Secret Love Affair between a Former Saint and a Dark Hero - Chapter 6
After class, Iora stepped out of the carriage and into the Marquis of Ribandt’s mansion, only to be met with a slap. The sound rang out loudly, and her eyes flashed open.
“Ouch!”
“A scatterbrained fool. Can’t do anything right.”
It was so forceful that her body staggered, and she hit the carriage wall with a thud.
One of her cheeks felt numb, and she wasn’t sure if it was from the pain or the shock. Trembling, she used her quivering hand to touch her cheek, and when she raised her head, she saw a man, casting a large shadow over Iora, like a solid mountain of a figure.
Iora’s father from the novel, now… her own father.
“I’ve heard all about your pitiful antics.”
“Ah, Father.”
Her breath caught in her throat, and she stuttered like an idiot in his presence. Unable to think, all she can do is take his scolding. As she bit her nails, she received another slap on her cheek. Whack!
“How long are you going to disgrace your father? Do you even know where everything you eat, wear, and use comes from? Don’t you realize that your actions directly affect the prestige of the Marquis?”
His fingertips trembled. She shrank to nothing.
“Pathetic, that condescending attitude, who on earth would treat you with respect, much less acknowledge you!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not that kind of attitude again! Are you even worthy of being the Marquis von Ribandt’s daughter?”
Iora didn’t want to be like this. She wanted to keep her dignity. She didn’t want to shed tears like a fool, or cower and mumble like a timid animal.
But every day in this place had shaped her this way. Words only have meaning when there’s someone willing to listen. Confidence, too, doesn’t grow when it’s constantly eroded and whittled away by the surroundings.
She would have preferred her old self as Kim Jiyeon. Back then, it seemed like she lived with grit and determination, unyielding and untamed. But now, she didn’t even know how she could be like that anymore.
“Sob, sniff.”
Overwhelmed by physical pain, her startled heart cried out loudly, and tears welled up reflexively. Everyone pointed fingers at her. Ugly Iora! Stupid girl! When she sniffled, a chorus of disapproval followed.
“Don’t cry. What have you ever done to deserve tears?”
“Sob, snivel, sob.”
“If you’re not smart, at least be vigilant or make an effort. How is it that you can’t do a single thing properly? You’re a pitiful thing. There’s no sign of improvement in you. How much family fortune has been spent on you?”
“Well, I didn’t…”
“All you can do is make excuses. Ha, you, the disgrace of our family. Of all people, it had to be you! It would have been so much better if that child were our family’s daughter. If that were the case, then I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”
A family that loved and cherished the protagonist. They called each other by affectionate names, held hands before bedtime, and talked about their day, ensuring that there were no lonely moments during mealtimes.
Were those things just a lofty dream?
Iora reached out her trembling hand. Please don’t, she pleaded through her tears, trying to grab onto his clothes. I’m your daughter; you’re my father. Please don’t compare me to that child.
“Oh, Father.”
And then, a smack! She was pushed away. The back of her hand turned white. A stare of disgust followed, and Iora stared up at her father, mouth open in disbelief.
“Don’t even call me that. I don’t even want to look at you!”
More painful than the throbbing pain was the look in his eyes, the contempt, and the coldness of her mother watching from a distance. It was heart-wrenching, like being pricked by thorns. Blood trickled down.
“Sob….”
Reality was cruel. It was lonely. It was painful. Every day felt like she was slowly dying.
“I told you not to cry! You should just disappear from my sight. Get inside right now!”
“I’m, I’m sorry. I, I made a mistake.”
Iora squeezed her eyes shut as the hand, as big as a pot lid, rose again. Fortunately, just as the carriage came to a stop, someone opened the door to the mansion and walked in. If they hadn’t, she might have been hit once more. A calm voice stopped that hand.
“Father, why are you getting angry? Please calm down.”
“Oh, my son. I can’t help but get angry.”
“Oh my. Is this about Iora again?”
However, the person who entered was not her ally. She felt an even greater fear, and her palms started to sweat profusely. Cold, dispassionate voices were a hallmark of this house, but that voice, in particular…
“Insects are not something to engage with. She doesn’t understand words.”
“Tsk. Maybe you’re right.”
Insect. That was the term her brother used to address Iora.
She felt like the ground was giving way beneath her. For a moment, her vision swayed. But whether she stumbled or not, no one paid any attention. Her brother’s chilling, mocking gaze met hers directly.
“Come, Father, I have something to discuss with you about the upcoming banquet at the palace.”
“My boy, I am relieved to see you. I’m on the verge of having a nervous breakdown, just looking at that pathetic thing.”
“I don’t think you’ll be upset if you’re not disappointed.”
“Tsk tsk. How could I give up on the duty that’s hanging on her shoulders? Well, I suppose bringing in some street urchin for education would be better than her. Honestly, what a prophecy.”
Mockery, not even a glance, and the calm passage of the eldest son left her father no choice but to follow. Frozen in place, Iora leaned against the wall like a pitiful little sparrow. She quickly wiped away the tears that were about to fall.
Mockery, not even a glance, and the calm passage of the eldest son left her father no choice but to follow. Stiff and frozen, Iora leaned against the wall like a pitiful little sparrow. She quickly wiped away the tears that were about to fall.
‘She’s getting scolded again, isn’t she?’
‘She can’t seem to do anything right. I think I’d do a better job.’
‘Oh my, dear, what if someone hears you?’
‘What, do you think Miss Iora can scold us if she hears? Pfft!’
She lifted her head and looked around, and it seemed like the maids who had been gossiping were scattering in alarm like a flock of birds. A strange sound accompanied shivers down her shoulders, and her whole body trembled.
‘Ugh. Sob. H-hiccup.’
No, she couldn’t. She had to hold back. She promised herself multiple times, but her legs wobbled. She handed her coat to the approaching butler and hurriedly went up the stairs.
She wanted to escape to her room before making a bigger scene. She threw open the door and collapsed onto the bed, sobbing loudly with relief.
