NRAL | Chapter 62

~Chapter 62~

Even My Misfortune

“Hotel Mercedes. You know where that is, don’t you?”

Just seeing her eyes tremble so violently at the mention of the hotel made it clear—she knew. And seeing that fear, Eleanor happily threw more fuel on the fire.

“Sigh, Arlo really should learn to control himself. You know, Nora, don’t you think he’s been a little… frustrated lately? Or is he only like that with me?”

“You—! You little…!”

As expected, Nora couldn’t handle even a small provocation and started trembling all over.

Eleanor found her pale, shaken expression adorable and burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! I’m just kidding, Nora. I went somewhere much nicer than a hotel like that today. And no, I didn’t see Arlo at all.”

Only then did Nora realize she had been played. She clenched her teeth hard, standing rooted to the spot and glaring at Eleanor with such intensity it sent a chill down her spine.

“My goodness, you shouldn’t glare at your sister like that.”

“Shut up. Who are you calling your sister? Before long, you’ll be tossed out to some brothel, waiting for customers like the trash you are.”

Nora spat out those venomous words with twisted lips, full of real hatred.

In her mind, Eleanor had completely ruined her life and would have to pay the price. Nora was determined to make sure of it.

Even if Arlo was showing some interest in Eleanor for now, it didn’t matter. Just because she’d gotten rid of one mistress didn’t mean they’d throw her away too. The Duke of Astria wouldn’t act differently either. He’d be angry, sure—but how could he cast aside the future empress?

‘There’s no reason to hesitate.’

That was what Nora believed without a doubt.

At least, until Eleanor spoke again.

“You know, you’re actually a year younger than me.”

That cheerful smile and casual whisper pierced right into Nora’s ears. At the same time, all the angry energy surrounding her seemed to freeze.

For a moment, time itself seemed to stop—Nora stood there completely still.

‘She doesn’t know anything—she’s just fishing for a reaction.’

Her heart was pounding out of control as she tried to come up with a reasonable explanation. But it was no use.

Because deep down, she knew. Eleanor wouldn’t say something like that without evidence.

As if to confirm it, Eleanor added,

“You’re not twenty-two. You’re twenty-one.”

This was something Eleanor had heard just before entering the old house—when Jane Chesnut stopped her.

“Nora, that girl… she’s actually a year younger than you were told.”

“…What?”

“She was four years old when she was left with us. She ran away at twelve. My son Jasper is the same age, so I remember clearly. So she’s not twenty-two now—she’s twenty-one.”

It was shocking. Not that Nora was younger—but that no one had ever questioned it before.

Her age. Why had Eleanor never suspected she’d lie about it? It would’ve been one of the most solid, undeniable proofs, if only she had thought of it sooner.

“I kept thinking you felt younger than me, even though you said we were the same age.”

Eleanor mumbled, nodding her head slightly.

“Well, one year’s not a big difference anyway.”

She tilted her head at Nora and asked, almost sweetly,

“So, have you gotten in touch with your real family yet?”

Nora’s face was frozen in shock. Her expression, twisted in disbelief, was clearly visible from where Eleanor stood.

She even waved her hand dramatically, as if to push her deeper into panic.

“What? I meant your sister. Not me—your real sister. The one you’re related to by blood.”

Thud. It felt like something dropped.

Nora’s pupils shook violently as she quickly scanned Eleanor from head to toe—trying to figure out just how much she knew, and who she’d talked to.

It made sense for her to be confused. If Eleanor truly wanted to bring Nora down, she should’ve immediately brought the Chestnut couple as witnesses and presented them to the duke in public.

If not the Chestnuts, she could’ve brought someone else—anyone—to make a formal accusation.

But Eleanor hadn’t done any of that. She was standing here alone, revealing what she knew privately to Nora, without taking any real action.

Could it be that she had the information but not the evidence?

Nora instinctively came to that conclusion.

“What nonsense are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean. Did you hit your head or something? Is that why you’re having delusions?”

“No need to get so defensive, Nora. I have no intention of telling anyone else.”

Eleanor turned around and casually sat on the chair in front of her vanity. Then, looking at Nora through the mirror, she gave her condition.

“As long as you don’t try to provoke me any further.”

Nora swallowed dryly, glaring at Eleanor with fierce eyes. Even though she’d been caught with a weakness, she was still determined not to show fear. That unyielding spirit was almost admirable.

“Nora, let me tell you something you don’t know. I don’t mind you taking what’s mine. In fact, I’m happy about it. So relax.”

“What a joke. Do you even hear yourself—”

“Why not? I’ve become so happy lately. Can’t you tell?”

Eleanor cupped her face with both hands like a flower.

She tilted her head slightly and smiled brightly. Compared to a few months ago, she seemed much more refreshed. It wasn’t just her outfit—her once dark eyes had brightened, her cheeks had color, and her usually stiff mouth now held a soft smile.

