MCDD 02

Chapter 02

Shaite Hunniswald changed one year after our marriage.

As always, Shaite rarely came out of his room, and I spent most of my time outside.

Even though we lived under the same roof, we almost never encountered each other.

At events where couples were invited, I usually went alone.

That day as well, the Duchess of Büttelen had invited the Baron and Baroness Hunniswald.

Shaite stayed shut in his room and didn’t respond when I asked whether he would come with me.

I naturally made an excuse and attended the ball alone.

The moment I entered, hundreds of eyes turned toward me.

“The Baroness Hunniswald.”

Starting with a whisper from somewhere, murmurs quickly spread around the hall.

I gladly accepted all the attention.

I glanced at my reflection in a pitch-black glass window.

Perfect, as always.

My carefully styled light sky-blue hair flowed in elegant waves despite its natural curls.

A deep blue dress made of the finest silk, the kind even royalty struggled to obtain. A necklace crafted from diamonds so rare there were only three in existence worldwide.

Pale skin, a small face, delicate features. My gentle expression satisfied me.

Though I do dislike these slightly drooping eyes…

There was only one reason I hated them.

“I heard she ranked first for admission to the Imperial National University, but she looks surprisingly dull.”

“Hmph. She probably bought her way in. She’s the only daughter of the famous Lutshield family.”

Defamation.

“It seems her parents died and the estate was taken over by a cousin. There must be a reason she couldn’t inherit the family business.”

“I heard she has a temper. They say even Baron Hunniswald is completely controlled by her.”

Blatant gossip.

“That lace decoration—didn’t the designer refuse it because it was too labor-intensive?”

“Didn’t you know? The guild sponsoring them is backed by Lutshield Bank.”

“My, how enviable. Money really is everything.”

Jealousy.

“She dumped me and ended up with someone as mediocre as Hunniswald?”

“Maybe he’s secretly muscular.”

“You think she’s already checked? Honestly, the innocent-looking ones are the worst.”

Even crude harassment.

People with open hostility were speaking loudly where I could hear everything.

All because of these drooping eyes that made me seem easy to target.

I glared briefly at my reflection before turning away.

Of course, I wasn’t shaken by such remarks.

The brilliant gold of Lutshield.

A family that ran numerous businesses centered on banking, wielding immense influence across the nation.

That was my birth family.

Because of that, I had been in the spotlight since birth.

Even as a child, rumors and speculation surrounded me constantly.

There were always people who hated me without ever speaking to me or meeting me.

Gossip had been like a sibling I grew up with.

Still, two things never changed.

No one could ignore the influence of “Lutshield.”

And even after marriage, I was still treated as “Lutshield.”

Insults only existed because I was worth paying attention to.

Compared to the admiration and affection directed toward me, they were meaningless.

If I just took one step forward—

“Lady Amaranthis, you are even more beautiful today.”

“Baroness, your skin is flawless—so pale and soft like dough…”

“Please attend our estate’s banquet next time. It would be our greatest honor.”

“Your hair is like silk. How do you maintain it with curls like that?”

So many people adored me.

Of course, such baseless rumors couldn’t damage my perfect image.

A smile naturally formed from the praise pouring in.

It had been raining earlier, and my hair had been especially difficult to manage… but the four hours I spent styling it were worth it—

Splash!

For a moment, that thought held.

I gasped. The sharp scent of wine filled my lungs.

Wine soaked through my hair, sticking it messily to my face.

My beloved blue dress was stained a deep purple.

The surroundings fell into a stunned silence.

“Pfft!”

Someone’s laugh broke the silence.

Then chaos erupted.

“Baroness! Are you alright?”

“Here, use my handkerchief!”

Even the Duchess of Büttelen rushed over immediately.

“Amaranthis, I’ll prepare a room for you. You can change there. I’ll lend you a dress.”

“Thank you, Duchess.”

I smiled composedly, but inside I was boiling.

Who dares…!

Clenching my teeth, I turned toward where the wine had come from.

