Chapter 48 – Grandia’s Law

While thinking, she couldn’t help but to recall the sharp sensation near her skin at the time. Thus, she slowly massaged the back of her head, as if by doing that, it would erase the burning sensation of her scalp.

“Even after you left, he tried to kill me several times.”

Hearing that, Stephan nodded his head while propping his chin, looking at Gris with convinced eyes. He then stood from his seat and looked outside the window.

“I think it is because of my emotions.” He suddenly said, making her confused.

“…”

“But, though it is good you survive… Did he give any conditions? Like, spying me or reporting our conversation to him?”

Although everything seems reasonable, Stephan was still dubious of the reason why Vianut let Gris live. However, Gris only shook her head. If the duke had made such a proposal to her that time, she would definitely have stepped up.

“Duke Vianut… I think he let me live because he is pleased to see me struggle.”

Stephan, who had been serious all the while, suddenly broke into laughter.

“No wonder. Cruelty it runs in this family.”

Yes. They were people who took pleasure from others’ agony. Even Yuliana had thrived on killing other people. From these, it could be seen that everyone belonging to this bloodline was similar to one another.

“Anyway, Vianut doesn’t want to ruin the family that the former grand duke had protected and devoted his life to. So, he definitely can’t let the public know that you’re not Yuliana. This is a good sign.”

Stephan spoke carefully as he turned around and looked at Gris’s face. Then he touched his chin as if he was thinking something and opened his mouth.

“Your face looks dissatisfied.”

He stated, sure of his words, so there was no use for Gris to deny it. As such, she could only press her lips forcefully to prevent herself from voicing out her resentment. Thankfully, Stephan didn’t fuss over that, raising his cape lightly and adjusted his seating position on the bed to sit comfortably.

“I am thinking of getting you married to a great man soon. If that happens, you too can do anything.” He suddenly announced.

Hearing that, Gris froze as if she was struck with lightning. She understood what he meant by those words; he’s going to marry her off to someone who would be the most advantageous to him.

However, although his words implied she would be free… was it truly possible if she got married to the person he chose? What if he planned to mercilessly kill her after he had squeezed everything from her?

Because that was just their nature. Discarding useless things that had no value to them. Therefore, Gris had to make up an excuse, so he wouldn’t be able to marry her off to someone he liked. And she happened to have one.

“The brothel engraved its mark on my belly, and I was told it can’t be erased by any means.”

She thought he would curse and give up when he heard that. But contrary to her expectation, Stephan only chuckled as if that was not a problem.

“There’s no way the gentleman would recognize such a scar. And even if he knows it, he will only pretend it doesn’t exist. Or he will quietly sell you back to the brothel after claiming you die from a sudden illness. Hence, there’s no need for you to worry because he won’t tell the truth to the masses or even to his family.”

Gris slightly furrowed her brows at the nastiness of his statement. But, before she could think of escaping, Stephan suddenly said something that made her complexion pale.

“Oh, I’ve to remind you of this, just in case. If you want to escape, please nip that thought in the bud. Because recently, the situation outside the mansion is a bit dangerous.”

Having said that, he idly glanced over Gris’ lower body with his cold eyes. And Gris shrunk back when she felt his gaze on her hips, wondering whether he wanted to taste what he’d bought. But Stephan only chuckled as he removed his sight away.

“A group of thieves has just formed a troop at the foot of the mountain and is living there right now. If you lose your way in the forest – who knows? You might end up being caught by those thieves, and brutally raped until your last breath. A fitting end for a whore, don’t you think?”

He said, sounding just like a real uncle who was concerned about his naïve niece and was giving earnest advice. “And if you happen to get pregnant, you won’t be able to know who the father of your baby is. Now… after you give birth, they will just continue raping you, treating you as a sow to be impregnated again and again. So, be careful, all right?”

But, in reality, he was threatening her of what he would do should she fail to fall in line.

He was worse than Bilton. But there was nothing Gris could do anything about it. Therefore, she only clenched her mouth tightly in the end, not saying anything.

Stephan seemed satisfied with her response, so he stood up from the bed and properly tidied up his outfit.

“If you don’t want that to happen, then obediently stay behind me.” He then left. His parting words echoing in Gris’ mind.

No, he is the worst. Using my weakness to blackmail me, tying me up in this mansion. 

But Gris was a Grandian. And in Grandia, ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ was a law. And though Gris had never done anything similar, she was now roused to repay Stephan in the Grandian way. But first things first, she needed to find his weakness.

Before she began to plot, though, something suddenly crossed her mind. She knew someone who knew most of Stephan’s weaknesses.

Duke Vianut. The man who competed with Stephan for the succession and won.