Duchess (Saiki Valentine) was planning to escape from the duke's palace with a very serious face
It was because of the truth he said
We learned just a few days ago
“
Psyche….”
She had something to say to the Duke, so Saiki, who was about to stop at the desk and knock on the door, froze on the spot because a familiar voice called her name.
The next words were muffled and couldn't be heard, but she was able to hear them clearly.
That woman should be killed when the child is born
She couldn't believe that voice
Returns to her husband.
Her heart was pounding, wondering if she had heard
Error.
I looked down unconsciously
To the abdomen
Which began to rise complexly, is now rather noticeable. It has been more than half a year since she was pregnant.
"Yes…."
She barely hid her screams
'Who are you going to kill?' '
Psyche remembered what she heard
He must have said he would kill a woman when the baby was born
Psyche trembled with anxiety and thought again about the meaning of her husband's words.
Saiki's heart was racing and she couldn't calm herself down but looking back, it wasn't strange that he would try to kill her.
The Duke and herself were in a contractual marriage in exchange for a child
Although there may be no love or
Affection
He promised to do so if she
It would at least free her from the fear of death and give her a comfortable life.
I firmly believed in that promise.
But there is only one condition
She will bear him a child who will be his heir
You mean I won't be needed anymore after the baby is born?
Thinking about it, Saiki was like that
Confused, her eyes felt like they were spinning.
Until yesterday, no, until this morning
We weren't talking about happiness
The future when the baby is born?
Were all these words and actions a lie?
Psyche had goosebumps in an instant
She touched her stomach without realizing it, her legs lost strength and she staggered.
squeak.
"Huh? Ma'am!"
It was Alexandro, the Duke's henchman, who came out of the office and found Psyche about to fall.
After he managed to support Saiki, he was surprised to see her pale face.
“What's wrong, ma'am?”
Pushing him away, Saiki stepped back and bit her lip.
It made me sick to think that all his nice actions were just pretending
No. He is merely a follower of his master
The Duke is inside. Would you like to come in?
Psyche hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. Maybe she would make a mistake if she met her husband now
“No, he must be busy, so I won't bother him.”
She wrapped her arms around her stomach and quickly turned around.
It was because she thought she was going to cry.
When she reached her room, she lay down on the bed and stared into the air for a moment.
Then she patted her cheeks with both hands
“I don't have time to be sad”
After that, she wouldn't be willing to carry out the Duke's wishes.
To feel what it was like to lose what he wanted so badly before his eyes.
To lose what he can do most, life in her womb.
Psyche gently touched her stomach. She spoke inside of you to her child
“Let's go get out of this terrible place.”
She immediately got up and started looking for a way out of the Duke's Palace.
Psyche sat still in the room and remembered the first day she came to the palace.
To leave this place, she naturally remembered the day she came here.
'How did I end up marrying him?'
She laughed as she remembered her funny situation.
“I didn't mean to get married”
Sikes felt a strange feeling as she stared into the bedroom she was so accustomed to.
He was a persistent man and he had a face that looked like he would never ask for a favor.
This was her first impression of meeting the Duke for the first time.
Psyche was the eldest daughter of a wealthy viscount family. However, when she was young, she lost her parents in an unfortunate accident
The interference of her relatives caused the family to falter
And when Saiki was old enough
All that remains of it is a large, unmanaged castle
Despite her noble status, she becomes more and more interested in food, because she might starve to death.
Then one day, a man suddenly appeared to her and proposed to her.
“Are you Miss Saeki Alistair?”
A dilapidated mansion and an elegant man were not exactly compatible.
So the meeting was even more impressive.
The marble on the ground he stepped on had worn away and made his shoes appear more prominent.
Naturally, she didn't believe him at first
He's a duke.
Until he offered her a contract.
However, he continued to visit her every day, persuade her, and even return her possessions that her relatives had stolen. In the end, Psyche, who looked like she would starve to death even if she remained still, accepted his offer.
At that time, I considered him a true gentleman.
