To Get Away from an Ex’s Obsession

Asralda’s father, Leus Oscar, was quite a warmonger. With a stubborn and merciless nature, he was blinded by money and fame.

Because of that, she grew up strictly as a tool for her family’s reputation since she was very young. Within that, there was always cruel abuse.

“After attending the banquet, you’ve gained an awful amount of weight in just one day, Asralda.”
“I-I’m sorry, Father. But today, I really didn’t eat anything.”
“What did I tell you when I allowed you to attend the banquet?”
“You said that I must catch the attention of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“And if you fail to catch his attention this time too?”

Asralda’s lips trembled. Frightened and unable to utter a word, she looked at Oscar, who gave the order to a servant.

“Immediately lock up this useless woman in the underground prison. And for two days, give her not a drop of water nor a piece of bread.”

She was locked up for two days, and they wouldn’t let her out even after a week has passed. To make matters worse, being thrown into a underground prison and left there would have been a preferable option. I’ve endured countless beatings with a whip until I was on the verge of collapse.

Then the war broke out, and Asralda was captured by the enemy’s soliders and became a prisoner.

“That’s Oscar’s bloodline! We must cut her throat right away and place her in the middle of the battlefield for everyone to see! Your Majesty!”

Although she was on the verge of immediate execution once her identity as a mad warmonger’s daughter was revealed, Asralda’s life was miraculously saved her with Aiden’s help.

And on the first night of their formal wedding ceremony, Asralda asked him with an anxious voice,

“Why did you welcome me as your wife when I have no worth or value to offer…?”

Aiden answered her question like this,

“I simply liked your smiling face. That’s all.”

Had she ever heard those words before? Though his voice was blunt, that single statement seeped into Asralda’s heart with great tenderness.

That was the beginning. That was when she started secretly harboring feelings for Aiden.

She was still overwhelmed by the war, and because of that, the occasions when Aiden was at the mansion were few and far between.

Nevertheless, she made an effort to smile every time she faced him.

‘If I could hear it just once more. The words saying that my smiling face pleases you.’

She didn’t wish for happiness. After all, she had known for a long time that her life had been a disaster from the start. She just wanted to hear that word once again. That was all.

However, all that returned was his cold indifference.

“In just two months, the Duke has returned, but it seems his wife’s complexion is pale as a ghost.”

During the afternoon tea time with the noble ladies, Lady Emilia openly sneered at Asralda.

It was a remark about Lord Aiden, who had returned from the war after two months and left the mansion as it was, only to return in the morning.

“I heard from my maid she saw the Duke leaving the house in the middle of the night… Is it true?”

Emilia widened her eyes and asked a pointed question. Asralda set down her teacup and looked at her.

Even when she was in her hometown, she was subjected to torment by Oscar and the household servants, as if it were a daily meal. For her, this was almost cute.

Asralda nodded her head.

“Yes, it’s true.”
“It’s true?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then…”
“The Duke had urgent business that arose in the middle of the night, so he went to the palace.”

All the noblewomen sitting in the garden burst into laughter at those words, as if it were absurd.

Shameless.

Asralda had caused resentment among most of the women in Mimart. Two years ago, she had appeared out of nowhere and taken the coveted seat next to the Duke, whom everyone had their eyes on.

Emilia felt the same way. If it weren’t for this woman, that seat should have been hers.

In the midst of her outburst after losing the Duke, she heard that the woman he chose was a captive from Lucias.

What a confusion. To think that the selected woman was a captive.

Originally, she was not a woman who would have remained even if her life depended on it. How dare she sit with them and share teatime as if they had something in common.

Her jealousy could only be directed entirely at Asralda.

Emilia raised her fan and chuckled softly, covering her lips.

“Well then, if you must know. my maid claimed to have seen the Duke heading towards House Muriel’s residence in the middle of the night. But he went to the palace instead. Seems like my maid must have seen something wrong, as usual.”

At those words, Asralda’s hand, about to grasp the teacup, froze. Muriel’s house? He went to meet Marinda yesterday?

Marinda was Aiden’s long-time childhood friend. They shared a deep and affectionate bond that surpassed the short time she had spent with Aiden.

But this was clearly not what Aiden told her yesterday.

‘Urgent matters have come up, so I must visit the palace. Please go to bed early tonight.’

In an instant, her heart felt suffocated as if struck by something. But Asralda calmly held onto her cup and spoke.

“Yes, it’s a misunderstanding.”

Recalling it, Asralda had never once shared a bed with him. But she understood. He was always busy with war, and his full attention was focused on it.

Even half a year ago, when he returned from war just like yesterday, and went straight to meet Marinda.

“I completely forgot that I had an appointment early this afternoon. I’ll get up first.”

Pale-faced, Asralda set down her cup. Watching that sight, the women smirked and said with mocking smiles.

“Yes, please do.”

She rose from her seat without a word. Laughter echoed behind her, but she didn’t turn around.

Then she hastily left the garden and got on the carriage.

***

Aiden was changing clothes in front of the mirror to go out when Asralda burst into his room without knocking.

“I, Aiden.”

Asralda entered with a considerably anxious expression. Then, anxiously kneading her fingers, she opened her lips.

“I have something to ask.”

He turned his head to face the mirror with an uninterested look.

“What is it?”
“I heard you went to the palace yesterday.”

In an instant, the mirror’s cold eyes turned towards Asralda. But his narrow shoulders moved dryly, as if asking when that happened. Buttoning his clothes, he spoke.

“I had something important to tell His Majesty.”
“So, did you have an audience with His Majesty?”

He fell silent immediately. Aiden’s gaze scrutinized Asralda sharply.

“And if that’s the case?”

Asralda’s words disappeared at Aiden’s curt reply. Buttoning up to his neck, he quietly continued.

“Just say it without beating around the bush. What is it that you want to say?”
“I heard that you met with Lady Muriel yesterday.”

His hand, which had been on his chin, stopped at those words. Aiden briefly turned his head and looked down at her.

“Oh, I heard you went out today, so you were snooping around behind my back.”
“N-No, it’s not like that. I just heard it from someone else.”

Asralda, taken aback by his sharp reaction, quickly lowered her head and spoke. Then, hesitatingly, she added…

“…Is it true?”

She had experienced the same situation two months ago. However, she couldn’t leave it unasked like she did then. Fortunately, she became his wife, but in reality, her status was nothing more than a captive captured by the enemy.

‘What a lucky woman.’

That phrase she heard from someone before followed her like a shadow.

She had no confidence in herself. So, she always pretended to be deceived by him, even when she was completely ignored and neglected, she acted gracefully. She made an effort to always remind herself of the position she could be easily discarded from.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t numb herself. Especially, whenever she faced Aiden’s cold gaze, her heart always felt aching.

“If it’s true.”

In response to his cold voice, Asralda’s expression hardened momentarily.

As she looked up at him, he seemed to display no remorse. Instead, his attitude was more like, ‘So what if it’s true?’

She stuttered as she opened her lips.

“So… you mentioned that you had an audience with his Majesty?”
“It was just around the corner. It seemed obvious it would turn out like this.”

She was dumbfounded. She foolishly asked,

“Is that how it is?”

Aiden put on his coat. Without making eye contact with Asralda, he muttered in a low voice,

“You’re so busy chasing after me all the time, you.”