His hand was soon covered in blood, and Baron Dermann’s jaw hung limp as he rolled his eyes and fainted.

Thunk. Lennox released his grip, and the heavy body dropped to the floor. Lennox calmly fetched a water jug and, without concern, washed his hands over Baron Dermann’s unconscious face.