Chapter 30

She was able to handle the relationship with the servants to some extent. Even when she lived in the Count Beckdel’s mansion before marriage or in the palace, she was able to resolve things easily. However, Cain disregarded her and dealt with her as he pleased. He merely asked the servants to take care of her.

“What about Dorvan?”

“Well, don’t worry about it. That wretched man. He must have returned to his hometown.”

Being the head chef of the Duke’s household was a good position. It also required a certain social status. But in an instant, he disappeared as if evaporated. His room in the servants’ quarters was also clean.

The servants thought that he probably ran away because of debts or some other reason. Such things happened occasionally. However, through Marina, she discreetly found out that the reality was different. He was missing. Dorvan had disappeared, and his wife and children were struggling in dire straits.

Could it be that once again, someone suffered because of her? No, an entire family had been ruined.

“Madam, you need to pull yourself together. You need to prepare for the hunting festival.”

“Oh, the hunting festival.”

Just a few days ago, she spent the night with Cain, so he would undoubtedly be out of her mind for the next few weeks. Of all things, she needed to attend the hunting festival during his madness.

Just the thought of it made her head throb in pain. Lariana pressed on her temples firmly.

Now, not only Cain but she herself seemed to be going mad. No, it felt like she was already going mad.

The hunting festival was one of the most important social events in Martenssen, alongside the Debutante Ball held during the Founding Day Festival. Unlike the ball, one could not attend the hunting festival alone.

When Cain was in a state of madness, he didn’t attend any ball. Lariana often had to attend the ball alone, which she preferred. It was better that he didn’t accompany her. It saved her from embarrassment.

However, there was no excuse to skip the hunting festival. Marcella, who valued appearances, would certainly expect her to attend. It was a dilemma.

Lariana, who had gotten out of bed, stood in front of the dressing table prepared by Jena. As she dipped her hands into the cold water, her mind cleared.

Lariana pressed her face into the basin. She even felt like sinking into the water and disappearing forever.

“What are you doing, lady?”

Lariana didn’t lift her head even after a while, so Jena, surprised, pulled her up by the arm. The water from the basin spilled onto the bedroom floor.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just need to gather my senses.”

She had to firmly hold onto her sanity. Next week would be a hellish experience compared to the present.

* * *

The morning of the hunting festival, which she had hoped would never come, arrived faster than ever. The hunting festival traditionally took place in Taldin, a region at the northeastern end of Martenssen. There was a mysterious and massive forest known as the Witch’s Forest.

The Witch’s Forest was originally part of the territory of the Kingdom of Rindell, but Rindell had perished decades ago, and it became part of Martenssen’s land. The Witch’s Forest was abundant with abnormally large beasts, making it the perfect setting for a hunting competition.

Emperor and nobles, including the aristocracy residing in the capital, headed to Taldin to participate in the hunting festival. During the period of the hunting festival, the capital was always deserted.

It would have been nice if Marina could come along as well, but the Marquess of Deryl, her husband, was a passionate animal lover and had been boycotting the hunting festival for decades.

Lariana lingered by the window, unable to summon the courage to get into the carriage with Cain. What should she do if he tried to kill her?

“My lady!”

“Oh, you scared me!”

“Why are you so startled?”

“Oh, Jena… I’m nervous. It’s my first time attending such a grand event.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll do well, lady.”

Lariana couldn’t even speak to Jena about Cain’s illness. Kind-hearted Jena, who knew nothing, hugged Lariana warmly. Lariana just wanted to hold Jena’s hand and run away.

“The master and the Dowager Duchess will be coming out soon. We should go down quickly too.”

“Jena, go downstairs with the luggage first.”

Lariana sent Jena down ahead of her, pushing her as if urging her forward. Then she closed the door and sank down slowly. She couldn’t muster the courage to face Cain’s madness.

Carefully, she took out a dagger from her embrace. The small dagger, sheathed in a golden scabbard adorned with rubies, was no larger than a finger.

As she separated the blade from the scabbard, a woman with a sad face was seen in the polished blade, glimmering brightly.

* * *

At that moment, in front of the Duke’s residence, all the household staff members except Lariana were lined up. Even the remaining servants stood in line to greet their masters.

“Why isn’t she coming out?”

With his arms crossed, Cain impatiently asked Jena. Marcella felt the same way, although she didn’t show it.

“The young madam said there were other things she needed to take care of separately. She said she’ll be down soon… I’ll go and bring her.”

While Cain made an irritated gesture, Jena hurriedly headed toward the main residence of the Duke’s estate.

Then, as they were about to leave, Lariana was sitting with the door closed, unable to muster the courage to face Cain’s madness.

She carefully drew the dagger from her embrace. When the blade and the scabbard were separated, the face of a woman with a sad expression appeared, shimmering on the polished blade.

* * *

At that moment, in front of the Duke’s residence, all the servants, except Lariana, were already gathered. Every stood in a line, waiting to greet their masters.

“Why isn’t she coming out?”

Cain, with his arms crossed, impatiently asked Jena. Marcella felt the same way, although she didn’t show it.

