TNLA 37

Chapter 37

Regardless of her devastated heart, as time passed, her body slowly began to recover.

They did everything possible to aid her recovery.

Doctors visited frequently to check her pulse and bring medicine, while maids constantly prepared food for her. Nothing was lacking, and there was always someone at her side to attend to her. Every day, they bathed her in steaming water and massaged her body.

Arlen simply let herself be pulled along with vacant eyes, not resisting anything they did to her. She had neither the strength nor the will to resist. At times, she seemed not even to register what was being done to her.

When her mind cleared a little, she thought of the cabin. Had they recovered safely? Did they manage to escape alive? Surely they wouldn’t come searching for her, knowing where she was…

“…By now, I thought he would have already been executed…”

She had expected everything to be over before he regained consciousness. That way, even if he woke and discovered the truth, even if he raged, at least he would still be alive. But now…

She closed her eyes weakly as the maids rubbed her shoulders with fragrant bathwater and a soft sponge.

At first, the maids chattered brightly, attaching all kinds of gossip and questions to their work. But as days passed, their words grew fewer, their behavior more cautious, and their eyes watchful.

When she had been unconscious, they whispered excitedly over peach-scented soap, “What do you think is the relationship between the young lady and the master? Should we sneakily ask her when she wakes?” But once she actually awoke from her long sleep, pale and trembling, they quickly realized it was no atmosphere for such talk.

The rosy story of a gallant man riding all night to rescue his beloved woman had turned into a grim tale of a terrified lady dragged here and imprisoned. The cheerful gossip once exchanged at the laundry lines had turned into hushed whispers, traded only behind closed doors late at night.

“The doors are always locked—not just the main one, but even the windows and balcony.”
“Why? To keep her from escaping?”
“She can’t even walk alone yet. Do you think she could get out through the fifth-floor window? No… I think it’s to stop her from… killing herself. Honestly, looking at her now, it wouldn’t be surprising if she suddenly jumped.”
“That mark on her neck—could it be from her own hand?”
“That’s terrifying. So they dragged back a woman who thought death was better than this? What if she ends up a corpse and we get punished too?”

But in the end, their master was the Grand Duke. They had to serve the young lady as ordered, regardless of what he truly wanted from her. Their duty was only to wash her, dress her, and bring her, adorned and presentable, to his chambers.

As always, the dinner table was set in the room, with Kashien seated across from her.

Arlen had no choice. Led by the maids’ hands, she sat down in the chair.

He looked at her with a satisfied expression—like a man gazing at a feast, pleased and full. The sight sent chills down her spine.

“How was your day?”

She said nothing, so Anna, the maid behind her, waited briefly and then answered in her stead.

“Today, she moved much more freely. She was able to walk around the room without support. She also ate more at lunch, finishing over half her plate. The doctor says her recovery is progressing smoothly. She spent the day resting quietly in her room.”

“That’s good.”

Still gazing only at Arlen, he smiled, satisfied. He had already been receiving daily reports from the doctors, and he knew her health was steadily improving.

Of course, “recovery” didn’t mean she was fully healed, but each day her complexion did look noticeably better than the last.

Her lost expression and silence were regrettable, but he believed it was only the lingering shock and illness. With time, she would return to herself.

For now, she was here—in the room he had prepared, in the chair he had set for her. She would remain here. He could wait.

“Eat.”

He raised his fork and spoke to Arlen. A servant explained the menu fluently. Only after Kashien began eating did Arlen slowly reach for her fork.

The finely minced salmon, prepared with medicinal herbs and the best ingredients on the doctor’s advice, must have been cooked with the chef’s utmost care. Yet to her, it was tasteless. At least it went down easily, requiring little chewing.

Still—if she finished it all, he would leave. That was what she had learned these past days.

But tonight, even after she emptied her plate, Kashien did not leave. He watched her long and fondly, then gestured to a servant.

A familiar black velvet box was brought forward.

He opened it and took out a necklace, stepping naturally behind her. The maid at her back stepped aside.

“This time, you’ll accept it, won’t you?”

She gave no reply. But he didn’t wait for one—he clasped the necklace around her neck himself. Carefully, he lifted her thick hair free from the chain, holding a lock in his hand and gently running it through his fingers.

Thanks to the maids’ diligent care, her hair had regained some of its luster. It slid silkily through his hand.

Her body was rigid, her head tilted away from him, trembling.

“Are you afraid of me?”

She flinched at the words.

His hand moved from the nape of her neck down to her shoulder in a gentle stroke. Warm skin beneath his touch… But when she shuddered and tried to pull away, he only chuckled faintly and let go.

