She squinted in the dim sunlight and woke up to find herself in bed. Shioana felt light thanks to the deep sleep she had enjoyed for the first time in a while.
"...?"
She tried to sit up, but was blocked by someone and couldn't. Etienne was asleep, holding her in his arms with a deep frown.
'When did I fall asleep?'
And she also checked the bandage wrapped around her hand.
"... Ah."
Only then did she recall her running out into the garden to look for Martha on a rainy afternoon. It seemed she had crushed rose thorns with her hands and cried.
'Did I collapse after that?'
She couldn't remember at all how she got here from the garden. Come to think of it, she's been forgetting things and losing her focus quite often lately.
Her heart felt heavy at the thought that it might be because she is pregnant.
'Should I tell Etienne?'
Even though it was only natural to tell him as the child's father, she hesitated. She couldn't tell if Etienne would welcome it or not.
'If he is to remarry Diana Vale, this child will become a burden…:
Shioana, who had been deep in thought, mustered up the courage to lift her head.
Etienne's face, as he slept soundly, was more perfect than any masterpiece. Beneath his long eyelashes, his sculpted nose and moist red lips completed his beauty.
'He's ugly, but he is handsome.'
The first love that completely stole the heart of Shioana, who had lived only in Regbell.
Shioana’s gaze became persistent at the thought that the days she could see his face so secretly might not last much longer.
'...Etienne.'
She called his name inwardly when suddenly Etienne opened his eyes.
Because of that, she was caught red-handed for peeking at him. A flustered Shioana couldn't say a word, while he just glared at her face.
"Are you staging a protest or something?'
"... What?"
A strange sound came from Shioana's mouth because her throat was hoarse. However, Etienne, unconcerned by this, grabbed her wrist tightly and shook her.
"I am asking if you are threatening me with your life."
“No, I..."
Even though there were many times when things were so hard it felt like dying, she never thought about ending her own life. Because she had someone to protect.
"Then did you think I would do as you wanted?"
"It's not that, it's because it rained-"
Lately, there have been many times when she felt dizzy enough to lose consciousness, and she tried to explain that it was because of the thunder and lightning that she was afraid of.
"Listen carefully. You cannot even die without my permission."
Etienne's face, consumed by rage, bore a light never seen before. She was the one in a desperate situation. Why did he wear such a pained expression?
'Etienne, I didn't intend to die.'
Just as Siona was about to say something to him, Etienne abruptly threw her wrist away.
Shioana, pushed into the corner of the bed by the wind, caught her breath in surprise.
"From now on, I will have an escort whenever you leave the bedroom, as well as when taking a walk in the garden, so keep that in mind."
Etienne, who had been giving cold instructions with his back turned, left the bedroom. As Shioana watched his retreating figure until the door was completely closed, her eyes filled with disappointment.
"In the end, there wasn't even a chance to say anything."
All that Etienne, who had only ever cornered her, left behind was a red mark on her wrist.
***
According to the information Katrina found out, it was Calix who accused her.
"Was your intention just to use me to your heart's content and then abandon me?"
It was a mistake to think they were on the same side.
Marquis Calix was a man who harbored ambitions even greater than hers. He regarded Duke Bernhard, who had close ties with the Imperial Family, as a thorn in his side, and in this regard, he shared many similar views with Katrina.
'How about you, beautiful one, take the Duke of Bernhard, and I take this empire?'
It was a deal with nothing to lose.
Because if Marquis Calix established a new imperial family, she would become a first-class contributor and be able to enjoy power for generations.
'If only Ludwig hadn't passed away so tragically, the whole plan would have been perfect…'
Whenever this happened, she deeply regretted that the only son she had borne was no longer in this world.
Just as she seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, Katrina parted her red lips again.
"Did you think I would die alone?"
Someone discovered Marquis Calix's plan for rebellion, and the utterly despicable Marquis resorted to this tactic.
