Chapter 2

The liquor sliding down his throat wasn’t harsh at all. If not for his mother and younger sister, who were desperate to drag him into such a bothersome gathering, Raven would never have come. These trivial social games should be more than enough with just his mother and sister participating.

“Raven. Relax your expression. If you keep looking like that, all the young ladies who are approaching will run away.”

“That’s right, Brother. Why are you crumpling such a handsome face?”

“Hoo… I really hate these kinds of gatherings. Mother, this truly is the last time.”

“Yes, yes. I understand. I just want to boast about my talented son, but you’re so uncooperative.”

Raven finally set down the glass of liquor, which felt more like water, onto the table.

He was indeed handsome, but those meeting him for the first time often found him intimidating rather than attractive. His sharp features and tightly pressed lips, along with the aura forged on the battlefield, all contributed to Raven’s wild charm.

Of course, there were noble ladies who found such traits s*xy and liked him for it. Still, very few dared to approach Raven easily, so his actions were less restricted, and few people came near him.

Just by bringing Raven here, his mother and sister seemed to feel they had done their part and quickly mingled with the crowd. Raven was left standing like a misplaced barley sack. Not that he minded—it was a voluntary choice.

He preferred standing quietly here rather than joining those people.

His mother becoming a widow at an early age was something Raven would feel indebted for all his life. The words his father, who had walked the same path as Raven, had spoken weighed heavily on his heart.

‘Take care of your stepmother, Rachel, and Damon. Please become a father to them. Can you do that for me?’

On the verge of death, Raven’s father had pleaded earnestly. Raven had been summoned alone to the military hospital where his father was stationed and heard his last will. The infection from the bullet wound in his father’s lower abdomen was said to be rotting his organs.

At that time, Raven was 23, Rachel was 15, and Damon was just 8.

Even after eight years, those words still burdened Raven because the bullet his father took was meant for him. Raven’s father died saving him.

Because of that, he could never refuse his stepmother and siblings.

“Sigh.”

Raven fiddled with his cravat in frustration. It would be a lie to say they didn’t feel like shackles. But he could endure it, believing they treated him with love.

Even this luxurious and irritating social gathering was something he could bear.

“Ah. That’s her.”

“The poor woman, right? The one who lost everything because Steven, the Viscount, died in battle. Her name is Liliana. Yes, that’s it. The daughter who was sold to Viscount Steven from the Everset Earldom!”

“Parading herself around like that right after her fiancé’s death. Ugh. Isn’t it only Steven, the deceased Viscount, who’s truly pitiful?”

“Exactly! Just look at that exposed chest. She’s no different from a courtesan.”

Raven frowned. Even when he didn’t want to listen, his keen senses made him hear all sorts of things. He clicked his tongue.

A soldier dying on the battlefield shouldn’t be such a trivial topic for gossip. Soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the kingdom deserved far better. Moreover, Steven, the Viscount they were gossiping about, was someone Raven knew. He wasn’t a perfect strategist, but he always devised excellent strategies.

To speak of such a person so carelessly…

Who exactly was this Liliana woman?

Raven looked in the direction of their gazes.

Liliana Everset.

She wore a dress that revealed her milky skin, just as the women were gossiping. The bluish dress highlighted Liliana’s pale blue eyes. Her deep golden hair blended beautifully with the blue.

That woman was Liliana Everset.

Her exposed chest shimmered in the light. Despite her innocent appearance, she had a voluptuous figure. But what caught Raven’s attention more was her eyes, swollen as if she had been crying.

With a face that seemed ready to burst into tears at any moment, she wandered the ballroom in precarious heels.

Contrary to the women’s gossip, she didn’t look like a courtesan. If anything, she resembled a noble angel.

“I heard Earl Everset plans to sell Liliana off to the old Viscount Rolbert?”

“Viscount Rolbert? That perverted old man?”

“Yes. All he has is money.”

“My goodness. Earl Everset has no conscience.”

