As she faced the count, the words she had heard countless times echoed in her ears.
“Is that all you can do, Milena?”
“You can’t even do half of what your sister does, Milena.”
“How can you be so lacking in charm? Tsk. Are you really my daughter?”
“There’s not a single useful thing about you.”
Even with such parents, she had desperately sought their love, making endless efforts. She had grown up under the cruel words of her so-called father. Even when she became a villain due to her sister’s brainwashing, the count had only sneered, as if he had expected it. He spoke as though it was natural for her to be wicked.
“Shall I show you what it really means for someone to be filled with poison?”
Her eyes, locked onto the count’s, said exactly that.
“You said I left home to steal from my sister, didn’t you? But what about you? The moment my sister died, you told me to seduce the Grand Duke. You just didn’t want to lose the title of ‘Father of the Grand Duchess.’ And you knew exactly how the Grand Duke was treating me at the ducal estate, didn’t you?”
Ignoring the tense silence around her, she spoke as if biting down on a poisonous herb.
“You only sent the occasional letter urging me to cling to my sister’s man, even as I endured all sorts of insults. Did you ever stop to think how miserable I was?”
“……”
Of course, he hadn’t.
Seeing the dumbfounded expression on her father’s face, she realized—Milena had never been included in the count’s list of concerns. His worries extended only to himself, Lariette, and perhaps the family’s wealth.
It was all so meaningless.
She dug her nails into her palm and then let go, as if shaking off a useless attachment.
“But what will you do now, Father? I’m already another man’s wife.”
“What?”
“The Grand Duke was completely obsessed with my sister. Even now, he’s scouring the entire empire to find her body. Oh, do you even know that my sister’s corpse has disappeared?”
At the mention of Lariette’s disappearance, the count’s eyes wavered. Milena ignored him. As expected, he was still worried about her sister. It would take some time for the news from the ducal estate to spread all the way to this remote region.
“I hope today will be the last time you treat me with such disrespect.”
She leaned in close to whisper in his ear.
“I know what you did for Lariette’s real mother. If you don’t want to stand trial even now, then stay quiet until I leave. Keep that noisy mouth of yours shut.”
She knew exactly who the count had killed, who he had bribed, and all of his corrupt dealings.
But Milena, who had always been the one to beg for affection, had never thought of using that knowledge against him. Love had always been her priority, and everything else had faded into the background.
Now, it’s all over.
The spell had been broken, and she had reclaimed her life. There was nothing left for her in this household.
Without a trace of emotion, Milena walked past the count with a calm, dignified stride. Every step she took radiated an untouchable presence.
“M-Milena!”
“Oh dear.”
Just as the count reached out to grab her, an unfamiliar man stepped between them.
Where had he come from? The count barely had time to think before the man spoke.
“Would you please show some respect to my wife?”
“What? Wife? Are you telling me that Milena married you? And now some nobody dares to interfere?!”
The man’s eyes curved into a gentle smile, but no one could tell just how furious he really was. Only Gérard, standing behind him, rubbed his arms, feeling a chill.
“You sure have a lot to say for someone who dared to lay a hand on my woman.”
Tsk. I haven’t even touched her yet.
“What?”
“I might be your son-in-law, but judging by how you treat my wife, I don’t think I can be very lenient with you.”
Just who did this brat think he was? Had he lost his mind? The count was about to signal the guards to remove him when the man spoke again.
“My apologies for the late introduction. I am Lexion Silbert, the third son of House Silbert.”
“Silbert? Are you pretending to be—”
“Hm, would this convince you?”
At his signal, Gérard stepped forward and displayed an emblem—a family crest used for entry into the imperial palace.
The count swallowed hard.
Even if House Silbert ruled only a small northern territory, its ducal standing was undeniable. In most noble families, a third son might be considered expendable, but House Silbert was different.
The brothers of House Silbert were known for their strong bond, and the lands they each governed were larger and wealthier than the Rastier estate.
Even Rexion himself held a count’s title—one he managed with little effort, given that it was an imperial territory near the central region.
So, could a mere borderland count like him really afford to treat this man with disrespect? No. Even among counts, their statuses were worlds apart.
As the count frantically recalculated his position, Lexion’s red eyes darkened.
“Do you even realize who you just tried to mess with?”
His tone remained polite, but the weight behind his words was suffocating.
“My wife, Milena Silbert, is the daughter-in-law of a ducal house and the lady responsible for managing its affairs. She is not someone you can treat lightly. If you lay a hand on her again, I will be very, very angry. Do you understand?”
With that warning, Rexion turned and walked past him.
“Now then, if you’ll excuse me.”
The count stood frozen in place, only snapping out of his daze when a small voice spoke up.
“Grandfather.”
“Oh, my grandson! Do you remember me?”
Of course, he did. He vividly remembered how his grandfather had treated Milena. While he had never physically struck her like today, his attitude had always made Ashed’s blood boil.
“You might not recall since I was just a baby back then.”
“I do. Grandfather, you’re the one who always says that this house and Mother are the best.”
“Oh, uh, yes. That’s right. You remember well. It’s cold outside—let’s go inside.”
Despite the invitation, Ashed simply stared at him, clutching his rabbit doll.
“Grandfather.”
Between the wooden rings on his fingers, dark magic flickered dangerously, as if it might explode at any moment.
“When you die, this land and your title will belong to me. If you lose your position before that, wouldn’t that be a problem?”
Wouldn’t it?
His pink eyes sparkled, but there was something unsettling about them.
“Keep that in mind. If you mistreat my aunt, I won’t stand by and watch.”
Leaving his petrified grandfather behind, Ashed turned and walked away. He approached Lexion, who was talking with Gérard.
“Arrange the finest carriage—one befitting House Silbert’s prestige.”
“That will take some time.”
“You have a day.”
“Fine. I’ll have it ready in half a day. Please, take a short rest.”
Lexion recalled something Ashed had once said about his maternal family.
“My mother’s family? I don’t know much. That house is just like my father.”
Now, he understood why.
Seeing how upset Milena had been throughout the journey here, he regretted bringing her.
Tsk. If I had known, I wouldn’t have come.
“Aunt’s husband.”
“Yes, nephew?”
“You’re quite something. That was an excellent threat.”
The two men exchanged a look of understanding. Because of Milena, they saw eye to eye.
Together, they followed the path she had taken.
Milena had yet to enter the mansion—she was speaking with someone outside.
