1. I Don’t Want to Be Sold Like This
“…Ah, my head.”
Riley woke from a drunken stupor, clutching her throbbing head—then froze as she took in her surroundings.
An unfamiliar room.
An unfamiliar bed.
Unfamiliar sheets.
And lying beside her—an unfamiliar person.
Not just anyone, either. A man. And naked.
Her gaze was instantly drawn to the firm, well-built body completely devoid of clothing. The moment Riley—who had just woken up—came face to face with the sculpted nude form of a stranger, her mind snapped fully awake.
“No way… no way.”
Fragments of a scene she desperately wanted to forget flashed through her mind like a vivid panorama of bare skin.
A flushed face damp with sweat.
“More… please, a little more.”
I’ve lost my mind!
Riley stared blankly, blinking in disbelief. It took time—no, a lot of time—to fully process the shocking reality before her.
“Are you… going to do it with me?”
“Well, I wonder.”
“…”
“Want to?”
“…Okay.”
The memories came back in pieces. Like a puzzle that almost—but not quite—fit together, they muddled her thoughts.
But one thing was absolutely clear.
Alcohol.
The alcohol she’d drunk at the reception had caused this completely unexpected disaster. She’d been far more intoxicated than she realized.
This was a major catastrophe.
“…It was something I’d never have done without alcohol. Even so… how could I say something that obscene?”
Letting out a heavy sigh, Riley glanced to the side.
His face was buried in the pillow, making it hard to see. All that was visible was a mess of silver hair, disheveled yet gleaming softly.
He must have been drunk too. Otherwise… this situation never would have gone this far.
Riley covered her face with both hands.
“I really did it. I actually did…”
Her first act of rebellion in life.
Her first night with a complete stranger.
The shock of it all was overwhelming—despite the fact that this entire situation had, from the start, been carefully planned.
What should I do?
Now that she was clear-headed, the reality crashing down on her made her dizzy. She’d braced herself before acting, but the weight and pressure of it all were far heavier than she’d imagined.
The problem wasn’t the act itself.
The problem was who she’d spent the night with.
“Let’s just get out of here.”
She needed time to organize her thoughts.
But not here. The idea of him waking up made her cringe just imagining it. It was too embarrassing. Even if they were to talk later about what happened last night, it couldn’t be now.
First, she needed to clear her head.
Carefully getting up, Riley gathered the clothes scattered on the floor.
She hadn’t come wearing this dress—it was a one-piece provided by the hotel. The thought that she should return it crossed her mind, but for now, she threw it on hastily and fled as if escaping.
Of all people… why did the man she’d accidentally spent the night with have to be him—
the youngest Tower Master of Horizon Mage Tower, a man whose reputation was known far and wide?
Why did it have to be the Tower Master?
Why him—of all people?!
This horrifying incident began with a grotesque marriage arrangement forced upon her.
“Miss, the young lord is calling for you.”
Her uncle was calling her. A bad feeling crept in.
And, as always, her premonition was spot on.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Riley.”
At Baron Ryan’s announcement, Riley couldn’t bring herself to respond. Unsure how to react, the forced smile she’d plastered on her face trembled slightly.
A prickling discomfort ran through her body. Her heart pounded, blood rushing hotly through her veins. Anxiety struck her like a blow to the back of the head.
Fragments of whispers she’d overheard from the maids flashed through her mind. Instinctively, she knew.
Something terrible had happened.
“The wedding will take place next month. Count Ermeintz has agreed to cover all expenses. This marriage is far beyond what you deserve. Isn’t it good news? Where else would we find such a match? It’s a wonderful opportunity—for you and for our family.”
Ah… so it’s come to this.
Riley’s vision swam as she clenched her fists, exhaling sharply.
She carefully steadied her breathing, afraid that any sign of agitation might offend her uncle. If she displeased him, she could be locked away again.
“He saw you when he came here for recuperation before. He seems to have taken quite a liking to you.”
