Chapter 1.1

Erika Dunmoa was the illegitimate child of Baron Dunmoa. Her mother had been a maid working at the baron’s household, and as soon as Erika was born, she was expelled from the household. Because of this, Erika had to live alone in the Dunmoa family.

Originally, Erika should have been expelled together with her mother, but Baron Dunmoa took her in to use her as a tool for a political marriage.

‘You should be grateful you’re beautiful. If not, you would have been kicked out long ago.’

Because Erika resembled her mother, who was so beautiful that even the baron noticed her, Erika was acknowledged as a half-noble. However, since she was not the child of the legitimate wife, she had to grow up being mistreated in the baron’s household.

‘Don’t even think about catching my eye!’

The one who hated her the most was her half-sister, Eva.

Eva, the daughter of Baroness Dunmoa, resented having to live with a half-blooded younger sister. What she especially disliked was Erika’s thick golden hair, which resembled the baron.

Since Eva had light blond hair, Erika had to be careful and avoid her as much as possible.

She had to eat alone only after the Dunmoa family finished their meals, and could only take walks in the garden on the days Eva went out.

At least, Erika was fortunate that Baron Dunmoa raised her like the other noble young ladies.

Of course, the proper education, manners, and common sense she was taught were only to make her an obedient wife who would listen to her husband well.

“You should remember that you’re only being treated this well because you are part of the Dunmoa family. The moment you leave the family, you’ll have to live a miserable life just like your mother.”

Baron Dunmoa was a shrewd man. He tried to control people by exploiting their weaknesses, and he also tried to manipulate Erika’s weak heart to make her behave as he wished.

As a result, Erika, who had only stayed in the Dunmoa household and didn’t know much about the outside world, believed the baron’s words without question.

But as she grew older and started to doubt the baron’s words, he introduced her to a friend.

Her name was Charlotte. She too was the illegitimate child of a noble family and was two years older than Erika.

“Did you say your name is Erika? Are you an outcast in your family too? Actually, I’m the same. My so-called father only thinks about selling me off to make money.”

“Me too. Someday, I’ll have to marry the man my father chooses.”

Baron Dunmoa arranged for Erika to meet Charlotte once a month, and because they were in similar situations and had much in common, they quickly became close.

“What’s that wound? Judging by the nail marks, did Lady Eva hit you?”

“Yes. She does that sometimes.”

“How can a noble young lady be so wicked?”

When the young noblemen who came to see Eva showed interest in Erika, Eva, driven by jealousy, would lash out at Erika. Seeing those wounds, Charlotte would often shed tears on her behalf.

Erika realized how wonderful it was to have someone who took her side and understood her. Meeting Charlotte became the happiest moments of her life.

Noticing that Erika was relying on Charlotte as he had intended, Baron Dunmoa took advantage of her feelings.

“If you don’t do as you’re told, you won’t be allowed to meet Charlotte anymore. Keep that in mind.”

He used her meetings with Charlotte to threaten her, and Erika, not wanting to lose the only joy in her life, had to obey Baron Dunmoa’s every word.

However, this too did not last long, as Charlotte’s marriage partner was decided.

“I’m getting married soon.”

Most noble marriages were alliances between families, so it was hard for an illegitimate child to marry into a good family.

Their partners were usually either notorious young noblemen whom proper young ladies wouldn’t even look at, or old nobles who had lost their wives—what they had in common was that they were wealthy.

Charlotte’s fiancé was Count Orkney, who had already lost two wives and was rumored to have a violent personality.

In other words, he was the worst possible man, so Erika’s face clouded over when she heard the news of the marriage.

“Can we not meet after you get married?”

“Why wouldn’t we? We can keep meeting just like now.”

Seeing Charlotte smile and tell her not to worry only made Erika’s heart heavier.

She wanted to tell her not to get married, but saying such a thing would only make her sadder and wouldn’t change anything, so Erika couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

“Don’t worry. I’ll live happily, so you don’t need to look so gloomy.”

