IGBD 10

Chapter 10

She died because she gave birth to Yuan’s child.

Serret’s face turned deathly pale. Her body trembled, and her blood ran cold.

“So… that’s why I….”

She bit her lip, mumbling under her breath. Frowning, Yuan looked at her and spoke.

“Lady Inoheter?”

“I feel unwell. I’ll excuse myself.”

Serret stood up in a flurry.

Looking down at Yuan from above, her expression twisted. She was too disgusted to remain in the same space as this man.

She quickly turned and left the dining room. Her legs trembled so badly as she ascended the stairs that she could barely walk properly.

Tears spilled from her eyes, splashing down her cheeks. Yuan Prechtuster had married her simply because he needed an heir.

That’s why he had never shown her the child’s face, not even telling her if it was a boy or a girl.

To Yuan Prechtuster, she had been nothing more than livestock. Something disposable after birthing a child.

If he wanted to marry Lydia, a clean break was necessary. He couldn’t very well keep the woman he loved as a mistress.

Women often died in childbirth, so he must have sent poison right around that time. If she died from not recovering after birth, no one would have questioned it.

It hadn’t even been in the capital, but the ducal estate. Easier to cover up her death.

And so, the first wife conveniently died, and the widowed Lydia—with her unremarkable husband gone—became the second wife, forming a perfect little family of three.

That had been Yuan Prechtuster’s plan. Serret shuddered at his meticulousness.

He was someone who could be that cruel just to leave not a single blemish on himself or his family.

It had all been planned from the start. Tears streamed down Serret’s face.

She shook with the betrayal. It was a different kind of shock from when she first received the poison.

How could he do this? How could he go this far…?

Her stomach churned, and nausea rose. It felt like she would throw up everything she had just eaten.

He had used her from beginning to end and discarded her. Now she finally understood that cold gaze, that indifferent behavior.

A horrific and disgusting man. Every time she had sought love, how annoying and pathetic she must have seemed to him.

“Bastard.”

She wiped her tears, spat the curse, and climbed the stairs.

Yuan stared silently at the chair where Serret had been sitting just moments ago.

He had rather enjoyed the meal, amused by Serret’s sharp retorts—until she suddenly asked, “Why me?”

Why did she ask that out of the blue? He had explained it properly back then, hadn’t he?

Rubbing the back of his neck as if weary, Yuan gestured for a servant to bring him some whiskey.

As he sipped, he thought again of Serret Inoheter and the reason he’d proposed to her.

After his private audience with the Emperor, he needed someone to marry. And without hesitation, he chose Serret Inoheter.

No other woman came to mind. Just that girl he had met on a snowy night long ago.

That girl was probably now attending endless balls, holding other men’s hands and dancing, searching for someone to marry.

The thought irritated him strangely. That unpleasant feeling of someone else touching what was his.

So he had rushed the engagement. Skipped the courting, the winning of affection.

He was confident she wouldn’t refuse. That confidence proved right, and Serret Inoheter became his fiancée.

‘I want to break off the engagement, Your Grace.’

Though that same fiancée now wanted to end it.

Twisting his whiskey glass gently, Yuan’s lips curved.

“Maybe I should speed up the wedding.”

He muttered in a languid voice as he leaned back in his chair.

Marriage had nothing to do with love. He didn’t care if Serret loved someone else.

Once they were married, and she lived as the Duchess of Prechtuster, she would be his.

He only needed to make sure she couldn’t escape the name Prechtuster. Then, she would be his forever.

‘Serret! Serret!’

Just then, a voice—his own—screamed her name in his ears like an auditory hallucination.

Yuan looked around. The voice had sounded so real.

Then, a blinding pain struck his temple, so intense it felt like he couldn’t breathe.

It was brief, but nothing he’d ever experienced before.

As the pain faded, confusion remained. Between the hallucination and the splitting headache, Yuan was rattled.

He could feel his heartbeat turn erratic. A nameless anxiety spread through his whole body.

“…Ha.”

Slumped in the chair, Yuan tilted his head back to look at the ceiling. His pale face exhaled a faint sigh.

“Will you wear this necklace?”

Eve showed Serret a sapphire necklace in a deep blue hue.

“That looks good.”

Serret nodded. Eve fastened the necklace around her neck. The sapphire shimmered like a condensed ocean.

Bought from a merchant who dealt with the Prechtuster Duchy—it was, of course, top-quality. But a sapphire this rich in color? Not since her wedding ring in her past life.

“It looks just like your eyes, Serret.”

Eve smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

“Does it?”

“Yes. You look so beautiful.”

Eve added as she clipped matching sapphire earrings onto Serret’s ears.

“It’s all thanks to you, Eve.”

