Chapter 10
I told them not to let anyone into my room if possible.
It was obviously related to Tarchen’s business. Just the fact that the butler was knocking made that clear. With no choice, Belita spoke.
“Come in.”
The door opened at once. The butler bowed politely and handed her a letter. Strangely, it bore the imperial seal of the palace. That was why the butler had come in so abruptly. Moreover, there were no signs that the envelope had been opened. Normally, any letter addressed to Belita was checked by the butler first.
He said it was under Tarchen’s orders, to make sure she was not exposed to anything dangerous. In truth, it was to watch her and make sure she did not do anything foolish.
Belita turned the envelope over in her hands. It was still firmly sealed. Since there were laws stating that opening a letter with the imperial seal without permission could cost one their head, it seemed he had not dared to open it.
“What kind of letter is this?”
More than anything, Belita was puzzled that a letter from the imperial palace would come to her. But the butler furrowed his brows and shook his head.
“I do not know that either. However, it is certain that the letter is addressed to you, Madam.”
“I understand. You may leave.”
But the butler only bowed and did not move. It seemed Tarchen had given him some sort of order.
“This is a letter from the palace. There won’t be any blades hidden inside.”
“Still, you never know. Someone could have forged it and hidden something inside to threaten you…”
As she listened to him, Belita tore open the envelope. Nothing happened. When she shook the letter out, the butler lowered his head.
“See? There’s nothing. No knife, no bloodstains.”
The butler said nothing. With no choice, Belita read the letter in front of him.
[To Belita,
I wonder if you returned safely to your mansion yesterday. I saw you leaving quite busily with Tarchen, and even after that, you kept lingering in my mind, so I thought about you for a long time.
When I asked my aide, he told me you had been my old friend.
Why did you not say so back then? No wonder I could not forget you.
He said we were quite close in the past—what do you think? Could you still be my friend now?
It is a foolish question, but at the moment, this is what I am most curious about.
—From Crown Prince Cardin]**
Belita frowned at the letter.
And what would he gain by becoming friends now?
On top of that, she could already imagine what kind of vulgar words Tarchen would throw out if he saw this. Considering their respective positions, the letter could even be interpreted as having improper intentions. Belita immediately handed the letter and envelope to the butler.
“Burn it.”
The butler stared at her in shock, but Belita said nothing more. Soon, the butler closed the door and left. Belita lay back down on the bed.
Friends…
That was already something long past. Too many things had happened for old feelings to be revived now. Cardin was no longer the man he had been, and Belita was no longer the woman she had been. Moreover, in this situation, meeting the Crown Prince would require extreme caution.
She wanted to part ways because of Tarchen’s disgrace, not carry disgrace herself and part ways because of it. If that happened, all the acting she had maintained until now—her behavior, her speech, her etiquette—would become meaningless.
Above all, Belita did not want to stand at the center of filthy rumors.
The next day, Belita woke up feeling light for once. It seemed Tarchen had not returned. There were often nights when he did not come home. By day, he acted docile in the Noble Council, but at night he usually led his organization. Though he claimed to have withdrawn from it, he was still running it. Sometimes, she had seen bloodstains on his shirts.
But now, Tarchen was not there. Belita changed into her dress by herself for once. In a good mood, she opened the window wide and looked outside.
If only days like this could continue.
Looking at the white clouds, she dreamed of a life where Tarchen did not torment her every night, where she did not have to hear his sly voice or commands, and where she did not have to endure words that grated on her nerves—a life with only Belita herself.
Then she heard a knock on the door, snapping her out of her thoughts. Belita let out a faint sigh and turned around.
“Madam, Master has returned.”
Belita swallowed a hollow laugh.
How does he make sure I never escape him for even a moment?
Thinking of the detestable Tarchen, she left her room. Whenever he came back to the mansion, he expected her to greet him. He said it was proper for a wife to welcome her husband unless she was ill.
Proper, my foot. You don’t even know basic noble etiquette yourself.
Even while mocking him inwardly, Belita went down the stairs for one reason only: if she did not obey him, she never knew what kind of outrageous thing he might do at night.
