It was an unbearably lonely life.
Even after being fortunate enough to catch the Duchess’s eye and be adopted into their family, even after becoming engaged to an extraordinary man, she remained endlessly lonely and miserable.
Amid it all, her only salvation—her only hope—was her younger sister, Marlene.
“My cheap life that was prolonged thanks to you—I’ll be taking it back now.”
Her beloved little sister killed her with her own two hands.
Why?
Why?
What did I ever do wrong?
“I hated you from the very beginning, Sister.”
The world surrounding her was nothing but lies, and everyone wished only for her death.
There was nowhere—nowhere at all—where her happiness could be found.
So then…
“If this is God’s mockery, I will gladly make use of it.”
This time, she will gift them lies.
Just as they once did to her.
“So, when exactly are we getting married?”
The Grand Duke whispered lowly as he tickled Charlotte’s nape.
“If you wish, I’ll kill the entire ducal family. If you want, I’ll even kill your former fiancé. Shall I cut off their heads and bring them to you right now?”
Those were not empty boasts. He was a man fully capable of keeping his word.
“So, Charlotte. Before I do that.”
Pressing his nose against hers, the Grand Duke gently bit down on her lips and murmured,
“Take my hand now.”
Is this sincerity… or yet another lie?