A poorly dressed noblewoman was trembling violently. Her clothes were also soaked in wine. Tears quickly welled in her orange eyes.

“I-I’m sorry… I’m really sorry. I got swept up in the crowd…”

If it had been intentional, I would’ve dealt with her.

But… it didn’t seem like it.

Seeing how flustered she was made my anger subside slightly. However, the atmosphere around us remained harsh.

“Where are you even looking? Tsk tsk.”

“Don’t make excuses—apologize properly.”

As the crowd pressed her, onlookers watched with gleaming eyes.

Like vultures circling rotten meat.

If I sided with her here, they would immediately start rumors about my personality, calling me a hypocrite.

No need to give them ammunition.

I composed myself and stepped forward.

“What is your name?”

“M-Melis Haller, my lady.”

“I see. Lady Haller. Your clothes are ruined as well. That’s unfortunate. Come with me. Duchess, would that be alright?”

“If that is what Amaranthis wishes, then of course.”

I took Melis’s hand and guided her like an escort.

As I walked, the crowd parted, whispering.

“How kind…”

“As expected of Baroness Hunniswald. An angel.”

“But who is that girl?”

“I heard she just came to the capital from the countryside.”

“She probably did it on purpose to get attention.”

Melis’s face gradually lost color. Her fingers trembled.

Openly taking her side would not help either of us.

Leaving was the best option, so I led her away.

Following a servant’s guidance, we entered the Duchess’s dressing room. Melis trailed behind me anxiously.

“I’m sorry, Baroness… It was an accident, but everything is wet and uncomfortable for you…”

Watching her whimper made me uneasy.

She had just arrived in the capital, hadn’t she?

I had once been in a similar position.

When I was thrown into the marriage market.

The scrutiny and hostility of nobles were more blatant than expected. My cousin Arpedio had once advised me.

“Nobles in the capital live comfortable, even boring lives. That’s why they like stimulation—things like hunting.”

Melis tilted her head.

“Pardon?”

“It means if you show weakness like this, you become an easy target.”

“Ah…!”

A pale yellow dress caught my eye. It suited Melis’s skin tone, her light brown hair, and her orange eyes perfectly, without looking gaudy.

“So, one sincere apology is enough.”

Melis nodded, cheeks flushed.

I brought her in front of the mirror.

When I placed a hand on her hunched back, she startled and straightened.

“Chest out, shoulders back. No—not too stiff.”

As I held the pale yellow dress against her, her earlier shabby appearance disappeared completely.

“Hm. Much better. What do you think?”

“It’s so beautiful… For you to choose it for me, I’m honored. I’ll treasure it.”

“It’s not mine. You should thank the Duchess.”

I rang the bell and a maid entered.

“Take her to fix her hair. Two of you stay and help me.”

“Yes, Baroness.”

The maids led Melis away.

With the others’ help, I bathed and changed.

Afterward, I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled gently at the maids.

“I’d like to rest a bit. Could you step outside?”

“Of course, my lady.”

They bowed and left.

I stood there for a while, listening as their footsteps faded.

Then—

“Puhah!”

I flopped onto the sofa.

I kicked my shoes off, letting them fly.

Finally, some relief.

“Haa… I can live again.”

A perfect noble lady would never behave like this—but who cares?

No one was watching.

I hooked my legs over the sofa arm and glanced at the mirror.

My hair, partially dried, was unevenly curled.

No matter how I pulled it, it refused to return to its perfect state.

“This is not how I want to return to the ballroom.”

I sighed.

But leaving early felt rude to the Duchess, especially after borrowing a dress.

As I hesitated, a faint sound like grains striking glass came from the window.

It grew louder.

Soon, it filled the room.

Rustle—whoosh.

I stood and approached the window. Outside, the wind was violent, flattening grass and shaking trees.

A flash of lightning sparked in my mind.

“Perfect timing! The weather’s gotten bad—no choice!”

Now I could leave early without guilt!

Not because I wanted to escape the ball.

Definitely not.

* * *

When I arrived at the mansion and stepped out of the carriage, the butler approached.

