PMBA | Chapter 13

Kyrie unconsciously bit her lower lip. Her heart pounded relentlessly. She tried to compose herself, but it was difficult to do so.

Meanwhile, the conversation continued.

“But what about my sister?”

“Are you daring to suggest I take that mad dog?”

“I heard you made a secret marriage agreement with my sister before…”

“That was before I became involved with you, my lovely Elise.”

“With me?”

“With you, the proper daughter of Ernberg, who will fulfill all my requests. Why would I choose that mad dog over you?”

A sweet voice, one he had never used with her, reached Kyrie’s ears.

“I will send a marriage proposal to Ernberg,” Lexion said in a soft, gentle voice, “but it will be addressed to you, Elise.”

He mercilessly plunged the rest of Kyrie’s life into the abyss.

“But then, what about my sister…?”

“I heard they’re sending her to a convent?”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“That’s not something you and I need to worry about, is it?”

Sarcastic words followed. Kyrie squeezed her eyes shut for a long while and then opened them again.

“Heuk…”

She felt the joints of her clenched fists turning white, but the tightening sensation in her chest was more intense.

‘No.’

Kyrie struggled to calm down. She knew rationally that panicking or getting angry wouldn’t help in this situation.

‘I need to calm down and think.’ 

Were there other options besides the Crown Prince? 

Other men of similar standing? 

Or perhaps a completely different approach?

As Kyrie desperately tried to come up with another plan, 

“Don’t say that. My sister is a pitiful person.”

‘Pitiful.’

Thump.

Her head throbbed as if she was running out of air. She felt as if she’d just finished sprinting up a steep hill.

‘Poor, pitiful Sister Kyrie.’

That’s how Elise always spoke about her in front of others.  As if looking down on something less than human.

‘I apologize, ladies. My sister is just a pitiful person.’

‘She’s been suffering from a nervous condition for a long time.’

‘She’s a poor soul.’

Kyrie knew those words weren’t meant to express sympathy. Elise used them to constantly crush Kyrie’s spirit. It was a tactic befitting a child who knew Kyrie hated being pitied.

Because in Elise’s gaze, as she uttered the word “pitiful,” there was the familiar contempt.

‘How can Lady Elise be so kind-hearted?’

‘That’s why the Duke also cherishes Lady Elise. She’s a kind daughter, who feels more like a true daughter than his own.’

At the same time, in the eyes of others, Elise became the compassionate girl who, despite witnessing her mother’s poisoning, felt pity for the murder suspect. Lexion also echoed similar sentiments.

“I’m more impressed and concerned for you, having to endure her outrageous behavior.”

“Your Highness.”

“That’s why, I intend to send the marriage proposal to you instead of your sister, just as you wish.”

Just as you wish. 

It meant Elise wanted Lexion’s proposal. A girl who could receive, and indeed did receive, proposals from all the other eligible men.

‘She intended this.’

Kyrie couldn’t shake that thought. Elise had deliberately approached Lexion. After seeing Kyrie persistently pursue him, she had intended to snatch Lexion away.

‘But why?’ 

Kyrie knew Elise disliked her, but she didn’t know the hatred was strong enough to block her only path to survival. Regret washed over her too late. The Duke’s advice, or rather, his non-advice, echoed in her heart.

‘I should have shown interest in other men.’ 

She should have provoked Lexion before he completely switched over to Elise, pushed for the marriage quickly, even if only for the sake of securing the marriage itself. Now it was too late for regrets.

‘…No.’

Even so, she had to talk to Lexion one last time. If talking didn’t work, she felt like slapping him would provide her some relief.

“Your Highness.” 

Kyrie slowly came out from her hiding place and looked at the two.

“Sister?”

“…Kyrie Ernberg.”

Elise’s eyes widened as she stepped behind Lexion. As expected, Lexion frowned at the sight of her and was about to say something when the tip of his nose twitched.

“I finally get to see you.” 

Kyrie began to walk towards them with a resolute expression. She didn’t know what she wanted to do, but she couldn’t stop herself from following her emotions. Lexion’s shoulders flinched as he saw her face, devoid of its usual smile.

“Stop!”

Lexion’s shout didn’t even reach her ears. By then, she already felt like scratching his face would be the only thing to satisfy her.

