Chapter 5

I figured Landon was afraid I'd tell the Queen what he'd done and planned to keep me confined here.

I cleared a clean space and set down the portraits for my parents that I'd been carrying against my chest.

That night, my mind was surprisingly calm. Perhaps it was because I knew I'd soon be able to avenge the Conrads who had been killed.

Early the next morning, the door creaked open, and Landon walked in.

"Isabel," he called my name softly. When I didn't move, he sighed.

Then he walked over to my parents' portraits and carefully arranged the portraits of the other family members beside them before giving them a slight bow.

Only then did he come over to me, his expression earnest. "Isabel, don't blame me. Lucia can be difficult, but we've known each other since we were children. If you're upset, I'll apologize to you on her behalf."

I let out a cold laugh. Even now, he was still putting on an act.

"There's no need. You said it yourself. You two have known each other since childhood. If you want to marry her, or if you want me to give up my place as your wife, I won't say a word. I just don't want to watch the two of you keep putting on this act..."

Before I could finish, Landon hurriedly cut me off, "What are you talking about, Isabel? I've told you before, you're the only woman who will ever be my wife. After three years together, no one could ever take your place in my heart."

I couldn't help finding it ridiculous. He had mentioned our three years together too.

For those three years, anyone with a shred of sense could see how sincerely I loved him.

And yet he had brought me to such a miserable state while still managing to pretend to care about me every single day.

When he lay awake at night, did he never fear that the portraits of the dozens of people he'd killed would come back to haunt him?

What kind of heartless person could look at my family's portraits and me and remain so utterly at ease?

"You're joking, Duke. I'm sure Miss Bellamy is waiting for you to have breakfast with her. Don't keep her waiting."

Landon's expression darkened. After a long silence, he said, "Stay here and calm down. Once you've come to your senses, I'll let you out. Isabel, whatever happens from now on, I won't hurt you again."

I said nothing.

It didn't matter. There was no future left for us anyway.

Even from the west wing, I could hear Lucia and Landon's laughter as they frolicked together beyond the courtyard wall.

Meanwhile, I gathered a few wildflowers and laid them out in remembrance of my family on the anniversary of their deaths, but no one even brought me lunch. It was as though I didn't exist anywhere in the Duke's estate.

I didn't care. I knew the moment I'd been waiting for was coming soon.

When Landon and Lucia finally grew impatient and pushed open the gate to my courtyard, I was looking up at the sun overhead, calculating the time.

"Isabel, if you kneel and beg me, I'll have Landon let you move out of this miserable little room. From now on, you can bring us our foot baths and attend to us at bedtime. If you do a good job, you can still live comfortably."

I smiled and rose to walk toward them. This time, the smile was genuine because I heard the sound of orderly footsteps approaching, along with a brightly illuminated scroll held high as someone came toward the entrance of my courtyard.

"No need. You don't have a future either."

Landon froze and followed my gaze toward the courtyard entrance.

Then a shrill voice rang out.

"Royal decree!"