Chapter 8

"What do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean by 'that'?"

Abbie truly didn't understand what he was talking about.

"You mean when I repeatedly said, 'I am extremely eager for you to become my wife, and there is no one else I would choose to be my wife besides you.'"

"Was that inappropriate? Since it was a sudden marriage, I thought it would be more convincing to say something like that."

"I told you I would stop if you were asked any troublesome questions."

"I'll be more careful from now on. I'm sorry. And, um—"

"What?"

"The queen glared at me. If something happens to me, will you protect me? I would risk my life for my childhood friend, but I have no intention of dying for Gilbert's jealousy. I just wanted to confirm that."

"Don't worry about that. She took the throne of her own accord."

Abbie decided it was pointless to argue and kept quiet, but inside she thought, (Is it really okay? Men are weak for that kind of beauty.)

That night, they naturally spent the night in separate bedrooms.

Exhausted from the tension of the day, Abbie collapsed onto the fluffy bed, wondering, "Can I really make it for two years?"

But she quickly reprimanded her lack of confidence.

"No, I have to do this. For Ted."

The maid reported that the bath was ready, but Abbie insisted on bathing alone and sent the maid away.

In the changing room of the bathroom, there was a full-length mirror. Abbie, completely naked, checked her back.

Behind her waist, where a shoulder-baring dress wouldn't reveal it, just below the curve, there was a black brand. It was a pattern of two overlapping circles, about four centimeters in diameter.

It was an ancient symbol meaning "slave." Normally, it would be placed on a visible part of the arm.

The slave trade had been banned over thirty years ago, but she had been branded just nine years ago, when she was fifteen.

"I absolutely don't want anyone to see this. It can't be seen or known."

※・・・※・・・※

In bed, Abbie was remembering that day.

She was walking through the city after delivering her finished embroidery.

She dressed plainly to avoid being kidnapped.

While walking through the commoner's district of the capital, an elderly man asked her to guide him to an address he couldn't find.

While guiding him, she was suddenly grabbed and taken into a dark alley building.

"Today's catch is a top-quality one, with a good face and age."

"The master will be pleased."

"We'll get a good reward."

Seeing the red-hot brand approaching, she tried to struggle despite being restrained, but she couldn't move. The man with the brand approached, laughing. Her clothes were pulled up, exposing her back.

"Once this is pressed, everyone becomes obedient. You'll be obedient too."

The intense pain and the awful smell of burning flesh. Her mouth was gagged, and she couldn't scream. She lost consciousness from the pain.

When she regained consciousness, shaken by the fear that Ted would be killed if they were found, she was surprised to see Ted.

"Ted!"

"Abbie, I'm going to save you. Just wait."

She remembered feeling a mix of relief and terror.

Ted quickly untied Abbie and led her up the stairs. Near the top, he said, "Close your eyes."

Without understanding why, Abbie closed her eyes and let Ted lead her.

Eventually, she felt the wind and the ground, realizing they were outside.

"We're going to run as fast as we can," he said, and they ran until they were out of breath.

While walking and catching their breath, Ted said with a serious face,

"Don't tell your parents what happened. I'll take care of it. Abbie, you mustn't say anything. Forget everything that happened today."

Seeing Ted's serious face, which was so different from his usual cute self, Abbie nodded silently.

After running and walking, they finally reached home, and her parents rushed out of the front door.

"What happened! We were so worried when you didn't come home!"

"I'm sorry, my lord. We were exploring an abandoned house on the outskirts of the capital and got delayed. Abbie tried to go home many times, but I insisted on staying a little longer. Please don't be angry with Abbie."

Ted lied with a smile.

Abbie has been keeping this secret from her parents ever since.

(If my parents knew that their only daughter was branded as a slave, they would be devastated. It's better for them to lament my stubbornness for not wanting to marry than to suffer over the slave brand.)

That's how Abbie has lived.

Ted has never mentioned that day, and she has never asked about it.

Gently touching the brand on her waist, she could feel its shape even with her eyes closed.

(If my husband finds out about this, he might say, 'I didn't agree to this. Are you trying to tarnish the name of the Egan family?')

No matter what, she must keep it hidden. And she must save Ted.

Soaking in the bath and then getting into bed, she couldn't sleep due to the constant tension.

Giving up on sleep, Abbie got out of bed and quietly walked to the balcony, opening the large door to step outside. The early May night air was cold.

"I had already given up on a normal life, but even if it's just for two years, I am the count's wife now."

She murmured this as she looked down at the garden.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Gilbert sitting on a bench, wearing a white robe.

"Oh, is my husband also having trouble sleeping?"

Even though no one could hear her, Gilbert looked up.

"Ah!"

She quickly crouched down, but there was only a fence in front of her, so he could probably see her.

"I'll go to sleep."

Crouching, she waddled like a duck back inside and slipped into bed, sighing.

It had been a day full of intense events.