Chapter 3 – Prologue (3)

Although Bethelgius claimed it was an unfortunate accident, no one believed in his words when they heard the news. Because it was Bethelgius who commanded the extermination of the Rubiet Family.

Thus, in just one day, I lost a lot of things. My birth household, my properties, my blood relatives, and I even lost my step-sibling who did not share the same blood.

I thought I had lost enough, but apparently God didn’t think it was sufficient for I lost another precious bond.

You killed Melissa. If you hadn’t refused to marry him… if you had just let me go… Melissa would be alive now. And I… I would have that woman, who didn’t share a drop of Rubiet’s blood, in my arms now. She would be hale and hearty and both of us would…

His words rang in the space between us. It was just like that day before the wedding. Terio had come home drunk out of his mind and his true feelings, that were hidden deep in the depth of his heart, were liberated without hesitation.

But this time, I couldn’t cover his mouth and spoke over him like that day. I merely stood there in a daze even as I tried to block his words from reaching my ears in vain.

Then, as if his senses had returned from the sea of resentment he felt for me, Terio apologized to me and staggered away from me.

And I could only watch on as he haltingly stepped towards our room, mind whirling with one question I dearly wish I could ask him.

What about me?

If I had let you go, if I had married Bethelgius, then I would…

Terio, you… did you want me to die?

In the end, I had chosen to keep my silence, fearful of the answer he would give. And that became a life-long regret that I would bring to the end.

*****

Even though I didn’t soak in the bathtub for long, the scent of the roses clung all over my body. I had never expected that the scent would be this strong, and for a moment, I wondered where it came from. Then I thought that it could be from the bath bomb the maid used. It must have had the same rose scent as the petals I had them add.

I dizzily staggered out of the bathtub and put on a bath gown over my body.

When I stepped on the slippery tile and opened the door, I could hear the classical music that was played over the door even louder. And for an instant, I let it wash over my tired soul.

I shook my weariness aside and wore the slippers that were placed in front of the bathroom. I then stepped on the carpet and headed towards the middle of the room before I sat down in front of the glass-rimmed table. As I opened a wine bottle that was placed next to me, I looked at the water drop that was dripping down my hair.

Then, I turned to look at a silver pill on my hand. It was a heart medicine that I personally asked the butler. I broke the small pill and dropped it down on the wine, peering at the way the white powder scattered over the wine before it sank and melted away.

Suddenly, I heard a loud thunder strike and looked out through the window in a lethargic manner. It was pouring rain from the black sky even though it was a clear day before.

So, the storm DID come. Though, I wish I could have seen the stars instead of watching the thunder… I grumbled a wordless complaint to myself as I took a sip from the wine that had the melted silver pill in it.

Terio was not going to return for a while. He said he was going for a business trip, but I didn’t know whether it was the emperor’s order or he was going to meet his secret lover. And as she lacked the courage to question him, doubt was her only freedom and refuge in this relationship.

Leaning against the chair, I took another sip.

A wet, rose-scented body; a gown that wrapped and clung to it, hinting at the curves that lay beneath; a fluffy chair that supported my back; a stormy day with occasional flashes of rain and wind.

Truly, there was no harm to choose a day like this one.

As I gazed out at the stormy weather, my mood soon clouded over and I sighed, leaving the rest of the wine be for the time being. After all, there was no need for me to rush to drink it.

Besides, the scenery and atmosphere was good. Drinking wine on my lonesome while listening to classical music that was accompanied with the sound of the rain, made the ambience even better.

Why did I feel such a messy day like this feel very suitable for my death?

Well, regardless of the weather, I picked a good day.

Bang. I could hear the sound of the wine glass falling off. It sounded faraway.