Chapter 4

The long-term abuse had made her numb, and her heart had given up already.

But she couldn’t just stand still while it happened.

As a last hope, she said, “Please show me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard that I received a proposal from another family as well.”

“Of course not, that’s absurd.”

It was clear that Philip was lying, but she suppressed her fear, stopped her trembling, and spoke with a low but clear voice.

“At the last Palient party, their young master came and told me directly.”

“What?”

“He said that he sent a proposal to my family and wished me to think about it seriously.”

“The Palient young master must be mistaken.”

Philip wasn’t even trying to hide his blatant lies anymore. And at that moment, Asella was not angry but, rather, terrified.

Her mouth went dry, and she could feel the cold sweat rushing down her back. She tried to look as calm as possible while holding her hands tightly to hide her trembling.

“Father, it’s my right to see the proposals sent to me.”

“What right?!”

“You know what I mean.”

Of course, it was up to the family to choose who their daughter would wed. However, in the Kharmenian empire, the people involved in the marriage had the right to choose their marriage partner, too.

She had the right to choose the partner she preferred from all the received proposals.

“Hiding the proposals from me is a violation of empirical law.”

“What! You cheeky brat!!!”

“I don’t care who, just don’t marry me off to the Benvito family.”

“Will you shut up?!”

With a loud sound, Asella’s cheek was on fire due to the hard slap she just received. Due to the impact, it was hard for her to support her body, so she could barely stand up straight in front of her stepfather.

Soon, however, she felt an even stronger pain. This time, she was no longer able to stand and fell to the floor.

“This stupid bitch can’t understand her current situation.”

“….”

Her cheek that had been repeatedly beaten continued to burn. It seemed that her lips were bleeding as well, as she tasted iron on her tongue.

“Isn’t it enough that you killed your own mother?!”

“….”

“What would Adele think if she saw how pathetic you are?”

Asella bit her lips without saying a word. She was powerless and couldn’t do anything whenever Philip brought this matter up.

‘My mother died because of…’

When Adele was murdered, Asella was beside her. She witnessed the whole incident, and even seven years later, she wasn’t able to escape the pressuring feelings of guilt.

“Do you still think of yourself as her successor?!”

“That’s not true… I don’t…”

“You don’t have some outrageous expectation that you could be the heir?”

“…no.”

“Then stay in your room and prepare for the wedding.”

“Father!”

She knelt on the floor, her head in front of his shiny shoes. She could give up all of her pride…

…if it meant that she could avoid this marriage.

“Please consider other suitors.”

“Why should I do that?”

“Please. I beg of you.”

“He’s too good for something like you! You should be grateful instead!”

The empire’s one and only grand duke, Calix Benvito.

Young, handsome, wealthy, and full of overwhelming charisma. He was a relative of the emperor, in line to succeed the throne. His lineage was perfect since he belonged to one of the empire’s founding families.

He was admired by every person in high society, and everyone couldn’t help but be tempted by his lifestyle.

However, she could never marry that man. No matter what.

She didn’t mind any other man in the world.

Just.

Not.

Him.

“Among other families who sent a proposal, even a count would be fine.”

“Foolish girl.”

Philip snorted and continued his mockery.

“Proposals? What proposals?”

“Father….”

“The fact that Calix Benvito has proposed to you must’ve spread throughout the empire by now.”

“So…?”

“It means that all the other proposals that you received until now became mere pieces of paper.”

No Kharmenian noble dared to compete against the will of Grand Duke Benvito.

If the news already passed on to the aristocratic society, as Philip had said, there was no longer any chance of matchmaking with any other family.

“How… why…”

Asella’s voice was shaking.

As far as she knew, she had no contact with the Grand Duke, as he rarely attended imperial parties. She also seldomly attended them after she lost her mother, the late Marchioness Chartus. And in banquets where he was present, she tried her hardest to avoid being seen by him, let alone speak to him. She had never faced him!

And most of all, the relationship between Marquis Chartus and Grand Duke Benvito wasn’t even a good one.

It started crumbling right after Calix rose as the Grand Duke.

Asella has seen her stepfather Philip running wild and venting his anger all the time because of the Grand Duke, as Calix interfered with every business venue he started.

And just recently, Philip was troubled with a sudden tax investigation that his business had gone through. Not to mention his speculation that Grand Duke Benvito was controlling the investigation in the shadows.

And in the midst of all of this, Calix sent a proposal to Asella! Even with common sense, it was hard to understand.

Aside from the obvious reason that only she knew…

“It’s a condition to approve Anthony’s succession to the family. You have no right to object, so just do what I say!”

Philip publicly introduced his adoptive son, Anthony, as the successor for the Chartus family. However, it was yet to be acknowledged by the aristocratic society.

And it was because of Asella.

Despite being publicly stripped from her title as the Chartus family successor since she didn’t inherit the family’s special abilities, she was still of legitimate birth.

Anthony, on the other hand, had questionable birth which made things difficult for Philip as well.

And suddenly, a marriage proposal came from Calix Benvito?

Philip almost shouted cheerfully in front of the messenger. A marriage between Calix and Asella was the golden key to solve his problems all at once.

If the Grand Duke himself supported Anthony, succeeding the family wouldn’t be difficult.

If word went out, there would be an endless line of people wanting to invest in Philip’s business.

And above all, he would be able to get rid of Asella, who had been an eyesore of his for the longest time. And for the best price! There was no business more profitable than this.

“I have no idea what he sees in something like you, but try to please him. Don’t be as stiff as you are now.”

“……”

“I won’t let you go so easily if you speak of this nonsense again.”

Asella didn’t answer, and a suffocating silence fell upon the office.

“Answer.”

“…”

“You won’t answer?!”

Philip had a short temper.

He pulled her roughly, wrapping her hair around his wrist, which caused her neck to bend instantly. Asella swallowed her scream and endured the pain.

“You’re a girl who doesn’t know her place!”

His thick palm struck her face mercilessly.

Her cheek, which had been beaten several times already, was now swollen and red as if all her blood had gathered there. It looked as if it would burst at any moment.

She gritted her teeth and dealt with the pain.

Philip, who was ready to raise his hand again, stopped. He turned and opened a drawer.

“You still haven’t gotten over your useless stubbornness.”

He smiled viciously and began to wrap ‘it’ around his hand.