“My poor lady… don’t be afraid of me. I will never hurt you.”

Her hair smelled sweet. Almost without realizing it, his face drew close, inhaling her scent. The fragrance pleased him—until she turned her head away, making him scowl.

Arlen knew well enough how meaningless such defiance was.

By law, she was his recognized spoil, his possession. He had every right to do whatever he pleased with her.

And in strength, the gap was greater still—no matter how desperately she fought back, it would cost him no more effort than crushing an ant beneath a finger.

The only reason Kashien had not yet touched her was his own whim, a fleeting mercy that could vanish at any moment. If he chose to beat her senseless, or strip her naked and hang her in the square, no one could stop him.

Perhaps the wisest choice was to submit meekly, without resistance.

Yet whenever he came near, her skin crawled, and instinctively she recoiled. She could not bear it—his hands felt stained with the blood and rotting flesh of those she loved.

Fortunately, his patience had not yet run out. After frowning briefly, he sighed, then stood.

“I’ll be going. Rest well.”

He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and left. She froze under his breath, but at least he was gone. That was enough.

The maids soon swarmed in to clear the table and prepare her for bed.

While changing her clothes, Anna lowered her voice to whisper.

“My lady, I know it’s hard. But please, open your heart a little. The living must live—before the master changes his mind.”

Arlen quietly lowered her gaze to Anna’s hands untying her skirts.

…Ginou and her nanny—their bodies wouldn’t even have been left whole.

She turned her head away.

A walk was added to her daily routine.

As always, no one asked her opinion. The doctors suggested a light walk once a day for her recovery, so she was forced out at the appointed hour.

She was allowed into a small garden behind the Grand Duke’s mansion. Fortunately, the doctors agreed that peace of mind was important, so she was permitted to walk there alone—though several maids trailed behind her, never too far away.

The garden was enclosed by high walls, with only one entrance. At a glance, she knew—it was just another cage.

Inside, however, it was beautifully arranged. Green leaves flourished, flowers planted to bloom year-round, and a finely crafted fountain stood in the center. Kashien had personally overseen the landscaping, knowing she loved butterflies and blossoms.

But the fountain froze her in place. She couldn’t shake the memory of the stakes that had once surrounded such a fountain.

Face gone pale, Arlen stumbled backward, then suddenly bolted toward the far end of the garden. She only wanted to get away.

“My lady?”

The maids behind her quickly ran after her.

She hadn’t truly meant to escape. She knew well enough escape was impossible. But to others’ eyes, it looked different—the maids grabbed her urgently, one on each side, and hurried her back to her room.

Left in her chamber, she sat while the maids fidgeted anxiously.

Their master was indifferent about many things, but when it came to this young lady, he was excessively sensitive. He demanded constant reports of her every move, lavished excessive attention, and punished any lapse harshly. Complaints were never tolerated.

Most of all, the security against intrusion or escape was thorough and unrelenting.

The mere fact of an “incident” would bring questioning. If she truly tried to escape… what then would happen to them?

At last, Anna returned from speaking with their master. Her face was stiff, but not so grim as to suggest disaster. The maids breathed in relief.

She approached Arlen, knelt before her, and spoke softly.

“My lady, allow me to remove your shoes.”

“…?”

It was neither bedtime nor washing time. Why suddenly change shoes now? But she had no choice but to comply with whatever they told her. She obediently extended her feet.

Anna gently slipped the shoes off and stood. Arlen waited, expecting her to bring new shoes. But when Anna made no move, realization dawned.

She wasn’t going to be given shoes again.

Arlen let out a bitter laugh, reminded anew of her situation.

Her permitted world was only this gilded prison and the small garden encircled by walls. No freedom, not even the slightest. Eat when told, wear what was chosen, put on whatever necklace was handed to her, go where directed, stay where ordered.

As he wished. When he wished. In whatever form he wished.

She was a carefully kept doll, cherished only so long as her master desired. And when he tired of her, he could snap her neck and toss her away without a thought.

That evening, Kashien entered with a hardened expression.

At some point, soft carpet had been spread across the room. Stepping on it, Arlen approached the table and sat. The texture beneath her bare feet was strange.

With a single sharp gesture, Kashien had the servants bring in the food.

“Eat.”

The meal passed quietly. He didn’t even ask his usual question of how she had spent the day. Arlen moved her fork slowly.

Silence lingered, until at last he spoke.

“I heard you tried to leave.”

His low voice sounded as if restraining something. Arlen froze, fork in hand. She sensed his patience was almost gone. The doll play would soon end. Closing her eyes briefly, she opened them again slowly.

When she still gave no answer, Kashien continued.

“You were going to leave this place?”