IVHMH 11

Chapter 11

The moment Ellicia stepped into the drawing room, she nearly collapsed on the spot. Though she had anticipated it, facing Gustao filled her with despair.

‘Is this something I can’t escape in this life either?’

The moment she saw his face, a surge of anger rushed through her.

“Come, have a seat.”

Zetio gestured to the seat beside him.

With each step, Ellicia felt like her feet were sinking deeper into a swamp.

Avoiding Gustao’s gaze, she sat across from him.

Her heart pounded so fast and loud, she worried others might notice.

“Tea has been served.”

Before Zetio could even introduce Gustao and Ellicia, Letisa brought in the tea.

Ellicia gave a bitter smile, recalling how Letisa had acted the exact same way in the past.

When she had asked why Letisa had personally served tea—a task for a maid—she had later explained that it was because the guest was important and she wanted to put in extra effort.

“This is Sir Gustao Verato.”

“Hello, Lady Mares. Please call me Gustao. I’ll call you Ellicia as well, if that’s alright.”

As Gustao introduced himself, Letisa’s hand trembled slightly while pouring tea.

“I’ve decided on the two of you marrying. The wedding will take place in three months.”

— Clang!

The teacup in Letisa’s hand fell to the floor and shattered.

“I-I’m sorry. My hand slipped…”

Letisa scrambled to the floor, trying to pick up the broken shards with her bare hands.

Seeing this, Gustao leaned forward in his seat and gently held Letisa’s hand.

“Oh no, a beautiful lady like you shouldn’t be picking up dangerous shards with her bare hands.”

“I’ve caused trouble while you were having an important conversation.”

“It’s nothing serious. Send for a maid to clean this up so your delicate hands stay unharmed.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Watching the two, Ellicia felt like vomiting.

She used to think Gustao was a kind man when she saw him act like this in the past. But now, she realized it was all a farce.

His gaze wasn’t on Letisa’s hand—it was fixed on her chest.

He wasn’t concerned for her safety. He was just using it as an excuse to get a closer look at her breasts.

Outside the drawing room, Letisa leaned against the door. She held the hand Gustao had touched against her chest, trying to calm her breathing.

She had dropped the cup because she was shocked at the news that he would be marrying Ellicia. Seeing the shattered pieces on the floor, she felt pitiful—like they were a reflection of herself—and tears welled in her eyes.

When she went to pick up the shards and Gustao grabbed her hand, her heart had nearly exploded.

The moment their eyes met, Letisa clearly saw the desire in his.

“He’s interested in me! Not Ellicia.”

It wasn’t a delusion—it was a certainty born from what she saw and felt.

Meanwhile, Ellicia returned to her room and collapsed face-down onto her bed.

The stress she felt now was heavier than anything she’d endured over the past few days.

“If my miserable past life is repeating exactly as before, then what’s the point of being reborn?”

Frustrated, she pounded her fists on the bed.

“Should I just run away?”

It was the simplest way to avoid marrying Gustao. But if she ran now, she wouldn’t uncover the truth.

She couldn’t leave without revealing the truth about her adoptive parents.

Only Ellicia could bring justice to the fake uncle and aunt who had hidden their true identities, stolen the family, and seized their wealth.

“Teus, please come back soon. I desperately need your help. If I had known this would happen, I would have talked to you before you left for the Khan Kingdom…”

She deeply regretted not doing so.

News of Ellicia’s engagement quickly reached the imperial palace, thanks in part to a small effort from Shiton.

When the Empress heard the news from the Emperor, she jumped up in shock.

“Marriage with Gustao Verato? That’s outrageous!”

“Outrageous or not, it’s what the Duke of Mares has decided.”

The idea of a duchess’s daughter marrying a bastard child was unthinkable.

Though Gustao bore his father’s name and was technically a noble, he wasn’t noble enough to be the son-in-law of a ducal family.

“His reputation isn’t bad. People say he has a gentle nature.”

“Even so, no sane man would arrange such a marriage!”

“The wedding date has already been set. We can’t interfere now, Empress.”

“I should have arranged a different match for her long ago…”

The Empress had refrained from interfering because she hoped Ellicia would meet someone kind and fall in love on her own.

Now, she was left with nothing but regret.

Though not as outraged as the Empress, someone else was deeply troubled by the news of Ellicia’s engagement.

“The Duke of Mares must be insane. How could he marry off his daughter to a bastard?”

As soon as he heard the news, Kais had rushed to the Verato Grand Duchy, completely dumbfounded.

