Kayla tried to calm her still trembling body among her cruel family members. She bit her lip firmly. A small drop of blood formed between her lips. But if she didn’t do that, she felt like she would burst into tears right there. Baron Grenville straightened his back and muttered while looking out the window:

“Hmm, these days even concubines fetch a price… A tavern would be fine, or I heard the southern ducal family is looking for people.”

“The ducal residence is too far away. It’s better to settle this in downtown Teoran. If we send her far away, we won’t be able to find her if she runs away.”

Joanna was already putting a price tag on her in her mind. Even amid their conversation treating her like merchandise, Kayla couldn’t say anything. She was confused about whether she should be grateful for having survived or whether she should be sad.

※※※

Shortly after, the carriage arrived at the Grenville residence. As she got out of the carriage, Kayla quietly looked up at the sky. A red sunset was wavering uneasily before her eyes.

‘Mom, what should I do…?’

The sky, offering no answer, was only thoughtlessly beautiful. But Kayla knew. This house was no longer a place where things would get better if she just endured. Nothing but more unhappiness awaited if she didn’t escape. Kayla made up her mind. Tonight, she must leave this house. Hiding her trembling hands in her dress, she made a firm resolution in her heart. The look in her eyes was changing from that of a fragile girl who had just survived to one filled with determination to change her own fate.

‘Yes, tonight I’ll leave this house.’

That night was dark, with even the moon hiding its face. The black sky was covered with dark clouds, ominously looking as if it would pour rain at any moment. Even the wind seeped in eerily, making the quiet mansion feel heavier. The humid air made her skin feel sticky. She suddenly recalled the red gaze of Theodore looking down at her today.

‘You nearly died, my lady. Be careful.’

The Cold Gaze

“Those cold eyes……”

His gaze kept circling in her mind. Kayla shook her head.

‘This isn’t the time for such thoughts. Now I really… need to leave…’

Kayla squeezed her eyes shut. She had never considered such a choice before. She had endured day after day, deceiving herself that everything would be fine if she just held on a little longer, that everything would be alright once she married into a good family. She had believed that if she did what she was supposed to do, everyone would be happy. But today, that belief had completely crumbled.

The feeling of Joanna’s hands pushing her in front of the horse still lingered on her back like a phantom pain. She could have died. No, even if she had died, they probably would have used it as an excuse to extort money from Grand Duke Theodore. After all, Joanna’s plan had included her death. With that thought, Kayla strengthened her resolve once more. Yes, if she delayed any longer, she would truly die. Kayla carefully surveyed the now-quiet mansion. She gathered clothes and curtains one by one and caught her breath. Despite her determination, her hands trembled uncontrollably. She tied the ends of the fabric firmly two, three times to prevent it from unraveling. Her hands quickly turned red.

‘Even if I have to live as a beggar, I can’t stay here. I might really die at this rate. They’ll use any means to send me wherever they can sell me for the highest price.’

Suddenly, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Disheveled hair, a worn-out appearance, lifeless eyes. Though they usually avoided hitting her face for the sake of marriage prospects, today her lip bore a small bloodstain from Joanna’s slap. Fresh bruises marked her arms and legs. Never had she looked so miserable.

Kayla approached the window and peered outside through the curtains. She tied the fabric to the railing and threw it down below the window. She felt fortunate that the house wasn’t wealthy enough to station many guards. Although it was only the second floor, her legs wobbled as she looked down. Her heart pounded so hard it made her feel queasy. Gripping the rope tightly until her fingertips turned white, she leaned her body outward.

‘Don’t be afraid, take it slowly. One, two…. Ugh.’

As she slowly stepped down, pain shot through her ankle when she twisted it. She tightened her grip, but sweat made the fabric slippery.

‘No…. No….!’

Her feet slipped in midair. As she fell, Kayla squeezed her eyes shut.

“…!”

Strangely, though, it didn’t hurt. When she cautiously opened her eyes, someone was holding her firmly in their arms. A long scar near his eyes was visible beneath the black hood he wore. Startled, Kayla asked in a trembling voice:

“W-who are you?”

“Shh, go back to your room through the kitchen door right now. There’s a guard at the back door. Someone will come soon because of the noise.”

“What?”

“Don’t ask questions now. Tomorrow, you will certainly know.”

His voice was low and calm but firm. Strangely, it didn’t feel unfamiliar even in the darkness. The man gently set Kayla down and then nimbly leaped over the high wall and disappeared. Kayla looked around, feeling her heart beating rapidly.

‘What was that? What just happened…?’

Hearing footsteps in the distance, Kayla came to her senses and hurriedly returned through the kitchen door as the man had instructed. Her hands trembled as she quickly pulled in the fabric she had hung outside the window after returning to her room.

“What’s that noise?”

It had been a close call.

‘Who was that person? Why did he save me and tell me to return to this house…?’

Kayla was confused. She couldn’t tell whether that suspicious man had saved her or prevented her from escaping. However, since the mansion’s residents were already awake, attempting to escape again tonight would be impossible. Her feet stung from cuts from the grass.

‘What should I do now…’

Kayla sat on the bed, tears falling steadily. She couldn’t even properly blame anyone, not knowing whether this misfortune began with her mother’s death, her father’s irresponsibility, or Joanna’s appearance. The corridor grew quiet again, and she remained sitting there, holding her breath for a long while.

※※※

The next day, she was greeted by the busy voice of the maid waking her up again. The same maid’s voice as yesterday. But she was using formal speech.

“Miss, please wake up!”

It wasn’t her usual tone, but careful, as if addressing a real master. Kayla slowly opened her eyes. She still couldn’t distinguish whether what happened yesterday was a dream or reality.

“We need to get you dressed quickly! Oh my, what should we do about these lips…”

“Ah, it hurts…”

“I’m sorry. Please excuse me for a moment!”

After washing and dressing Kayla, the maid continued applying makeup to cover the wound on her lip as much as possible. Unlike usual, Kayla even wore the necklace and earrings that Joanna treasured. That masked man from yesterday. Whoever he was, he had clearly come to this house today. Kayla still didn’t know whether he was an enemy or a savior. The only thing she could hope for was one thing: to be taken away from this h*ll—that was all.

2. I Will Take You As My Bride.

Beautifully dressed, Kayla went down to the reception room with the maid. The only splendid spaces in this mansion were the reception room for receiving guests and the room used by Joanna and the Baron. This reception room was usually used for marriage meetings. Kayla’s steps toward the reception room were heavy and fearful throughout.

Knock knock—

“Lady Kayla is entering.”

The maid knocked twice and opened the door. Her neatly folded hands kept sweating from nervousness. Through the open doorway, she finally saw the people who had come to take her. There were two robust men. Kayla’s gaze instinctively fixed on the man with black hair. She couldn’t believe it. That person was Grand Duke Theodore, who had looked down at her coldly in the square yesterday.

‘Why on earth is His Highness the Grand Duke…!’

Her surprised eyes widened, and her blue eyes shone more clearly in the sunlight.

“Ahem”

At the Baron’s fake cough, Kayla came to her senses and formally greeted the Grand Duke. Her hands holding the hem of her dress trembled slightly.

“I-I am honored to meet Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Pleased to meet you again, my lady.”

“Come here and sit down, Kayla.”

Theodore answered without the slightest movement, his expression blank. His voice was cold and dry. There was no warmth, no pleasure in it. Joanna stood up herself and seated Kayla beside her. Then, pretending to be cultured, she covered her mouth with a fan and laughed.

“Hoho, Kayla is so shy. She grew up knowing nothing about men.”

“So it seems.”