"Stop!"
Gunshots echoed everywhere. One bullet almost hit a lady of the house, if not for one of the servants pushing her away.
The chaotic atmosphere filled her ears, preventing her from focusing and acting. The servant held the intruder's hand and shouted, "Run, Madam! Find a village and take shelter there. You must survive!"
"W-why? Why am I the only one who has to survive?"
Holding her large belly, the lady tried to run away. Despite her chaotic thoughts, she only remembered one thing. She had to find a village so that all her servants could be saved. The nearest village, but where was it?
"You've been drinking alcohol again, haven't you?" a neatly dressed man said before putting a mouthful of bread into his mouth.
"I only had a little," his wife, sitting beside him, replied with a yawn.
In the Eddenberg residence Villa, a calm atmosphere had always enveloped them for the past 2 years. And that atmosphere was greatly enjoyed by the couple, Calsius Eddenberg who married Adelle Ashten. But calm, only the atmosphere. Unlike the husband and wife's relationship, which was far from calm.
In stark contrast to her husband who was already neatly dressed, Adelle was still in a messy state with an ivory nightgown covering her body. Calsius's guess was right. Last night, his wife had drunk the alcohol he had forbidden again.
"Put on proper clothes before eating."
Adelle ignored Calsius's words, which were very clear.
"I'm comfortable wearing this. Besides, I'm not going anywhere today, I'm tired," Adelle replied, leaning back in her chair.
Calsius let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head slowly. This had been happening for about 2 years since they moved into this family Villa. But usually, they never talked this long. They would only meet at breakfast and then focus on their respective activities again. More precisely, only Calsius had activities. Because Adelle lived a free and carefree life in that house and enjoyed herself.
But this morning, Adelle deliberately wore a nightgown to attract Calsius's attention to talk to her longer. Because honestly, Adelle was starting to get bored.
"This is a letter from the kingdom. There will be His Majesty's birthday celebration next week, if you don't want to go, I will send a letter to not attend the party," Calsius said while handing her the letter.
Adelle read it slowly, but then she exclaimed. "I'll go!"
"Are you sure? Bad rumors about you are spreading everywhere. And at the party, they will surely use it to attack you," Calsius replied with a worried look.
"Exactly. I know bad news about you too. Our relationship is seen badly in their eyes, right? That's why we need to show them what our true relationship is like."
Adelle took a sip of her drink. "Because it's just a rumor, I don't care. Because only we know, right?" she continued.
"Alright then. In that case, we'll go."
Adelle nodded. Then she finished her breakfast. A Villa this big was only inhabited by the two of them and a few female servants whose job was only to clean the house, prepare meals, and other household chores. Mostly only house guards recruited directly by Calsius to improve the Villa's security.
So that the same thing would not happen again. So that Adelle Eddenberg would be safe, so that his wife would be safe from threats.
"I have work outside today and it seems I'll be home late. Have dinner in your room, I'll eat out," Calsius said then went inside to get his documents and put on a long coat to complete his outfit.
"Alright, drive safely."
After parting ways, Adelle went back into her room. Still in the same clothes, because her only activity today was relaxing.Like a pet cat living a carefree life.
But it's undeniable that Adelle thought negatively about this family. Especially about Calsius, who was much talked about at the various masked balls she always attended.
That's right, Adelle often went out at night to attend masked balls. Calsius knew about it, but of course Calsius didn't know how often Adelle went out at night. Just to listen to disgusting rumors that brought her down.
'The useless troublemaker Duchess'
That was the popular greeting people knew about Adelle. And it was true, because for 2 years since she moved here, she had never again held the duties of a Duchess.
Her purple eyes stared blankly at her mask, then she tucked strands of her blonde hair behind her ear.
There was another issue that angered her more. The women at the party often praised her husband. And hoped that Calsius would realize that Adelle was useless and quickly discard her.
Adelle smiled wryly, though her heart was torn.
"It's you who are useless and can only judge others without knowing the truth."
!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Sir, I'm sorry to have to tell you this late at night," Adelle's personal maid said right at the door as Calsius had just arrived.
"What is it, Anna?" Calsius asked.
"It's, Madam is drinking alcohol again."
Calsius exhaled heavily. Then he jogged, hoping that Adelle hadn't drunk much and was still conscious. Calsius went to Adelle's room, which was right in front of his.
When the door opened, Adelle was seen chugging a glass of alcohol directly.
"Adelle, stop," Calsius said, approaching and grabbing Adelle's wrist.
"Calsius? You're home?"
That soft and strange voice made Calsius sure that Adelle was unconscious. This was serious, he thought.
"Hey, look. They say they want this handsome face. What can I do, I can't lose Duke Eddenberg's love, can I?" Adelle said again, more seductively.
Her slender hand gently caressed Calsius's face. Exploring every inch of the face she liked so much. Adelle then pouted her lips, kissing and taking her husband's lips. "See, they can't get these sweet lips."
Calsius's anger, which had initially peaked, now subsided. He had expected that he couldn't deal with a drunken Adelle. This could be serious, because when drunk, Adelle became very aggressive, like a wolf preying on a rabbit like her.
"Come here and sleep."
Calsius laid Adelle's body down as she began to weaken. Then he covered her up to her neck so his wife wouldn't get cold.
"Wait, if you leave, they'll catch you."
Calsius chuckled at that. Then, gently, he kissed Adelle's forehead. "I'm only yours, satisfied? Now sleep, if you don't sleep then they will take me."
Funnily enough, Adelle immediately closed her eyes and obeyed. A smile appeared at the corner of the woman's lips. And Calsius actually always liked this drunken side of Adelle. Because when drunk, Adelle became very honest with him.
Adelle also acted sweetly in front of him.
"Good night, Princess."