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Chapter : 03
“Don’t ever take me to a place like that again. I only said I’d think about the investment, not that I agreed with you.”
At Anna’s words, John changed his expression again.
“Anna, Lily Street isn’t just for that kind of business. You’re misunderstanding. The Marquis isn’t as cruel as the rumors say.”
He stepped forward, knelt on the floor, and grabbed Anna’s hands. Putting on the loving face Anna had seen so many times since childhood, he spoke softly.
“I raised you with so much care. I might have been a bit rough, but it was all for you…”
“You tied me up and gagged me like a dog or a horse. Do you really call that ‘a bit rough’?”
Anna, shaking with humiliation, pulled her hands away and pointed at the door.
“Get out! Don’t come into my room again. Until you find Mr. Machi and restore the Everkline assets, you’re not allowed in the house!”
John jumped up, trying to use his fatherly authority to control her.
“Anna! How could you do this to me?”
But Anna wasn’t backing down.
“How could you do that to me? If Mother in heaven saw this, she would cry in shame. Aren’t you even embarrassed in front of her?”
“…Ugh!”
John was speechless when Anna mentioned her mother. He stomped his foot and turned, storming out of the room.
“Whew.”
As Anna let out a sigh of relief, Lucy hesitantly approached.
“Miss, do you really mean it?”
“Yes. Go tell Henry to never let my father in the house again.”
“Okay!”
Lucy hurried off to the butler. Left alone, Anna sank into a chair, tilted her head back, and covered her eyes with her hand.
‘I should have done this sooner.’
Her chest ached—no, it stung. Even though John was only her stepfather, he had loved and cherished her more than a real daughter. But after last night, he had shattered their relationship himself. Now, she couldn’t stand him anymore.
“Hoo…”
Anna sighed and stared blankly into space, letting herself recall the memories she had tried to bury from the day before.
After saying he came to fetch his bride, Raiden put Anna in his own carriage. John didn’t even dare resist—he just watched helplessly. Raiden shot him one last cold glance, then shut the carriage door and drove away without a word.
[So, I finally get to ask—Anna, where should we go?]
Inside the dark carriage, he smiled. Anna, still in shock, started shaking as soon as she saw that smile.
Her mind felt blank, her eyes hot—so much had happened in so little time.
She had almost been sold to the Marquis, barely escaped Lily Street, and at last, met Raiden again—the man she had missed for so long.
As the emotions overwhelmed her, Anna buried her face in her hands and cried. Raiden seemed troubled and mumbled, “Oh dear,” before wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close.
She breathed in the cool scent of grass mixed with a faint smell of smoke—scents that always came from him. Clinging to him, Anna sobbed as if her whole body was made of water.
Raiden held her and gently spoke words of comfort. He took her hands and carefully stroked the greenish bruises on her wrists from the ropes.
Anna felt angry at him, but also so happy to see him.
‘I have so many questions…’
Why did he abandon her? Was he really back for good? What did he mean by “bride”?
‘Does he still remember our promise…?’
She had mountains of questions she needed answers for. But her body, exhausted past its limits, wouldn’t let her stay awake. Her vision blurred, and her mind faded into darkness. A big, cool hand came to cover her eyes as he whispered,
[Rest now, Anna.]
[But…]
Anna weakly shook her head and clung to the front of his shirt, afraid he might disappear again.
Sensing her fear, he whispered in a low, gentle voice,
[It’s all right. We’ll meet again soon.]
Really? Will I really see you again? Really…? With that thought, Anna sank into unconsciousness.
There was a knock at the door, and Lucy peeked in.
“Miss.”
She hurried to Anna’s side and whispered,
“The master and his men just left the mansion. Butler Henry personally checked and locked the gate, so don’t worry.”
“They didn’t leave quietly, did they?”
Anna asked, concerned. Lucy replied quickly,
“The doorman said they were grumbling, but nothing bad happened.”
“Good. Did you also tell them never to let him in unless I say so?”
“Of course. I made it very clear.”
“Thank you.”
Feeling completely drained, Anna closed her eyes again.
“Tell Henry to hurry and find Mr. Machi. I don’t care how much money it costs.”
“Can you manage that with your allowance?”
Lucy asked, worried. Until now, Anna had let John manage all the family’s wealth and only received a fixed allowance, so it was a fair question.
“About that…”
Anna opened her eyes, dragged herself up, and went to the wardrobe. Lucy quickly followed. As Anna opened the wardrobe and picked out clothes, she thought to herself,
‘I kept it a secret from the staff so the house wouldn’t feel gloomy…’
But now she decided Lucy needed to know.
Anna took a dress out and handed it to Lucy, finishing her thought out loud.
“I’ll have to use my mother’s inheritance.”
Lucy was so shocked, she waved her hands in protest.
“No, miss! That’s supposed to be your dowry when you get married!”
“Huh?”
Anna was surprised at how strongly Lucy objected, but then Lucy, thinking hard, suddenly brightened.
“If you need money, why not ask Baron Raven for help instead?”
“…No.”
Anna slammed the wardrobe shut and stepped behind the screen to change. Lucy followed, looking puzzled.
“Why not? He’s your fiancé, after all.”
“…”
Anna paused, her arm halfway into a sleeve, and just kept quiet, focusing on changing.
‘Edward… I just feel awkward with him.’
Sitting at her dressing table, Anna thought about the events that had started all this trouble. Lucy brushed Anna’s hair, watching her in the mirror. Seeing Lucy’s hopeful expression, Anna reluctantly began to explain.
“A couple of weeks ago, I went to tea at the Haimel count’s house…”
“Yes, I remember! I dressed you up in that wonderful organza silk dress!”
Lucy clapped like a seal. Since Edward had once helped Lucy keep her job when she almost got fired by the old head maid Lisa, Lucy liked Edward and his family.
Anna wondered how to explain to Lucy, who was so full of hope.
“While I was there, some of the guests started talking about a rumor…”
“A rumor? What kind?”
Lucy’s eyes went wide, excited for some juicy gossip. Anna swallowed and mumbled gloomily,
“They said… the Everkline family is bankrupt.”
“…What?”
Lucy blinked several times, thinking she’d misheard. Anna let out a deep sigh.
“It wasn’t just one or two people. The ladies laughed in front of me, talking loudly about it… I was so shocked, my hands shook and I almost dropped my teacup.”
Thinking back, Anna realized that probably started even more gossip. The countess’s friends had always wanted to bring her down.
“Miss… is it true?”
Now Lucy looked truly worried, her big deer-like eyes about to spill over. Anna patted Lucy’s soft brown hair and nodded.
“I left immediately to find the estate manager, but he wasn’t there—the office was locked and had been for a long time.”
“Why, why wasn’t he there?”
Lucy’s face was bright red with worry. Anna kept telling her story.
“Next, I went to the bank to check our family’s safe. All the property deeds were gone.”
“Gasp!”
Lucy covered her mouth with both hands.
“Don’t be too shocked, Lucy. There’s still plenty left.”
Anna calmly sipped her tea. Lucy sat perfectly still, barely breathing.
‘If you’re this shocked, imagine how I felt.’
Putting down her cup, Anna continued.
“Then I went straight to the bank manager and asked directly how much of our family’s money was left.”
“…”
Anna suddenly laughed.
“He checked and looked embarrassed. He said there was nothing left. Not a single gold or silver coin.”
