episode_0006

Episode 6

We couldn’t exactly figure out who the black sheep of this incident was, but at least it was clear that the demons were involved.

Even so, since there were no signs of an immediate attack, we could say that the case was closed for now.

Having regained my senses, I tried to apologize to Raila for getting angry and return to my usual tone, but I was met with resistance.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but being overly polite as a couple doesn’t look good even to the Yeongjimin. It might be misunderstood as having a bad relationship. So, let’s maintain our tone and occasionally give me a cold stare in bed.”

The additional request made subtly seemed somewhat strange in hindsight, but at that time, I just agreed without much thought.

The bead retrieved from Loria’s body was currently stored in a special safe in the mansion.

It is said that this special safe is enchanted in a way that no one except the direct female descendants of the Bell noble family can open it.

Why keep a dangerous item suspected of turning ordinary humans into demon-like beings deliberately stored?

Because it couldn’t be destroyed.

Neither I nor anyone else could break the bead. When conventional weapons failed, I even mobilized all the mages in the territory to try to destroy it, but not a single scorch mark appeared.

I was genuinely curious about what it was made of. Even though I didn’t know the material, I imagined it would be incredibly sharp if made into a weapon.

Anyway, due to one village being annihilated and another being attacked, Raila went out today grumbling to restore order in the territory.

She also mentioned that she would have to go to the royal capital soon and needed to prepare in advance.

On the other hand, I was once again wandering alone in the room.

In my heart, I wanted to follow Raila and help with the work, but it seemed that because of my recent departure from the village, things had ended awkwardly and I didn’t want to attract attention.

So, I was trying my best to live as usual to avoid thinking about the people from my past who had died, as per my wife’s request not to go out recklessly.

Someone knocked on the door. When I said they could come in, the door opened slightly, revealing an unexpected figure.

“Edward, is it time now…?”

—

“She felt like a loose woman coming to meet someone else’s husband when her own wasn’t around.”

Despite hesitating several times in front of the door, once she saw him, all her worries seemed to vanish, and she felt relieved to see him.

“I happened to be free, which worked out well. Please come in, Chris.”

Meeting Edward’s welcoming gesture, Christina felt a mix of guilt, embarrassment, and joy.

Though still a bit awkward, Christina, facing Edward who was now more adept than before, asked the servants to prepare tea and snacks and offered him comfort first.

“I heard about the Tantia Village incident. I’m truly sorry things turned out that way.”

“Well, it’s sad, that’s for sure, but I can’t stay tied up there forever.”

Seeing through Edward’s forced smile, Christina felt her heart ache.

At the same time, she was surprised by her ability to empathize so deeply with someone else.

‘Am I really such a frivolous woman?’

As Christina questioned herself for falling so quickly for a man she had recently met, she realized she had never had a comparable experience in the past.

Being frail since childhood and confined to her room most of the time, she had hardly interacted with men.

The only men around were her father and the servants. It was impossible to compare them as potential matches for Edward.

“But he’s my sister’s husband.”

No matter how well they conversed, enjoyed each other’s company, and found comfort in being together, he belonged to another woman before her sister.

Though she reminded herself to keep that in mind, the words that came out were the opposite of determination and will.

“Do you not feel lonely dealing with difficult matters alone? When Layla is busy, you can rely on me.”

Christiana fell into intense self-loathing at the inadvertent remark. Wasn’t this blatant seduction?

While thinking it resembled malicious teasing among men, she secretly hoped for Edward’s response.

“No, that wouldn’t be right. If I play with Christi, Layla gets jealous thinking I stole her sister.”

His return was an unmistakable rejection.

Christiana wasn’t oblivious enough to miss that his words, though spoken with a smile, were a firm refusal.

An ordinary woman might have felt some disappointment at this point. However, when faced with rejection, a mix of resentment and anger surged within Christiana.

“Isn’t it the other way around? You’re jealous of losing Edward to me, right? Restricting your own sister, not even letting her go out, isn’t that too controlling?”

Christiana’s hand reached out towards Edward, this time with a clear intention rather than unconsciously.

Yet again, Edward rejected her, stepping back with a firmer stance.

“I won’t deny there may be aspects of Layla like that, but that doesn’t give me a reason to dislike her. Anyway, I love my wife.”

“…It hasn’t been long since you found out, has it?”

To Christiana’s now openly sharp tone, Edward responded with a wry smile.

