I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 14

After Liliana’s father and mother divorced, her father quickly took a new wife.

This woman arrived proudly at the Valentin household, bringing with her two children. The illegitimate offspring of Liliana’s father.

Among nobles, it was common to acknowledge illegitimate children. By examining a child’s magical power, parentage could be easily proven, and nobles traditionally kept many mistresses.

Because Liliana’s mother’s family held higher status, her father had never taken in his mistress’s children before. But immediately after the divorce, he married the only mistress who had borne him a child, and formally recognized her stepchildren, Alec and Serena, as his own.

Thus, Liliana’s life changed completely.

Raised as a noble daughter with every comfort, she was suddenly treated like a servant or worse once the new wife arrived. Liliana became an unwanted presence, while Alec and Serena, the mistress’s children, reigned openly as the rightful children of House Valentin.

Liliana was kept in the household only because of her high magical power. Without it, she would surely have been cast out long ago. Subjected to cold words and violence from her family, she could only shrink back and endure.

“Father has already sent word, hasn’t he? Hurry up and do your job. Don’t you feel any gratitude for being raised?”

Alec pressed her with an impatient glare, his irritation barely concealed.

“……”

He was complaining that Liliana’s remittances to her family from the royal castle were late.

“Say something, useless girl.”

Serena’s mocking voice followed.

“How could someone like this be my sister? She’s a disgrace to House Valentin. Is she even useful in House Elsdean? With that shabby appearance, I doubt the Marquis is satisfied with her.”

Serena shrugged her shoulders, looking at Liliana with contempt.

“That dress doesn’t suit you at all. I should have been the one to marry him. Well, Father would never send me to that cold-hearted Marquis anyway.”

Serena was confident in her beauty and her father’s affection. Her words always cut deep into Liliana’s heart.

“Lucky you, having such high magical power. Hurry up and get pregnant, then use the child to beg favors from the cold-hearted Marquis for our sake.”

Liliana shuddered at those words. They spoke as if it were natural to use a child as a hostage to extort money for their own luxury.

She knew she should be angry. Yet she couldn’t summon the strength to reply.

From childhood, she had been strictly trained never to defy “family.” Even though she knew she shouldn’t obey, her body refused to move.

The fear and helplessness carved into her kept her bound. At this rate, she could never become a refined lady like the queens and noblewomen she admired.

But perhaps it couldn’t be helped.

After all, one could never escape family. Blood ties could not be erased. Fate could not be changed.

“—You two, watch your tongues.”

A sudden voice made Serena and Alec turn at once.

It was Leivis.

But his atmosphere was different—cold, almost like another person.

His golden eyes glowed with quiet anger.

“To insult my wife is the same as insulting House Elsdean.”

The freezing pressure of his words left the two speechless.

“Y-you misunderstand, Marquis Elsdean… we didn’t mean…”

Alec stammered, trying to explain. Serena nodded quickly, stepping back.

“Th-that’s right, brother-in-law… we were only happy to be reunited with our sister.”

Leivis stepped forward once. That single step was enough to make them recoil further, then vanish from sight.

So easily. So abruptly.

Liliana stood frozen, staring at Leivis’s profile. He turned back, his expression softening slightly.

“Forgive me.”

“Eh…?”

“The pillar’s barrier should keep evil away, but it seems it still needs adjustment.”

He sighed lightly, pointing to the pillar floating above the castle.

Liliana couldn’t help but laugh. To think he would make such a joke.

Her heart felt a little lighter.

“Thank you… um, how much did you hear?”

She feared he might have overheard their cruel words especially the part about children, which was too vile to bear.

“…No, I didn’t hear the content at all. But from their attitude toward you, I understood the situation.”

Whether that was true or not, Liliana couldn’t tell. But Leivis chose to act as if he hadn’t heard.

That alone melted the ice around her heart.

“And it’s nothing to thank me for. I only meant to warn intruders.”

“Intruders…?”

“Those two. They didn’t have permission to enter this district.”

“W-what…?”

Liliana was stunned. Such behavior was beyond reckless—it was already a crime.

“That’s why they fled so quickly.”

“B-but… why would they come here…?”

“To find marriage partners.”

“—!”

“Since no good proposals came, they snuck into this place where high-ranking nobles gather, hoping for a chance romance. They had been active in the lower district, but with little success, they came here.”

Liliana’s face burned with shame.

(Too embarrassing…)

Liliana’s siblings’ behavior, the fact that Leivis knew of it, and her own ignorance of it.