The churning emotions in her chest raced, tripped over each other, tangled, and fell. Then, the next moment, a faint cry reached her ears.

“Please forgive me, Sister!”

Elise.

The moment she said that and burrowed into Lexion’s arms, Lexion seemed to conclude that Kyrie was targeting Elise.

“I said stop, you mad dog! Can’t you hear me, the Crown Prince?!” 

Lexion’s harsh voice echoed throughout the building. Several servants who managed the building came rushing in. Even some nobles passing by began to peek into the building, seeking gossip.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh my, that mad dog again…”

“Lady Ernberg! How dare you!”

The shocked voices of the onlookers reached Kyrie. Because of Lexion’s outburst, it looked as if Kyrie was threatening Elise and Lexion.

“How dare you enter this place?!”

Kyrie was dumbfounded as she heard those words. Wasn’t this a separate building in the garden, accessible to any noble allowed in the Imperial Palace?

Come to think of it, she had always been treated this way. As if she couldn’t go anywhere but was allowed to roam the Imperial Palace thanks to Lexion’s generosity.

‘It’s you who benefited from me.’

By keeping her close, Lexion had easily dismissed all other suitors. He was the kind of man who enjoyed casually bedding women, but found their subsequent tears and clinging tiresome and bothersome. So Kyrie blocked those women for him. Enduring all the disgrace and insults. Hoping only that Lexion would keep his promise to her.

The words accusing her of making the Crown Prince lose interest, the men who glared at her with murderous intent, claiming she’d driven their sisters to suicide attempts… all flashed through her mind. The whispers about how her obsession was causing trouble for the Crown Prince.

‘I didn’t even wish for love.’ 

She only wished for one thing. That he would marry her. And then divorce her. And thus, give her a chance at happiness. 

Was that so difficult to obtain?

Kyrie’s heart pounded in her temples. As she walked towards the two, still dazed and unsure of what she wanted to do,

“I told you to get out!” 

What on earth had he perceived as a threat from her?

Lexion stepped forward ans pushed Kyrie forcefully.

“Ah!”

Kyrie tried to regain her balance, but it was impossible. It was because her body was sent into the air right after. The terrace stairs stretched down far below. The high-ceilinged building meant the stairs were equally high and steep.

‘I might die.’

Surprisingly, she felt no emotion. Her mind became instantly calm.

‘If this is how it ends, why did I struggle so much?’ 

Kyrie’s last sight was of Lexion and Elise, nestled in his arms, staring at her with an indifferent expression.

Crash!

“…call a…!”

“…Your Grace!”

Consciousness faded amidst the violent impact. However, she only registered that the sensation against her head felt warmer than the floor should. That was her last thought.

* * *

Kyrie opened her eyes in silence.

‘Ah… Your Highness.’

‘Ha… Elise.’

The lewd moans of a man and woman intertwined, drifting towards her from nearby.  As if deliberately meant for her to hear.

‘Lexion.’ 

Kyrie murmured his name and turned her head. There, she saw Lexion kissing Elise with a lustful expression.

‘Poor, pitiful Sister Kyrie.’ 

Elise whispered those words as she offered her lips to Lexion. Kyrie instinctively knew that every moment of their act was meant to mock her. Yet, she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

Kyrie watched the whole scene calmly, then rose from her place. The rising anger in her chest was unbearable. She wanted to do something immediately, but she didn’t know what that was. The heat inside her body rose to an unbearable level. 

The anger, the resentment, the suppressed sobs and screams she had held back resonated through her body, causing her excruciating pain. Her senses heightened. Her chest burned, and she wanted to disappear, consumed by the flames.

‘Ugh.’ 

Kyrie gagged repeatedly, tearing at her dress as if to rip it off.

‘Hot.’ 

It was too hot to bear. The scorching heat exploded within her. Cold sweat trickled down the nape of her neck.

Then the next moment, a large hand reached out from the darkness and wrapped itself around her waist.

‘Come here.’ 

The man, whose face was obscured in the darkness, spoke in a voice laced with amusement, pulling her into his embrace. And then, as if to help her, he began to tear her clothes apart with a strength greater than her own.

Rip. 

The sound of the fabric covering her body being torn away was sharp and clear.