Chapter 4

4

Owen burst in, roughly opening the door. He glared at Hessen, who had me by the collar, and said in a cold voice,

“Hessen Everett, let go and get out.”

“...What’s this, Mr. Perfect? Ah, did you come to put a leash on this fool?”

Hessen let go of my collar. I took a sip of the lukewarm tea, watching the tension between the two men, my hand trembling slightly.

“I have something important to discuss with Lily, so you should leave now.”

“Why? Is there something I shouldn’t hear? Why not just say it in front of me? What’s there to hide between brothers?”

Owen sighed, looking at the mocking Hessen with tired eyes. He ran his hand through his silver hair and approached Hessen, grabbing his arm.

“Get out.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Do I have to drag you out by force? Get out now, Hessen.”

“No, I don’t want to. Are you deaf? I want to hear what you have to say to that monster. Why not? Do you have something to hide?”

The atmosphere grew more hostile with Hessen’s provocation. Owen’s eyes darkened, and a menacing aura emanated from him. The air around us turned cold, and frost began to form on the floor. It was the presence of Fria, the ice spirit bound to Owen.

“Say it nicely.”

“...”

“Get out.”

I noticed Hessen’s shoulders trembling. Though he was a spirit contractor like Owen, his power was far inferior.

Feeling humiliated, Hessen gritted his teeth. Despite his fierce demeanor, he could no longer resist and only roughly shook off Owen’s hand.

“Just wait, I’ll get you later.”

Hessen issued a threat in my direction and stormed out, slamming the door. I stared blankly at my teacup. After Hessen left, Owen sat down in front of me.

“Lily Everett.”

“Yes, brother.”

I answered mechanically and looked up. Owen’s face was as expressionless as usual. When our eyes met, I reflexively put on a meek smile, feeling like a well-trained dog.

“I don’t expect much from you, but try to win over Theodore Valentin. He’s not fully tamed yet. To completely subordinate him to the Everett family, your role is crucial.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“...And don’t forget, Lily.”

Owen’s voice grew even lower. His tilted head and indigo eyes, filled with a clear desire for dominance, were unsettling.

“Even if you marry him, you’re still mine.”

“...”

“Lily Everett will always be part of the Everett family, even after death. Don’t forget.”

“...Yes, I won’t... forget.”

Was my voice trembling? Did I answer properly? I don’t know. Owen’s smile twisted, like the face of a demon in a dream. He slowly stood up, reached out, and stroked my cheek.

“Yes, you’re obedient.”

“...”

“Good night, Lily Everett.”

I felt as if I would have nightmares tonight.

* * *

I wanted to return Theodore Valentin’s coat, but he was on the front lines, trying to prevent a rift in the Valentin territory, making it difficult to meet him.

Meanwhile, I heard ominous rumors. Due to the delayed support from the Everetts, the Valentin forces, already at their limit, suffered heavy losses, and now the Duke of Valentin might have to bow to the Everett family.

‘Father would delay support even further.’

It’s not surprising. Given that Father always found the Valentins, who opposed the Everetts, annoying, he would likely use this opportunity to completely bring them down.

...I can hardly imagine the anger and humiliation Theodore Valentin must be feeling. If it weren’t for the King, who is under Father’s control, the Valentins wouldn’t have fallen so low.

‘According to Father’s plan, he will eventually marry me...’

Will we be happy?

I don’t think we will ever get along. I have a premonition of that.

* * *

In this era, a noble marriage is a kind of transaction and contract.

Through marriage, alliances are formed, and mutual benefits and safety are ensured.

The previous Duke of Valentin was originally supposed to marry the daughter of the Albines family but fell in love with the eldest daughter of a minor baronial family and married her instead.

As a result, the Valentin family gained very little wealth from the marriage, and their military strength weakened significantly.

Compared to other families that formed strategic marriages and increased their wealth and power, the Valentin family faced a severe crisis.

“In short, you’re the one who benefits from this.”

Hessen, leaning against the wall, sneered. His gaze had been fixed on me since I entered the bridal waiting room.

His pale indigo eyes seemed to burn with primal and fierce impulses and anger.

“If the Valentin family’s finances were stable, you wouldn’t have a chance to marry Theodore Valentin.”

“Yeah, I know.”

I nodded indifferently. Hessen’s face crumpled. He took a step toward me but suddenly stopped, muttering, “Damn.”

