"Excuse me, Miss... Madam is calling you to join for dinner," said Arren's personal servant while knocking on her mistress's bedroom door.The evening had turned into night, and it was time for them to fill their empty stomachs that had started to growl."Alright... I'll be there," replied Arren without opening the door.With Leon by her side, Arren always found it hard to dress properly. Her husband had no qualms about taking off her dress whenever he pleased."One more round, okay?" requested Leon with his mischievous smile.Arren threw a pillow within her reach toward her husband. "No!" she said firmly, looking surprised.Leon chuckled, grabbing Arren's hand that was about to throw various objects at him. With a swift pull, Leon managed to capture his wife back into his embrace. "Gotcha!"Moments later, Leon rewarded his wife's lips with an eruption of passion—as a reward for her patience in not indulging in a second round."Mmm..." Arren squirmed, wanting to free herself but not r
"What are you talking about? I have no idea about anything!" Arren interjected, playing the fool who knows nothing. Grandma and her husband are so secretive. What is really happening here?"Arren, Leon's father was supposed to be this family's son-in-law. Before that scoundrel ran off and eloped with a slave!" Madam Rossie explained with a sharp, ear-piercing tone."W—what?" Arren couldn't believe her ears. "Is that true?" She looked at Leon, who was bowing his head. He remained silent and didn't know how to respond."Look. That child is bound to be like his father. Don't easily trust him!" Madam Rossie continued to accuse Leon, seemingly associating him with his father. However..."I even killed him with my own hands. Why are you equating us? That's ridiculous!" Leon exploded.His family's dark story, tightly kept secret, is finally open. Arren and her grandmother are undoubtedly shocked by Leon's confession. However, they don't seek explanations. Leon doesn't need support or condemn
Lucy smiled gently and proudly introduced Leonard Connor as her adopted grandson."Lesea—that slave—is my adopted child, Madam," Lucy said with teary eyes, reminiscing about the memories with her adopted child who was no longer there."What do you mean, Lucy?""That's the truth.""Don't joke!"The lady boss seemed not to accept the fact of this reality. However, she didn't see the hesitancy in Lucy's expression—the former servant she trusted."Why does that slave have to be your adopted child? That cursed child!" Madam Rossie outburst seemed uncontrollable. She still felt betrayed by Alexander Connor and Lesea, which tarnished her honor.Not only that, Madam Rossie also lost a lot of money because the cooperation she had with the Connor family had to stop abruptly.She suffered quite a loss. Even a significant one. Therefore, Madam Rossie strongly disapproved of the reunion of these family enemies. History had proven that a Connor would inevitably bring loss."Madam…"Lucy remained ca
Madam's imposing gaze seemed threatening, accompanied by heavy breaths, as if bestowing hope upon her grandson-in-law. Reluctantly, she had to find a middle ground to avoid damaging her relationship with Arren and, of course, gain the advantages she desired."Do speak, Madam. I will exert my abilities if needed," Leon earnestly declared, but Arren pulled her husband's hand, shaking her head slightly."You don't have to prove anything," she said with a trembling voice. For some reason, her grandmother's attitude was quite overbearing. Arren resisted the pressures from her grandmother, which seemed to corner Leon.Leon shouldn't comply with every demand from her grandmother that undermined his dignity. He should resist, but instead, he just smiled gently, tightly holding Arren's hand."I don't want our relationship to be a thorn in the flesh, Arren. Relax, I can meet those conditions.""Darling, you don't need to be like this," Arren hinted at Leon not to submit like a tethered buffalo.
A neatly dressed man in a black suit with a red tie stands tall and confidently. With an athletic posture and a height of around 185 cm, the man is sturdy and seems difficult to approach.His sharp brown eyes, clean chin, and lips often folded in a serious expression complete his commanding presence."Good morning, Madam," he greets with a respectful nod. Inspector Kirk, the man, is back at the Mansion, but for what purpose?"How can I help you, Inspector?" asks Madam Rossie with a suspicious expression. She hasn't allowed the inspector to enter her residence until his intentions are clear.Inspector Kirk responds with a firm and authoritative voice, "Allow me to enter, Madam Rossie. I have news to convey regarding Abigail Rossie," he says with a serious expression."Abbey? What else do you want to know? I have no connection with her!" Madam Rossie exclaims, surprising those behind her.Leon, Arren, and Lucy appear trailing behind Madam with anxious expressions. The inspector's presen
The night grew darker; dinner was over. Soon, Madam Rossie, Arren, and Leon would return to their rooms for rest or other activities while awaiting bedtime.However, before leaving the dining room, a commotion startled them. A guard rushed in, breathless, informing them of a group of big and buffed men visiting the Mansion's gate. One of them was Adam Hart, Madam Rossie's former son-in-law."Ma—madam. Adam Hart wishes to meet you," the guard uttered with labored breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tried to regulate the oxygen pumping to his heart. Sweat dripped from him, and he appeared slightly anxious.The arrival of these unfamiliar guests captured enough attention for the guards to be on high alert. They didn't want to be deceived again and experience dangerous incidents for the Mansion's residents, as had happened in the past."Take me there," ordered Madam Rossie sharply. Hearing the name of her former son-in-law caused pain in her ears. The surge of anger reignit
The next day, everyone at the mansion was in shock! The sudden news of Adam Hart's Death was unbelievable."What?!""Indeed, Miss. Your father was beheaded last night."It all happened so quickly. No one expected that Adam Hart's farewell would be the last moment he met his daughter in this life.Arren shed tears upon hearing the news of her father's death this morning. She truly didn't expect that last night would be the last time she saw her father, whom she had forgiven completely."Leon..." Arren called out, now struggling to breathe. She suddenly felt dizzy, and shortly after, her body began to lose balance."Arren!"Leon quickly caught his wife, who almost collapsed to the ground, then carried her to the nearest sofa.Leon was also very surprised by the news he just heard. However, Leon tried to remain calm. He didn't want to further worsen the situation, knowing that his wife was the more deeply wounded one."How did it happen that night? I'm heading to the forensic unit now!"
