CH 56.2

Anne struggled to deny the misfortune that befell her, and she stubbornly shook her head.

“How could you ever come up with the idea of doing something so reckless . . . Even if you’re out of your mind, it’s too much. Aren’t you afraid of the consequences from Grand Duchy Cromund?”

“Whoo . . . Angroanne, you’re already awake.”

It was a very troublesome voice, but Robert quickly showed his usual face. An annoyed light was evident in the eyes looking down at his sister.

“Since you’ve heard it all, it’s easy. Do as I say now. Spend the night with that guy tonight and get pregnant. All you have to do is say that the child is the Grand Duke’s child.”

“Are you still saying that even after having met the Grand Duke himself? He won’t end up holding you accountable. Brother will never get out safely.”

The Grand Duke was not a very easy-natured man. Even if this caused Anne to become pregnant, he would not believe it. How could he not recognize his own child, even if Robert did go to great lengths to find a man with a similar appearance?

“So don’t get caught. It’s simple as long as you keep your mouth shut. If you carelessly open your mouth, you’ll be seen as being complicit in this.”

Robert twisted his lips. Perhaps Anne would also be considered a conspirator in what would happen from now on.

“Haa . . . you . . . want me to sleep . . . with a man like that? That won’t do. All of the Libelois family will be executed for deceiving the Grand Duke!”

It wasn’t a mere excuse. If tried for contempt of a high-ranking nobles, Libelois would be on their path to destruction. Moreover, Daymond was a ruthless man with no mercy.

“I won’t say anything, so please let me go.”

“No, you definitely said you would run away from the Grand Duchy. If you do that, we will lose everything.”

She begged several times, but no matter how she begged, he had already made up his mind.

“If you have a child, someday. you will thank me too. Father also thanked you for your hard work.”

Anne’s mouth hung open in despair. Father . . . ! Robert wasn’t alone. Her parents were behind him.

This is why they had me stay at the count’s mansion.

When she thought about her family, who suddenly acted as if they had become new people, a futile smile crossed her face. How could she believe that it was real? She obviously had doubts, as she thought they weren’t the kind of people to change overnight.

As she listened, she realized how foolish she had been.

What did I believe, to assure His Grace that I would return without incident?

A deep regret came over her. She should have stayed at the Grand Duke’s residence as promised to him. No, she should at least have kept the escort knights by her side. If that was the case, this horrible situation would have been avoided. She was deceived by her own family.

Anne’s voice was desperate for the first time in her life.

“Brother, please . . .”

“It’s not that I don’t fear him, it’s just one night.”

At the shocking reply, she felt the emotional pain running down her cheeks in the form of thick tears.

“Angroanne, it’s all for the sake of the family.”

Robert, who was trying to leave the carriage, looked back at Anne and said so. Citing the disgusting word, ‘family’.

Sinking in misery, Anne nervously bit the inside of her lip. She would never do what Robert wanted. Anne wriggled her hands from the chains and twisted her body.

“Miss. It won’t work out like that.”

The man grinned and approached her slowly. His eyes were already glistening with lust, and his lower body was bulging, covering something she didn’t want to imagine.

Even though she had begged in front of Robert with tears, for a moment, anger welled up in Anne’s eyes, which were filled with sadness. Anne glared at the man who was smiling cruelly.

“Give up now. There’s no way Brother will let you live. You’ll definitely die in the future.”

“You think I don’t know that? That’s why I received the amount in advance. Nobles are dark-eyed, so they don’t know this neighborhood properly, but I know this place is as clear as the palm of my hand.”

The man treated noblemen so astoundingly, but now was not the time to argue about that.

“Should I tell you who I am, you lowly peasant? I am Grand Duchess Cromund. You’ve heard rumors about what the Cromund family is like, so there’s no need to try to explain. You’ll have a world of repercussions to fear if you carelessly put your hands on my body.”

She could feel him pause at the word Cromund. Anne continued with a stern expression, building her noble prestige.

“Anyway, when this is over, my brother will kill you. Even if you’re lucky enough to survive, you’ll die at the Grand Duke’s hands. And if he kills you alone, it will be a waste of the Grand Duchy’s name. Everyone you hold dear will be included on the list.”