Viscount Rolbert. Raven could imagine Liliana’s unfortunate fate, being sold for money. He let out a light sigh. Liliana Everset. Raven tilted his head and watched Liliana. On her face, as she danced with the elderly Viscount Rolbert, was a look of utter despair.

‘What if… I bought that woman?’

***

Liliana had no idea, but that was how Raven came to know her.

Just when he was about to give up on marriage altogether, she caught his eye. Bringing her into the mansion had been purely Raven’s decision, unlike with his previous two wives.

After the wedding and their first night, he had to leave for the battlefield immediately, but that couldn’t be helped. Unlike before, Raven couldn’t forget Liliana during the two years he spent at war.

Their first night.

The sensations and feelings from that night remained vivid in his memory.

Now, with no more battles for a while, he had returned, hoping to enjoy married life slowly. He recalled Liliana’s soft skin and the way her body melted like fresh cream. Whenever he thought of Liliana, the unfulfilled desire throbbed within him.

Raven’s two-year military service was something Liliana had known and agreed to before marriage.

Raven being away couldn’t be the reason for divorce. So who had put such ideas into Liliana’s head?

‘D*mn it.’ 

Raven’s eyes glistened with desire.

***

The wound wasn’t said to be that deep.

Liliana had done it to show her resolve to Raven, so that didn’t matter. Liliana placed a hand on her aching lower abdomen and sat up.

“Whew.”

Her bangs fluttered softly.

So, had Liliana achieved what she wanted?

She wasn’t sure yet. It was the time when the dawn light barely crept through the curtains. Liliana stood barefoot on the cold floor.

It was spring, but perhaps because her heart was cold, she didn’t feel the chill of the dawn breeze.

‘I did it…!’

A small thrill made Liliana’s heart race. If she could just escape this hellish Kreuten, Liliana felt she could do anything.

‘I’m sorry, Raven.’

She felt guilty for pushing someone who had just returned from war so hard. But Liliana had no choice. She now understood why the previous two wives had taken their own lives.

They were tragic women driven to s*icide.

By this Kreuten Duchy!

It wasn’t Raven who had driven them and Liliana into h*ll.

‘You’re nothing but a broodmare brought in to bear heirs! If you want to carry the noble duchy’s child, you must do as you’re told!’

‘Do you think Raven will believe you, or will he believe me, his sister? In Kreuten, your place is the stables!’

‘Now, it’s time to practice bearing children, Lily. The previous women couldn’t endure this. That’s why they foolishly died, isn’t it?’

There was relentless violence and emotional ab*se that could drive one mad. Of course, s*xual humiliation and violence were also present. Outwardly, the Grand Madam of Kreuten and Lady Rachel maintained a graceful facade, but their actions were beyond imagination.

Recalling how they treated her like a wooden doll made Liliana’s blood run cold. The emotionless faces of the maids who restrained her as she screamed in agony were terrifying.

She hadn’t hoped for happiness.

Still.

She had some expectations for married life. But Liliana’s small dreams were shattered, and she realized that unless she escaped, she would be driven to death like those before her. Until Raven returned, her bed was the stable.

For two years, Liliana endured in that animal-scented place.

‘That’s why I don’t feel the cold.’

Liliana hugged herself. When word came that Raven was returning, those people took her out of that place a month ago.

For a month, Liliana had to recover her ruined health and appearance. She was forced to take strange medicines.

“You can get out, Liliana…… You can leave.”

Of course, the Everset Earldom opposed Liliana’s divorce. She pleaded for help, but they ignored her. For Everset’s sake, they abandoned Liliana. They had already pocketed a large sum from the Grand Madam of Kreuten.

And they demanded Liliana’s sacrifice.

‘If you just endure, we’ll all be happy, Lily.’

‘Can’t you do that much for your family?’

‘Think of your siblings! Would you feel better seeing them starve?’

Liliana’s lips trembled.

For those who took her sacrifice for granted, Liliana vowed she would no longer live in this h*ll. She would escape and face the world. Anywhere would be better than this, even a roofless house.

Liliana clenched her fist.