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~Chapter 21~
I folded my clothes to the side, then scooped water from the large wooden bath into a basin.
The water was cold, but the soap had a surprisingly pleasant scent, making the wash feel refreshing.
“Master, don’t you think that guy is dangerous? He might really be a fugitive criminal.”
Throughout my bath, Ninabel whispered her suspicions, trying to stir unease. I ignored her, brushing it off lightly.
“A criminal wouldn’t act so confident. That’s not it.”
“But you saw him earlier, didn’t you? That look in his eyes! Nini’s seen plenty of people like that before. He’s dangerous! Be careful, Master!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I replied absentmindedly, rinsing the soap off. The cold water had sapped my warmth, leaving me shivering, but I felt invigorated.
When I stepped outside, Lysian was waiting, holding something in his hands. I hesitated, staring at the items.
It was hair oil and a silver comb.
“When did you even buy these? Aren’t they expensive?”
“They gave me a discount since we’re newlyweds.”
“….”
I was too stunned to respond.
“Come sit here, Muriel.”
Lysian tapped a stool in front of him. Could he really be planning to comb my hair himself? I hesitated.
“You should wash quickly too. I’ll handle your hair…”
“I want to do it for you.”
“There’s no need…”
“I want to. Right, Master?”
Alone together, the word “Master” slipped effortlessly from his mouth.
His golden eyes shone brightly, silently pleading for me to sit.
“Really…”
I let out a wry laugh and sat on the stool.
He took the towel draped over my shoulders and gently patted my damp hair dry.
Moments later, he opened the bottle of hair oil, releasing a soft floral scent into the air.
‘This smells nice.’
I had expected a cheap, market-grade scent, but it was unexpectedly refined.
‘How much did this even cost?’
Before I could ask, Lysian applied the oil evenly through my hair and picked up the comb.
His hands moved gently, carefully combing through each strand. Not once did it tug or hurt.
Perhaps because of that, sleepiness began to creep in.
As I nodded off, a soft, shallow laugh brushed my ear. A fair, smooth hand—strong and large—lifted my chin.
“Sleep in bed.”
I mumbled drowsily,
“Not now… I have something to tell you…”
“What is it?”
“…Earlier, in the street…”
Why I had avoided that man. I felt I couldn’t just let it pass silently.
“You don’t have to say it if you don’t want to.”
“No, I should… we might meet him again.”
I rose from the stool, covering my mouth with one hand as I yawned. A faint moisture gathered at the corner of my eyes. I wiped it away and faced Lysian.
We locked eyes, and silence lingered for a few seconds. I hesitated, then spoke.
“Do you… know who I am?”
“….”
He shook his head.
“I’m only guessing.”
“How so?”
“…That man—the Duke of Winterberg, right?”
My heart plummeted, then thudded rapidly against my chest.
Lysian studied my expression carefully before continuing.
“I’ve seen him before. You probably don’t know me.”
“Then…”
I parted my lips, my voice trembling.
“Do you know the rumors about the Duchess of Winterberg?”
“….”
The silence itself was an answer.
I felt suffocated, but only briefly. It didn’t take long to calm myself.
“They’re not good rumors.”
“I’ve heard.”
“They say she’s the worst kind of villainess, doing only wicked deeds… do you believe people’s words?”
Lysian regarded me with an unreadable expression, serious yet calm. A faint smile soon tugged at his lips.
“I only believe what I see and experience myself.”
“….”
“How much truth can there be in gossip? Sometimes, all of it could be false. Believing rumors is inefficient.”
“…That’s… reasonable.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment.”
“Of course, it’s a compliment.”
I smiled slightly, sensing a side of Lysian I hadn’t known. My stiff heart loosened, and courage surged a little.
I felt certain he wouldn’t accuse me without reason.
I took a deep breath and confessed.
“The truth is… that villainess is me.”
Before he could react, I hurriedly added,
“But I’m not really a villain. I’ve never committed the bad deeds those rumors claim…”
Muriel had survived each day in despair, blamed for crimes she hadn’t committed, with no one believing her.
If she had been bitter and sought revenge, at least it would have been understandable.
But she was gentle, enduring the sharp malice aimed at her silently.
“You may not believe me… but I swear it to the heavens…”
“I believe you.”
His interruption was so sudden I lifted my bowed head.
The firmness in his gaze left no doubt: he wasn’t lying or speaking empty words.
“No matter what anyone says, I trust you.”
“…Thank you for trusting me.”
“No need to thank me. It’s nothing special.”
“It’s special to me.”
In the quiet, our eyes met again, and I continued, feeling more at ease.
“I’m the adopted daughter of the Duke of Terni. Outwardly, everyone thinks I’m his biological daughter, but few know the truth.”
“Raoul Winterberg doesn’t know?”
“No. The Duke of Terni concealed it and married me to Raoul.”
He hadn’t just hidden the truth—he had fabricated a story that I was his treasured daughter. Yet in reality, I had never gone a day without abuse.
“People at Winterberg Castle think I’m just a pampered, wealthy lady from the Terni family.”
Because of this misunderstanding, I was even more ostracized at Winterberg Castle.
The nobles took pleasure in treating a supposedly privileged girl poorly.
“The truth is… I wasn’t raised with any privilege, and my adoptive father didn’t care for me.”
“….”
“My adoption was based on an astrologer’s advice. To restore the family’s fortune, they needed an adopted daughter to bear the household’s misfortune, according to the astrologer.”
Lysian let out a bitter laugh.
“Believing such superstitions… the Duke of Terni is pitiful.”
“He is.”
I gave a faint smile and continued.
“I was just a tool to the Terni family. Not treated as human. Their children often tormented and hit me. The servants gave me just enough food to survive.”
“….”
“I barely escaped the Terni household…”
“….”
“The place I ran to wasn’t paradise either. Life is cruel, isn’t it?”
I laughed bitterly, perching at the edge of the bed.
Lysian remained silent for a while, then spoke as the quiet grew slightly uncomfortable.
“You lived alone in the contaminated zone…?”
“The Duke of Winterberg exiled me. I faced all sorts of conspiracies at Winterberg Castle, and no one believed me.”
“….”
“God’s blessing came immediately after my exile. That’s how I survived without starving. That’s also how you were able to save me.”
I tried to speak lightly, avoiding heaviness, but Lysian’s expression turned icy.
Just as in the lobby, a dangerous aura emanated from him.
“They’re trash.”
His voice flowed calmly like a still lake, yet beneath it burned a blue flame of anger.
“Willard Terni and Raoul Winterberg are utterly worthless.”
I blinked slowly, then answered,
“…They are.”
Having someone else voice my anger felt strangely relieving, even though I was telling Muriel’s story.
“It must have been very hard for you all this time.”
“Hm… it wouldn’t be true to say it wasn’t.”
“Don’t you want revenge?”
Lysian’s eyes sparkled.
I realized instantly that he expected a positive answer.
Meeting his gaze steadily, I finally spoke after some thought.
“I am…”