When she reached the stairs, she saw Tarchen just entering. Mud clung thickly to his shoes, as if he had come from somewhere rough. Yet he did not care and stepped straight onto the expensive carpet. As a result, dirty mud spread all over the once-clean carpet.
It was a carpet Belita cherished. It was similar to the one in her old mansion and had cost a great deal. Even though he knew she hated the mansion getting dirty, Tarchen deliberately did things like this. Belita’s face twisted.
“I told you to wipe your shoes before coming in.”
When Belita glared at his shoes, Tarchen grinned. He strode over and wrapped an arm around her waist, trapping her in an instant.
“Ah, I missed hearing that. Have you been well?”
Tarchen deliberately rubbed his cheek against hers. The strong scent of perfume still clung to him. He was clearly provoking her on purpose.
“Get lost.”
Belita pushed against his chest, but his body did not budge. Instead, Tarchen held her even tighter and buried his face between her neck and shoulder.
“Belita, your words are getting rougher these days. You’re becoming more and more like me.”
He chuckled. Belita bit her lip and tried to shove his shoulder, but it was useless. As if her resistance amused him, Tarchen suddenly lifted her up in his arms.
“Put me down.”
Belita spat the words, but Tarchen bit her ear.
“No.”
Struggling was pointless. In the end, Belita went limp. She could never overpower Tarchen physically. The difference in their builds was too obvious.
Belita was short and slender compared to others. Tarchen, on the other hand, was tall and broad-framed. With his thick arms, even a little strength was enough to overwhelm her.
Tarchen carried her to the bedroom. As soon as she was laid on the bed, Belita spoke.
“It’s morning.”
“So? We haven’t seen each other in a while.”
“What do you mean a while? We saw each other yesterday.”
“No, it was so long ago I can’t even remember.”
Tarchen immediately bit her lips. Belita turned her head away, but he grabbed her chin and made her look at him.
“Don’t be stubborn.”
His voice was lower than before. Belita only stared at him without replying. He did not seem to be expecting an answer and kissed her lips gently. When she did not open her mouth, he pressed his thumb against her jaw.
Belita clenched her lips and refused to open them. Tarchen lifted his gaze. His eyes were low and dangerous.
“I told you not to be stubborn.”
“I want to rest. And I have to go to the hospital today.”
After spending a rare night without Tarchen, it had been a refreshing morning. She wanted to keep that feeling as long as possible. Besides, she still had that damn hospital visit.
But Tarchen met her eyes and said,
“Being with me is rest.”
“That might be true for you, but not for me. You only come here to do this anyway.”
Tarchen smirked.
“Then since I came all this way in the morning, can’t you at least give your husband some love?”
At the word love, Belita burst out,
“Don’t bullshit me!”
Tarchen laughed. Disgusted, Belita turned her head away. Her hands trembled as anger surged inside her. But Tarchen buried his face at her neck and kissed her softly.
Even when Belita pounded on his chest, he did not care. From the start, all her movements were as futile as a butterfly’s wings.
When Belita finally went limp, Tarchen lifted his head. She glared at him fiercely. He curled his lips.
“I’ve seen you smile enough. How about trying to cry in front of me now? Begging would be even better.”
Tarchen deliberately provoked her. Belita did not want to repeat what had just happened. Resentment welled up inside her, but she did not want to provoke him further. Then Tarchen took money from his pocket and waved it with a grin.
Being treated like a prostitute, Belita slapped Tarchen’s cheek with all her strength.
“You lunatic.”
Tarchen rolled his eyes once, then laughed softly.
“That actually hurt a bit.”
“I will never cry in front of you.”
“We’ll see about that.”
With a strange smile, Tarchen stepped back. Belita fled the bedroom as if escaping. As soon as she came out, a maid approached.
“I’m going straight to the hospital, so don’t follow me.”
After saying only that, Belita hurried down the stairs.
Tarchen’s provocations were becoming more intense by the day. What angered her even more was how she reacted to him every time.
He was clearly doing it just to provoke her. If so, she should stay composed and ignore him—but in front of Tarchen, she could never act dignified. Instead, she became more violent, as if a personality she never knew she had was coming out.
That bastard.
It was all Tarchen’s fault. He was the one turning Belita into this.