As if she was truly happy.

“But what about you, Nora? Are you happy these days? You don’t regret what you did, do you?”

Nora flinched as she stared blankly at Eleanor’s reflection in the mirror.

She should have instantly said there was nothing to regret—but she hesitated. Maybe because a similar thought had crossed her mind earlier that day.

“Oh dear. But even if you do, it’s too late now.”

Eleanor shook her head with a look of mock sympathy, and Nora bit her lower lip hard and stormed toward the vanity.

“I don’t regret a thing—!”

But she was cut off. Eleanor grabbed Nora’s wrist and pulled her toward her.

Their faces came close, and a low whisper echoed in Nora’s ear.

“Because you…”

Now the mirror showed two women.

Blonde hair, violet eyes, fancy dresses. They looked remarkably alike—but their expressions were nothing alike.

“—wanted to be me.”

Eleanor smiled sweetly while Nora looked completely thrown off guard.

“So bear it. All of it. Even my unhappiness.”

Eleanor hissed like a snake, straight into Nora’s face through the mirror.

***

That night, Nora surprisingly backed down without a fight.

More accurately, she backed down because she was afraid of the information Eleanor held. Even as she walked away, her eyes still burned with hatred. But for the time being, it didn’t seem like she’d dare to provoke Eleanor again.

‘She’s got a weakness now. She’ll probably behave for at least two weeks.’

Since Nora didn’t know how much Eleanor knew or what she had planned, she couldn’t risk making any careless moves.

Just as expected, Eleanor spent a peaceful week.

Then, finally, the Tuesday she had been waiting for arrived.

As the sun rose above the horizon, it bathed the Astria mansion in golden light, warming the air inside.

Eleanor usually woke up with the sun, but today, she remained in bed.

Though the morning light streamed through the windows, her body felt cold as ice.

Sweat soaked her pale body and the bedsheets. Her delicate fingers twitched in tension, and her toes curled tightly.

Eleanor was having a dream.

One of those horrible nightmares that returned again and again, disturbing her mind.

***

“Happy birthday, Ellie. You’re an adult now.”

The nightmare always started the same way—with kind-sounding words of celebration.

A youthful Arlo smiled and handed her a bouquet of blue roses—who knew where he’d even gotten them? Eleanor felt something unnatural about it but still accepted the bouquet.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this day.”

Why hadn’t she realized back then how terrifying those words were?

She had just turned 18 and thought Arlo was sincerely celebrating her birthday. Even his gaze, which scanned her body, didn’t seem unusual. She was used to it and didn’t feel alarmed.

So she spent the day with him despite her fatigue—watching a concert she wasn’t interested in, going to an expensive restaurant she didn’t like. He was spending a lot more money than usual, but she figured it was just because he wanted to celebrate.

‘Wow, he’s in such a good mood. He’s smiling a lot today. That’s a relief.’

She even thought that—how nice it was not to walk on eggshells for once.

She had no idea how ominous that really was.

That night, Arlo kindly escorted her to her room.

Even after entering her bedroom, he didn’t leave. That’s when Eleanor first sensed something was wrong—but it was already too late.

“Haa… Ellie!”

Her vision flipped in an instant. It took her a few seconds to understand.

She was on the bed—and Arlo was on top of her. The strong smell of alcohol stung her nose, and the weight of him crushed down on her.

“Arlo! What are you doing?! You’re drunk!”

“No, I’m not. I’m completely fine.”

“No—stop! Please!”

His rough hands slipped under her clothes, and Eleanor panicked, struggling with all her might.

Her strength surprised even her, and she managed to push him off for a moment. But then Arlo quickly lost his temper, dropping his gentle act.

“Damn it, stop moving! You’re old enough to know what’s happening!”

“We—we’re not even married yet! I’m not ready—!”

“Not ready? How long do you expect me to wait? I waited until you were legal—be grateful! Quit being so difficult and just go with the flow!”

Grateful? For this?

Was she really being difficult?

It was ridiculous—but she didn’t have time to argue. His hands kept coming back, trying to pull apart her limbs and touch her skin.

Eleanor fought back desperately. She was terrified. His breath on her skin, his heat—it all felt disgusting and horrifying.

“No! I said no! Someone, help—!”

It was strange. She screamed so loudly, yet no one came into the room.

She could sense people outside the door. She knew someone was there.

‘Why…?!’

She stared desperately at the door, but it remained tightly shut. No one opened it. Not Mary, who had cared for her since she was a child. Not the maids she was close to. No one from Astria came to help her.

Thud. The door rattled once, as if someone was standing there—but that was it.

An answer that made her realize—she could only survive if she started to hate.

It was something she could only endure by hating with all her heart.