Chapter 4
An Unhappy Marriage
“Aella Bluans.”
Once again, a cold voice pierced Aella’s ears.
Her fading consciousness returned, and when she looked up, Kael Horomons was already standing right in front of her—close enough to touch—looking down at her with icy eyes.
“Aella Bluans. I will never call you kindly again like I used to.”
His words struck straight through her heart, as if delivering a final blow.
Clutching her aching chest, Aella lowered her head and forced strength into her trembling lips.
“I’m sorry… No, I apologize, Young Duke.”
“I don’t want to hear your voice. Keep your mouth shut.”
“……”
“I’m going to make you my duchess.”
“!”
Startled by the unexpected statement, Aella lifted her head—only for a large hand to seize her chin roughly.
“Ugh!”
“Young Duke! What are you doing?!”
“!”
At the voice from behind, Aella turned her head.
“Kina! I told you not to come!”
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. You looked like… like you were going to your death. But more importantly, Young Duke, why are you doing this to my lady… why?”
“Ask your lady that. And how dare you raise your voice at me? Insolent. Just like a servant of the Bluans family.”
At his mocking tone, Aella looked at Kina, who stared back in confusion.
“Go inside, Kina.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Once Kina disappeared, Aella placed a hand over her chest and bowed deeply.
“Please forgive her rudeness.”
“From now on, you will not speak a single word in front of me. Don’t even answer. Just nod.”
Aella nodded silently.
“Look up.”
The moment she lifted her head, her throat was suddenly seized.
Maybe… dying by Kael’s hands and going to Mother wouldn’t be so bad…
Rather than living a miserable life as a slave… a sex slave… maybe that would be better…
“Do you want to die by my hand, Aella Bluans?”
“—ugh!”
“I won’t kill you.”
Aella forced her eyes open. Though she didn’t want to face reality, tears welled up and streamed down her cheeks.
“I’ll dry you out. Slowly.”
Even through her blurred vision, she could feel it—his pure resentment directed at her.
Closing her eyes again, she chose to accept it.
Yes… if this can atone to Kael… if I can earn the Duke’s forgiveness…
Seeing her silently accept everything only made Kael tighten his grip further.
Her silence angered him even more.
He would have preferred her to struggle, to shout, to demand what she had done wrong.
Her quiet acceptance only fueled his rage.
Smack!
He released her roughly, and Aella collapsed helplessly to the floor.
“You’re tougher than you look. Hah. Makes sense—you’re Hans Bluans’s daughter.”
Aella said nothing. She wouldn’t be able to speak in front of Kael ever again anyway.
“Get up.”
As she tried to stand, a sharp pain shot through her twisted ankle, and a cry escaped her lips. She fell again.
“That kind of trick—”
But then Kael noticed her ankle, red and swollen beneath her dress.
Aella had always been fragile. Even a slight bump left bruises; even a fall could break bones.
Holding her swelling ankle, she cast a healing spell.
“Ha… ah… ha… ngh… sob…”
She hadn’t wanted to cry. She had expected this outcome.
But now that it was real, she couldn’t stop the tears.
“You’re loud.”
“……”
“You don’t even have the right to cry.”
“……”
“I want to kill your father.”
His voice was filled with raw desperation.
Aella wanted to tell him to kill her too.
But her lips wouldn’t move. Only sobs escaped.
“Get up.”
She slowly stood.
“Look at me.”
She had no choice but to meet his eyes.
He looked calm—but that expression hurt her even more.
It’s like he’s saying… you mean nothing to me now.
“Your shameless father will soon ask me this, won’t he? Whether I’ll take you as my wife.”
“……”
“I’ll accept. And I’ll show him. I’ll show him how the daughter he cherished slowly withers away inside the Horomons ducal estate.”
Aella almost laughed—but held it back.
If I hadn’t heard the truth from Laura…
She clenched her dress tightly.
“Does it hurt your pride?”
She shook her head.
Kael grabbed her chin again, lifting it roughly.
“……”
The face that once smiled shyly now carried deep despair.
“Don’t worry. I won’t kill you. Through you, I’ll show your father that living without being able to die is more painful than death.”
