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All Chapters of Beneath the Fallen Blossoms: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

When Lucia Bellamy was brought into the Duke's estate, the fireworks outside went on for what seemed like forever.The entire estate was buzzing with excitement.Everyone in the Duke's estate knew a new woman had arrived. Everyone except the people in my courtyard, which remained eerily quiet.The servants deliberately kept their distance, perhaps afraid I would be hurt if I found out. Or perhaps they were simply relieved that they no longer had to bow and scrape before me, the disgraced wife they all looked down on.After all, the Duke's estate now had another mistress.If this had happened before, I might truly have been heartbroken.But now, I simply sat in my courtyard in a daze, holding the Conrad family signet that my grandfather, Leonard Conrad, had left me.From beyond the wall came Landon Knight's unmistakably pleased voice. "This is my wife's courtyard. Since you're new here, you should go in and pay her a visit. I have some official business to take care of, so I can'

Chapter 2

"My lady, Miss Bellamy says the apricot trees are bad luck. To keep the Duke's estate safe, they have to be cut down..."I froze and turned toward the few apricot trees in the courtyard.Back when the Conrad family was still intact, there had been many apricot trees throughout our estate. Every spring, the entire courtyard would be filled with blossoms.Ever since I was little, I looked forward to the apricot trees blooming each year. I would wait eagerly for them to bear fruit.My mother, Corrine Conrad, would even make candied apricots for me by hand.Then the Conrad family was massacred, and the apricot trees throughout the estate were burned to the ground.After Landon brought me back to the Duke's estate, he learned how much I loved apricot blossoms and specifically had people transplant new trees into my courtyard.For the past three years, we had tended them together with great care.In spring, we'd make tea, pour ourselves a drink, and sit beneath the flowering trees. I

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

When I returned, Landon hurried over to me. "Isabel, where did you go? Why did it take you so long to come back?"Looking at his hypocritical expression, I suddenly laughed."Tomorrow is the anniversary of my parents' and family's deaths. I went into town to buy them flowers, so I got back a little late."Landon froze. Perhaps he had only just remembered.The day the Conrad family was massacred was the day of my coming-of-age ceremony—and my birthday.The first year after he brought me back to the Duke's estate, he promised that every year, he would celebrate my birthday with me the day before. Then, the next day, he would accompany me to pay respects to my family.But this year, with Lucia having entered the estate and the two of them enjoying themselves together, of course my birthday had been forgotten. There was no need for him to waste any more effort pretending with me."Isabel, I..."I didn't want to hear what he had to say. I cut him off and looked at my belongings scat

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 childh

Chapter 6

The royal herald drew out the final note of his announcement, the sound slowly slicing through the false peace hanging over the Duke's estate.Landon was still frozen in the act of turning around, the expression on his face shifting from confusion to disbelief. Finally, it settled into a look of panic I had never seen on him before.He instinctively took a step forward.Only when the royal herald came before him did he frown and drop to his knees."By the authority of the King, it is hereby decreed that Isabel Conrad and Landon Knight are to end their marriage. They are permitted to divorce and return to their respective families. Their marriage certificate is to be voided, and Isabel's dowry is to be returned in full. So ordered."I didn't look at them. I simply called out, "Thank you, Your Majesty."I stared at the golden scroll, watching the sunlight burn a bright gold edge around it.I recognized the royal herald delivering the decree. He was the King's most trusted chief ro

Chapter 7

What I got in return was the truth about how he had killed my family members.Now, I was finally awake. I didn't love him anymore, and I was going to make sure he paid for what he'd done."Landon, even now, you're still trying to lie to me?" I smiled, the expression full of scorn and resolve.He hesitated for a moment, but then firmly shook his head.Men. What pathetic creatures.I raised a hand to smooth my disheveled hair, then looked toward Captain Wilkinson. "Please, take them away."The Duke's estate descended into chaos.Guests fled in every direction. Lucia screamed hysterically, and Landon's associate, Trevor Bennett, remained frozen on his knees.I alone watched them coldly, with nothing in my heart but satisfaction.But it wasn't time to celebrate yet. The Duke's household had not been convicted. What I wanted to see was the person who had murdered my family members stand before the law and confess to his crimes.Within moments, the Duke's estate was surrounded by r

Chapter 8

He regretted it terribly now.Back then, he had been young, desperate to prove himself, and determined to marry Lucia. He had simply made the wrong choice.But he'd apparently forgotten one thing—how innocent I was.He had not only murdered my entire family, but also left me at the mercy of bandits, where I was violated and sold to a brothel. He was the one who deserved to die a thousand deaths."Isabel..." He clenched his jaw and murmured my name, staring blankly ahead.Then, suddenly, his heart gave a painful jolt. That finally began to clear his mind.Without realizing it, he spread out his trembling hands. He stared at them. It was as though he could see the blood of my innocent family members staining his palms and the tears I had long since cried dry."Isabel..."It was as if greed had blinded him, and anger had clouded his judgment. Only now did he remember that the reason he had treated me well these past three years was to make up for the guilt he carried inside.He r

Chapter 9

"I don't care. You did all of it yourself. It has nothing to do with me."Besides, I haven't even married you yet. I don't want to go to prison with you and get my head chopped off along with your entire family."Only then did Landon finally see everything clearly. He and Lucia had known each other since childhood. They had grown up together and understood each other better than anyone.For more than a decade, he had cherished her above everyone else, placing the woman he loved most at the very center of his life.But when Landon found himself in trouble, what did she do? All she cared about was distancing herself from him.Landon gave a bitter laugh, then turned his head and looked at me. "If it weren't for you, would I have killed Isabel and her entire family? Would I have ended up like this? And even now, you're still trying to escape responsibility..."He murmured to himself as tears slid down his face.He really had been wrong, and he regretted it deeply. The sins he'd comm

Chapter 10

"But I won't force you to stay in the palace now that you've finally regained your freedom. From now on, you'll live at the Conrad estate. If you ever run into trouble, come to me. I'll take care of it."I nodded and smiled sincerely.I said goodbye to the Queen and left the palace, returning to the Conrad estate.The Queen had even sent several servants to attend to me. They were busy cleaning the courtyard.I sat inside, looking around at the home that had once been destroyed by fire and had now been rebuilt. My heart was filled with emotion.A maid came rushing in, barely able to contain her excitement. "Miss, the entire Knight and Bellamy families have been sentenced to death. The executions are set for three days from now."I just heard that those two shameless villains were so terrified when they heard the royal decree that they wet themselves."Unlike the maid, who chattered on dramatically, I merely smiled at first.But the more I smiled, the harder I cried.I'd been f

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