Beneath the Fallen Blossoms

On the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, a group of bandits stormed into my home. They robbed us of everything we owned and burned our estate to the ground. Then they used my six-year-old sister as leverage, forcing me to show myself. More than a dozen bandits dragged me back to their hideout and tortured me for three days and three nights before selling me to a brothel. I had thought about dying, but even death was beyond my reach. When I was at my most desperate, Duke Landon Knight paid for my freedom and asked if I was willing to go home with him. After crawling through the darkness for so long, I suddenly saw a light that had never gone out. Three years into our marriage, I once asked him why, among all the flowers in the world, he had chosen this withered one—me. "When I caught my first glimpse of you as a child, I swore I'd never marry anyone but you." I thought he truly loved me. I thought that was why he was willing to marry a brothel girl whom everyone else called a woman who had been with countless men. I spent those three years healing from my wounds, hoping that one day I could give him a son or daughter of our own. Until I overheard a conversation between him and his closest friend in his study. "Lucia Bellamy is arriving in the capital tomorrow. Are you really planning to bring her into the estate? "Isabel has already suffered the loss of her family and been humiliated and sold to a brothel. Her life has been tragic enough. Can you really bear to bring Lucia into the estate and hurt her all over again?" Landon answered without hesitation, "What do the lives of a few dozen Conrads matter? If the Conrads hadn't reported the Bellamys back then, Lucia wouldn't have been exiled to Southvale, and we wouldn't have been prevented from marrying. "As for Isabel, I bribed the bandits to sell her to a brothel. I did it only to spare her life and leave her alive long enough for Lucia to come back and take her revenge herself." So that first glimpse he'd never forgotten had been of Lucia, and I was nothing more than a tool for him to use in taking revenge for the woman he loved. The next day, I used the Conrad family signet my grandfather, Leonard Conrad, had left me to secure two imperial decrees. The first was my own request for a divorce, so Lucia could enter the estate as his legal wife. The second ordered a full investigation into the truth behind the massacre of my family, so that their names could finally be cleared. Chapter 1 When Lucia Bellamy was brought into the Duke's estate, the fireworks outside went on for what seemed like forever. The entire estate was buzzing with excitement. Everyone in the Duke's estate knew a new woman had arrived. Everyone except the people in my courtyard, which remained eerily quiet. The servants deliberately kept their distance, perhaps afraid I would be hurt if I found out. Or perhaps they were simply relieved that they no longer had to bow and scrape before me, the disgraced wife they all looked down on. After all, the Duke's estate now had another mistress. If this had happened before, I might truly have been heartbroken. But now, I simply sat in my courtyard in a daze, holding the Conrad family signet that my grandfather, Leonard Conrad, had left me. From beyond the wall came Landon Knight's unmistakably pleased voice. "This is my wife's courtyard. Since you're new here, you should go in and pay her a visit. I have some official business to take care of, so I can't accompany you." His voice was so gentle it practically dripped with tenderness. They spoke quietly for a few more moments. Then Lucia's clear laughter rang out. Soon, footsteps approached from a distance. The smile was still lingering on her face. She was dressed in a bright red gown. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought she had entered the estate as the lawful wife. Landon had used official business as an excuse to leave because he wanted Lucia to take her revenge without restraint, didn't he? I put away the Conrad family signet and stood up cautiously. But Lucia stopped five paces away and looked me up and down provocatively. She did nothing else. She only gave me a look that said there would be plenty of time for what came next. It was as though she had just thrown down a challenge. Then she turned and left. An hour later, several servants entered my courtyard carrying shovels and axes. Chapter 2 "My lady, Miss Bellamy says the apricot trees are bad luck. To keep the Duke's estate safe, they have to be cut down..." I froze and turned toward the few apricot trees in the courtyard. Back when the Conrad family was still intact, there had been many apricot trees throughout our estate. Every spring, the entire courtyard would be filled with blossoms. Ever since I was little, I looked forward to the apricot trees blooming each year. I would wait eagerly for them to bear fruit. My mother, Corrine Conrad, would even make candied apricots for me by hand. Then the Conrad family was massacred, and the apricot trees throughout the estate were burned to the ground. After Landon brought me back to the Duke's estate, he learned how much I loved apricot blossoms and specifically had people transplant new trees into my courtyard. For the past three years, we had tended them together with great care. In spring, we'd make tea, pour ourselves a drink, and sit beneath the flowering trees. In summer, we would sit beneath the trees to escape the heat and talk about the little things in life. I looked forward to the day the apricot trees would finally bear fruit, just as I looked forward to escaping the darkness of my past and finding hope in a new life. But now, I knew Landon for who he truly was. What remained between us was just like these apricot trees about to be chopped down. There was no hope left. I watched with my own eyes as every apricot tree in the courtyard was cut down, one after another, their roots ripped from the earth. It was just like the despair I had felt the year the Conrad family was massacred and the fire consumed every apricot tree in the estate. By the time Landon returned, I was still sitting in the wreckage of the courtyard. It felt as though all the strength had been drained from my body. I stared blankly at the dirt beneath me. He immediately hurried over and helped me to my feet, looking at me as though I had lost something precious. "Isabel, why are you sitting here? What happened?" I couldn't tell whether he was simply putting on such a convincing act, or whether he truly felt sorry for the apricot trees we had spent three years nurturing. For a moment, I actually saw a trace of guilt in his eyes. I came