MLHBMH 06

Chapter 6

Why is Frederick standing in front of my bedroom?

Even after a full year of marriage, this was something Lily had never seen before. She stared blankly at the unfamiliar sight and called his name. Though she had only muttered it under her breath, Frederick somehow heard and turned toward her.

He’d supposedly come home an hour ago, yet he was still dressed for going out — coat and all. Was he about to leave again?

He’s been gone for two days, and now he’s already heading out?

The thought crossed her mind but she brushed it away immediately. Wherever he was going, it had nothing to do with her.

“What is it you need?”

She couldn’t help but ask — not out of concern, but curiosity about why he was standing before her door.

Through the spotless lenses of his glasses, his eyes seemed sharper, more irritable than usual. But Lily didn’t care. Whatever had upset him, it certainly wasn’t her fault.

“Why did you argue with my mother?”

…So much for “nothing to do with me.”

Of course it was about Samantha. Lily felt a heavy sigh rising in her throat.

But she didn’t show it. Instead, she looked straight at him. His formal clothes caught her eye again — not because of how they fit, but because she suddenly realized he probably hadn’t even changed out of them yet, too busy listening to his mother’s endless complaints.

So he came here for that? To make peace on Samantha’s behalf as soon as possible?

“I asked why you argued with my mother,” Frederick repeated, frowning. His voice, laced with irritation, scraped at her eardrums.

Most people would have cowered. Lily didn’t. She had done nothing wrong.

Instead, she straightened her back and answered evenly, “Her Grace said she was worried I’d lose my mind the way my mother did. I simply told her she needn’t worry, since I don’t love you.”

Frederick let out a short, bitter laugh.

“And you added that I might be impotent.”

The crude word caught her off guard, but only for a moment. She quickly recovered, bowed her head slightly, and said, “That wasn’t my intention. If it offended you, I apologize.”

She meant it. She’d lost her temper under Samantha’s vile words, but she had never actually thought Frederick had… issues of that sort.

Yet her sincerity didn’t reach him. His lips curled into a mocking smirk as he folded his arms and tilted his head.

“Is that how someone apologizes? Doesn’t seem that way to me.”

“I—”

Before she could respond, he went on coldly, “If I’ve misunderstood, then my apologies. I was born a commoner, you see, so I wouldn’t know noble manners.”

Ah. So Samantha had told him that part.

Lily wasn’t surprised that Samantha had painted herself as the victim. The woman never failed to twist the truth until it suited her.

“There seems to be some misunderstanding,” Lily began, “If you’ll just let me expl—”

“I’m not interested.”

He cut her off without hesitation.

“There’s no need to hear your side.”

“…So you already know everything your mother said to me.”

Frederick didn’t answer — just looked at her, which was answer enough.

Lily gave a hollow laugh and brushed her hair from her face. She’d never expected him to take her side, but his complete lack of faith still stung.

How funny, that she could still feel disappointed in him.

“If that’s the case, then I have nothing more to say. Excuse me.”

“Wait.”

As she moved past him, he suddenly grabbed her wrist — the very same spot Brian had held days earlier. The memory of that humiliation flashed back, freezing her in place.

Don’t be afraid. You’re fine.

She forced herself to look up at Frederick, but her green eyes trembled with the fear she couldn’t quite hide.

Frederick noticed — and smiled.

“For your mother’s sake,” he said softly, “you’d do well to let go of that useless pride.”

Her eyes flared.

There it was again — using her mother as a threat. Again. And again.

Anger surged through her chest, but she swallowed it down. This wasn’t new. Frederick and his family had long since made a habit of dangling her mother’s life over her head.

Reacting to it was foolish. You couldn’t reason with people like them.

If they were reasonable, they wouldn’t resort to such cruelty in the first place.

Her green eyes burned with fury as she glared at him. He only smirked wider, as though her anger amused him.

That smug, shameless face made her blood boil. She wanted to grab him by the collar and scream — How can you be this cruel? Do you find it fun to stab at someone’s wounds?

But she didn’t. It would only make things worse.

She thought of her mother — her dearest, only hope — and forced herself to stay still.

“You, of all people,” she said through gritted teeth, “shouldn’t say things like that.”

Her voice trembled with contained rage.

“You promised — in exchange for this marriage, and for the Benjamin title — to cover my mother’s hospital bills. Are you saying you’ll break that promise now?”

Frederick pressed a hand to his chest and smiled faintly, the perfect imitation of the courteous gentleman she had once mistaken him for.

“Of course not. I’ll keep my word,” he said smoothly. “Though… the location may change.”

“The location?” she repeated, frowning. “What do you mean?”

He stroked his chin thoughtfully, eyes drifting toward the ceiling.

“I’ve heard that the Kingdom of Hissen has the best medical facilities on the continent,” he said. “I’m considering transferring Mrs. Grace Benjamin there.”

Lily’s heart lurched.

The Kingdom of Hissen — an island nation over two weeks away by ship. Sending her mother there would mean one thing: Lily would never see her again.

She could go only with her husband’s permission — and under imperial law, that meant his permission.

Realization dawned. Her eyes widened, trembling with fear.

Her hands shook, but she clenched them into fists and glared up at him.

“Are you… threatening me?”

“It’s not a threat,” Frederick said calmly. “It’s a warning — not to make unnecessary trouble.”

“How is that a warning? That’s blackmail!”

Her voice cracked like a whip, echoing down the hall.

“How could you even say something like that? I was the one insulted, yet you side with them — and then threaten me with my mother?!”

Her eyes burned. She wouldn’t cry. Not in front of the man who had trampled her dreams and pride behind a mask of civility.

But the memories — Samantha’s scorn, Brian’s contempt, the servants’ cold indifference — all rose at once, choking her.

“Do you even consider me your wife?” she asked suddenly.

The question slipped out before she could stop it, and she immediately regretted it. She already knew the answer. He would deny it, as he always had.

“Of course I do,” he replied smoothly.

“…What?”

The unexpected answer made her blink.

“I consider you my wife — that’s why I let you live on my money.”

If he had stopped there, she might have been touched. But his next words slashed her like knives.

“You seem to forget — your mother’s hospital bills aren’t the only leverage I hold.”

Frederick reached out, straightened her collar with meticulous care, and continued.

“Your room, your clothes, the food you eat… all of it depends on me.”

Lily wanted to deny it, but couldn’t. It was true. Every word.

Without this marriage, she couldn’t have paid her mother’s bills — couldn’t even have afforded a roof over her head.

That truth gnawed at her pride, silenced her. Her dress suddenly felt unbearably heavy, prickling against her skin.

“So do yourself a favor,” he said softly, brushing his fingers through a lock of her hair. “Know your place — and keep quiet.”

Then he lifted that same strand of hair and pressed his lips to it.

“Otherwise,” he whispered, “next time, even a rented carriage won’t be enough to take you to see your mother.”