Chapter 11: BWCGD

Chapter 11

It was widely known that he could awaken through the Saintess, but everything regarding an heir had been kept in absolute secrecy.

The moment that top-secret information, passed down only through the direct bloodline of the family, left her lips, Kallian's face turned cold.

"You'd better... keep that mouth shut."

The man's eyes narrowed as he openly revealed the killing intent he had been deliberately suppressing. His sharp gaze cut through her.

But she couldn't back down now.

"I once saw a strange book in the Count's library. It said something like this."

Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut and gathered every last bit of courage left inside her. Whenever she lied, she could never look someone straight in the eyes.

"One who is born bearing the Mark of Protection shall continue the family's bloodline only through a relationship with the Saintess chosen by the oracle."

The Grand Duke was the supreme ruler of the vast northern territory.

He had never once knelt before monsters in battle, but preparing for an unexpected death by having several children and choosing a worthy successor was an extremely important matter.

"Isn't that why you avoid marriage? If people found out there were restrictions on having an heir... it would create all kinds of problems."

Kallian was a man with immense pride.

Evelyn knew better than anyone how humiliating this curse must have felt to him.

After all, in her previous life, the reason he had taken her as his wife was also to escape the Imperial Family's pressure to marry.

After thinking for a long while, Evelyn cautiously spoke while watching his expression.

"There isn't a noble lady in this world who would want to become a Grand Duchess who can't bear an heir. But I..."

She couldn't finish.

"I told you to be quiet."

Kallian abruptly rose from his seat, clearly irritated, and in an instant grabbed her wrist.

As tall as he was, his hands were enormous. They were large enough to easily cover Evelyn's entire face.

Being caught by someone whose grip was strong enough to crush the head of a solid golem with one hand was terrifying.

Yet, contrary to what she had expected, not even a dull ache came.

Realizing he was desperately trying not to apply any force, she quietly stood up without showing it.

"I'll become Your Grace's shield. If you marry but fail to produce an heir, disgraceful rumors will surely spread. But if I bear all the blame..."

She was about to add that they only needed to buy time until the Saintess appeared.

"I've heard enough."

He suddenly pulled her firmly by the waist.

At the same time, he slipped his thigh between her weakening legs and drove her backward like a hunter cornering its prey.

Everything happened in an instant.

Her skirt crumpled, and her loosely braided hair came undone under his fierce advance.

"Ugh!"

Just before her body slammed into the cold stone wall, his large hand swiftly supported the back of her head and her waist.

"You read it in a book? If you're going to lie, at least make it convincing."

Speaking coldly, he brushed aside the curtain hanging over her head.

His golden eyes burned with restrained emotion, yet his voice remained eerily calm.

"A Vow Spell was placed upon the Family Seal. Anyone who knows the family's secret is unable to reveal it or leave it in writing. No one but me."

What?

Evelyn looked up in shock.

In her previous life, she had learned this directly from him.

She knew it was a secret passed down only through the direct line, but she had never heard anything about a Vow Spell.

If I'd known that, I never would've used that excuse...

Did that mean Kallian had trusted her that much?

Enough not to seal her mouth with magic?

"So you really are a spy."

Her thoughts shattered instantly.

"Otherwise, there's no way you could know this much about me."

A chill ran down her spine.

Rubbing the wrist he had held, Evelyn swallowed her anxiety.

She had believed she had explained herself well, but bringing up a matter so important that it was protected by magic could certainly make her seem suspicious.

How can I get out of this?

Her heart pounded wildly.

Trapped between the wall and his body, she struggled to steady her breathing.

"I'm not a spy. I've never taken a single step outside the Count's territory since I was born. How could I possibly do something like that?"

His long fingers gripped her chin.

"A pitiful excuse. From the gate opening in Ferrum to the matter of my heir—you know everything. How could I possibly trust you?"

The gentlemanly demeanor he had shown until now vanished.

Kallian narrowed the distance between their faces.

"Besides, you're trembling like an animal with a broken neck from nothing more than this little bit of contact."

Their warm breaths mixed together.

Stopping just short of touching her lips, he deliberately whispered in a cold voice to frighten her.

"I don't know how someone like you expects to become my wife and do that."

As if giving her room to breathe, he stepped back.

Fresh air filled the space between them, finally allowing Evelyn to breathe again.

Unable to say a word, she gasped for air.

Brushing the hair away from his forehead, he looked down at her with cold eyes.