As Erika silently moved her lips, Charlotte instead comforted her. Seeing her try so hard to act calm, Erika felt she couldn’t keep looking sad. After all, the person struggling the most in this situation was Charlotte.

Erika hid her gloomy expression and forced a thin smile, pretending to be cheerful.

“You have to come see me once a month, just like now!”

“Of course.”

Charlotte nodded, holding Erika’s hands in hers.

Although Erika didn’t expect her married life to be happy, since Charlotte was getting married anyway, she wanted her to be happy. She also hoped the rumors about Count Orkney were just gossip.

However, as if to betray her hopes, Erika never saw Charlotte’s face again after the wedding. The last time she saw her was at the wedding ceremony.

If Baron Dunmoa had interfered, Erika could have understood, but surprisingly, it was Charlotte who refused to meet Erika.

[Sorry. I’m not feeling well, so let’s meet next time.]

Did she start to dislike me?

When Erika received a refusal letter from Charlotte for the first time after the wedding, she felt as if Charlotte was purposely avoiding her, and it hurt her deeply. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized—Charlotte would never abandon her.

Could something have happened to her?

After all the precious time they’d spent together, there was no way Charlotte would have changed just because of an unwanted marriage.

Thinking there must be unavoidable circumstances, Erika’s heart ached, but all she could do was anxiously wait for Charlotte’s reply.

Charlotte, always gentle and beautiful.

Her deliberately bright smile was deeply engraved in Erika’s memory, and it became an even greater sadness that weighed down her heart.

As a result, Erika, who was so gripped by anxiety that she could hardly sleep, found a new goal.

That was to meet Charlotte at least on her debutante day. On the day Erika made her debut in society, Charlotte would surely attend the ball no matter what.

On the day of Erika’s debutante the following year, the Dunmoa household was busy from morning.

Since it was a social debut to find a political marriage partner for Erika, Baron Dunmoa, who was more nervous than she was, paced back and forth anxiously several times.

“You know well that all the bride training you’ve received so far was for today, right? Your role today is important. So you must not make any mistakes.”

In contrast to his dignified appearance, his voice was trembling slightly.

“Yes.”

Erika had to nod her head with a forced smile, but not a single word from the Baron entered her ears.

Will I be able to meet Charlotte?

How long had I waited for this day to come? 

Just the thought that she would finally be able to see Charlotte made her heart flutter, but at the same time, she was afraid that, perhaps, they might not meet after all.

No, it’s just that there were circumstances before, but today, she will be able to meet her!

She tried to suppress her ominous thoughts and forced herself to think positively.

Even though, because of her father’s coercion, she wore a shameful dress that exposed her chest, and even though she could hear Eva’s mocking voice saying it was an outfit meant to seduce men, Erika tried to fill her mind with the anticipation of meeting Charlotte, ignoring all those things.

When she arrived at the banquet hall, she could feel the disapproving gazes of people looking at her in the low-cut dress. She felt intimidated, but Erika pretended to be calm as she looked around for Charlotte.

Why can’t I see her? Don’t tell me she didn’t come?

When she couldn’t see Charlotte, her heart, which had been filled with anticipation, turned to disappointment. Still, it was too early to give up just yet.

As she kept looking around, trying to find Charlotte, Baron Dunmoa, who was watching her, blocked her path.

Tsk, clicking his tongue, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her forcibly to the center before finally letting go.

“Didn’t I tell you to do your job? If you disobey me, know that you will never see Charlotte again!”

Sending a look of contempt at his daughter, who wouldn’t listen to him, Baron Dunmoa once again used Charlotte as a hostage to threaten her.

Could it be that Baron Dunmoa colluded with Count Orkney to keep Charlotte from attending the banquet?

Suddenly, the thought that Baron Dunmoa might have deliberately prevented her from meeting Charlotte made her feel angry, but she held it in for now.

The Baron was so cunning that if she didn’t listen to him, he could really make it so she would never see Charlotte again, so for now, she had to follow his words.