It was a marriage that made no sense to anyone.

“Has the balance of power shifted? Or was it always skewed to one side?”

“What are you talking about?”

Kais didn’t understand the cryptic murmurs coming from Tirchen.

It was a strange comment to make, especially in response to this absurd engagement.

“The Duke of Mares and the Duke of Shiton have never once been seen standing close to each other at any gathering.”

“That’s because they hate each other, right?”

Kais offered a simple answer based on what was known.

Even if they were in the same room, Zetio and Shiton always sat at opposite ends.

Noble society widely believed the two families despised one another.

“I met Lady Mares at the palace recently.”

“You did? Why?”

“It was just a chance encounter.”

“And that’s a problem?”

“Right after that, the engagement was announced. And to such an unsuitable partner at that.”

Kais slapped his knee as if something clicked.

The daughters of both families were being discussed as candidates for crown princess. It felt like one side had just been eliminated.

“The Duke of Mares doesn’t seem to value his daughter as much as the rumors suggest.”

“I noticed that too. If she were truly precious to him, he would’ve organized a search party the moment she disappeared.”

“There might be something going on between the Duke of Mares and the Duke of Shiton that we don’t know about.”

Kais nodded in agreement.

His daughter was being considered as a future empress. He should be moving heaven and earth to secure that position, yet Zetio’s actions suggested otherwise.

After the engagement was confirmed and the rumors spread, Gustao held a drinking party with his friend Barus.

“I always knew this day would come. My world is finally opening up.”

“A toast! To the bright future of Gustao Verato!”

“Cheers!”

— Clink!

Their glasses clinked, producing a clear ring.

The alcohol slid down his throat, spreading a pleasant warmth through his body.

“If I keep this up, even the crown prince’s seat is within reach.”

“When you become crown prince, you’ll give me a position too, right?”

“Of course. We’ll even change the law so bastards can receive titles.”

“Haha! Just hearing that makes me feel good!”

They clinked glasses again.

Barus, like Gustao, was a bastard child.

Their shared experience of being despised by others had forged a strong bond between them.

“How’s your fiancée?”

“Face or body? Which?”

“Both. Is she pretty?”

“She’s pale and scrawny.”

Gustao recalled Ellicia’s expressionless face.

Even in a loose dress, it was obvious how thin she was.

Compared to her, Letisa’s voluptuous figure was far more appealing.

Her pouting lips and full breasts made his mouth water.

“It’s a political marriage. Who cares about looks?”

“Exactly. Marry for power, then keep a beautiful mistress on the side.”

“Power, fame, and a sexy mistress. That’s the life!”

“To that life, another toast! To the future crown prince!”

“Crown prince… Has a nice ring to it. Barus, you’re truly my friend.”

They giggled and clinked glasses again.

Peaceful and quiet, the Khan Kingdom.

Teus was playing in the garden of his cousin Marina’s home with her newborn baby.

Barely three months old, the baby could only babble and cry.

But Teus could easily understand even those formless sounds, and the baby adored him for it.

“Teus! Teus!”

Marina came running over, breathless.

Teus, who had been answering his niece’s babbles, waved to Marina with a smile.

Out of breath, Marina finally reached him.

“Why did you run over so fast?”

“A letter came from the Netor Empire.”

“Is it important?”

“For you, I think it is.”

She handed over the letter.

The moment he saw the name on the envelope, Teus shot to his feet.

[Ellicia Mares]

He gently traced her name with his finger.

“This is a first.”

Over the years, he had left home countless times with the merchant guild, but Ellicia had never sent him a letter.

They had always met when he returned home, so he’d never expected one.

Carefully, he opened the envelope.

[I have something to tell you. Contact me as soon as you return.]

Just one simple line.

‘What does Ellicia want to tell me? If she’s sending a letter, it must be important.’

His heart was already flying toward the Netor Empire—to Ellicia.

“There’s more news.”

“What is it?”

Still glowing from Ellicia’s letter, Teus smiled brightly.

Marina hesitated, her lips parting and closing several times before she could speak.

“Is something wrong at home?”

“No.”

“Then why do you look so serious?”

“Ellicia and Gustao Verato’s wedding date has been set.”

“……!”

The letter slipped from Teus’ hand.

A light breeze carried it away.

His knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground.

“Was this what she wanted to tell me?”

He covered his eyes with his hand.

‘Did she send a letter just to tell me this nightmare of a marriage?’

Just like his eyes, now shrouded in darkness, his heart also sank into shadow.

Teus’ slumped shoulders trembled.