“Anyway, they won’t achieve anything. Their magical power doesn’t reach the level demanded by high-ranking nobles. At best, they’ll be toyed with and discarded. Their reputation is poor, so unless someone is a complete fool, they won’t be deceived.”

Leivis suddenly stopped speaking.

“…Forgive me, I went too far.”

“No! It’s just I’m embarrassed and I’ve troubled you, Lord Leivis.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

He said it as though it truly didn’t matter. He seemed utterly uninterested in his step-siblings or in any inconvenience to himself.

“You have no reason to shrink before people like that.”

Liliana finally realized Leivis was angry. He was angry for her sake.

“They may be blood relatives, people you’ve spent years with but that doesn’t justify treating you with contempt.”

“……”

“It may be hard not to let it bother you, but…”

Liliana couldn’t answer. She understood in her head, but the fear clinging to her wouldn’t fade. Her body reacted on its own, weighed down by helplessness.

—It can’t be helped.
—Don’t resist.

If she defied her family, she couldn’t survive.

“…Yes. Because they’re family…”

Even knowing, she couldn’t change it. Tears threatened, but she held them back. She was about to leave Leivis before she truly broke down.

“Liliana, have you forgotten? I am your family too.”

His words shone inside her like a bright light.

She lifted her face to see his mysterious golden eyes. A cool breeze stirred his golden hair.

“We are husband and wife, and surely our family will grow in time. Ah—no, I don’t mean to rush you…”

Leivis faltered, averting his gaze with a hint of embarrassment.

“…I mean, from now on, I want you to look toward the future we’ll build together.”

“……”

A flame lit in her dark world. The malice, loneliness, and scorn that had clung to her for so long seemed to vanish in that instant.

The heavy weight on her heart lifted, replaced by the feeling of a clear sky after rain. The heavens above shone, and Leivis’s hair and eyes gleamed brighter than ever.

“Thank you, Lord Leivis!”

Such words weren’t enough. Her whole world had changed, yet she could only say that.

Still, Leivis smiled softly, relieved.

—How kind could this man be?

She couldn’t understand.

Why did he try so hard to save her heart?
What could she do for him in return?

“…That dress suits you well. Today you look like a fairy.”

“Th-thank you…”

The sudden compliment made her face burn. Even knowing it was gentlemanly courtesy, she couldn’t help but feel happy.

She decided not to mention the embroidery. If she said she had stitched it herself, he might think it strange.

Leivis continued to gaze at her. His closeness made her heart pound.

(…T-too close. Far too close…)

It was almost unbearable. Yet while she flustered, Leivis studied her dress especially the embroidery; with a researcher’s seriousness, almost intimidating.

“Your magic lingers here… from this embroidery, perhaps?”

“Is something wrong with it…?”

“No. I don’t know much about such things, but I can tell it’s excellent work.”

She never imagined Leivis would praise her.

—It made her happy, her chest ticklish with warmth.

“Did you make this yourself?”

“Eh… y-yes…”

—How did he know? She hadn’t meant to say it, but the words slipped out.

“…Perhaps it’s the effect of drawing out magic once…”

He muttered to himself, then looked at her.

“Are you feeling well?”

“Eh? Y-yes. I was nervous and couldn’t sleep, so I’m just a little tired…”

“……”

He frowned, deep in thought.

—Had she said something strange?

“Lord Leivis, you’re in the middle of work, aren’t you? I’m fine now, so please, you may return.”

She feared keeping him too long. Yet her voice carried more loneliness than she intended.

“Let me stay with you a little longer. I’ll escort you to the carriage.”

He extended his hand.

“Eh, but…”

“Please. Today you shine too brightly. I don’t want other men to see you.”

Her face flamed red.

(D-don’t misunderstand! Lord Leivis is just being a gentleman! He’s only worried because I’m unreliable!)

She scolded herself, but timidly placed her hand in his.

Walking with his escort was easier, though her body remained stiff with nervousness.

“How was today?”

“Her Majesty the Queen and the ladies were very kind. I had a wonderful time.”

“I see.”

His gentle gaze unsettled her. Leivis’s presence grew larger and larger in her heart. She feared he might steal it completely, yet felt exhilarated too.

(I mustn’t… I don’t want to be a bad wife.)

Leivis was her husband, not a hero. If she fell in love, it could lead to ruin.

—And yet, deep inside, a small voice whispered that it would be worth it.

Liliana shook her head furiously.

“Liliana?”

Leivis’s surprised voice startled her.

“N-no… it’s nothing!”