Chapter 10
Her period, which came every month, had never been irregular.
Rayliel always menstruated on the exact date. When her period started, she couldn’t leave the bed for the first two days, not just because of the intense menstrual cramps, but because it was the time when the blood flowed most heavily.
As Seltin mentioned, by the third day, the flow would noticeably decrease.
Even this.
Even this…
The shame that Rayliel didn’t feel when she was subjected to violence now surged within her, shaking her to her core. She felt utterly exposed. No, being physically naked would have been less humiliating than this.
“You know, Rayliel, that Duke Delsen sends a physician to examine every woman he takes as a concubine.”
“…….”
“I’ve already arranged everything with that physician. Yes, after discussing it with your father.”
It was all over. The physician would certify her v*rg*nity to Duke Delsen, and after their wedding night, the Duke would mistake her menstrual blood as proof of her lost v*rg*nity and be pleased.
“I…”
But Rayliel, eyes blazing, asked,
“Did you not anticipate that I might tell Duke Delsen the whole truth? Are you and Father really that foolish?”
At this point, Rayliel could no longer hold back. In fact, she was ready to blow everything wide open. Duke Delsen would be enraged by Heinz and Karin’s attempt to deceive him, and their alliance would shatter spectacularly.
“If you want to do that, go ahead.”
What?
As Rayliel looked at Karin, who was smiling sweetly, she realized something was very wrong.
“It’s almost your mother’s death anniversary, isn’t it? Maybe about a month away?”
“…….”
“If you want to go ahead and take that route, I won’t stop you. But don’t worry, I’ll be there to personally oversee the removal of her remains when the grave is dug up.”
“What… are you saying…?”
“And I’ll make sure to tell your mother personally. That even though her daughter behaved like a wh*re, I did my duty as her stepmother. So, she should be grateful to me.”
Tak.
Karin released her grip on Rayliel’s collar without hesitation.
“Now, get some rest, Rayliel,” she said, “You won’t be able to leave the bed properly for long, anyway.”
With that, Karin left the room with Seltin, without a backward glance.
Just before the door closed, Rayliel caught a glimpse of Seltin turning her head to smirk at her.
“Ah…”
A sound that could have been a scream or a groan escaped Rayliel’s lips as she sat there, stunned.
“No…!”
This can’t be happening. How did I survive those days in my past life? How did I die so helplessly?
How!
Memories flooded her mind—her mother’s radiant smile, the murderous gaze of the man who had embraced her, the revolting old Duke Delsen, his face buried between her pale thighs, grinning with his skin covered in liver spots…
“Aaagh!”
Rayliel screamed like a madwoman.
And then, pain shot through her lower abdomen.
As if mocking her, her body betrayed her.
***
Rayliel became seriously ill.
Her period, which came regularly every month, was excruciating this time. Her lower abdomen felt like it was on fire, and she couldn’t keep anything down, vomiting up whatever she tried to eat.
She couldn’t tell if the pain was just from her period or if it was the stress of everything happening to her…
The door was locked.
Twice a day, at specific times, the maids came. They were all Karin’s people.
They left her with barely edible food that even they wouldn’t touch and then left the room without even asking how she was feeling, despite how sick she was.
One day passed, then two.
As the amount of blood her body expelled lessened, the pain that had been gripping her entire body began to gradually subside…
And soon, morning arrived.
The morning of the day she was to be sold off to that wretched old man, Duke Delsen.
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