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Chapter 10
The bathwater was warm.
But it was just that—warm. There was no luxurious cream made with premium oils, no fruit vinegar for soft hair, no bath filled with flower petals.
Still, Bellaxina felt unbelievably happy.
“It’s been so long since I had a proper bath!”
She chuckled bitterly at herself, grateful even for this plain, scentless water.
It was rare for a person’s life to rise and fall so wildly in such a short time.
Once, she was the future Empress and a noble daughter from a founding Duke’s family.
Then, she became a criminal defendant in a trial, a penniless fugitive…
And finally, a slave sold at a market.
All of this had happened in just six months.
“…And now I’m the so-called wife of a border lord ruling a barren land.”
Her status had changed so often and so quickly that even she was confused about who she really was.
Just as Bellaxina was about to slip into some serious thoughts about her identity—
“Lady, it’s Ingrid. May I bring in your snacks?”
Bellaxina tried to remember who Ingrid was, then decided it didn’t really matter and told her to come in.
“As you requested, I brought biscuits without any mint.”
When Bellaxina looked closer, it wasn’t just mintless—they were plain lumps of flour.
She took a bite. They were hard and dry, clearly lacking not just butter but probably even enough milk.
“Oat biscuits made for horses would be better than this.”
“They don’t seem to suit your taste,” Ingrid replied.
“Even if they don’t, I doubt anything would change.”
Bellaxina’s cold tone made Ingrid freeze for a moment.
“I saw everything on the way here. The land is poor. The people aren’t just uneducated—they lack discipline. The maids were clueless, running around in worn-out uniforms, not knowing how to guide a guest. I don’t expect anything more.”
Recalling the dreadful state she saw earlier, Bellaxina sighed and turned to look at Ingrid.
“That’s why I’m letting it slide. It doesn’t feel like this scentless bath or these pitiful biscuits were meant to insult me. I’m very sensitive to malice, you see.”
Ingrid listened quietly, then carefully asked,
“May I ask you something, Lady?”
“You may ask. Whether I answer or not is up to me.”
“May I know which family you used to belong to?”
Bellaxina’s fingers twitched slightly.
It wasn’t the question itself that bothered her—but the word ‘used to.’
‘So she knows I’ve fallen.’
Well, it wasn’t like Avalkin ever promised to keep her past a secret.
She had just assumed, reasonably, that he wouldn’t go around telling people he bought a woman from the slave market and married her—it would be embarrassing for him too.
The real issue was what Ingrid’s intention was in bringing it up.
“If I tell you,” Bellaxina said calmly, leaning back against the tub,
“Can you improve my life to the level of Odiberti?”
“…!”
Odiberti—one of the wealthiest lands, even richer than the capital Rikresa. Hearing that name made Ingrid’s face go stiff.
So she didn’t know Bellaxina’s exact background.
Bellaxina bit into a biscuit with a loud crunch and said,
“Listen carefully, head maid.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“As I said, I’m very sensitive to malice. And once someone falls out of my favor, I never forgive them—no matter what. So make sure the others understand this too. If anyone tries anything foolish, I’ll make sure they regret it.”
Crunch!
Ingrid understood that Bellaxina’s words were a warning—directed at her.
If she wanted to challenge her, she’d better be ready to go all the way.
“I’ll keep that in mind, my lady.”
Then, strangely, Ingrid smiled with satisfaction.
“Welcome to Yeshken, my lady. We’ve always hoped for a mistress just like you.”
****
“You like her?” Avalkin frowned.
Old Ingrid beamed with joy and nodded enthusiastically.
“How did you manage to bring in such a thorny wildflower of a lady? She’s perfect for Yeshken.”
A thorny wildflower? Was that a compliment?
In the capital, young noblewomen would probably take that as an insult and challenge someone to a duel.
While Avalkin tilted his head in confusion based on his limited knowledge of social customs, Ingrid continued happily.
“Remember the lady we served before? Years ago? She took one bite of a biscuit, turned pale, and just sipped tea while trying to act like everything was fine.”
Avalkin tried to recall who that was but gave up quickly. It was more useful to focus on the present woman than to dig up memories of some old flame.
“Did Bellaxina Outbayan say she liked it?”
