In My Escape, I Found Paradise - Chapter 1
Cecilia was the most famous woman on the continent.
She was beautiful and possessed immense wealth.
And she had been married seven times.
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Ceclilia’s biological mother died of postpartum fever just days after giving birth to her.
She didn’t know who her biological father was.
Her mother’s brother, Grand Duke Jericho, took pity on his niece and raised her.
Since her mother had died giving birth to an illegitimate child, Cecilia’s situation was dire by any standard.
Even though her uncle became her guardian, she would generally have been treated as a burden.
However, Cecilia grew up innocently under the generous support of the Grand Duke.
By the Grand Duke’s strict order, no one dared to mistreat Cecilia.
The Grand Duke seemed to care for Cecilia more than his own children.
And when Cecilia turned twelve, Grand Duke Jericho sold her.
Cecilia’s marriage partner was Grand Duke Edmund.
He was over sixty years old, had three grown sons and countless illegitimate children.
There was even a famous mistress whom Grand Duke Edmund was deeply infatuated with.
Young Cecilia didn’t know what her uncle received in exchange for this marriage.
At twelve, Cecilia didn’t even understand what marriage was.
Fortunately, the condition was set that they would only consummate the marriage after Cecilia began menstruating.
This was likely a strategy by Grand Duke Jericho to avoid criticism for selling his young niece rather than a consideration for Cecilia’s welfare.
Legally, Cecilia had a husband, but her life didn’t change.
She continued to grow up carefree at Grand Duke Jericho’s estate.
Why hadn’t Grand Duke Edmund taken Cecilia with him?
Was it because he didn’t want to take care of a young bride, or was it due to internal opposition to the marriage?
Cecilia didn’t know, and no one told her.
When Cecilia turned fifteen, she began menstruating.
Grand Duke Edmund promptly sent for her.
Cecilia was now to go to Grand Duke Edmund’s estate.
While preparing for departure, bad news arrived.
Grand Duke Edmund had died.
Cecilia lost her husband of three years without ever meeting him.
Grand Duke Edmund had died suddenly without designating a clear successor.
He had been playing his three sons against each other to maintain his power.
With the dictator gone, chaos erupted within the Edmund family.
To the Edmund family, Cecilia was a troublesome presence.
Legally, she was the Grand Duchess and had the right to influence the succession.
None of the members of House Edmund welcomed this situation.
Thus, House Edmund negotiated with Grand Duke Jericho.
The day before Grand Duke Edmund’s death was declared, Cecilia was divorced.
In return, the Edmund family provided substantial compensation and assets as alimony.
And all these assets were to be managed by her guardian, Grand Duke Jericho.
Again, Cecilia did not know the details.
Matters of power and clandestine deals were like stories from a distant land to her.
Her life at Grand Duke Jericho’s estate remained unchanged.
When Cecilia turned seventeen, Grand Duke Jericho sold her again.
What Grand Duke Jericho gained from the second marriage, Cecilia did not know.
She only later speculated that there must have been intense negotiations, considering it took nearly a year from the proposal to the wedding date.
Cecilia’s second marriage partner was the eldest son of Grand Duke Omos.
He was already a widower and twenty years older than Cecilia.
Like her first wedding, the ceremony was held at Grand Duke Jericho’s estate.
The grand wedding lasted for three days.
At the end of the banquet on the last day, the eldest son of Grand Duke Omos was attacked.
It was a crime of passion.
The eldest son of Grand Duke Omos was a gay man, and his male lover attacked him out of jealousy.
Though he survived, the eldest son of Grand Duke Omos was castrated and rendered impotent.
Grand Duke Jericho was furious.
Whether his fury was genuine or feigned was unknown.
In any case, the bride’s side had the perfect justification.
Immediately after the wedding, Cecilia became a single woman once more.
Translator’s note: So excited for this! This novel is the latest from ‘Covering the Sky’, the same author who wrote [The Great Wish], [Living as the Villainess Queen], and of course [Lucia]!