“It might be because we’re newlyweds. I wasn’t like this at first either, but love is a secondary factor. And this is a secret, but I’ve actually…”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

Startled, Christiana rose from her seat, tears forming in her eyes as she looked at Edward before turning and leaving the room.

The servants who were bringing tea and snacks were surprised to see her rush out, but she paid no attention as she hurried past them.

She couldn’t deny that time played a secondary role in love. She shouldn’t have admitted it, but that’s exactly how she felt.

And so, she felt unjust.

‘Why not me? Why only Layla? She has everything—health, the status of a noble knight, popularity, power, even strength. Shouldn’t I have at least one thing?’

Christiana knew better than anyone that her irrational resentment was unfounded.

Layla had done nothing wrong. In fact, she was carrying even the burden of Christiana’s incompetence, so she should be grateful.

Nevertheless, she couldn’t stop resenting. Since she felt like everything had been taken away from her since her younger sister’s birth, she didn’t know what to do.

With the certainty that returning to her room would only lead to ruin, Christiana stopped in her tracks.

Then suddenly, something came to mind.

What she remembered was the existence of a bead that the culprit who destroyed Tantia Village had swallowed.

The bead, which could open a special safe where it was hidden, could only be opened by direct female descendants of the Bell family.

In other words, this meant that Christiana could also open that safe.

“No.”

Weak and humble as she may be, she was a lady of the Gongjakga family. It was impossible and unacceptable to swallow an object that turned into a demon, but still.

“……….”

She turned her steps.

—

Within the territory, Layla’s status is tremendous.

When Edward was brought in, she spared no effort, strengthened herself, and fulfilled her duty as a lady knight.

Thanks to this, Layla’s influence within the Gongjakga family rivals that of Lord Hally von Bell.

Rumors spread that when she brought Edward to the mansion, she forced him, but it quickly disappeared for that reason.

As Kristiana, the sickly eldest daughter, Layla is unquestionably expected to be the next head of the household.

Despite being well-prepared and married according to plan, Layla couldn’t deny her lack of imagination.

“It’s difficult when your husband is too capable.”

“Are you boasting about your husband again?”

Though Sarah looked annoyed, Layla continued adjusting her plans in her mind.

The reason for creating a perfect sanctuary was to keep Edward tied down and unable to go anywhere.

If trouble arose, Edward had a strength stronger than women, perhaps even stronger than herself.

While she hadn’t realized this difference since childhood, Layla furrowed her brow, contemplating.

“If I ask, Edward will likely comply, but people around won’t stay quiet.”

Although incidents like when a giant monster led an army were rare, if something similar happened, Edward would surely intervene.

While it was commendable for Layla, as a lady’s husband, to protect the territory’s residents, it wasn’t ideal for her.

“So, yes. Let’s just take him along.”

Edward disliked being in the spotlight, but his skills ensured he wouldn’t be criticized for accompanying his wife on inspections.

Moreover, Edward’s mere presence greatly boosted the morale of the territory’s forces, allowing them to be together 24/7.

“As long as he’s by my side, there won’t be any trouble.”

Considering everything, tolerating her husband receiving attention brought more benefits than drawbacks.

By quickly bearing and raising a child, she could pass on her position and enjoy a sweet time with Edward at the mansion.

“Alright. Not bad.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I wasn’t talking to you.”

Nodding at her perfect plan, she was about to return to the mansion when a knight came riding from outside the village where the mansion was located and shouted.

“Layla!”

“What’s the matter?”

Tense, Layla and Sarah were approached by the knight who rode in from outside the city where the mansion was situated.

“Treason!”

“Treason…?”

It was unexpected. Knowing everything within the territory, Layla knew there were no forces daring to attack the Bell family.

Strictly speaking, her thoughts were not wrong. The traitor was someone from within, not an external force.

“Kristiana has taken the black bead and transformed into a demon!”

At the unexpected explanation, the worst scenario flashed through Layla’s mind. Gripping the reins, she asked the knight:

“What about Edward? What happened to Edward?”

“Edward was defeated in battle against Kristiana! Instead…”

Leila, who had heard up to there, spoke as if she were crazy. She left her subordinates behind and threw away facts like her sister transforming.

“Edward! Edward!”

Half-crazed, Leila ran at the possibility that something had happened to the most important husband in the world or that her sister, Christina, had been kidnapped.

Passing through the castle gate and crossing the city, the first thing that came into her sight was the proud mansion of the Marquis family in ruins.

And.

“Oh, you’re here? You’re a bit late.”

It was her mother, carrying a huge greatsword on her shoulder, sipping wine from a bottle and clearing her throat.