The death of her father deeply saddened Arren. The warm-hearted girl couldn't come to terms with the gruesome loss of her only parent.Before Adam's body was returned from the forensic unit for burial, Arren secluded herself in her room. She avoided going outside and chose to have meals alone with Leon.Despite the concern of the lady of the house, Leon managed to calm her anxieties. "Let Arren recover, Madam," Leon advised when the lady eagerly wanted to meet her granddaughter.Arren remained elusive, occasionally gazing out of the window. Most of the time, she slept and only woke up for meals, delivered by servants at her door. Leon made sure she ate, despite her loss of appetite.Leon wouldn't let Arren fall ill due to grief. His objective mindset seemed to empathize when it came to his beloved wife."Arren," Leon softly called, having just returned from outside. Every morning, he exercised to clear his mind, pacing through the Rossie area for physical well-being.Arren responded w
The tip of the dagger was bent. No one would have expected that a sharp dagger could change its shape like that."No-no!" the servant cried out. She was very confused. How could Arren's stomach, which should have been stained with blood, bend the dagger without any effort?In a decisive moment, the dagger had undergone plastic deformation, like a metal dance changing its shape without being able to return to its original state."W-what's happening?" The servant wondered with trembling hands. Arren just smiled triumphantly. Her opponent had been thoroughly defeated without calculation."I anticipated this, Lesel," Arren said with a proud face.Yes. Lesel. It turned out she was Esme's henchman who was so eager to take her life."H-how did you know?"Arren immediately tore the tulle fabric covering her stomach. There was a shiny accessory there. A steel belt."W-what?"At first, the rumble and vibration were indeed felt by Lesel. She didn't expect that the collision between the dagger and
The blonde servant pursed her lips, while the black-haired one kept staring straight ahead."Fine!" she replied somewhat annoyed, but indeed their plan must not be ruined."I'll keep watch around. You need to get ready soon.""Okay."The two suspicious servants then continued their secret mission. There wasn't much for them to do except find their target and carry out their revenge."It seems he's on the west balcony. Wait for my signal, we'll launch the attack soon!""Okay!"***The atmosphere of the banquet was still lively with the melodious music playing softly in the background. Some guests enjoyed it while dining, while others continued chatting. Arren and Leon seemed happy as they greeted the guests present."It seems... I feel stifled," Arren whispered to Leon. This pregnancy made her easily tired and also felt hot all the time."Do you want to leave this place?" Leon asked, wrapping his arm around his wife's waist."Yes," Arren replied weakly."Let's go, then," said Leon, affe
Ava's eyes sparkled with happiness. She nodded eagerly and hugged Arren in return. "Thank you, Aunt!"Ava didn't expect that her birthday would be celebrated with a special feast, even though the feast wasn't specifically held for her."You're welcome, Ava!" Arren replied in kind. She was happy to cheer up her little friend who seemed down and lacking in spirit due to the absence of her parents."We have to go, Ava. This is for you," said Leon as he handed over a wrapped gift box with a purple ribbon on top."W-what's this, Sir?" Ava asked, surprised and delighted. She didn't expect to receive a gift from Mr. Leon on a day that wasn't her birthday."Consider it an installment gift," Leon joked, chuckling softly."Ahaha! Thank you so much!" exclaimed Ava as she opened the gift wrap. Inside was a brown fur teddy bear. "So cute!" Ava exclaimed happily. Arren and Leon were pleased to see her reaction.Shortly afterward, they really had to leave as there was something they needed to ensure
After some time in the hospital, Arren was finally allowed to go home. There were no signs of danger or contraindications from the treatment she received."Thank you, Doctor. I feel much healthier," Arren said after the doctor visited her for the last time."You're welcome, Madam. I'm glad you've recovered without difficulty."Doctors Freddy and Josh watched Arren leave with relieved hearts. Finally, their worries were gone. Arren was truly free from the danger that threatened her life.***On the way home, Leon kept staring at Arren with uncertain feelings. He was truly happy with his wife's recovery, but there was something that worried him."Are you sure about your plan? I don't want to put you in danger again, Darling!" Leon exclaimed, not wanting to endanger his wife anymore."There's no other way. We can do it, Darling!" Arren said firmly with strong determination.Leon sighed deeply. He couldn't prevent his wife's stubbornness. "Promise me, you'll stick to our plan.""Yes, Darli
"Sir! You're mistaken!" the nurse exclaimed, holding Leon's arm to prevent him from punching the doctor."What?!" Leon turned to the nurse. He was exhausted and couldn't tolerate any more mistakes from the doctor that would result in his children being born with defects."You misunderstood, Sir!""Yes, that's right!""Your children are fine, Sir."The voices of the nurse and doctor echoed. Leon lowered his fist and looked towards Dr. Freddy, who seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief."Tell me, Doctor! What happened to my wife and my children?!" Leon demanded, still full of anger.Before the doctor could answer, Arren's faint voice could be heard behind the nurse standing by the bed."Le—on…" she called softly."Arren!" Leon pushed aside the nurses covering his wife's presence. "Arren!" Leon approached Arren, tears streaming down his face. "Are you... awake?" he asked, gently caressing his wife's forehead."Uh huh," Arren replied weakly. "What happened? Why does it seem crowded here?"
