Chapter 03
The cane raised high in the air
looked as terrifying as a guillotine blade.
BAM! BAM!
Elisabeth finally lost consciousness from the brutal blows and collapsed.
But Bianca, driven by madness, didn’t stop.
She struck Elisabeth’s head repeatedly, as if trying to crush her skull.
After a long time:
“AAAH!”
Bianca was shocked at what she had done and dropped the cane.
Blood had soaked her dress, and her whole body trembled.
The horrific frenzy ended in a death-like silence, drenched in blood.
***
‘I thought I was going to die for sure.’
The feeling of life fading under such brutal beating was terrifyingly vivid.
But… how was she alive?
Standing precariously in the pouring rain, Elisabeth was lost in thought.
Her mind was hazy, and reality felt unreal.
Then something flew to her feet with the wind.
Looking down, her eyes widened.
A newspaper had landed at her toes.
The headline caught her attention.
She carefully picked up the paper, not wanting it to tear.
<“She was always so kind. Without her support in my childhood, I could never have performed on stage. I can’t believe she’s gone. Such a gentle, warm-hearted person, and yet a robbery… how can the heavens be so cruel?”>
Her words moved many people, and the Duchess’s life and deeds were remembered once more.
“….”
The paper was full of stories about Elisabeth’s death and the reactions to it.
Her eyes stopped at one part, a spark lighting up them.
“Hah… hah… hahaha—!”
A sound erupted, somewhere between laughter and sobbing.
Even in the heavy rain, the scream-like laughter continued.
A man who had been quietly standing one step back finally approached.
“Are you alright?”
The laughter stopped abruptly.
A heavy silence fell.
Without looking back, Elisabeth whispered softly, her voice barely audible:
“Do you know who I am?”
A short pause, then the man answered:
“Elisabeth Hayes.”
Her eyes sparkled.
Hayes. The surname she hadn’t heard in years, one she had long forgotten.
She had married the Duke of Lamore in a political marriage.
They were engaged by their parents’ wishes, and when the Hayes Duke and Duchess suddenly died, she was married soon after.
She was just eighteen, barely an adult.
Since then, no one had called her “Hayes.”
Everyone called her “Duchess of Lamore,” and she accepted it as her identity.
Until her husband and her once-trusted friend betrayed her.
Elisabeth slowly turned around.
Through the pouring rain, a man stood silently.
A face she didn’t recognize.
“Why did you save me?”
The man was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly:
“I was taught to help people in danger.”
So… he had just helped a helpless person out of pity.
“Haha…”
A weak laugh escaped her.
Then it turned into sobbing.
“Sniff… sniff…!”
With empty, lifeless eyes, Elisabeth cried like a child.
Her cries were so loud that even the sky couldn’t hide them.
It was a scream pleading for life.
“Please… help me…”
At those words, the man’s jaw tensed.
A tremor passed through his usually calm eyes.
He slowly took off his cloak.
His face twisted as if enduring pain.
He gently draped the cloak over her shoulders, careful not to touch her too roughly.
The way he held her was reverent, almost afraid to even brush against her.
“Willingly. As you wish.”
No sooner had he spoken than Elisabeth fainted.
Her weak body, drenched in cold rain for a long time and exhausted from crying, could not hold up.
He held her firmly, like a priest handling a goddess, gentle and respectful.
***
“Laura, the doctor?”
“She’s on her way. Oh… what should we do?”
After sending the two away, Laura rushed out.
Seeing Elisabeth pale like a corpse, she sighed in despair.
She quickly laid Elisabeth on the bed and began attending to her.
The man watched silently, staring at her frail face with calm, piercing eyes, as if memorizing every detail.
“Miss, we need to remove your clothes…”
Only then did he nod.
“Take good care of her.”
He spoke bluntly, glanced at her for a moment, then turned away.
Elisabeth remained bedridden for a long time.
Her head injuries, bruises all over her body, and high fever brought her close to death multiple times.
By her side was always a large hand holding hers tightly.
As if begging her not to leave, that hand was full of longing.
While unconscious, Elisabeth wandered through dreams that felt like forever.
Days that seemed peaceful…
No, days she had only thought were good.
One sunny afternoon in the garden, having tea with her husband:
“Elie— I’m here! Oh, the Duke is here too?”
“I’m here, Bianca.”
Elisabeth smiled warmly at Bianca.
They were close friends, so Bianca often came to the house without warning.
“What if I wasn’t here? I told you to send someone ahead.”
“So what? If you’re not here, I’ll just leave. The carriage will get me back soon.”
Elisabeth laughed, looking at her husband:
“It’s okay if she stays with us, right?”
“Of course.”
Louis nodded kindly, and Bianca greeted politely:
“It’s an honor to meet you, Duke.”
“Honor? You act like a stranger.”
Elisabeth laughed at her, and Bianca smiled teasingly:
“You must behave. He’s your husband.”
A chair was added to the table, and the three quietly enjoyed tea together.
Later, the housekeeper approached carefully:
“Excuse me, there’s a message from the orphanage…”
The orphanage was one of the many facilities Elisabeth supported.
She had instructed that she must always be informed immediately unless it was unnecessary.
“Alright, I’ll go now.”
Elisabeth apologized to Bianca:
“Sorry, I need to step out for a bit.”
“Oh, that’s fine. Go ahead. I’ll wait here.”
She signaled her husband, then quietly got up and left.
The two remaining quietly sipped tea, watching her back until she disappeared.
Once she was out of sight, Louis grabbed Bianca’s waist eagerly.
“Oh, don’t do that!“
Bianca sat on his lap and pressed against him playfully.
Louis buried his face into her chest, murmuring lowly:
“Who cares? No one’s here.”
All the servants had been sent away, so they could act freely.
“I missed you, Bianca.”
Louis hugged her tightly, their movements familiar and unrestrained.
By now, their relationship had crossed a line that couldn’t be undone.
