I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 32

“I’m sorry! I got lost while fetching drinks!”

After watching Leivis depart, Elina returned to Liliana, apologizing as she set two glasses before her and bowed deeply.

“I’m glad you’re safe, Elina. Thank you.”

Tonight, Elina wore a simple dress instead of her maid’s uniform. Not as ornate as the nobles, but elegant enough to suit the occasion. Her charm was such that it wouldn’t be surprising if a noble had approached her.

“Let’s wait here for Lord Leivis. Please, have a drink too.”
“Yes, thank you, Madam.”

Suddenly, the hall’s lights dimmed.

A flash burst outside the window. Turning her head, Liliana saw light blooming across the night sky.

Cheers rose from the hall as great flowers of fire blossomed, burned briefly, and faded—only for new ones to bloom again.

(Fireworks…? Could this be Lord Leivis…?)

She remembered his words. It could only be him.

Her heart trembled as she gazed at the luminous celebration. Each explosion was powerful yet gentle, radiating joy.

—What a beautiful magic.
A magic that brought happiness to people.

Colors melted together, fading in a dreamlike spectacle.

Elina handed her a glass. Liliana sipped. The taste was slightly different from before, but still sweet, sparkling, delicious.

“Your husband performs fireworks every year for Their Majesties, doesn’t he?”
“So that’s it… how wonderful.”
“You didn’t know?”

Her words suddenly felt distant.

Liliana’s body grew heavy, her vision blurred.

“Madam, are you unwell?”
“Yes… just a little…”
“There’s a resting room. Let’s go.”

Her thoughts faltered. Guided by Elina, she descended the stairs slowly, leaving the hall.

Outside, fireworks still bloomed brilliantly.

“Don’t worry, Madam. I’ll set all the flags for you.”

When she next realized, she was collapsed on a bed in a quiet room.

The chamber was dark, occasional flashes from the window—surely Leivis’s fireworks.

Her body felt unbearably heavy. Her vision blurred, her strength gone. Yet strangely, heat smoldered inside her, leaving her unable to move.

(Where… am I…?)

She looked around—a large bed, a few chairs. Silence, perhaps from soundproofing.

Then the door opened.

(Elina—?)

She tried to call, but no voice came.

(Who…?)

A stranger entered.

Her body froze in terror.

His attire was formal, but ill-fitting, old, unsettling.

He locked the door. The click sounded like the start of an execution.

“You’re the marquis’s wife, aren’t you?”

In the dimness, his eyes gleamed unnaturally.

His gaze was cold, violent, obsessive.

Liliana tried to scream, but no sound came. Only strangled breath.

The man approached. She shook her head faintly. He grinned wider.

“…You invited me, didn’t you? Wanted to be ruined by a man without magic—at the castle party, no less? Such a pretty face, so depraved.”

His breath was ragged, his eyes twisted with desire. Hatred, vengeance, destruction—self-destructive madness.

She didn’t need to imagine what he intended.

The worst future flashed before her.

To be defiled by another man would be unforgivable. Even if he lacked magic, even if no child resulted, she would lose her purity.

She would no longer be able to give it to her husband. To hide it, she might cling to a “white marriage” forever only to be divorced.

If asked to return her dowry, she could not. She would be sent back, told again to “repay with your body,” sold to childless nobles.

And she had just refused to send money. They might retaliate cruelly.

Could she escape? Where? How could she reach a convent alone?

Fear consumed her.

Her body betrayed her—burning, dazed, whispering to surrender.

“Ha! That face is priceless—”

He laughed, reaching for her.

(Lord Leivis—)

—CRACK!

“Gah!”

A dull sound burst, light flared, and the man cried out, stumbling back.

“What—what was that?! What did you do?”

The next instant, daylight flooded the room.

With a thunderous roar, the wall shattered from outside.