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Chapter 14
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“She’s my mother’s cousin. That’s all.”

“Lies. You’re lying.”

He broke his promise because of Lady Evita…

While Lariana was looking away, Cain smiled at her.

In the past year, Cain was someone who never smiled in front of others. But in front of her, he seemed to smile quite well.

Lariana couldn’t fathom the inner thoughts of this man who not only rescued her from danger but also proposed to her when she was about to fall into the abyss of despair.

“You never told me the reason. Why did you abandon me a year ago?”

“The Delacroix family is very different from what you see on the outside. As you know, my birth mother died after giving birth to me. And my biological father, who was also the previous Duke Delacroix was quite cruel and ruthless. He had twisted beliefs. Because of that, as soon as I learned to walk, I was often locked up in a closet or an empty room.”

“That’s horrible.”

“He said it was the education method passed down through generations in our family, where imprisonment resembling torture is used to control and suppress emotions. But I can’t blame my father. He, too, was brought up and educated that way. It’s the Delacroix way. We have to become monsters to please our people. Do you see me as a monster as well?”

There would be no such beautiful monster anywhere in this world. Lariana impulsively gave a strong denial.

“No, I don’t.”

“The reason I could maintain some semblance of humanity was because of my stepmother. After my father’s death, I was able to ascend to the position of Duke unharmed thanks to my stepmother. As you know, her title before marriage was Lady Kaidel.”

“I see.”

Cain’s stepmother, Lady Delacroix, was from the Kaidel family. It was widely known in society that the Duchess Delacroix wanted to make her niece a daughter-in-law.

The difference between the powerful Kaidel family and her own emerging noble family was significant. Even if she became the Duchess of Delacroix, his stepmother would still want to make her niece her daughter-in-law.

Cain lightly tapped Lariana’s shoulder as she got lost in thought.

“Oh, my carriage is here. It would be best for you to put on your shoes to avoid embarrassment,” Cain said as Lariana stumbled while putting on her shoes.

Cain extended his arm to help Lariana. With his assistance, she straightened her back and stood tall as if nothing had happened. The Delacroix family’s carriage, recognizing Cain. When it came to a halt, he reached out his hand to Lariana.

There was still a long way to go until she reached the entrance of the palace, and even after she arrived, there was no guarantee that she would easily find Count Beckdel’s carriage. Lariana, who had momentarily lost her composure, took hold of his hand.

“Lariana, take the carriage and go back. I still have some matters to attend to.”

“Thank you for your help.”

As Lariana grabbed onto the carriage door that Cain was about to close, it seemed as if a question mark hung over his face.

“Duke, your stepmother dislikes me. Are you really okay with marrying me despite that?”

In truth, it wasn’t only her who disliked Lariana. Most of the noblewomen in the capital didn’t view her favorably. No one was pleased to see the daughter of the Count Heliosen rising as a prominent figure in high society.

“It doesn’t matter. I love you.”

Ignoring Lariana’s words, Cain smiled softly as if he didn’t care at all.

Upon hearing the word ‘love’, Lariana’s cheeks instantly flushed red.

It was the first time she had heard those from Cain. During the expedition, Lariana always sent letters to Cain, expressing her love through song. However, the responses he sent never contained the word ‘love’.

Although her letters were filled with affection, the most important word of love was always missing, which had always left Lariana feeling disappointed.

And yet, despite everything, that fervent love she had yearned for came to her unexpectedly, as fragile and easily as it had left.

“Then, I will await your answer to the proposal.”

The strength in her hand holding the door waned. As the carriage door closed, Lariana awkwardly sat in the unfamiliar carriage.

On the seat opposite her, the tiara that Lariana had left in the Pergola was placed. It was the tiara that Cain had somehow retrieved.

Sinking deep into the seat, Lariana picked up the tiara.

“Love…”

As she murmured the word, she abruptly threw the tiara onto the floor of the carriage and stomped on it with her shoe.

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Lariana was someone who enjoyed sleeping in and had a relaxed and leisurely demeanor, despite her emotional nature. Growing up in a peaceful environment all her life had instilled a sense of ease in her.

Perhaps it was because she had trouble falling asleep last night and ended up drinking nearly a bottle of brandy like water, Lariana simply couldn’t bring herself to wake up, even though the sun was already at its zenith. Her maid, Jena, lightly shook Lariana’s body.