Leon gripped Arren's hand tightly as they rushed to the hospital. Anxiety and worry consumed him. For some reason, Leon had a bad feeling."Driver! Faster!" Leon commanded as he saw Arren grimacing in pain, cold sweat dripping from her forehead and body, Arren's breaths were labored."Yes, Sir!"The driver immediately accelerated the car, doing his best to balance the increasingly speeding vehicle. He was truly worried that the young lady was suffering from an extraordinary ailment."Arren, hold on," Leon pleaded, continuing to comfort Arren with hugs and handholds."Argh, Leon..." Arren groaned as if enduring excruciating pain. Not just in his stomach, but throughout her body."We're almost there!" The driver signaled. Leon was so anxious. He nodded and prepared to take Arren to the emergency room as soon as they arrived at the hospital.Finally, after driving for some time, they arrived at the hospital."Doctor! Doctor!" Leon carried Arren to the ER, where everyone watched them with
Lora was successfully evacuated, and everyone was overjoyed. However, there was a strangeness apparent to her. Arren even noticed it. "Le-Leon...," she called out as Lora approached her.An unfamiliar scent emanated from Lora's body. It made Arren extremely nauseous."Ugh!" Arren vomited. He couldn't contain the overwhelming nausea."Darling!" Leon exclaimed in alarm. What was happening to his wife?"Le-Leon... Lora's... scent... it's very... unpleasant," she murmured as she nestled into her husband's embrace. Leon immediately caught Arren, who had almost fallen earlier. Now, his beloved wife was in a swoon."What scent?" Leon tried to sharpen his sense of smell. Indeed, he smelled something foreign and pungent, like the scent of lead. "Lora, come closer to me!"Leon tried to inhale the scent more deeply. Lora's heart, of course, was in turmoil. But the girl had already linked herself to William. Now, Mr. Leon was no longer the man who dominated her heart."Just wait a moment."With mo
Laurens's shout almost made Mrs. Dolores's heart jump out. "Oh, God!" The middle-aged woman then ran following Laurens's footsteps as he moved toward the field area."Leon! Let's follow them!" Arren exclaimed, following Mrs. Dolores's lead to her daughter's supposedly accident site. Leon followed Arren after ensuring Mrs. Dolores's house was securely closed.Arriving at the field, they were surprised to find Lora in a gaping hole. The hole, with rough soil around it, resembled a dug hole."Ouch!" Lora groaned in pain. Several wounds were visible on her knees and arms. "Mom! Help me!" she cried, tears streaming down her face."Oh, God! Lora! What happened to you?!" Mrs. Dolores trembled. "Laurens! Do something for your sister!" she ordered her son, who also seemed confused."I was just running, then... suddenly I fell in here! Huhu!" Lora continued to cry in pain.Arren and Leon had just arrived, as did the villagers who heard Laurens's shouts nearby."Get a rope!" Leon shouted, rolling
"Lora!" Arren called out, waving her hand. Lora just nodded her head, not returning the gesture of the young miss.Laurens felt uneasy. He elbowed Lora's ribs a little roughly. "Be polite, Lora!" he scolded his younger sister.Lora just snorted and turned away. She then ran off home without saying goodbye, without uttering a word.Arren, who was quite far from them, looked puzzled. However, she didn't dwell on it too much. There were many villagers waiting to talk to her."So, how will you develop our village, Miss Leader?" asked a middle-aged man who seemed to be struggling to find work.Arren just smiled and gave a brief answer. She didn't want to make empty promises. Arren would surely do her best. "You must be patient but diligent. When the village programs are finally implemented, I hope the villagers will truly make the most of them.""Thank you, Miss Leader! We will definitely do that!"Leon looked proud of Arren's gentle yet firm attitude. Arren could indeed be a good leader, l