Chapter -04
Letters from her family often arrived for Liddell.
They asked if she was happy, if her husband treated her kindly, if he loved her…
Her father, mother, brother, and sister — all of them worried deeply for their shy youngest daughter.
In reply to their kind and thoughtful words, Liddell always wrote letters filled with stories of a blissful marriage that did not exist.
She wrote that Oscar treated her with the utmost care, took her to many places, and showered her with gifts. Thanks to him, she spent every day in unbelievable happiness.
It was the very life she had dreamed of — the married life she could never truly have.
In reality, she was nothing more than a tool of convenience, a decorative wife of no real worth. Even after Oscar made her fully aware of that, Liddell still could not bring herself to hate him.
But Mina, who watched Liddell grow weaker day by day, could not stay silent any longer.
Having served her since childhood, caring for her like an older sister, Mina found Oscar’s attitude intolerable.
Finally saying she could bear it no more, Mina called upon someone from the royal capital without Liddell’s knowledge.
That man was Liddell’s much older cousin, Ethan, who served as aide to the crown prince — her eldest brother.
After hearing everything from Mina, Ethan had left his work in the hands of his subordinates and hurried to the Aschen estate on a swift horse.
And after a storm of harsh criticism against Oscar’s treatment of his wife, he declared that he would take Liddell back with him.
“You can never be happy here. I’ll speak with His Majesty and have your marriage annulled.”
“No, brother… you mustn’t…”
“Why hesitate? Mina told me everything. You and the earl have yet to consummate your marriage, haven’t you? Then you can divorce him without losing your honor.”
A white marriage.
A term used to describe a couple who never shared a wedding night. In most cases, the husband was blamed, and the wife could be granted a divorce without her reputation suffering any stain.
Realizing Mina had told him even that much, Liddell felt her face flush hot with shame.
“I know you admired Lord Aschen. I can even understand why you had expectations. But this marriage is cruel. He ignores you and spends his time only with his mistresses — His Majesty would never forgive such behavior if he knew.”
Ethan was right, of course.
If their father were told what had happened, he would be furious. A man so devoted to his family could never stand idly by while his daughter was treated with contempt.
He would never forgive the man who had used her.
Even without direct punishment, just incurring the king’s wrath would be enough to destroy Oscar’s standing completely.
“The one at fault is Aschen. You have no reason to feel guilty.”
When Liddell still didn’t nod, Ethan spoke in a gentle, persuasive voice.
Indeed, anyone could see that Liddell had done nothing to deserve such neglect. They had barely even spoken to one another. How could she possibly understand what she had done wrong?
Mina had told her the same thing before:
They should explain everything to the king and request a divorce through the church.
But Liddell had never done it — because deep down, she still held a small, fragile hope.
Now that hope was shattered, and perhaps it was best to listen to Mina and Ethan.
But still—
“I will not divorce him. And I won’t tell Father, either…”
“What? Why…?”
“Whatever his reasons were, he married me — the useless princess. I want to repay that kindness however I can.”
Ethan’s eyes widened.
“Even after all this mistreatment, you still wish to stay by that man’s side?”
“…He is my… ideal.”
“Then… you love him that much?”
Perhaps it wasn’t love.
From the first moment she met Oscar, what Liddell felt was closer to awe and admiration than romantic affection.
And that feeling had never changed.
By taking a former princess as his wife, Oscar gained considerable advantage. For someone like Liddell — the burdensome, talentless one — that was all she could offer the man she loved.
Even if he never loved her, even if he only used her, as long as her existence could help bring him some measure of happiness, that was enough.
She had already given up on being treated kindly by him.
Ethan’s handsome face twisted in pain for a moment.
When Liddell reached out to ask what was wrong, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and held her tightly against his chest.
“B–Brother…?”
“Liddell. You probably never knew this, but when you turned sixteen, I intended to ask His Majesty for permission to marry you. But before I could, His Majesty decided to give you to that insufferable Aschen.”
“But… Brother, you never… you don’t love me that way, do you?”
Of course there had always been affection between cousins, but she had never once felt anything more than familial warmth from him. Even she, who knew little of romance, understood that much.
Still holding her, Ethan continued.
“I— No… you were like a little sister to me. Frail, without suitors like your elder sisters. I thought I was the only one who could take you as my wife.”
It was kindness — his way of offering her protection.
A man of compassion, he had simply wanted to give his lonely cousin a peaceful life.
Had she married Ethan, Liddell would have lived without hardship or fear. Even without romantic love, her days would have been calm and fulfilling.
“Thank you, Brother. But I’m sorry. I must stay here—”
“You’re… you’re brainwashed! Come back to the capital with me, now. I can make you happy — not just with jewels and dresses, but with time together, laughter, peace. Anything you wish for, I’ll give you. I could even love you—”
“Duke Cressen. Are you really discussing an elopement with another man’s wife, in his own home?”
A chilling voice cut through the air — sharp as a blade of ice.
Even though Ethan’s embrace still blocked her view, Liddell knew instantly who it belonged to.
Her heart stopped for an instant, then began pounding violently in her chest.
Ethan’s grip loosened, and once he finally let go, she still couldn’t bring herself to turn around.
The first to speak was Ethan.
“And if I were? What of it? You’ve mistreated her, ignored her! I’ve heard everything — your marriage is still unconsummated, isn’t it? And not only that, you already keep two mistresses. What more reason do I need to take her away?”
Oscar’s brow twitched slightly.
“I see. My wife must trust you quite a bit — to speak so freely about our private affairs.”
“My lord…”
When Liddell finally turned around, she saw Oscar’s mocking smile.
He didn’t even glance at her trembling in fear. His expression remained cool and composed as he continued his exchange with Ethan.
“It seems you’ve been misled, Duke Cressen. I don’t know what my wife has told you, but I have no mistress whatsoever.”
“Liddell doesn’t seem to think so. At least to me, she hardly looks like a happy newlywed.”
Ethan stood his ground.
He placed Liddell gently behind him, as though to shield her, glaring at Oscar.
Their words were polite, but neither bothered to hide their contempt.
“I’m surprised. I never thought you would stoop to meddling in another man’s marriage, Duke Cressen. But this is between my wife and me. And I don’t recall inviting you to Aschen.”
“What…?”
“You have no place here. Unless you wish rumors of adultery to spread, I suggest you leave.”
At Oscar’s taunting words, even mild-tempered Ethan’s face darkened.
Sensing the tension rise like a brewing storm, Liddell quickly clung to his arm. If she didn’t, something terrible was bound to happen.
“B–Brother, please! You must go home, for today!”
“But Liddell—”
“I’ll be fine. Truly, I’ll be fine… please!”
Seeing her desperation, Ethan must have realized that staying any longer would only make things worse.
His expression softened again, the anger melting into gentle concern.
“If that’s what you wish, I’ll obey — for now. But if you ever change your mind, send word to me at once. A letter, anything.”