“Madam, did you enjoy the ball?”

I almost said I did—but didn’t.

“Yes. As usual, it was enjoyable. But the mansion is dark.”

“His Lordship fell asleep early, so we didn’t light the lamps. I’ll have them—”

“No, don’t wake anyone! I’ll go straight to bed. Ah—could you ask Cindy to prepare warm bath water?”

“Understood, Madam.”

The butler handed me a lantern and left.

As the light faded, darkness swallowed the surroundings.

Heavy clouds blocked the moonlight, making the mansion feel even more eerie than usual.

Rain, darkness… this is kind of creepy.

I should’ve asked them to light more lamps. Or called Cindy here instead!

But it was too late.

I moved quickly up to the second floor.

Squelch, swish. Squelch, swish.

Even the sound of my dress dragging felt ominous.

Halfway down the corridor—

A chill gaze.

I froze.

No one was there.

Just darkness stretching endlessly.

I imagined it?

As I turned to move again—

Flash!

In a brief lightning strike, a pair of eyes appeared—and vanished.

Someone was watching me from a slightly open door.

I froze, unable to breathe.

Then the door slammed shut.

I almost screamed—but stopped.

I recognized the room.

“Shaite?”

The door slowly opened again.

Inside stood a hunched man.

Smaller than usual due to his posture, messy ash-gray hair falling over his face.

A pale, exhausted face.

His unfocused eyes looked even more unsettling than usual.

Or maybe… he looked ill.

“Are you alright? You look unwell.”

“I… it’s nothing. Not sick. Just… couldn’t sleep. Work… I’m fine.”

Shaite rambled, glancing at my face and body as usual.

I used to find it irritating, but I had gotten used to it. It wasn’t malicious—just his habit.

But something else caught my attention.

“Are you going out?”

For once—truly, extremely rarely—he was wearing a cloak.

He almost never left his room. Even meals were taken there.

And now he was dressed for travel at night, in the rain.

Before I could think further, I stepped closer.

He abruptly retreated inside and slammed the door shut.

The wind of the door brushed my face.

Then—click.

Locked.

“Hey!”

I was shut out.

Annoying. Who does he think is going to eat him?

Still, I was too tired to argue.

I went to my room instead.

Cindy, my maid, came out immediately from the bathroom.

“My lady—ah, no, Madam! Welcome back. I’ll prepare your bath.”

The warm water relaxed me instantly.

The unpleasant feelings disappeared.

After bathing, I collapsed onto the bed.

But sleep didn’t come.

Instead—

Memories of my childhood turned into a nightmare.

“Mother, Father! You came back for my birthday? I made a cake—”

“We’re busy. Talk later, Arpes.”

“My name isn’t Arpes—”

“Is your name more important than the family?”

“Or do you think dead people will remember your name?”

“You were never properly called it even when we were alive.”

“How ridiculous.”

“We never loved you.”

Their faces melted and twisted grotesquely, like a crash victim.

“Gasp!”

I woke up, drenched in sweat.

My heart pounded violently.

I checked the time.

4 a.m.

Still dark outside.

I should sleep more…

But I couldn’t.

I tossed and turned, but only became more awake.

Eventually I got up.

Maybe I should walk around.

Normally I would’ve gone riding, but the weather was bad.

I decided to walk the corridor.

I wrapped a silk robe around myself and stepped out—

BANG! CRASH! CLANG!

From Shaite’s room came the sound of something falling and breaking.

Was someone inside? An intruder?

I pressed my ear to the door.

Silence.

Nothing.

No movement.

Then I thought of his pale face earlier.

Did he collapse from anemia or something?

I knocked.

“Shaite. I heard a loud noise—are you alright?”

No answer.

Normally he didn’t answer anyway, but this felt wrong.

Before thinking, my hand turned the doorknob.

It opened.

Creak.

A sharp smell hit me.

Metallic… blood.

And then—

Flash!

In the lightning’s glow, I saw him.

A man collapsed, soaked in blood.

My husband, Shaite Hunniswald.