"As you can see, I'm extremely rude and violent. If someone stands in my way, I eliminate them without mercy. I'm accustomed to taking whatever I need."

Countless ugly rumors surrounded him, and many people constantly sought opportunities to tarnish his reputation.

If she were truly someone sent by another faction, she should have been frightened enough to retreat by now.

"So before you experience something unpleasant, leave—"

"What if I've already prepared myself?"

"What?"

Kallian's gaze sank deeply as he looked at Evelyn.

Meeting his abyss-like eyes, she quietly answered,

"If I had been afraid of things like that... I wouldn't have stayed by Your Grace's side that day."

A different emotion appeared in her calm eyes.

"The moment I touched that pitch-black monster, it felt as though my organs were burning and my whole body was melting."

She quietly stared up at him, who remained completely motionless.

"And if you still don't trust me, you can simply accuse me of insulting Your Grace and cut off my head."

She saw the faintest ripple pass through his unreadable golden eyes.

At the same time, the atmosphere subtly changed.

"Doesn't the fact that someone as ruthless and greedy as you hasn't done that... mean you've acknowledged that I have some value?"

After silently considering her words, Kallian let out a shallow sigh.

"Let me ask you one thing. According to you, even if you marry me, you'll be nothing more than a Grand Duchess in name. Then what is your real reason for insisting on becoming involved with me?"

My reason.

The memories of the past flashed through Evelyn's mind.

Her mother's bright smile.

The years she had helplessly endured after learning of her mother's death.

And finally, her own lonely death after leaving behind the man she loved.

Her eyes reddened.

There was only one way to escape this hellish past.

I just have to keep moving forward.

Evelyn stepped toward him.

As though trying to see through her heart, the man's expression grew serious.

To clearly show him her purpose, she held out the scar-covered wrist before his eyes.

After staring at it for a long time, he slowly raised one eyebrow.

"What kind of wound is this?"

His voice was as sharp as his gaze.

Evelyn swallowed nervously.

She tried not to lose confidence, but she couldn't stop her shoulders from shrinking.

"It's the reason I had no choice but to run away from the Count's estate."

"Evidence of abuse?"

"Yes. Every fifteen days, the Countess cut my wrist and drew my blood."

"Since when?"

"Three years ago... after my mother was taken to the temple."

"Why?"

"Do you happen to know about Resentment Stones?"

His brow furrowed when she answered his question with another question.

But instead of snapping back, he quietly listened.

Encouraged by that arrogant sort of consideration, Evelyn gathered what little courage she had left.

"I don't know what Resentment Stones are used for... but I think they refined them using my blood... and my mother's."

Thinking of her mother made her chest ache.

Her nose reddened as she clutched the sleeve of his clothes as though it were a lifeline.

"Please help me. I need Your Grace's power."

"Do you want revenge?"

"...I want to live."

Her shoulders drooped as she released his sleeve.

Clasping her trembling hands together, she continued as calmly as she could.

"I overheard the Countess talking to someone. She said the refinement of the Resentment Stones was almost complete... and that I should be dealt with so there would be no future trouble."

"So you're the one who has to be eliminated."

Evelyn slowly nodded.

His gaze lingered briefly on her tear-filled, reddened eyes before falling away.

"Do you know who the Countess was speaking to?"

"I couldn't see their face. But judging by how respectfully the Countess treated them... I'm certain they were someone of very high status."

After thinking for a moment, he frowned.

"I have a duty to protect this continent. If that truly is a dangerous mineral, I cannot ignore it. But I can't make an enemy of the temple based on suspicion alone."

She already knew.

The temple and he were inseparably connected.

Because they supplied purification medicine to treat wounds inflicted by monsters.

Just as ordinary wounds became infected with bacteria, wounds inflicted by monsters became contaminated by demonic energy.

Only healing power or holy power could purify it.

However, there were far too few healers to purify the hundreds of knights under his command.

Unless they suffered life-threatening injuries, most knights could not receive direct healing, making purification medicine an essential military supply.

She couldn't selfishly insist on getting what she wanted from someone in his position.

The opportunity will come. He's someone who has frequent dealings with the temple.

After a long silence, she finally spoke.

"I promise. I won't do anything that would bring disgrace upon Your Grace. And once I've served my purpose... I won't seek any unfair benefit. I'll quietly leave."

At that, he clicked his tongue softly as though displeased.

In a cold voice, he asked,

"Leave?"