“It seems like you are misunderstanding something.”
Anthony decided to tell his step-sister exactly where she stood.
It was mainly as a way to humiliate her.
“You were sold out.”
The sarcastic remark fell on Asella’s ears.
“Grand Duchess? What a joke. Do you think Benvito will be looking at you? That Calix Benvito?”
No, Asella had never had such an illusion.
She was no longer a child with fleeting dreams and vain expectations.
The hope she once had was long gone.
If hope were things that could come true, she would still be a Chartus.
“How dare you act arrogant when you’ll just end up abandoned in a back room for the rest of your life.”
“…”
“Just because you’re married, it doesn’t mean you can act all crazy.”
Asella smiled faintly, not replying.
‘Because it’s true.’
It was insulting, but nothing could have explained her position more clearly than that.
A disappointed expression spread across her snow-white face, blooming like a haze.
But when Asella slowly lowered her eyes and lifted them again, her face was back to its usual expression.
She, who had been silent as if her lips were glued shut, finally opened her mouth.
“However, that doesn’t change the fact that I’m the Grand Duchess.”
“So?”
Anthony’s face distorted as he expected Asella to apologize and bow.
“You’ve been rude to me, Brother.”
“What does it matter?”
‘You’re being sold as a tool for succession.’
Behind Anthony’s voice, there was another sound, albeit small. Still, it was definitely there; a small mocking laugh, but that wasn’t just it, though. There was another chuckle from the servants behind her, small but clear.
In fact, they all thought so, and they didn’t even bother to hide it.
It was Asella, for God’s sake! The one who was despised as a nuisance by the Marquise household. They’d seen through how she was treated, and they’d even had fun watching her struggle.
It was one of the recurring topics of their conversations to predict whom Asella would marry upon reaching adulthood.
‘I thought it might be some old, fat nobleman with a lot of money, far from the capital…’
However, the one who she ended up marrying was the Empire’s one and only Grand Duke.
The owner of the bluest blood, the noblest man in the nobility, who even had the right to succeed to the throne.
Even the direct descendants of the Imperial family could not recklessly act against him. Calix Benvito was a man who could even take hold of the Imperial throne if he wanted to.
Such a grand duke sent a letter of proposal directly to her. He even displayed his affection toward her at the wedding. It was a preposterous scene that he wouldn’t have believed if he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes.
Logically, all the servants knew that they should be careful, but deep down, they didn’t want to admit it.
“Now that you know, get lost.”
“…”
“Can’t you hear me?”
“…”
“Cut it out and go back to the banquet hall.”
Asella, who had been standing still as if held back by the insults and mockery, finally stepped forward. Thinking he had gotten his way, Anthony chuckled.
‘Hurry up and leave, so I can have my way with the maid.’
Nasty thoughts came back to his mind. His mood started to lighten up again. He turned around, unbuttoning his sweat-soaked shirt.
“What are you doing?”
Anthony screamed. As Asella walked past him, she leaned over and reached for the servant.
‘It’s enough to make me the only unhappy person at this wedding.’
Asella didn’t even glance at Anthony. Instead, she addressed the servant on the ground.
“What is your name?”
“Cecile, My Lady…”
“When did you come to this mansion?”
“It’s been a little over a month.”
Cecile stood up with Asella’s help, still gazing at her with her tear-filled eyes.
“Wipe your tears.”
“My Lady…”
Cecile accepted Asella’s handkerchief with both hands, still trembling with fear.
“Go on, then. I’m sure you have a lot of work to do.”
“But…”
Cecile could not answer confidently.
Anthony was on the verge of doing something threatening. The servants gathered behind him as he shook with anger.
“It’s okay.”
However, Cecile stopped hesitating at the warm, soothing voice and turned around to pick up the plates behind her.
“Ugh…!”
A dull noise, a muffled scream.
Asella’s body fell to the ground.
“My Lady!”
Cecile, who had turned around, let out a short scream in surprise. The plate she was holding broke, creating a loud noise in the hallway.
After a while, the hallway became so quiet that not even the smallest breath could be heard.