The fragile peace between the nations, her dignity as Crown Princess, her marriage and her standing within the royal family would all crumble in an instant if she spoke the truth.

Cajetan understood that clearly. That was why he kept provoking her, taunting her with his smug confidence. He already knew that she would never dare to reveal what had happened. 

“The breeze… must have been a bit cold.”

“In that case, I’ll have the maids check the windows next time.”

Velenus replied with a faint smile, his concern genuine.

“The weather may be pleasant during the day, but early mornings can still be cold. You should be careful.” 

He leaned forward and planted another gentle kiss on her forehead, his tenderness a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her.

As he did so, Grace’s eyes flicked to Cajetan and she noticed the sharp tension in his expression, the way his fists clenched tightly at the sight. 

Even now, Cajetan’s presence loomed like a shadow, and Grace fought to suppress the overwhelming mixture of fear and anger that was building inside her. 

‘Ah, so that’s it.’

He was jealous. Even after succumbing to his dark desires and committing an unspeakable act, Cajetan couldn’t suppress his envy.

She wasn’t his. No matter what he had done, Grace remained Velenus’ wife, bound to him forever. To

Cajetan, she would always be his sister-in-law – a maddening reality he couldn’t escape. 

“Honey, I’d like to rest now.”

Grace said, her voice calm but deliberate as she emphasised the word ‘honey’. 

The effect was immediate. The word hit its mark and she saw the subtle change in Cajetan’s expression as the mood around him darkened. 

“Cajetan, let’s go.”

“Until next time, sister-in-law.”

Cajetan bit out, his voice tight and laced with venom. Each word seemed to be spat out between clenched teeth as he turned sharply on his heel and stormed from the room. 

Grace closed her eyes and curled up into a ball. She had managed to annoy Cajetan, but it hadn’t brought her any relief. Nothing had really been cleared up. That was all there was to it. 

—

Grace didn’t leave her room until every trace of Cajetan’s actions had disappeared from her body. The days dragged on in suffocating silence, every moment filled with gnawing anxiety. No one could have imagined the turmoil she endured during that time. 

She avoided showing her body to Velenus at all costs, making up excuses whenever necessary. Even when she bathed, she insisted on sending the maids away, not wanting anyone to see the evidence of her shame. 

“…Haah.” 

Now, standing in front of the mirror, Grace stared blankly at her reflection. Her br*ast, once marred by bite marks and bruises, had returned to its pristine, pale white. 

Her fingers brushed lightly over her skin, where no physical marks remained, but the memories refused to fade. If only they could fade as easily as the bruises, leaving no trace of the pain and hurt she still carried. 

But Cajetan seemed to have no intention of letting her forget. He visited her repeatedly under the guise of “checking on her health”, and each time he whispered obscene words in her ear.

On more than one occasion she had thrown a pillow at him in a fit of rage, but this only seemed to spur him on.

He had the audacity to suggest that she should try to get along with him, claiming that it was only right for a family to get along. The hypocrisy of it made her gnash her teeth.

Cajetan was cunning and cruel. To her he revealed his true predatory nature, but to everyone else he maintained the facade of a kind, well-bred man.

He played his role so convincingly that no one suspected the darkness lurking beneath.

‘If I keep lashing out like this, I’ll just end up looking like a crazy woman.’

This must have been his plan all along. Cajetan had calculated everything, knew exactly how to trap her in this helpless position. Grace clenched her fists. If she was going to speak out, she should have done it that night. Even if it meant being caught in a compromising position with him, she should have exposed his true nature then and there.

But now there was no proof – nothing to back up her claims. No matter how much she insisted, there was nothing to prove that he had forced himself on her or that he had continued to harass her. She pressed a finger to the spot where the last lingering bite mark had been and felt the soft flesh yield to her touch.

“I don’t know.”

What should she do?

No matter how much she thought about it, no answer came to her. Grace bit her lip hard as she slipped into her chemise.

‘I just have to be careful.’

Grace knew that she had to take every precaution to ensure that such an incident never happened again. It infuriated her that Cajetan had been the one to attack her, yet she was the one who had to tread carefully, watching her every step as if she were the one to blame. 

The injustice of it all gnawed at her, frustration churning in her chest until she felt she could barely breathe. 

“Could you help me get dressed?”

“How are you feeling, my lady?”

The maid asked, her voice full of concern. Grace had been confined to her room for days, pretending to be ill, and it seemed she had caused quite a stir.

“I’m fine now. I’m fully recovered,” Grace said with a faint smile.

“Don’t push yourself too hard, though.”

With the maid’s help, Grace dressed and stepped outside for the first time in days. As if he had been waiting, Velenus hurried over to accompany her.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I am. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said that today.”

“You must be more sensitive than I thought.”

Grace just smiled. It wasn’t a physical illness that had kept her in bed, but there was no way she could explain it. 

“Sister-in-law. It seems you’ve recovered,” a familiar voice interrupted the moment. 

“Cajetan,” Velenus said, a slight frown creasing his brow. “What brings you here?” 

“I saw you two walking and thought I’d join you.”

Cajetan replied softly, his tone casual but with an undertone that made Grace’s stomach turn. 

Lowering her gaze, Grace avoided looking at him, her every instinct screaming to keep her distance. 

“Honey, let’s go back inside, I’m still a bit tired after being so unwell for so long.” 

Her words were deliberate, a clear attempt to end the interaction as soon as possible.

“Of course. You shouldn’t strain yourself, honey.”

Velenus said gently, not pushing her any further. Aware of her discomfort during Cajetan’s previous visits, he immediately adjusted their course without hesitation. 

As they walked away, Grace felt Cajetan’s piercing gaze fixed on her back, so intense it made her skin crawl.

Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Velenus’ hand, seeking comfort and stability. Even after they had put considerable distance between themselves and Cajetan, that burning gaze seemed to linger, refusing to let her go. 

From that day on, Grace made it a point to avoid Cajetan completely. While she had always kept a certain distance from him, she now made her discomfort unmistakable.

The King and Queen seemed somewhat disheartened by her aloofness, but Grace no longer had the luxury of putting their feelings first. Her safety – and her sanity – had to come first. 

“You seem uncomfortable around me.”

Cajetan said during one of their rare conversations.

“Yes, I am uncomfortable.”

How often had they exchanged words like that? Their open hostility was beginning to affect others around them, creating ripples she could feel but couldn’t afford to stop.

It wasn’t just a kiss between them anymore – it was something much darker and more unbearable.

Even with her deliberate avoidance, Cajetan didn’t change. If anything, his interest seemed to grow, and that frightened her.

She couldn’t tell if their encounters were truly coincidental or orchestrated under the guise of coincidence.

And today was no different. When their paths crossed, Grace ignored him completely, not even offering a polite greeting as she walked past.

Her days felt like a precarious balancing act, each one more nerve-wracking than the last.

Cajetan’s unyielding presence loomed over her, making every moment a silent battle to maintain her composure and sanity.