“Lady, it’s already lunchtime. You need to wake up. Count Beckdel is looking for you.”

Due to her throbbing headache, Lariana pressed her aching head firmly while getting up from the bed. Following Jena’s touch, Lariana changed into a white indoor dress and sat in her vanity.

“Lariana!”

Just as Jena was about to lift the brush and brush through Lariana’s flowing long hair, Count Beckdel burst into the room. Startled by his sudden voice, Lariana was taken aback.

“Count?”

“Jena, leave us.”

The Countess was also present. When the bewildered Jena hesitated and continued to look back, Countess Beckdel forcefully pushed her and closed the door entirely.

“What’s going on?”

Lariana looked down and absentmindedly played with the strands of her long hair, which hung down desolately, at the peculiar actions of Count Beckdel and his wife.

“Lariana, is it true that you’ve broken up with Prince Lejandro?”

Count Beckdel asked gently, but Lariana wore a melancholic expression. He and his wife had always been reliable allies who treated her like a daughter.

If she were to tell them the truth, they would also be shocked. Lariana hesitated for a long time.

“…Yes, it’s true.”

“No matter what, it’s sudden to break up with Prince Lejandro like this…”

“Prince Lejandro is going to marry Princess Julia of Serren… How can I… How can I continue to be with him?”

If Count Beckdel and his wife offered words of comfort now, it felt as if tears would flow uncontrollably. A single teardrop glistened at the corner of Lariana’s eye.

“Why would that bother you? You can be a mistress too.”

Count Beckdel’s sharp words were like cutting blades, spoken without any consideration. Startled by the cold expression on his face, goosebumps rose on her arms.

“What?”

Count Beckdel approached Lariana and roughly grabbed her hand. Lariana’s body, which was sitting in the vanity, swayed restlessly. She barely managed to steady herself by gripping her knees.

“After raising you up, taking someone like you who lived in a remote place, and dressing you up to fit in as the Prince’s lover… you did it?”

“Count, what are you saying?”

“You fool! While your father may be a Count like me, he was not originally a noble, was he? He may have received a title that can be gloriously inherited through the grace of His Majesty, but in reality, your Heliosen family is inferior to even a new Count! Did a low-born woman suck as yourself dreamed of being an Empress?”

Lariana was shocked and unable to close her mouth in response to such harsh words. The shock was so overwhelming that she couldn’t even catch her breath.

“Shouldn’t you go to Prince Lejandro immediately and apologize for your mistake?”

“No, I don’t want to. I can’t do it. No, I won’t do it. By any chance, did you both already know about His Majesty’s engagement?”

“Of course we did! Since everyone else knows, it’s only natural that you, an airhead, didn’t.”

Count Beckdel shouted, veins popping out of his neck. Unbeknownst to Lariana, she was already being treated as a mistress. Though the dreamy and innocent young noblewomen of her age may not have known, it had already become widely known.

“Count, please calm down. I will handle Lariana well.”

The Countess quickly changed his expression as she approached Lariana. The sight of the Countess effortlessly changing her expression like wearing a mask was repulsive.

“Lariana, His Highness the prince cherishes you, doesn’t he? First, let’s apologize to Prince Lejandro and explain yourself, and then we can find a good match for you. You can continue being his mistress even after marriage…”

“Madam, will you give the position of a mistress to Marina?”

“Oh my, heavens! Lariana! How can you say such a thing?”

However, that mask was thrown away in the face of her daughter’s name. As the Countess screamed so loudly that it felt like her ears were being pierced, Lariana covered her ears.

“If you’re not going to apologize to Prince Leandro, then leave my house immediately!”

Count Beckdel pushed Lariana roughly, shoving her toward the closed door. She was pushed relentlessly, and before she knew it, her body collided with the closed door.

Lariana felt betrayed once again, and it caused her body to tremble. In an attempt to suppress her anger, she clenched her pale hand several times and then released it. Finally, when her emotions subsided, she faintly smiled and bowed her head.

“I can do anything. I will do as you wish. Thank you so much for everything. Please take care of yourself and stay healthy.”

As Lariana opened the bedroom door without hesitation, the Countess approached Count Beckdel.

“Are you crazy? What if you make Lariana angry? Even if you beg and plead, it will end in fain if she really goes back to Heline.”

“What can a girl like her who came here with just one maid from Heline say? Don’t worry. If it comes to that, she’ll come back and beg for forgiveness in tears.” Read ahead here.