Chapter 2

On the day I lost my leg, the colors of my world faded.

Every half month... the man who took my right leg comes.

"How are you feeling? You should go outside once in a while."

Even though the wound was closed with healing magic, it was still swollen, and I could barely stand up. Why would he say such a thing?

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"If you want to go for a walk, I can push your wheelchair. Staying cooped up at home all the time must be boring."

I shudder at the thought of being pushed in a wheelchair by this rough man.

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"The wound should be healed by now. I heard from your doctor that you still complain of pain even though you are fully recovered. Of course, I will cover the doctor's fees, but please don't make up nonexistent pain and trouble the doctor."

I don't understand why the place I lost still hurts, but it really does hurt, and yet he dismisses it as nothing.

I feel so frustrated.

So frustrated.

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"I heard you said you don't need the doctor's visits anymore—"

He implies that the pain was a lie, and after he leaves, I cry alone, feeling so frustrated.

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"I'd like to hear more than just 'yes' or 'no' from you."

Despite only wanting affirmation, he can say such things so brazenly. I truly wish he would leave sooner.

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"I think I've made a lot of concessions. Yes, I did a bad thing to you. But by showing my sincerity like this, can't you open your heart a little more?"

He comes, says what he wants, drinks one cup of tea, and leaves, all out of a sense of duty. There's no way my heart could open to such a visit.

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"Miss, I brought some sweets from a new shop. Want to have some together? They're cookies, your favorite."

After that man leaves, Baudy, our family servant, always spoils me. That might be the only advantage of his visits.

Baudy, who grieved and encouraged me as if it were his own loss when I lost my leg, is the reason I didn't give up and kept living.

He treats me like a younger sister, unlike my parents, who handle me as if I were a sore. I find comfort in his unchanged words and attitude.

One day, my father secretly suggested that I marry Baudy.

I was surprised, but I understood that a marriage with a nobleman was unlikely for me, having lost a leg, and Baudy had been serving our family for a long time, so I felt comfortable with him.

More than anything, I had been in love with him for a long time.

If he agrees, I will tell my father that I have no objections. Even if I am fine with it, I don't want to ignore his wishes, so I made sure to emphasize that.

My father, smiling, promised to approach him at the right time.

But my happy dream crumbled in an instant.

The day after my father mentioned the marriage to Baudy, that man came with a bouquet of flowers, a smile plastered on his face.

"Reimi, let's get married after you graduate from the magic school."

I was stunned by his sudden declaration.

He thrust the disheveled bouquet at me, confused, and asked my parents to leave us alone. My parents, equally confused, reluctantly left the room. He let out a deep sigh, removed his fake smile, and said with a frown, not bothering to hide his displeasure.

"I understand your feelings. But I can't abandon you; it would tarnish the reputation of my marquis family. You must understand that you can't expect a proper marriage anymore. So, I have to marry you. Rest assured, I will provide you with a comfortable life. Just come as you are; we will provide everything at my home."

With his handsome face, which is adored by noble daughters, he delivered this one-sided and cruel decree to me.

Without looking at me, who was speechless with shock, he left the room without even drinking a cup of tea.

My parents, slumped on the sofa in front of me, sat with their backs hunched, as dejected as I was.

A request from a higher-ranking family is absolute, so once they decide, there's nothing we can do... nothing we can do...

"Ahh... I... I have to... go to that man... to that man who took my leg! I don't need... I don't need him to take responsibility..."

Overwhelmed by the pain in my chest, I covered my face with my hands and sobbed, and then I—