“The young madam said she had something else to take care of separately. She said she’ll be down soon… I’ll go and fetch her.”

As Jena hurriedly made her way towards the main residence of the Duke’s estate in response to Cain’s impatient gestures, Lariana appeared.

“Good morning, Mother.”

Lariana, trying to maintain a facade, seemed to radiate a bright aura unlike usual. Her platinum blonde hair, imbued with the light of autumn, was dazzling. Clad in a forest green cashmere cloak, Lariana slowly walked towards her husband and mother-in-law, without giving a glance to her mad husband. She greeted Marcella instead, who looked at her son and daughter-in-law with suspicious eyes and subtly smiled.

The meaningful smile caused Lariana’s fragile composure to break. Now, Marcella was more fearful and intimidating to her than Cain.

What could that smile mean? Could it be that she had sensed his madness?

“Cain, let’s go.”

“What is this all about…?”

With a nonchalant laugh, Lariana folded her arms, and Cain scowled. Lariana leaned against him and whispered, “Everyone is watching, so keep your mouth shut. I’m not doing this because I want to.”

Not wanting to cause a scene in front of the servants, Cain tried to hide his discomfort and reluctantly escorted his wife to the carriage.

As the carriage door closed, Cain began to shake off the part that had come into contact with hers.

Seeing her husband, who was disgusted even by the slightest touch, Lariana let out a bitter laugh.

They would have to spend the entire day together in this confined space. Could they make it through without any incident and safely get out of the carriage?

“Just don’t touch me.”

“What did you just say?”

“I told you not to touch even a strand of my hair.”

“Have you forgotten that you were the one who touched me first?”

“Do you know that killing among nobles is considered murder? Even if it’s your wife, it’s the same. That’s the law of the Martessen Empire.”

Although Lariana knew that to him, who had already killed Viscountess Leshian, the imperial law might mean nothing, she mentioned it, trying to hide her fear.

“Why do you keep saying such things?”

“Even if you want to kill me, restrain yourself.”

Cain was momentarily speechless. He had never thought that Lariana would be aware of his intention to kill her.

Whether he was perplexed or not, Lariana, caressing the dagger in her arms, turned her gaze towards the carriage window. She desperately hoped she wouldn’t have to draw this dagger.

* * *

Cain leaned back in the carriage seat and glanced quietly at Lariana, who had fallen asleep. She had covered herself with the cloak she was wearing.

A sigh escaped him as he recalled the unfounded remarks he had made to Lariana, which he couldn’t remember exactly. Why had he spoken nonsense about sensing the desire to kill?

Because of that remark, Lariana had been on edge all day long, to the point of absurdity. She treated his every movement as if he were a murderer, frightened by each of his actions.

The pale skin of Lariana, with veins almost visible, was tinted with the blue light that seeped through the carriage window from the night outside. Drenched in the hue of the blue night, she exuded an atmosphere that was not quite human.

How would that woman, who created such an unreal and surreal spectacle, meet her end? Would her death be beautiful?

“Crazy bitch.”

Unintentionally, a curse slipped out of Cain’s mouth as his thoughts involuntarily drifted. When he was with Lariana, he couldn’t control himself.

Loosening his cravat and unbuttoning his cuffs, he tried to alleviate his frustration. While the desire to kill wasn’t completely gone, the suffocating feeling lessened slightly.

If he wanted to participate in the hunt at the hunting festival, which would last throughout the night, he also had to rest. He needed at least some sleep.

To rest, he should have gone to the opposite side of the carriage, where a comfortable chair-like sofa was located. However, he didn’t want to go in that direction where Lariana was sitting. He might lose control and end up killing her.

Suppressing his uncontrollable hatred, Cain crossed his arms and closed his eyes. But the peace didn’t last long.

As if having a nightmare, Lariana began to murmur and sob.

“…Jenox, stop it.”

Jenox?

“…Save me.”

“Why can’t she stop talking about that snake-like bastard?”

Uttering useless words that wouldn’t reach the sleeping person, Cain stood up from his seat.

When he was at a loss, he had completely forgotten that Lariana was calling out the name of her cousin in despair. He had no idea why she was crying and begging like this.

“…Cain, no… Let him go.”

“Can’t you stop talking about that damned person?”

Cain briefly clicked his tongue, and she opened her eyes. Lariana was crying in a poignant manner. It would be better if she cried. It was more fitting than desperately begging to be killed.

Trying to cover her eyes with his hand in an attempt to make her sleep, Cain found it futile. Lariana’s sleep-talking didn’t end; it continued. At this rate, it seemed like he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep even when morning came.

“Jenox, please…! Don’t… don’t kill me. I don’t want to die. I want to live!”

In an instant, Lariana’s delicate eyelashes, like feathers of a songbird, fluttered. Her closed eyelids lifted, revealing her translucent iris of pale blue color, filled with confusion. Soon, fear and despair overcame her.

Cain’s cravat was stuck to the corner of her mouth.

“Ple… please. Don’t kill me. I don’t want to die. I want to live!” Read ahead here.