"They clearly intend to frame me for treason."
Nobles of the Urcheka Empire were punished only for treason and kin murder. This was because those were grave crimes punishable by death or banishment.
"If you underestimate me, you'll regret it."
Katrina sprang to her feet when she tapped the table with her fingernails. Now was the time for everyone to unite under the name Bernhard.
As she hurried to Duke Bernhard's office, the Duke, standing by the window, was breathless as always.
Katrina, who was about to click her tongue at the pathetic sight, composed herself.
"I heard the Duchess has woken up, and I can't tell you how fortunate that is."
"... Yes."
The Duke's face was filled with a gloomy aura as he slowly turned around.
'Is he throwing a tantrum because the toy he was playing with broke?'
Even though she had set him up, he was now Duke Bernhard. It was so annoying that she had to borrow the hands of such an incompetent fool.
"It’s nothing else, but I have a big problem right now."
Only then, at Katrina's words, did Etienne ask her for a seat.
“What’s going on?”
"Well, isn't someone framing our family?"
"Who would dare do such a thing?"
The Duke's red eyes flared up in an instant.
"It seems to be the doing of Marquis Calix."
Katrina gritted her teeth at the thought of having to appear in court. After all, standing in court itself was not a very honorable thing.
"Why would Marquis Calix do such a thing?"
"He must be jealous of the prestigious Bernhard family. Isn't it the nature of foolish people to foolishly covet what they cannot have?"
At Katrina's words, Etienne felt like he was about to burst into laughter.
It was not something she, who had stained the entire Bernhard family with blood, should have said, even if others did.
'Wasn't it you, Katrina, who coveted what you couldn't have, even though you weren't qualified?'
"But on what grounds does the Marquis commit such a bold act? If he does that without evidence, he is the one who will be punished..."
Katrina scoffed at the Duke's question.
"Wouldn't they have forged a few letters or documents? District 8 is full of vermin who would feign death for a single silver coin."
"If that is the case, there is no need to worry."
Katrina barely managed to hold back her anger as she watched the Duke agree with her words so easily.
"I have him following, so he probably won't say much. Still, just in case, I think it would be a good idea to investigate Marquis Calix a bit."
"Mother, I was short-sighted as I have no experience with such matters. I will immediately give instructions to Viscount Conrad."
A short while later, as Katrina left the office, Etienne entered the secret space behind the bookshelf alone.
"It would be quite a spectacle to see them tearing each other apart."
It took quite a bit of effort to make people believe that Marquis Calix was the one who brought Katrina to court.
'I wonder what kind of face you will make if you realize that I am the one suffocating you.'
He acted as unrestrainedly as possible the whole time to prevent any suspicion.
It would be a disaster if an enemy were to figure out his ulterior motive and run away.
"We're almost there."
The curtain is about to rise on judgment.
"...Ha."
As he covered his head with his hands, a sigh escaped him involuntarily.
He was sick and tired of his life, which had never been smooth sailing. No matter how big a mountain he climbed, another one was waiting for Etienne.
'... Shioana.'
He couldn't tell how strange he felt seeing Shioana wake up.
It was a relief to see her clear blue eyes again. However, at the same time as he felt relieved, anger welled up inside him.
It was infuriating that she approached him without permission, shook him up, and then suddenly tried to kill herself.
'It is best to get plenty of rest right now. You should also avoid situations that cause psychological distress.'
He was in so much pain that he could not follow the doctor's advice.
"Do I have the right to punish anyone?"
Because he shook the sick person's body, screamed, abandoned her alone, and ran away.
A wave of belated regret washed over him, but he couldn't go back.
If he faced Shioana's pale face again, he felt as if he would hang at her feet.
'Don't ever do this again!'
Don't even think about leaving my side, and don't get sick or hurt!
He might feel like crying and begging.
"That's really unsightly."
Etienne let out a long sigh and sank his back deep into the sofa.
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