Chapter 4

"You know perfectly well that you're the one I love most, and marrying your sister was only a stopgap measure..."

I tucked the stone into my chest and looked back at him calmly.

"I heard all of it."

"Mother made a point of telling the cooks at the West Gate Tower that the meals mustn't contain anything that stirs the blood."

"Which means my sister had been carrying on with you for a long time, and you only gave in because she was pregnant."

Mother quickly pulled my sister behind her and, frowning, called for the guards.

"So what! She doesn't get to decide anything in this house!"

"This girl is just stubborn! Once she accepts her fate, she'll fall in line!"

"The day after tomorrow—the day after tomorrow we'll hold the wedding. We've already worked it out, and the Joyce family won't break their word!"

Robert stood with his back to the light, and with the guards holding me down I couldn't make out his expression.

All I heard was him leave a single line—"I'll marry her tomorrow"—before he turned and walked away.

My sister's hands were already clenched white.

"I finally got to be with him. If you hadn't made a scene, I could have spent a few more days close to him..."

"If it weren't for the Marquis's agreement with the Joyce family that you had to marry, I would have strangled you long ago!"

She glared at me fiercely, but I acted as if I hadn't seen it.

Once I was sent to the woodshed, no matter how I pushed, I couldn't get the door open.

"The woodshed's locked tight, I can't get out!"

"Stone, I can't get you to Beiming Mountain now..."

The stone made no sound.

Then, suddenly, there was a smack outside the door.

I smashed the door open! Hurry up and get out here!

Don't forget your husband's a stone right now—more than enough to bash a door down!

My heart leaped, and I hurried to push it open.

When I picked up the stone, my chest suddenly clenched.

"How did you crack open too? Does it hurt?"

The stone coughed lightly and mumbled that it didn't hurt.

We're husband and wife, one body—don't fuss over things like this.

Wife, hurry and go, don't let the Joyce family catch you again!

I nodded and quickly tucked the stone against my chest.

"Stone, are you trying to keep me warm?"

"It's the middle of summer right now, there's no need for that."

The stone let out a grunt and muttered a muffled "Quiet."

I shut my mouth at once.

I thought to myself, this stone was kind-hearted, but domineering too.

I couldn't refuse his good intentions.

Holding the stone, I stole across the back courtyard.

When I reached Mother's courtyard, the candlelight in her room was flickering.

The maid at the door was dozing off, which made it all the easier for me to slip away.

Then a sound suddenly came from inside the room, and I shrank back a step in fright.

"Kill her!"

"You mustn't kill her! If she dies, the Marquis will surely cool toward you too!"

"If you want to seem devoted to your sister, it's better if she goes mad! You have to make the Marquis feel he owes you!"

My sister let out a mocking laugh.

"Then tonight, have her lose her virtue. Our stable hand's whole face is covered in pimples—he's the perfect match for her!"

Mother hesitated, opening her mouth.

"After all, she is the daughter of my benefactor..."

There was a sudden crash as my sister slammed her hand down on the table.

The maid standing at the door straightened up in fright.

"What benefactor? We dumped her on you to raise all these years—how much of our family's money did that cost? Who even knows whether she's alive or dead now!"

"If it weren't for Lena, the Marquis would be mine! Why would I ever have to lower myself just to marry him!"

My eyes went wide in an instant, and a chill surged up through my limbs.

No wonder Mrs. Joyce had always played favorites.

But who exactly was my birth mother?

And why had she left me here back then?

My mind was a tangled mess.

The stone sensed my daze and suddenly spoke.

Don't be afraid! Once I get my divine power back, I'll help you find out.

I stroked the warm stone and gave a soft murmur of agreement.

As I turned to leave, I abruptly bumped into someone's chest behind me.

Robert's hair was disheveled at the temples, sweat beading on his forehead.

He'd rushed in from somewhere, and his face turned terrible the moment he saw me.

"Where do you think you're running off to hide? I went looking for you—why weren't you there?"

I rubbed my head, and saw the quilt he was holding in his hands.