Episode 70

When I opened my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, with the setting sun casting a warm glow outside the window.

My last memory before passing out was the white powder thrown in my face and the insane grin on that lunatic’s face.

“Hah.”

Lying there, I couldn’t help but laugh. First, I had been too terrified to see anything clearly, but now I was so furious that I could only laugh.

I had come to a foreign country, only to lose my husband immediately. Then, I struggled to protect my stepdaughter from the three beasts. And now, I had been kidnapped.

I thought I had lived a decent life, but how was this happening at just twenty years old?

I chuckled uncontrollably, my shoulders shaking, then abruptly sat up.

Whether I lived or died, it seemed only fair to slap that insane snake across the face. At least that would feel satisfying.

Just as I made up my mind, someone entered the room—a young girl about Lothania’s age.

She looked to be about thirteen, fourteen, or at most fifteen. The child, clearly not well-trained as a maid, anxiously glanced at me before bowing her head.

“You’re awake, ma’am?”

She was young and obviously untrained. Although she was wearing clean clothes, she was thin and pale, clearly frightened.

I decided to delay slapping Lian for now and comfort the terrified child first.

“Yes, dear… What’s your name?”

“I-I’m Amy, ma’am.”

“Amy. That’s a lovely name.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Amy glanced at me nervously with her soft brown eyes, her shoulders trembling.

Where was Lian? Why was this child so scared? And where on earth was I?

I swallowed a sigh and softened my smile as I asked again.

“Amy, do you know where we are?”

“This is the master’s house, ma’am.”

That didn’t give me any real information. I kept my smile and continued, “Could you tell me your master’s name?”

“M-my master is… the master, ma’am.”

Amy dropped to the floor, trembling violently.

Her reaction confirmed it—her “master” was likely Lian.

I approached Amy and gently patted her back to calm her.

Once she seemed a little more at ease, I cautiously asked again, “Is your master perhaps a man with golden hair and an annoyingly handsome face?”

“He has black hair now, ma’am… and he is frighteningly handsome.”

Amy, who had just begun to calm down, started shaking again the moment Lian’s voice echoed through the room.

Somehow, in the short time since I last saw him, Lian had dyed his hair pitch black.

He stared at the hand I had placed on Amy’s back and smirked with satisfaction.

“You’ve already made friends with the maid?”

“This child seems too young to be working as a maid.”

“That doesn’t matter. She’s not really a maid, more like… a hostage.”

Lian’s eyes narrowed in amusement as he smiled, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

Ignoring my warning glare, Lian continued speaking even as Amy trembled in my arms.

“If you even think about leaving, Amy will die.”

“Stop it.”

“She’s a pitiful girl sold by her parents. You wouldn’t let her die, would you? Not with that warm heart of yours.”

“Stop it!”

I couldn’t hold back anymore.

I released Amy, stood up, and swung my arm as hard as I could, slapping Lian across the face.

The sharp sound echoed through the room, and his cheek turned red, but he continued smiling.

“Amy, you can leave now. Don’t take anything this madman said to heart.”

I glared at Lian as I spoke, and Amy, still shaking, scurried out of the room.

Lian gently touched his swelling cheek and said, “Twice would be difficult, ma’am. I don’t care for pain.”

“Don’t call me your wife! I’m not your wife!”

“But you accepted my proposal and the dowry, didn’t you?”

“I never had any intention of marrying you! I was going to return the dowry to Melbrid once this was over.”

I hoped mentioning his brother would unsettle him, but Lian only let out a soft hum, showing no real emotion.

“Regardless, I’ll keep calling you that. And everyone here will know you as my wife. Unless you want to declare yourself as the Empress, feel free.”

His indifferent response was unnerving.

He was making it clear that even if people here knew I was the Empress, they would still follow Lian’s orders over mine.

It was absurd and infuriating, but I was kidnapped by a madman and dragged to a strange place.

I needed to stay calm.

Trying to gather my thoughts, I glanced around the room and noticed a terrace with a table and chairs.

Maybe some fresh air would calm my raging mind, so I stepped outside.

I sat in a chair, surrounded by nothing but mountains, forests, and trees. Lian followed and sat across from me.

“What do you want from me?”

“I’ve already told you, haven’t I?”

“Stop dodging the question and answer me properly.”

I asked firmly, and Lian tilted his head, repeating the same nonsense he had said before.

“I want you to stay by my side until I die. Pity me, and when I’m gone, cry for me.”

“…Is that really what you want?”

“Yes.”

“You kidnapped the Empress of the empire for this?”

“Correct.”

“Lian… have you really become a fool?”

Even in the midst of my kidnapping, I found myself worrying over his absurdity.

Was he truly an idiot now? Lian just tilted his head again with a clueless expression.

“You did all of this for something so ridiculous? This isn’t like your previous schemes, where you used others. The entire imperial army will come after you. The Zernia family will be wiped out.”

“I can hide for about four years. I never cared about my family in the first place.”

“What about Melbrid?”

“He’s kind. He’ll understand his dying brother’s situation.”

Lian shrugged, showing no concern for the mess he was creating for his younger brother.

The only redeeming quality Lian had was his genuine care for Melbrid, but even that seemed gone now.

How could he say such a thing to his twelve-year-old brother? He didn’t realize Melbrid would be in danger because of him? That child, innocent except for the crime of having a madman for a brother?

“Lian, you really are… a bastard.”

That was the only insult I knew to express the fury boiling inside me.

It wasn’t even satisfying after I said it, and I seethed, but Lian just laughed, his newly black hair swaying.

“You even know how to say things like that?”

“I regret not learning worse.”

Lian burst into loud, hearty laughter.

It seemed this madman enjoyed being insulted. The best way to handle him was to ignore him, so I turned away.

After laughing to his heart’s content, Lian stood up.

“I’ll have dinner prepared. You must be hungry.”

As much as I hated to admit it, I was starving. It was hard to believe I could be this hungry after missing just one meal, but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

“I’d rather starve than eat with you.”

“Then I’ll starve too. Amy will starve. The maids will starve. We’ll all starve together.”

His threat was so predictable that I didn’t bother responding.

It was clear he would keep doing whatever he wanted, and I was determined to refuse food entirely.

While pretending to enjoy the fresh air, I carefully observed the area.

It appeared to be an old castle or fortress, likely built long ago and abandoned for some time, or perhaps built in an isolated area where few people ventured.

In short, there was little hope of anyone stumbling upon me by chance.

I counted dozens—no, more—armed guards patrolling outside.

Even without Amy as a hostage, there was no way I could escape alone.

I sighed deeply and stared at the fading autumn sky from the terrace.

By now, the palace must be in an uproar.

Aiden was surely searching for me frantically. I just hoped he wasn’t blaming himself for my disappearance while he was away.

Lothania must be so worried. I had promised to always stay by her side, but now… what a mess.

I lay down on the bed, feeling a mix of longing and sadness, but sleep wouldn’t come.

I was hungry, heartbroken, and to make matters worse, my body ached all over.

Whatever had happened while I was unconscious had left me feeling bruised and battered, and I couldn’t sleep a wink.

The next morning, Amy brought in a tray with breakfast.

“You may eat alone, ma’am,” she said timidly.

I looked at the pale-faced child and asked.

“Did you have dinner last night?”

Amy glanced around nervously and shook her head.

I let out a long sigh and picked up the spoon.