“She kept saying it was awful—but still ate all of it.”
That sounded just like her.
Back when she was still a noble lady, she would’ve thrown a fit over such food. But after over a month of surviving on jerky, this was a feast.
“She’s got strong teeth too. She crunched through those hard water biscuits like it was nothing.”
“…And that matters because?”
“When a woman gives birth, she has to grit her teeth. Cavities make it much harder, you know.”
Childbirth, huh…
Avalkin was suddenly reminded of the fact that he was supposed to have children with Bellaxina—and it made him feel overwhelmed.
Me… with that woman…
He didn’t have some dreamy ideal of a perfect partner. As a thirty-one-year-old grand duke, he was a realist.
Still, Bellaxina was nothing like the partner he had vaguely imagined.
He had hoped for someone wise, kind, and strong.
Instead, he got the empire’s most notorious villainess—purchased with money.
Well… at least she’s a slave.
Yes, they had to marry, sleep together, and have heirs…
But love wasn’t required.
“Is the meal ready?”
“If the cook wasn’t slacking off, it should be by now. The lady is still getting dressed, but if you go ahead and wait, it’ll look better. Not all the servants know her background, after all.”
Avalkin nodded.
He didn’t really want to go, but he had no choice.
As the Lord of Yeshken, it was his duty.
****
At that time, Bellaxina was standing in front of a mirror, eyeing the secondhand dress she had on with displeasure.
A high-necked, deep green velvet dress…
It looked like the kind of thing only boring church ladies would wear.
Still, she had no choice but to accept it.
The maid helping her, Alicia, said,
“It might feel a bit tight around the chest, but please bear with it for today. We’ll have dresses tailored to fit you starting tomorrow.”
“Tailored? Not new ones?”
“Ah… I-I’m sorry!”
Alicia looked panicked and straightened up nervously.
Fair. If she didn’t know what to say, she was just doing her best.
“What are you sorry for?”
“For not preparing new dresses for you, my lady…”
“Are you the one managing my wardrobe?”
“Uh… N-no, not exactly…”
Bellaxina sighed lightly.
“I’m a very scary, strict noble, so it’s smart of you to be cautious around me. But even I don’t blame people for things outside their control. And you shouldn’t apologize for things you’re not responsible for either. That’s overstepping.”
“Overstepping?”
“The dress manager might have had other circumstances, or maybe the margrave chose not to allocate a budget for my clothes. You bowing your head won’t change that.”
Alicia listened quietly and nodded.
She had been so scared she just bowed and hoped for forgiveness, but now she understood that this was the wrong approach.
“I’ll ask again—think carefully. Not new dresses?”
“U-uh… I’ll ask the head maid?”
Bellaksina saw her trying to think through it and gave a faint smile.
“Good. That’s the right answer.”
“Thank you for teaching me, my lady.”
Bellaxina almost warned her that if she made the same mistake again, she’d get whipped—but stopped herself.
No deep reason.
There wasn’t a whip nearby.
“Take me to the dining room. I’m hungry.”
“Yes, my lady!”
Alicia replied with a sparkle in her eye—like a loyal recruit full of enthusiasm.
The people here are strange…
Bellaxina was slowly starting to realize something.
In the capital, her strict and commanding personality was always something to gossip about.
But here, in Yeshken… people took it differently.
The harsher she was, the more people quietly started to follow her.
Is this what they call the Northern temperament?
In any case, it wasn’t a bad thing.
****
“You’re late.”
The ruler of the north—
Avalkin Istvan Zsigmond von Yeshken.
If there was someone her attitude wouldn’t work on, it was him.
“You’re early. Must’ve had a lot of free time.”
Bellaxina casually countered his remark and sat down across from him.
“This isn’t about dinner.”
Avalkin said, scooping up some orange-colored soup with a spoon and bringing it to his mouth.
Eating was a clear sign that he wasn’t open to further conversation.
Bellaxina realized he was giving her time to think.
“Not about dinner”…?
Ah.
Bellaxina’s red eyes sparkled.
Avalkin was saying that she had arrived late to the estate itself.
Which meant… even before the meal began, he was already bringing up her future.
“Can I take it as a sign that you’ve accepted your role?”
