Chapter 1.2
I suppose so. What they saw of me was a lazy woman whose only courage came from her husband’s undeserved love.
Even though the Marquis’s family members also knew I wasn’t capable of large-scale embezzlement, they didn’t like me enough to defend me.
On the day the three-day investigation and trial ended.
The judge said.
“Irene Freier, you are hereby sentenced to death.”
My husband, who had been in the audience, stood up abruptly.
“Your Honor, I have something to say.”
“This is a grave matter, the verdict cannot be overturned.”
“This is not an appeal. As a result of a family meeting, we have concluded that this woman cannot remain in the Freier family. Would you please be so kind as to remove the Freier family name from the defendant?”
……What was I even expecting?
After a moment’s deliberation, the judge accepted the proposal. My husband left the courtroom smiling with satisfaction.
Seeing me dazed, the court officials clicked their tongues. They showed me a small kindness. They allowed me to watch even my husband’s retreating figure from the second-floor balcony.
I hurriedly climbed the stairs.
But what I saw beyond the window was…….
My husband kissing another woman in the back alley.
That woman spoke in a sweet voice.
“Am I safe now?”
“Of course, my love. Your crimes will disappear by tomorrow!”
Only then did I understand everything.
What my husband needed was a stupid, pretty woman.
A single flower to decorate the marital bedroom and then discard once he grew tired of it.
After I bore a child, like me, now about to leave this world shouldering my mistress’s crimes.
* * *
Unless one commits murder, nobles are almost never executed.
But my crime was embezzlement of national defense funds.
In this world where monsters constantly seek to prey on humans, embezzling national defense funds was tantamount to plotting to overthrow the nation.
Therefore, I stood before the gallows erected on the outskirts of the city, just like commoners.
My family came to say their final goodbyes.
No one would have come willingly. They must have come because they couldn’t withstand the pressure to fulfill their duty as human beings.
My uncle, Count Dunbury, frowned.
“I expected you wouldn’t turn out to be a proper person, but to end this miserably. Apologize to your parents even in death.”
Perhaps I might have become a better person if you had raised me without confining me to a small room.
Next, the Marquis and Marchioness of Freier sighed.
“I don’t think a useless thing like you would have led that affair……. You’ve done your job just by bearing the heir. Go in peace.”
So they didn’t see me as a human being either.
As I was biting my lower lip.
An unexpected person stood before me.
That man with black hair, wearing a military uniform…….
“You…… why are you here?”
Aiden Freier.
He was my husband’s younger brother.
A soldier notorious as a battle maniac, enough to earn the nickname ‘The True Monster of the Western Fortress.’
He is not close with his family members and hardly ever returns home. Naturally, I thought he wouldn’t be interested in my execution, but…….
Aiden seemed to have run in haste—his black hair was wet with sweat.
What on earth is going on?
Ah……. Don’t tell me, he came to get angry because he believes I embezzled national defense funds?
Since Aiden is someone who fights risking his life on the front lines, he would hate crimes like embezzlement of national defense funds.
This is truly unjust.
To be misunderstood like this by the only person in my husband’s family who treated me as an equal (though it was closer to ‘ignoring me equally’).
I forced my subdued voice to ask him.
“Aiden. What is the matter?”
“……Well.”
Surprisingly, Aiden hesitated.
Unlike his hesitant lips, his sharp purple eyes remained fixed on me. The emotion contained there was not anger.
What on earth is it?
But we had no more time to talk.
“The execution will be carried out. Irene Dunbury, come up!”
“W-wait, please. I haven’t seen my husband and child yet!”
I struggled. But it was impossible to break free from the executioners’ strong hands.
Beneath the gallows. A rough rope announces my fate.
A vast crowd looks up at me and also tramples me with their tongues.
“That woman dared embezzle military funds?”
“She looks innocent……. As expected, you can’t tell by appearances.”
“Why would a noble lady, who gets food and jewels just by sitting there, touch something like that? Ugh, ptooey!“
Just as the gallows rope descended, my mother’s last words came to mind.
‘Irene. Don’t stand out. Live quietly. Then no one will harm you.’
Mom, you were wrong.
In the distance, I saw my husband, Ernst Freier.
Beside him, a beautiful woman with black hair kissed my husband’s cheek. My husband’s face melted like a boy in love.
Amidst this, the executioner spoke solemnly.
“The execution will be carried out. Irene Dunbury, live as a good citizen in the next world.”
My mother’s second last words came to mind.
‘Irene, no matter what happens, don’t sing in front of people. Okay? Your singing is cursed…….’
Mom, since your first last words were wrong.
I’m going to break your second last words.
The moment the rope went around my neck.
I began to sing with all my might.
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