Episode 5
The Nephtanus became chaotic the moment the Saxony viscount swung his hand and violently ripped the bride’s veil from her face.
“Viscount Saxony!!”
The archbishop’s scream echoed through the chapel, and all the guests sprang to their feet. Both the Saxony and Taylor families stood frozen in disbelief.
“Grab the viscount—now!”
The archbishop shouted to the clerics, who quickly restrained Jack Saxony.
“Let go of me!” he struggled, scowling… but Grace rose calmly to her feet.
Like the eye of a storm, she appeared serene amid the chaos. One by one, she gently removed the necklace, ring, bracelet, and earrings—her wedding gifts—and placed them before Jack Saxony, who was pinned by the clerics.
Silence reigned again. Even Jack, ragged and protesting, froze and stared at the neatly displayed jewels. Sunlight streaming through the stained glass cast a sacred glow around Grace—bold enough to reject her husband at the altar, yet with her graceful bearing and serene gaze, she looked more like a saint in prayer.
The archbishop’s voice quavered with awe, and for a moment, Jack Saxony and the guests appeared powerless before her calm superiority.
But his mother’s fury shattered the hush.
“How dare you stand before God, reject your husband here, and declare your love elsewhere?! This shameless woman is no bride!”
The Taylor ducal couple, mouths agape, finally regained composure and reacted.
“Duchess Taylor!”
The Saxony countess snarled in outrage as she hurled accusations:
“We risked our reputation, lavishly forgiving that monstrous debt—all because of this marriage! How will you answer for my son’s disgrace and your family’s humiliation? This is an affront to Her Majesty the Empress!”
“Ladies, please calm down,” the archbishop interjected weakly.
Amid the uproar, Grace walked with measured steps back through the ornate gallery aisle.
“Grace!”
Duke Taylor thundered at her. She paused and turned to face him; his body shook with anger as he raged:
“Kneel and apologize this instant—or I will banish you from Taylor!”
“Banish me?”
She suppressed a laugh, then resumed walking. Behind her, the chaos escalated:
“Grace!”
“That insolent girl!”
“Let’s revoke the marriage! And Taylor owes us compensation!”
Duchess Emma snatched Rosette, shouting hysterically. Rosette, pale and trembling, barely caught up with Grace, clenching her fists.
“You ruined my house’s honor!” she screamed.
Grace stopped, face impassive, and met Rosette’s trembling eyes.
“Me?” she asked calmly.
“Yes! You wrecked the wedding and damaged my family!” Rosette spat.
Grace smiled—a colder, sharper expression than her usual subdued demeanor. Then she whispered:
“Rosette, when they chose Jack Saxony as my husband, Taylor’s honor was already buried in mud.”
At that moment, Duke Taylor roared again from the chapel steps, silencing the gallery. Rosette, teeth clenched, begged Grace to return and apologize—to go through with the marriage to salvage what remained of their standing.
“Then marry him yourself,” Grace replied smoothly.
Without waiting, she turned and continued her exit.
Rosette called after her in fury.
Grace paused, looked back at the gathering tumult, then locked eyes with a man standing at the top of the grand staircase. Arms folded and watching her closely. A final beat of breath held between them.
Rosette’s voice echoed behind her, calling her an actress. But Grace ignored it. She wouldn’t care if the whole Empire whispered ill of her now—she would become the infamous beauty.
She would avenge everyone who harmed her family, reclaim the glory of Taylor’s golden wheatfields, and one day return… stronger than ever.
Clenching her fist, Grace walked away, turning her back on everything she had ever known.
They were powerless before her calm superiority?
Is your debt… pay it yourself