Serret smiled gently. It wasn’t just flattery. Without Eve, she wouldn’t have looked this stunning today.

In her past life, she’d had no one’s help. She had struggled alone. Without Hannah, her hair had been awkwardly styled, her makeup blotchy—just awful.

Yuan hadn’t said anything at the time, but she clearly remembered the whispers of the servants.

Their judgmental stares, silently questioning if she really planned to go out like that, had been humiliating. When they muttered about disgracing the Prechtuster name, she had wanted to run.

That shame had stayed lodged in her chest for a long time. Even now, it hadn’t entirely disappeared—her heart still ached.

Just then, a polite knock followed, and the butler entered.

“Are you ready?”

He spoke with courtesy.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

Turning from the mirror, Serret replied.

She looked like a freshly bloomed flower.

Wearing a pale lavender gown, her golden hair elegantly pinned up, Serret was like a newly blossomed anemone.

The sapphire jewelry sparkled under the lights, but it couldn’t compare to the glow in her eyes.

Her light makeup made her blue eyes stand out even more beautifully.

It wasn’t just Serret. Even the air around her seemed different. The butler’s surprise flickered across his face before quickly fading.

“I’ll escort you to the lobby.”

“Okay.”

Nodding, Serret followed him.

As she descended the stairs, she saw Yuan’s back in the lobby.

Wearing a black tailcoat, Yuan stood with perfect posture. Even in moments like these, he was every inch the Duke of Prechtuster.

She approached with the butler. Yuan turned at the sound of footsteps.

His brows twitched slightly upon seeing her, but his face betrayed no emotion.

“Shall we?”

He offered his arm.

Serret didn’t want to take it, but with so many eyes on them, she had no choice but to accept his escort.

“Thanks to Your Grace, this country girl has shed her rustic look. I’m grateful.”

As they descended the stairs, she spoke lightly.

“You look beautiful, Lady Inoheter.”

His tone was dry as dust. Serret chuckled.

Beautiful? Doesn’t suit someone treated like livestock. Even in his voice, she heard that sentiment and felt nauseated.

“You look dashing too, Your Grace. As always.”

She looked up at him, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Yuan met her gaze, silently observing her.

His eyes roamed—forehead, eyes, lips. Just his gaze, but it felt like his fingers had brushed her skin.

Then, her eyes landed on the scar on his forehead.

Everyone must find that scar suspicious. No one would guess it was from his own fiancée.

The dignified Duke of Prechtuster, injured by a vase thrown by his fiancée? What a hit to his pride.

Should I spread that rumor? she thought.

But Yuan stopped walking. Before she knew it, they were standing in front of the carriage.

He extended his hand.

She took it and climbed aboard. Even after they sat, he didn’t release her hand.

Serret looked at him, puzzled.

“Your Grace?”

“Ah. Yes.”

Only then did he seem to come to his senses and let go.

Sitting across from her, Yuan stared.

“You’re staring quite intently. Do I have something on my face?”

Serret met his gaze and spoke evenly.

“No.”

He replied curtly and turned his gaze to the window.

Serret watched him for a moment, then lowered her eyes to her lap.

The more she thought, the more bitter it felt.

Her father had saved the Prechtuster family. And yet, the daughter of his savior was treated like this?

Cold, heartless man. She bit her lip.

She had loved him without knowing his true heart. She was furious at herself for being so foolish and naive.

Her rage boiled up, and she instinctively clutched the hem of her dress. The beautiful fabric crumpled in her grip.

“You’ll wrinkle the dress.”

Yuan’s voice cut in.

She let go of the fabric and looked at him, meeting his indifferent gaze. Her lips twisted slightly.

“My mistake.”

Every moment I loved you was a mistake. She deeply regretted it.

“It’s not a mistake. And you truly are beautiful today.”

“Do you really think so?”

For someone saying she was beautiful, his expression was oddly blank. She almost laughed. Was he just being polite?

“Yes, excessively so.”

Yuan’s expression grew faintly crooked. As if something displeased him.

That face, while calling her beautiful? Serret scoffed and spoke.

“You don’t look like someone thrilled to see his excessively beautiful fiancée.”

“Not at all.”

Yuan replied and took her hand resting on her knee. He kissed the back of her hand.

A gesture meant to show respect and admiration—but Serret felt the opposite.

It was mocking. Derisive. He must be thinking, Money can polish anything, I suppose.

Maybe the kiss meant he admired how this country bumpkin transformed.

Serret gripped his hand before he could let go and tugged his arm.

Yuan leaned slightly toward her.

“How about looking at me with a little more love? I’m your beautiful fiancée, after all.”

“Is just a look enough to satisfy you?”

Yuan chuckled and leaned in closer.