Salvation of the Fallen - Chapter 24
“As expected, you’re wise, Countess. Just as the rumors say.”
Viareche clasped her trembling hands, shaking with anger, as she watched the Margrave raise the corner of his mouth in a vile, mocking smile. Fortunately, the only witnesses to this incident were trusted servants, Katarini, and that Margrave. If he would just keep his mouth shut, it could be as if it never happened.
Though she wanted to behead that coward right then and there, Viareche postponed it for later. It was because of the nobles still filling the banquet hall. Though they were all pretending not to know for propriety’s sake, keeping their mouths shut, they surely knew the purpose of this grand banquet.
Even if they just ended the banquet without a word, it was obvious they would make up all sorts of stories. And if word got out that the other party had disappeared from their house…
However, if the Margrave safely left for his home, it would be different. If he were to have an accident during the long journey, who would even care about such a person?
Yes. This humiliation was temporary. If she could just get through this moment…
“Well then. I’ll get ready and come out again. As you can see, this outfit is too dirty to announce the marriage now.”
Viareche’s head tilted slightly at the Margrave’s unexpected words as he raised his eyebrows with an expressionless face, dusting off his clothes.
“What do you mean…”
“Ah… The marriage should proceed as planned. However.”
The Margrave twisted the corner of his mouth. Now that war had disappeared in the cursed name of God, the family was rapidly declining. Once a glorious title that roamed the battlefield, now a forgotten existence. The Margrave had nothing.
Just uselessly vast territory and a title in name only. Even that was rapidly falling into ruin.
His father, who had never properly wielded a sword, had crumbled like autumn leaves. The Margrave had no intention of living like his father.
So he chose Katarini. The value of that name was something he couldn’t buy except for this opportunity. The dowry would be considerable too. If word spread that he had formed a connection with Katarini, it would be an opportunity to announce respect from the territory’s people and the revival of the family. Furthermore, it was a golden opportunity to lay the groundwork for advancing into the capital.
But alas, everything did not go according to plan. Though there are many ways to tame a woman with a fierce temperament, he couldn’t bring a cat in heat into his territory. It would take away what little he had left, let alone bring prosperity to the family.
The Margrave quickly turned his thoughts. The gentle and docile gestures. Those blue eyes instinctively feared him. The delicate female body he would grasp along with everything he aimed for.
“Let’s make it the eldest daughter.”
The eldest daughter… After rummaging through his memories for a while, it was the Count who had been silent until now who opened his mouth.
“…You mean Arsena.”
“Even if it’s just in name, she’s still a daughter of Katarini, so the gathered people won’t have much to say.”
“Very well.”
The Count quickly nodded at the Margrave’s words. He even seemed somewhat pleased. It was because he thought the product of his infidelity, which had eaten away his entire life, would disappear. It was due to the foolish expectation that if Arsena disappeared, his lies would also vanish, and he could return to his peaceful past.
“Then prepare her and bring her out. The guests are waiting.”
At the Margrave’s hearty laugh, only Viareche secretly gritted her teeth.
***
A week ago, on a night when deep darkness had settled thickly. Morpheus came looking for Arsena.
Saying he would save her. Asking her to run away with him. Saying he would give up his family, honor, and noble status for her. Arrogantly, as if bestowing mercy.
Arsena barely shook off Morpheus, who was forcibly trying to drag her away. At that feeble struggle, Morpheus’s blue eyes turned red with heat.
On that cursed day when Rosalyn was caught with a vulgar stable boy. The aftermath was Morpheus’s responsibility. Morpheus, coming to his senses belatedly, locked Rosalyn, who was howling like a beast, in the room of repentance and ordered everyone present to keep silent. Along with the threat that he would cut all their throats if this matter leaked out.
By the time he caught his breath, everything had already happened. Irreversibly.
The grand announcement of Arsena and the Margrave’s marriage.
With the sound of Felita’s glasses clinking, the gaze that met Arsena’s shattered into pieces. Arsena’s blue eyes were reproaching Morpheus. Why couldn’t you protect me? Why didn’t you stop them?
Arsena married in place of Rosalyn. It was because of his stupid sister that things had gone wrong. Ironically, Arsena’s marriage felt more desperate than tarnishing the family name.
He thought he just had to burn any marriage proposals that came in Arsena’s name. A father already detached from the family. A mother blinded by an obsession with Felita. And Rosalyn who would soon leave. Just when his world was finally coming, why?
What he thought he had grasped in his hand slipped away like sand, impossible to hold even a grain. What he had been dreaming of since he was very young. He started resenting God.
“Damn it. You seduced me, Arsena.”
It’s over now. Yes. Resigning himself several times so that if Arsena left, he could finally escape this curse-like desire. When he closed his eyes, Arsena’s blue eyes appeared. Those precarious blue eyes followed only him, shimmering even in the darkness where he couldn’t see his hands and feet. Those dirty blue eyes that bewitched him.
He was enchanted. No. This was God’s will. Even though he prayed so desperately, he couldn’t escape. A fate given by God. Being engulfed in this painful anguish was the result of going against His will.
Morpheus clenched his fist tightly. It was the biggest decision for Morpheus, who knew better than anyone what he was giving up, what he was throwing away. It was like throwing away his entire life. The life he had lived as a perfect nobleman from birth until now.
But why.
“Why. What do you mean it can’t be done?”
Morpheus couldn’t forgive Arsena’s rejection. One who goes against God’s will. Morpheus’s hand grasped Arsena’s fragile neck. Arsena, her snow-white nape pressed, fell onto the bed, struggling to breathe.
Black hair sprawled on the white bed. The thin nightgown, no different from underwear, was crumpled haphazardly. Painful whimpers and reddened eyes.
Yes. It was a scene no different from the Arsena that Morpheus had dreamed of countless times. How dare she deceive him with such an appearance. The veins in Morpheus’s hands bulged thickly.
“Ha, no… please.”
However, Arsena was not submissive. She twisted her body violently, struggling to remove Morpheus’s hands with her small, delicate hands. Refusing God’s will until the end.
“Kuh hup… I… I….”
Along with the labored breathing, what Arsena spat out was unbelievable. He must have heard wrong. Morpheus’s two hands, which had been choking Arsena until just now, began to tremble.
“…What did you just say?”
Arsena, with her reddened eyes tearing up, confessed everything. The great secret was hidden painfully under the deep shadow for 10 years. Her mother who lived in a small village and the Count. And the fact that she was the Count’s illegitimate child.
How could he not have known? Those blue eyes were exactly like his.
His father’s infidelity wasn’t shocking. But he had truly committed a sin. He was possessed by the devil. To harbor feelings for someone he shared blood with. It was an abominable sin that could never be forgiven by God. That was unforgivable.
Morpheus covered his head with the hands that had just been grasping Arsena’s neck. It felt like everything was crumbling down. Everything he had believed in until now.
