Chapter 1

Giselle's innocent, indifferent expression finally ignited the anger that had been simmering in Lythas Valeraine's chest for days.

Lythas' chest heaved, his eyes as sharp as blades. "Lately, you haven't allowed me into your room. Instead, you send me to Vivi's chambers every night!

"And now look at Leo! He's burning with a fever that won't break, and he cries for you all night long. Yet you, his own mother, won't even go see him? You'd rather sit here leisurely reading some storybook?"

His voice rose with indignation. "Giselle, are you deliberately tormenting yourself, or are you trying to torment me and Leo?"

At his accusation, Giselle looked deeply aggrieved, as though she had suffered a terrible injustice. "My lord, I only let you spend your nights with Vivi because you told me how good she was in bed and how much she pleased you.

"As for Leo, I don't visit him because he told me not to bother him unless something was wrong. He said having Mistress Chrysanthe by his side was enough. I've merely been respecting both your wishes!"

Lythas looked as though someone had punched him square in the face.

The fury that had consumed him moments earlier vanished, leaving him with an expression of stunned humiliation. He opened his mouth to argue, but not a single word came out.

After a long silence, he raised a hand to his brow.

When he finally spoke, his voice had softened with exhaustion and reluctant resignation. "I was wrong. I admit I was wrong. Isn't that enough?

"Yes, I broke my vow to spend my life with you and you alone. But Vivi gave me her innocence, and she has no one else to rely on. I can't simply abandon her.

"And Leo is still young. If he said he preferred Vivi, it was only because you've been too strict with his studies. He said those things out of spite.

"Now that he's ill, he keeps calling for you. Doesn't that prove you're still the most important person to him? I'll discipline him properly from now on. I promise he won't treat you that way again.

"From now on... From now on, the four of us can live happily together. So will you please go see him?"

He extended his hand toward her.

It was the same strong, long-fingered hand that had held hers countless times, drawn her into his embrace, and offered her warmth and promises of a lifetime together.

But Giselle merely shook her head, her voice tinged with helplessness. "It's too far. I really don't feel like going."

Lythas went still, unsure whether he had heard her correctly. "What?"

"Leo's courtyard is too far from here. I don't feel like walking all that way. Besides, this story is just getting to the good part, and I haven't finished reading it yet."

The color slowly drained from Lythas' face. He stared at her in disbelief, as though he were looking at a complete stranger.

"Giselle..." His voice trembled. "It's barely a dozen steps away. You won't even walk that far for Leo?"

Giselle offered no reply. She simply lowered her head and resumed reading her book.

Her silent refusal humiliated and enraged Lythas more than any harsh words could have.

Without warning, he reached out and seized her wrist. His grip was so tight that she frowned slightly.

"Then I'll carry you! I'll carry you there myself! Will that satisfy you?"

But the instant his fingers touched her skin, Giselle recoiled as though his touch had burned her. She pulled her hand free and retreated, determined to avoid any further contact.

Lythas' hand remained suspended in midair.

He stared at her in disbelief. "You won't even let me touch you anymore?"

Giselle lowered her gaze and calmly smoothed her rumpled sleeve.

"Of course that's not the case. You're reading too much into it, my lord. I simply... really don't want to go." Her voice betrayed nothing.

Lythas stared at her. No matter what he said or did, she remained utterly unmoved, as though nothing could reach her anymore.

At last, the fury he had struggled to contain erupted. "Giselle! So this is how you want things to be?"

His voice thundered through the room. "Fine! Very well! But don't forget that without my favor, you're nothing in this keep! I don't know what game you're trying to play, but let's see how long you can keep up this sulking! I'll be waiting for the day you come crawling back to beg me!"

With an angry sweep of his sleeve, he turned on his heel and stormed out.

He slammed the door with such force that it rattled violently in its frame, and dust fell from the overhead beams.

Giselle remained seated, perfectly composed, as though the commotion had nothing to do with her.

After a moment, she called out, "Lila."

Lila Smith, who had been waiting outside in terror throughout the confrontation, hurried into the room. "My lady, I'm here! Shall I go after my lord and ask him to return? I'll go right away!"

"No. Just close the door. Leo's cries keep reaching me from his courtyard. The noise is distracting me from my reading."

Lila stared at her mistress in shock, as though she were seeing her for the first time.

After a long moment, she dropped to her knees with a heavy thud. Her voice choked with emotion. "My lady! Are you... Are you truly determined to do this? You're ignoring my lord and even the young heir! Aren't you afraid your life in this keep will become unbearable? Are you... Are you certain you won't regret this?"

Regret?

Giselle let out a soft laugh, though the smile never reached her eyes.

Her greatest regret was marrying Lythas seven years ago and giving birth to his son, Leoric.

Fortunately, she only had five days left.

In five days, she would leave, and everything would finally return to the way it should have been.