His face, filled with self-loathing as he clenched and unclenched his fists, made me feel a perverse urge to torment him. Normally, I wouldn’t do such a thing, but Hessen couldn’t do anything to me today.

So, if there’s a chance, it’s now.

The time to turn Hessen Everett’s insides out.

“Hessen, do you know something?”

I carefully stood up, making sure not to wrinkle my wedding dress. My reflection appeared in the full-length mirror on the wall. The pure white wedding dress, lilies, and a blue gemstone symbolizing good fortune.

My silver hair was neatly braided and adorned with a veil and a gold tiara. My lightly made-up face looked delicate, and my peridot-colored eyes shone transparently.

“I will never ask for your help, no matter what.”

Hessen’s eyes wavered for a moment. He then clenched his fists and glared at me as if he wanted to kill me. The melody of the piano and strings could be heard from afar. As I passed Hessen, I cursed him.

“I’m sick of you and Owen. I wish you both would die.”

“You...!”

A bride cursing on her wedding day is not very dignified.

But when else would I have the chance to speak harshly to Hessen?

I always wanted to say it. To Owen and Hessen, I have always deeply cursed you in my heart.

You probably think of me as just a meek victim, never noticing the hatred that fills me.

Hessen could only grind his teeth, unable to stop me. He knew that ruining the wedding would incur Father’s wrath.

I mocked Hessen to my heart’s content.

The ceremony hall, where I slowly walked in, was filled with flowers, light, fragrance, and music. The stained glass windows in the background added a sense of sanctity.

But my honest impression was that it was like decorating hell to look like heaven.

At the end of the white aisle, he stood. A marriage neither of us wanted, yet there were the smiling, benevolent Father and the congratulating guests. The hypocrisy and deceit were overwhelming, making me want to sneer.

Everyone here knows.

That the Duke of Everett pressured the Valentin family into this marriage.

That he deliberately delayed reinforcements, isolated them from other families, and committed countless despicable acts.

Yet, they still smile and congratulate us...

“You are beautiful. Congratulations, Lily.”

Father extended his hand to me. I smiled brightly and took it.

“Thank you, it’s all thanks to Father.”

How pleased he must be to have sold me for such a high price.

The music changed. Following the bridal march, I walked down the aisle, and petals fell from the ceiling. It all felt like a ridiculous play, making me speechless.

What about you?

Theodore Valentin looked at me with cold, blue eyes. When I finally stopped in front of him, Father handed me over to him. He had the expressionless face of a wooden doll.

“Now, for the sacred union of these two people...”

The officiant began his formal speech. This marriage was nothing more than a rotten thing wrapped in pretty paper.

And so, Theodore Valentin and I became husband and wife.

* * *

The reception continued late into the night. I returned to my bedroom early in the evening, took a bath, and applied fragrant oil to my hair and body before sitting by the bed.

Tick-tock. Time passed aimlessly. Perhaps I would spend the night alone. I didn’t think he would want to spend the night with me. I recalled the time I went to the Valentin castle to return his coat.

‘The Duke said that the coat was tainted with sin and could be torn or burned as I pleased.’

Instead of inviting me inside, he had me stand outside for over 20 minutes before a servant delivered that message.

Hearing this, I realized that Theodore Valentin wanted to hurt me. It wasn’t surprising. To him, I was the daughter of the hated Everett family.

Still, I don’t hate or resent him.

Do I even have the right to?

In any case, the best I could do was to not like him and keep my distance.

The moment my heart raced when I saw him in the garden of the Everett castle was just a temporary reaction...

By convincing myself of this, I could feel a brief sense of relief.

Click—

The bedroom door quietly opened. Hearing the sound of slippers brushing against the floor, I looked up to see the person I had been waiting for all evening.

He had just finished bathing, his black hair still damp. His blue eyes looked weary. The front of his loosely tied robe revealed his firm chest.

I stared at him absentmindedly, and he picked up the wine on the table, smirking.

I immediately recognized it as a clear mockery. I had unknowingly been captivated by him, and he had noticed. My face flushed hot.

He casually poured the wine into a glass and drank it, then approached me without hesitation.

“...!”

Before I could react, my arm was suddenly pulled, and before I could realize what was happening, the taste of fragrant, spicy wine filled my mouth.