“My name is Clint Valentine.”
In the first place, she didn't even have money to take as dowry, but from these little things to weddings, she didn't have to touch anything.
It was because the Duke cared about everything
At the time, I thought it was really good.
“It's funny.”
Psyche laughed. The joy of the past may be the tragedy of the present.
The man who said her name while holding a dazzling, shiny ring was an extremely handsome man.
A luxurious outfit that was difficult to find in Saiki's neighborhood was notable. But his appearance was more impressive than that. His black hair contrasted well with his white skin, highlighting his cold face.
His clear blue eyes are like ice. All in all, he was a very handsome man. His long legs, straight waist, and broad shoulders were perfectly proportioned.
Maybe it was because of the tight shirt, but even Saeki, who didn't know much about men, could tell that he had a strong body.
He made her an unromantic proposal with an indifferent face. Psyche immediately refused. At first, she couldn't believe it. But he didn't give up.
He came every day. He was a very strange man, and showed no haste or obedience at all. Naturally, Psyche constantly rejected his advances.
“I have no intention of marrying you, Duke.”
One day, he asked Saeki, who was constantly rejecting him.
“May I ask why?”
“Then may I ask you why you want to marry me?”
He made a serious face again.
“It's for the heir.”
I was a little surprised by the calm and short answer.
“I…should I just produce an heir?”
Saeki liked that he didn't talk about love or feelings. The Duke nodded in agreement. Psyche then answered the previous question.
“I don’t trust people, so I don’t want to be associated with other people through a bond like marriage.”
Hearing these words, the Duke's face became bright. While she was thinking, “Can he smile like that?”, he approached her.
“Then let's establish a contractual relationship.”
“Contractual relationship”
In the first place, Clint was in a position to do anything on his orders, so she thought it strange that such a person would suddenly propose to her. From the beginning, Clint approached her because he had a purpose.
With a confident face, he continued: "I promise you a comfortable life. All you have to do is give me an heir."
It seemed like a reasonable deal, Saeki thought. Emotional marriage is uncomfortable and annoying, but if it's a deal...there's no need to trust anyone. Alternatively, if the marriage is conditional on a deal that benefits both parties...
Rather, it was considered a good choice.
"……not bad."
After that, things went well between the two. The night before Saiki left her hometown, Clint came to get her.
Now that we are living as a couple, I want to ask you one thing.”
As Saiki looked at him, he continued, “What do you hate the most?”
“Why are you suddenly asking this question?”
On a quiet moonlit night, Psyche felt confused by the sudden question.
“Even if I can't do what you love the most, I won't do what you hate the most.
She looked up and looked at the sky. The starry night in the sky was as black as his hair. The soft moonlight was shining on them.
"I hate to see someone I know die. On the other hand, I don't like it when someone I know kills people."
Suddenly remembering her parents' tragic death, she shook her head, not wanting to remember her parents' end, which had ended so tragically and with the betrayal of the people she trusted more than anyone else.
“And……I hate it even more when someone close to me dies.”
“Then I shouldn't die.”
Saiki laughed at his reaction without realizing it. It was a short conversation, but she realized that he was a man who could really deal with people honestly.
Even if it is not a happy and loving marriage, she can expect a peaceful marriage.
Saiki laughed at his reaction without realizing it. It was a short conversation, but she realized that he was a man who could really deal with people honestly.
Even if it is not a happy and loving marriage, she can expect a peaceful marriage.
But it wasn't like that.
She had good memories of the past, but those memories were quickly buried in the tragedy of reality.
The memories of the day she first met her were gone, and all that remained in her mind were the terrible words she had heard some time ago.
“You should kill that woman when she gives birth to the child.”
His voice rang in her ears and disturbed her.
Now that I think about it, the contract was weird in the first place. He was giving up a lot.
He just needed an heir. He just needed a woman who wouldn't speak after giving birth to a child. Psyche was horrified to think that she was the only woman who met these criteria.
The soul quickly fled from thoughts of the past.
And now it's time to leave him