AFRPR 38

Episode 38

“Don’t lie to me.”

It had to be a joke, a cruel prank to make fun of her. There was no way someone could die for such a small reason.

“Hurry and get up, Jeremy,” Glesia begged.

But no matter how much she pleaded, Jeremy never opened his eyes or called her name again. She kissed his cold lips and felt the heart that no longer beat, yet she still refused to accept his death.

She even refused to hold a funeral.

That didn’t erase the guilt.

Everything felt like it was her fault.

If I had been more careful, Jeremy wouldn’t have left my side.

Even without a soul-bond, the sense of loss was unbearable.

From that day on, Glesia closed her heart—just like her mother once did.

She handed all monster-hunting duties to Lennox and shut herself in her office, drowning in paperwork.

When work ran out, she ordered them to bring her more. It was as if she had no other reason to live.

Every day felt the same—yesterday was today, today would be tomorrow.

One day, while absentmindedly going through documents, she heard a maid scream.

She didn’t react, kept writing.

But soon, the noise grew. Lennox suddenly lifted her onto his shoulder.

When he laid her in bed, she realized she was bleeding.

It really was nothing… or so she thought.

“I’m going back… to the office.”

“Sister, please.”

Lennox ignored her and brought a doctor.

The diagnosis shocked her.

“…You’ve had a miscarriage.”

“What?”

The word cut deep.

“That’s impossible. I was never pregnant. What are you talking about?”

“With the strong bodies of Winterlens, early pregnancy is often hard to detect without a check-up.”

“…”

“It’s common to miss the symptoms in the beginning. The chance of miscarriage is low, but…”

“So… it died?”

“…”

“I’m asking you—did it die?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Ah…

Glesia lowered her head.

Her eyes were open, but she couldn’t see anything.

Lennox was speaking, but his voice was muffled, as if she were underwater.

And then—

She screamed.

She had failed to protect anything. Nothing was left for her.

“Everyone… out.”

Her bloodshot eyes made the order sound dangerous.

Even Lennox was pushed outside. She locked the door and curled up in bed.

She didn’t want to do anything.

To be exact—

I don’t want to live.

But she didn’t have the courage to die, nor the will to live.

She despised herself.

To escape the harsh reality and her own pitiful state, she stayed in bed, unmoving.

Days blurred.

Then one day, Lennox came again.

“Sister… Mother passed away today.”

“So?”

“You’ve been locked in here for days. Please… get up. We should hold the funeral together.”

“Leave me alone.”

Her cracked voice was almost a scream.

“Please… just leave me alone.”

Lennox tried many times to persuade her, but she closed her eyes and stayed silent.

Months passed. She didn’t eat, didn’t drink, just slept like a corpse—yet she was still alive.

It was the Winterlen blood in her veins.

I was born unlucky.

No one could be happy next to a devil.

Hadn’t she driven the man she loved to his death?

She avoided people to prevent hurting or being hurt.

That was how she stayed hidden in the dark—until she heard strange words.

“The Madam wishes to see you.”

“Madam?”

“The Duchess of Winterlen.”

The current duke was Lennox.

So…

My brother got married?!

Glesia’s eyes shot open.

“Hello.”

The room was dark because the curtains were still closed.

In the middle sat Glesia, hair messy, staring at Estelle like a ghost.

Estelle pretended not to be startled.

“I’m sorry I’m greeting you so late. I’m Estelle Winterlen.”

Lennox hadn’t come home all night, so Estelle decided to visit Glesia early in the morning.

Glesia had agreed to see her, though she didn’t seem welcoming.

Dull, lifeless red eyes shifted.

Her dry lips moved, producing a rough voice—rusty from not speaking for so long.

“You married Lennox?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

She truly seemed curious.

He didn’t tell her it was a contract marriage?! Estelle thought in shock.

But Glesia’s gaze drifted to the side—toward Duren.

Duren, looking scared, still held tightly to Estelle’s clothes but stepped slightly forward, as if to protect her.

Estelle’s heart warmed.

And Glesia thought… What is that little peanut?

Estelle quickly introduced them.

“This is your nephew, Duren. Duren, say hello to your aunt.”

“Hewwo,” Duren said, bowing politely.

“Nephew?”

They already have a child? Is that why they married?!

“The Duke brought him home.”

Ah, right. She vaguely remembered hearing that.

Her waking hours were so few she often couldn’t tell dream from reality.

Maybe this is a dream too.

If this woman really was Lennox’s wife, there was one thing Glesia had to say—even in a dream.

Divorce him.

Otherwise, Lennox would kill her one day.

She would deny it, but the cursed bloodline always ended the same way.

Glesia didn’t want Estelle to die like Jeremy.

She would play the villain if it meant helping Estelle escape.

“Divor—” she began, but—

Light poured in.

Estelle had walked to the window and drawn the curtains.

“That’s better. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Let’s talk over some food.”

“I like bread!” Duren said brightly.

But Glesia barely heard them.

The sudden sunlight felt like an exorcism, overwhelming her senses.

For someone walking a dark tunnel called life, Estelle was a sudden explosion.

Huh?

By the time Glesia regained her focus, breakfast was already prepared.

Duren happily ate bread, crumbs on his lips, while Estelle gently wiped his mouth.

From her bed, Glesia watched them, then lay down again.

Must be a dream.

“Come and eat, Lady Glesia,” Estelle said warmly, offering her soup.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Oh…”

Glesia glanced at her—Estelle lowered her eyes, clearly disappointed.

When a beauty looks sad, it makes others uneasy.

“I just… don’t feel hungry,” Glesia added quickly. It was true—she felt repulsed by the idea of eating.

Last night she had stuffed herself out of unbearable emptiness. After that, her appetite vanished.

“Still, it’s good to eat breakfast,” Estelle said.

“That’s right! You have to eat to start the day strong!” Duren added, holding up his spoon.

With both of them staring, Glesia looked at the table.

Nauseating.

She pulled the blanket over her head.

The bright light, the smell of food, the warm atmosphere—none of it felt real.

She didn’t want to do anything.

“Duren, want to play a fun game?” Estelle suddenly asked.