Chapter 3Beneath the Fallen Blossoms

Someone whose heart was dirtier than a sewer had no right to think I was calling myself dirty.

The person I was calling dirty was him.

I pulled my hand away again and turned around expressionlessly.

"Are you angry that I brought Lucia back to the estate?" He followed after me, looking somewhat anxious. "Lucia and I have known each other since we were children. I've always treated her like a younger sister.

"Her entire family was exiled a few years ago. She only just returned to the capital today, with no one to rely on. I'm the only one who can help her.

"Don't worry, Isabel. You will always be the only wife in this household."

Faced with his flawless performance, I said nothing. I simply answered softly, "Okay."

The next morning, I requested an audience at the palace.

At the Queen's residence, I bowed deeply before the Queen. She immediately helped me to my feet, gently smoothing the loose strands of hair at my temple.

"My dear, I've told you before, you don't need to observe any formalities with me. I still prefer hearing you call me Aunt instead of 'Your Majesty.'"

I had been born into a distinguished family. My maternal grandfather, Leonard Conrad's family had been renowned military commanders, with countless victories to their name, while my aunt held the highest position in the imperial household as Queen.

My father, Graham Conrad, was the Crown Prince's tutor. From the moment I was born, I had been a young woman sought after by countless sons of noble families and heirs of distinguished houses.

But then the Conrad family was destroyed, and I went from being a well-bred young lady to a brothel girl who had been with countless men.

Thankfully, my aunt didn't look down on me.

My eyes immediately filled with tears.

The Queen sighed. "When the Conrad family was massacred, I sent capable people from the palace everywhere to search for you, but there was never any news.

"Even then, I couldn't help wondering how Landon could have found you when even I couldn't. After that, I had people investigate the matter continuously. Just before you arrived, I received word..."

The Queen paused.

I thought she was about to tell me that Landon had bribed the bandits and sold me to a brothel, but the sudden seriousness in her expression made me tense.

"I've found those bandits. Under severe interrogation, they confessed to a secret. Landon didn't just bribe the bandits to sell you to a brothel and ruin your reputation.

"He also paid them a huge sum to massacre the dozens of Conrads, all so he could avenge Lucia, the daughter of the Bellamy family who had been exiled."

Tears finally spilled from my eyes.

Three years. Three whole years.

I had thought of Landon as a light in the darkest part of my life, the one person who gave me a reason to keep living.

Yet for the sake of an exiled traitor's daughter, he had slaughtered dozens of my family members and cast me into an endless abyss.

From beginning to end, all that existed between us was a blood feud.

I dropped to my knees and bowed deeply before the Queen.

"I, Isabel Conrad, humbly beg Your Majesty to petition King Tristen on my behalf. I am willing to surrender the Conrad family signet my grandfather left me in exchange for a decree granting Landon and me a divorce. I also beg the King to thoroughly investigate the massacre of the Conrad family."

The Queen helped me to my feet, her eyes filled with sympathy. She pulled me into her arms and gently rubbed my back.

"My dear, even if you hadn't asked, I would have gone to King Tristen myself. Stay here at the palace for the next few days. With me protecting you, no one will dare hurt you again."

I wiped away my tears and gently shook my head. "My parents' portraits are still at the Duke's residence. I want to bring them back."

The Queen didn't insist. She only urged me to be careful.

When I returned to the Duke's residence, Landon was standing in my courtyard.

The servants were carrying my belongings outside and casually throwing them onto the ground.