"Isn't that Adelle? Why isn't she greeting us?" asked a woman whose beauty had not faded with age. Helena Ashten, the mother of the Duchess of Eddenberg, who was now the hot topic of the entire party hall.
"Let her be, this is her punishment for not listening to us. She was swayed by the illusion of love, and ended up tragically like this." Vios—Adelle's father—drank a glass of wine.
As a mother, Helena couldn't possibly be indifferent to her daughter's condition. Whatever the circumstances and consequences, Helena would do anything to save Adelle and give her a decent life like before.
"Good evening, Count Vios and Countess Helena."
"Arthur, how are you?" Helena asked cheerfully.
Arthur chuckled softly, his face equally happy. It had been almost 2 years since he last met this Count and Countess. "I'm well, Countess. But what I'm worried about is Adelle. Erm, how should I put it?"
"What's wrong with Adelle?" Helena's expression turned worried. "Does it have anything to do with tonight's party and previous parties?"
Arthur nodded briefly. "Perhaps. But there have been many bad rumors about Adelle in these past 2 years. Has Adelle ever contacted you again after getting married?"
"No, very rarely. When we sent letters, Adelle would only say that she was happy with her marriage. And even that was a very long time ago since she replied to our letters."
"I told you, Helena. From the beginning, we should have married Adelle to Arthur. Adelle wouldn't have ended up like this if she had married Arthur. And I trust Arthur more than that damn Calsius!" Vios did not hesitate to express his hatred for Calsius, even in public. After all, this was already common knowledge that needed no further explanation.
"You must respect Adelle's choice, Lord Count. Well, even I would be hurt if Adelle's marriage didn't go smoothly."
"Arthur, can I ask you for one thing?" Helena still had a worried look. Waiting for Arthur, who was silent, to continue his words. "If you can, please persuade Adelle to come home. I only trust you, I believe that with you, Adelle's marriage will be perfect."
Arthur smirked. He placed his hand on his left chest, offering his heart, ready to sacrifice it at any time to bring Adelle back into his arms.
"I will do it, Countess."
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"You idiot! Do you know what you just said?" exclaimed a noble girl, hitting the arm of the man beside her.
"What? Why?" the man asked, confused.
"The topic of babies is the most forbidden topic of conversation in the Duke of Eddenberg's family. No one dares to talk about it, especially right in front of that couple. Are you looking for death?"
The man covered his mouth in shock, he was lucky tonight. Because if not, Calsius might have taken him somewhere and silenced him completely so he wouldn't cause any more trouble.
Calsius clearly heard the words behind his back. However, the strong grip on his hand made him obey Adelle, who seemed angrier than him. If Adelle asked for the man to be eliminated for being annoying, Calsius would gladly do it.
But Adelle's slow steps, her trembling shoulders, and her labored breathing made Calsius feel more pain. He was nothing, and he couldn't do anything while Adelle was suffering alone like this.
"Hold onto my shoulder," Calsius said.
"What? Calsiu— put me down!" Adelle screamed.
Calsius froze, ignoring all the curses that came out of Adelle's mouth. Until finally, the woman fell silent from exhaustion. Silent because her efforts were in vain.
Upon arriving at the Villa, Calsius was still carrying Adelle. Anna approached anxiously.
"Sir, what's wrong with the Madam?" Anna asked worriedly.
"Put me down,""I'm fine," Adelle snapped, trying to lower her feet. But Calsius wouldn't allow it. He quickly stepped forward so Adelle couldn't put her feet down.
"Prepare the ointment, Adelle's foot is starting to swell. Please apply it regularly until the swelling is gone."
"Yes, Master."
Seeing Calsius unwilling to let her go at all made Adelle grumble annoyedly. It wasn't until they reached the room that Calsius finally put Adelle down on the bed. He took off her heels, then gently pulled her swollen and slightly reddish right foot.
"Does it hurt?"
"Are you still asking?"
"I'm just making sure, next time don't listen to what other people say. You live with me, eat, sleep, have fun, live as freely as you want." Calsius lifted his head, looking deeply into her trembling purple eyes.
"I want you to live freely again, without anyone else hurting you."
"What if you're the one who hurts me?" Adelle asked, creating a long silence between them.
"When did I hurt you?"
"Mother said the same thing. But in the end, Mother was the one who hurt me the most. So, are you the next person who will make me die?"
Calsius furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about?"
Adelle didn't answer.
Not long after, a knock on the door broke the atmosphere between them. Calsius turned his head and saw Anna carrying medical supplies.
"Go out, Anna will take care of me. I also want to sleep."
"Clean yourself first, then sleep."
Calsius stepped away, closing the door. The man didn't move further, but leaned against the door behind him and took several deep breaths. The same thing happened again, Adelle's smile slowly disappeared again.
A moment later, Rico came to Calsius. He gave a brief salute then handed over a letter. From the stamp, it belonged to the Ashten family, Adelle's family. Perhaps her parents were worried about what happened to their only daughter.
Between the two of you, there's no problem, right? We're worried Adelle is in a difficult situation and doesn't want to tell us.
—Helena Ashten
"Send a reply letter, tell them Adelle is fine. Also send a letter to the Eddenberg residence, we'll finish our work here as soon as possible. It seems Ashten won't stand idly by."
Rico nodded in understanding and excused himself again. Planning must be done before the enemy falls into the trap, Adelle must be moved away from the capital area immediately.
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Adelle couldn't sleep all night. Her head was too crowded with painful memories she didn't want to remember at all. Whether to be grateful or not, Adelle felt a little happy to be out of her house.
Because her life was almost lost at the hands of her own mother.
"Damn it. Why did I agree to attend the party? How stupid!"
Adelle couldn't hold back her tears when she remembered the gazes of the nobles directed at her. Especially, the memory of Arthur almost defiling her. Adelle couldn't imagine if that had really happened.
Her life would be ruined, Calsius's trust, the trust of the entire Eddenberg family, Adelle would destroy everything.