“…”
“Count Ermeintz is a central noble of Blestige. Far beyond your station as a marriage partner. He’s provided an exceedingly generous dowry—almost excessive. With that kind of money, we could expand our business and still have plenty left over. This is a golden opportunity. Until the engagement is officially announced, conduct yourself properly.”
“…Yes, Uncle.”
The marriage was decided.
Her uncle called it an honor. The Eadalin family—mere minor lords of a remote territory—could never compare to the powerful Ermeintz family of the capital.
But anyone who truly knew the Ermeintz family would never say such a thing.
Marriage was supposed to be for the prosperity of the family—but this wasn’t that. What should have been a blessed first marriage had turned into a cruel death sentence.
I’m being sold to fund my uncle’s business.
To a man twenty years older than her late father.
A man who’d already gone through four wives.
A man so old and frail he could barely move without assistance.
And yet—he obsessed over young women.
A disgusting, deranged man.
Riley lost her only father at fourteen.
He died right in front of her, struck by a carriage.
She was left alone. Every relative turned their back on her.
All except one—her uncle, Baron Ryan Eadalin.
To the world, he was a philanthropist, a model noble. He volunteered regularly, helped rebuild disaster-stricken regions, ran orphanages, and founded social enterprises to provide work for the vulnerable.
Selling goods made by the disabled and orphans, collecting donations—
his charity expanded, earning him admiration and fame.
Eventually, he rose to the position of “acting lord,” governing the territory on behalf of the official lord.
To others, he was a good man.
Riley once believed that too.
She’d thought herself lucky to be taken in by someone so admirable.
But not everything that shines is gold.
Behind the polished image was a man driven by vanity, greed, and ambition. Charity was merely a tool to accumulate wealth and prestige.
That was the true face of Baron Ryan Eadalin.
“You should be grateful I took in someone as useless as you. Don’t do anything foolish. Don’t bring shame to the family. I only took you in because others were watching—but I don’t consider you my child. Don’t think of yourself as family. Don’t listen. Don’t speak. Just exist quietly. Don’t stand out. Even someone as dull as you can manage that, right?”
“Live quietly until you’re old enough, then marry into some suitable family. I took you in because you might be useful one day. And if you stop being useful, I can discard you anytime.”
Perhaps it was fear—fear of being alone too young.
“I lived exactly as you told me to, Uncle.”
Invisible. Obedient. Silent.
She believed that if she endured long enough, if she tried hard enough, they might one day accept her as family.
She lived passively, taking only what was given.
Never choosing for herself.
And this was the result?
This was the reward for her obedience?
“I don’t want to marry. I don’t want to sleep in the same bed as that old man, touch him, please him, nurse him… I’ll be thrown away like his other wives. Alive or dead—I won’t even know.
I hate it. It’s filthy. It’s disgusting.”
The emotions festering in her chest threatened to explode.
Betrayal. Despair. Self-loathing for clinging to false hope.
“…Should I just jump and end it?”
The urge surged violently.
But—
“Riley… I’m sorry. But live. You must live. No matter how hard it is.”
Her father’s last words echoed in her mind.
“…Why did you say that? Why did you make it so I can’t even give up?”
That promise—the will he left behind—
was both her strength and her shackles.
“I won’t die. I won’t live like this either.”
She didn’t want to suffer anymore.
She had to do something.
And then—
An unexpected opportunity arrived.
“Honey, look at this. Horizon Mage Tower sent an invitation.”
“Horizon?”
“They’re holding a reception for the new Tower Master’s inauguration.”
“…Why would they invite someone like me?”
“There are four invitations. Riley’s included.”
“…Troublesome.”
“And Count Ermeintz will be attending.”
At that, Baron Ryan summoned Riley.
“Prepare to go to the capital.”
She had no choice.
But—
Among countless nobles, under weakened surveillance—
This was her chance.
“I won’t live like a coward anymore, Father.”
She had nowhere left to retreat.
So she chose to fight.