Yes, Kael… if this eases even a little of your anger…
“Get lost.”
He let go of her chin and wiped his hand with a handkerchief as if he had touched something filthy.
Still, Aella bowed politely, holding out her dress.
Turning away, the moment she took a step, tears burst forth.
Her heart was already in pieces.
“Ugh!”
Her ankle throbbed painfully—her healing hadn’t fully worked. She staggered.
Kael watched her fragile figure walking unsteadily, his fists trembling.
Even after she disappeared, the image of her sorrowful face—ready to endure everything—remained etched in his mind.
“…Damn it! Damn it all!”
Looking up at the sky, Kael himself looked in great pain.
Kina had been pacing in front of the door. When she saw Aella limping toward her, head lowered, she cried out.
“My lady!”
“Kina, be quiet.”
“My lady…”
“Let’s go inside first. Help me.”
“Yes.”
With Kina’s help, Aella entered the room and sat on the bed.
“My lady, why would the Young Duke—”
“Just… wait a moment, please.”
Aella smiled, but her lips trembled.
Tick, tock—
Only the clock filled the silent room.
“Whew… Kina. What I’m about to say is the truth.”
“Yes.”
“Come sit here.”
Kina hesitated, then sat beside her.
Holding Kina’s hands gently, Aella emptied her emotions and explained everything—what had happened and why Kael reacted that way.
“T-That’s still no excuse! He shouldn’t treat you like that! I can’t understand him! No matter what your father did… what did you do wrong?! If anything, you—!”
“Kina. I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie! Do you know what you look like right now? You look like you’re going to die!”
“Kina… please.”
At her desperate voice, Kina fell silent.
“Kina, I’ll soon become Kael… no, the Young Duke’s wife.”
“My lady! No! You can’t! You’ll be miserable!”
“I know.”
“My lady… do you hear yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Please… don’t smile like that. It’s driving me insane.”
Kina burst into tears, pounding her chest.
Aella hugged her and patted her back.
“Thank you, Kina… I’m really okay. I will be soon.”
“My lady… sob… let me take your punishment instead! Please!”
Aella wiped her tears and cupped her flushed cheeks.
“Before I leave, I’ll ask Laura to find you a good marriage—”
“No. I’m going with you.”
“Kina.”
“I will never let you go there alone.”
“……”
“I’ll protect you as much as I can. Trust me.”
Aella felt both deep gratitude and overwhelming guilt.
“Kina… do you realize what you’re saying? You’re walking into hell with me.”
“Wherever you go—even hell or a desert—I’ll follow you. That’s my duty as your maid.”
“Kina…!”
“My lady… sob… the gods are so cruel… so cruel…”
After finally calming her down, Aella stood.
“Where are you going? I’ll come—”
Aella shook her head.
“I’m going to see Mother. When Charlotte returns, prepare her a snack. I’ll be back soon. Please listen this time.”
“…Yes, my lady.”
Outside, Aella touched her aching ankle.
Flash!
This time, her healing magic worked, wrapping her ankle in light.
“Ha…”
But as she straightened, dizziness hit her, and she leaned against the wall.
“Get a hold of yourself. This is just the beginning. You have to endure… I can do this. I’m not alone. I have Kina, Charlotte, Laura… and Mother.”
With a faint smile, she walked to the backyard where her grandmother, mother, and grandfather were buried.
“I’m here… Grandfather, Grandmother… and Mother.”
She smiled softly.
“Mother… I’ll soon leave this place and enter the Horomons estate… as the Duchess…”
Tears gathered in her eyes.
“Mother… I’ll be okay. So don’t worry… As long as Kina and Charlotte are with me…”
Her voice broke.
“Mother… I’ll probably… until the day I die… Kael will… sob… Mother… I want to die right now. I don’t have the strength to live… sob…”
She collapsed onto the grass, crying uncontrollably.
Drip.
Pour—
Rain suddenly began to fall.
“Mother…”
It felt like her mother’s tears.
“Mother… take me with you… I have no hope left here…”
Her body swayed—
And she collapsed.
Pour—
“My lady!!!”
Through the heavy rain, a voice echoed in her ears.
“Ki…na… Lo…ra…”
Aella lost consciousness.
