We’re Married, After All - Chapter 63 - Oppression (1)

The sky was dark. I had come to the garden right after lunch, so at least half the day must have passed.

Once again, I spent the day walking. I walked and walked until my feet were blistered.

In the process, I became a mess. The dress I wore was stained with grass, and my hair was tangled.

Everyone around me watched with concern—maids, knights, the steward, retainers stationed at Lapecia Castle—every single person who made up this household. They were my watchers.

Ignoring their looks, which suggested I was some madwoman, I kept circling the same spot. Bang, bang. Each time my shoulder hit the iron bars, a sharp sound echoed, but I paid no mind. Neither did I care about the pain radiating from my bruised left arm.

Even as I bumped against the bars, I stuck to the outer edge, trying to make the most of the narrow space I was allowed.

Ever since I was dragged out of Petios’ room, every action I took was dismissed as a symptom of temporary insanity caused by pregnancy—whether it was refusing to acknowledge the pregnancy, sneaking out to visit Lamprey Castle, or anything else.

Because of that, everyone in the estate watched over me voluntarily. The only things I was permitted to do on my own were lie in my bedroom, chained by my ankle, or take a walk in a small garden surrounded by iron fences.

Between the two, I preferred walking. Though both made me feel like livestock, at least outside, I could tell whether it was day or night. In my bedroom, there wasn’t a single window to the outside. The thick shutters even blocked out most sounds.

I had no intention of returning to such a place—not on my own feet.

So, as always, I continued my night walk under everyone’s watchful eyes—or, more precisely, with Danel’s permission. I walked until my feet swelled and my entire body was caked in dirt. Despite being outdoors, it felt even more suffocating than Petios’ room, except for the occasional breeze and the sound of insects.

Of course, behaving like this would only worsen how people thought of me. But staying quiet and composed wouldn’t improve the situation either. Even when I strolled neatly dressed, everyone still thought I was mad.

More importantly, I couldn’t keep this up forever.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

As my shoulder and arm collided with the iron bars, the dull sound of the ground rumbling broke through. A carriage was climbing the hill in the distance.

The closer the sound of hooves grew, the faster I walked. Carrying this heavy belly and walking briskly wasn’t easy, but I didn’t stop. Soon, even this pain would be something I’d long for.

Eventually, the carriage stopped in front of the estate, and I heard the sound of its door opening. Someone stepped out, and the orderly clacking of shoes disappeared into the mansion. I waited a bit longer, but I didn’t hear the sound of anyone climbing the stairs. They were probably heading straight to the backyard.

I compulsively continued circling the garden. I didn’t want to go back. I couldn’t bear the thought of returning to that room—silent, dark, and devoid of light or sound.

Clink.

The iron gate, which had been firmly shut, swung open. A man in a black suit entered the garden. Even in the small, confined space, his presence made it feel more crowded.

“Good evening, Laurea.”

Ignoring Danel, I continued my walk. Unlike me, dirtied and disheveled, he was immaculate as always. I couldn’t accept this stark contrast with indifference.

Danel simply stood there, watching me in silence. As I brushed past him, his long arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into his embrace. As expected.

I allowed Danel to lift me into his arms. Occasionally, I would scratch or hit him, but most of the time, it ended like this. It wasn’t unusual. After eating only a few pieces of fruit and walking all day, I didn’t have the strength to raise a fist.

In the distance, the bell rang, signaling the closing of the castle gates. As always, it was the same.

Since being allowed to walk without shackles, I had never returned to the estate on my own. No one else dared to lay a hand on me, so my walks always ended only after Danel arrived.

My schedule now depended entirely on his. When he carried me back to the second floor, I had to follow. If the maids prepared dinner in the bedroom, I had no choice but to eat alongside him.

These days, Danel didn’t even ask, “Have you eaten dinner?” Perhaps he already knew through reports, or maybe he simply knew that I rarely touched food. Either way, he didn’t bother waiting for an answer.

And now, it was the same.

As Danel carried me, I stared into the darkness beyond the iron bars. Everyone watching my walk would undoubtedly see this scene, but I no longer cared about their stares. My daily life had become a routine like this.

Danel no longer hid his desires from me or anyone else. Nor did he hesitate to display them openly. He could control everything within this estate. Even if we were to engage in intimacy in the mansion’s center, not a whisper of rumor would escape beyond its walls.