CH 56

Elena never thought she was living an unfortunate life when she had left her home to follow Gareth to this estate. Even though it was a rocky journey, she felt relieved and protected because Gareth was always by her side. Although Gareth was violent, his nature was understandable given his occupation as a notorious mercenary.

Elena had never been protected in a way Gareth protected her. She always had to deal with and solve every problem on her own back at Townsend estate. No one had ever noticed that she was desperate for protection, naturally causing her to abandon any expectations that she had for someone who could protect her. However, when she met Gareth, the man who was supposed to become her husband, she began to develop such feelings. For the first time ever, she began to expect something from someone, but those feelings were quickly shattered into pieces as soon as she had arrived at the estate.

“Madel, do you refer to me as ‘Lady Elena’ because you are aware of the difference between us?” Elena asked.

All the confidence she had until now had collapsed at once. After losing the trust she had in the very person she had blindly clung to, Elena had become lost on what to do. She no longer had any remaining patience to try to continue living by making more compromises.

“Should I tell Gareth about how you’ve been treating me?!” Elena yelled, all the while thinking, ‘Even if he doesn’t accept me as his wife… Shouldn’t I accept myself and think of myself as valuable?’ It was true that she couldn’t leave this place, but that didn’t mean she had to stop living. From now on, she would have to continue living without Gareth’s help. The only question was how she would go about doing it.

“L-Lady Elena, w-what do you mean by that?” Madel asked carefully, trying to read Elena’s thoughts.

“The Gareth I know is never stingy with his men, but you’re making him look that way in front of his subordinates.” On the way to this estate, Elena had never once seen Gareth act frugal towards his men. It was rather the opposite. She recalled the time when he had cut off the softest part of the grilled boar for her first before distributing the rest to his subordinates.

‘What an evil man. Why did he have to show such kindness, making me expect something from him…’ Elena lamented.

“I-it’s not that…” Madel trailed off, unable to come up with an excuse. The pork in her hands drooped helplessly, dripping blood.

Elena strode up to Madel and snatched the pork from her hands. “If you don’t want to hear me say things like this, you can go complain to Gareth yourself. Tell him to kick me out of the kitchen,” she spoke sternly.

“Lady Elena!” Madel exclaimed in surprise. It was a natural reaction, given how Elena had been bottling up all her emotions and worked quietly thus far and was now in front of her wearing a stern expression, giving directions in a clear, ringing voice.

Elena was surprised at herself as well, but the question as to how she should live in this castle without Gareth had already been answered.

“Madel, Gareth isn’t someone who fights alone,” Elena commented, picturing the mercenary who cut through the moonlight with his beautiful sword. “Do you still not understand? Gareth thinks of his men as brothers. He trusts them. Don’t you think treating his men properly will be more beneficial for Gareth? Don’t you think doing so will encourage the men to serve Gareth with more loyalty?”

Madel could only look at the floor with a pale expression.

Elena gradually straightened her back and spread her shoulders out proudly. She was neither a whore nor Gareth’s trophy; she came to this estate to be his wife. ‘Although he didn’t accept me as his wife, I will act as one as long as I stay here,’ she decided. Elena then spoke in a clear voice, enunciating each word, “Don’t even think of trying me again. I won’t forgive you.”

Madel finally gave in and sighed, “Yes, Lady Elena. I will keep that in mind.”

With that, Elena looked around the kitchen with a cold expression, then instructed, “Start setting the food on the table. The men will return soon.”

As soon as Elena finished speaking, she heard a thump come from the door leading to the hall followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Elena’s heart began to pound uncontrollably at the sound.

‘Is that Gareth?’ she wondered. Gareth had not been around her for a while. He didn’t force her to sleep with him on the second floor at night, letting her sleep in the hall instead. His behavior had stirred up strange emotions inside of her, but she had felt relieved for the most part.

Despite not having slept on the hall floor before, Elena thought it would be similar to when she had camped with Gareth’s men. However, she quickly learned that she was wrong. Gareth wasn’t next to her anymore and she couldn’t sleep in his arms like she used to. Every morning, Elena’s body trembled from the cold she had to endure all night long. Moreover, being alone made her heart ache.

The sound of footsteps approaching gradually became louder. ‘Is it really Gareth?’ Elena thought in fear, and instinctively hid in the corner of the kitchen. As soon as she crouched down, Gareth burst into the kitchen with a frighteningly stiff expression.

“L-Lord Gareth, do you need anything…?” Madel asked.

Gareth ignored Madel as he frantically searched around the kitchen for Elena. The burning sensation in his throat and chest told him that he was suffering from terrible thirst, which could only be relieved by getting some rest. Having run out of patience, Gareth began shouting when he couldn’t find Elena.

“Elena!”

Elena flinched without realizing it when she heard Gareth’s rough voice.

“Elena!” Gareth roared again. The sound of plates shattering on the floor as the maids screamed in fear.

Elena winced at each sound as they repeatedly stabbed her chest. After a while, Gareth’s violent voice that tortured her turned desperate. Elena heard something break once again, leading her to conclude that Gareth was throwing every plate he could find onto the floor.

“Elena!” Gareth’s voice struck Elena again, the desperation in his voice penetrating deep into her heart.

Elena bit her lips nervously. ‘He’s so rude and selfish… So why am I…’