back to myself and gently pulled away from his hand as I stood. "Nothing. I was just thinking." He froze, then glanced at the holes and broken stones left behind me. He seemed to understand what had happened and reached for my hand. But I pulled away before he could touch me. "Don't touch me. I'm dirty." This was the second time I had said those words to him. Three years ago, when he first brought me into the Duke's estate, the estate had been surrounded by gossip for three whole days. Despite the ridicule he faced, he went to the palace and asked the Emperor to grant us a marriage decree. Even after we were married, the servants at the Duke's estate still thought their master had been wronged by taking me as his wife. Not a single one of them thought highly of me. Landon lost his temper with the servants and protected my position. He had even risked punishment to beat several townspeople who spread rumors about me, making an example of them to silence the rest. I thought that under his protection, I could finally open my heart to him completely. But on our wedding night, when he touched me for the first time, I still instinctively said, "Don't touch me. I'm dirty..." I was the one who ruined the mood, yet he immediately tried to reassure me. "Isabel, you know I love you. I don't care about any of that..." But I still pulled my hand away and moved farther from him. "I know. But I can't stand myself." After that, he never touched me again. He said he would wait for me until I had healed from all the pain of my past, until I was ready to open my heart to him completely. I spent those three years forgetting my past and healing from my wounds. Until today, I had even secretly made up my mind. The apricot trees had finally grown enough to bear fruit after three years of care. It was time for Landon and me to have a child of our own. But now the apricot trees were gone. So were Landon and I. Somehow, he still managed to take my hand. He gently brushed the dirt from my fingers and smiled softly. "No, Isabel. You're not dirty." How ridiculous. Chapter 3 Someone whose heart was dirtier than a sewer had no right to think I was calling myself dirty. The person I was calling dirty was him. I pulled my hand away again and turned around expressionlessly. "Are you angry that I brought Lucia back to the estate?" He followed after me, looking somewhat anxious. "Lucia and I have known each other since we were children. I've always treated her like a younger sister. "Her entire family was exiled a few years ago. She only just returned to the capital today, with no one to rely on. I'm the only one who can help her. "Don't worry, Isabel. You will always be the only wife in this household." Faced with his flawless performance, I said nothing. I simply answered softly, "Okay." The next morning, I requested an audience at the palace. At the Queen's residence, I bowed deeply before the Queen. She immediately helped me to my feet, gently smoothing the loose strands of hair at my temple. "My dear, I've told you before, you don't need to observe any formalities with me. I still prefer hearing you call me Aunt instead of 'Your Majesty.'" I had been born into a distinguished family. My maternal grandfather, Leonard Conrad's family had been renowned military commanders, with countless victories to their name, while my aunt held the highest position in the imperial household as Queen. My father, Graham Conrad, was the Crown Prince's tutor. From the moment I was born, I had been a young woman sought after by countless sons of noble families and heirs of distinguished houses. But then the Conrad family was destroyed, and I went from being a well-bred young lady to a brothel girl who had been with countless men. Thankfully, my aunt didn't look down on me. My eyes immediately filled with tears. The Queen sighed. "When the Conrad family was massacred, I sent capable people from the palace everywhere to search for you, but there was never any news. "Even then, I couldn't help wondering how Landon could have found you when even I couldn't. After that, I had people investigate the matter continuously. Just before you arrived, I received word..." The Queen paused. I thought she was about to tell me that Landon had bribed the bandits and sold me to a brothel, but the sudden seriousness in her expression made me tense. "I've found those bandits. Under severe interrogation, they confessed to a secret. Landon didn't just bribe the bandits to sell you to a brothel and ruin your reputation. "He also paid them a huge sum to massacre the dozens of Conrads, all so he could avenge Lucia, the daughter of the Bellamy family who had been exiled." Tears finally spilled from my eyes. Three years. Three whole years. I had thought of Landon as a light in the darkest part of my life, the one person who gave me a reason to keep living. Yet for the sake of an exiled traitor's daughter, he had slaughtered dozens of my family members and cast me into an endless abyss. From beginning to end, all that existed between us was a blood feud. I dropped to my knees and bowed deeply before the Queen. "I, Isabel Conrad, humbly beg Your Majesty to petition King Tristen on my behalf. I am willing to surrender the Conrad family signet my grandfather left me in exchange for a decree granting Landon and me a divorce. I also beg the King to thoroughly investigate the massacre of the Conrad family." The Queen helped me to my feet, her eyes filled with sympathy. She pulled me into her arms and gently rubbed my back. "My dear, even if you hadn't asked, I would have gone to King Tristen myself. Stay here at the palace for the next few days. With me protecting you, no one will dare hurt you again." I wiped away my tears and gently shook my head. "My parents' portraits are still at the Duke's residence. I want to bring them back." The Queen didn't insist. She only urged me to be careful. When I returned to the Duke's residence, Landon was standing in my courtyard. The servants were carrying my belongings outside and casually throwing them onto the ground. Chapter 4 When I returned, Landon hurried over to me. "Isabel, where did you go? Why did it take you so long to come back?" Looking at his hypocritical expression, I suddenly laughed. "Tomorrow is the anniversary of my parents' and family's deaths. I went into town to buy them flowers, so I got back a little late." Landon froze. Perhaps he had only just remembered. The day the Conrad family was massacred was the day of my coming-of-age ceremony—and my birthday. The first year after he brought me back to the Duke's estate, he promised that every year, he would celebrate my birthday with me the day before. Then, the next day, he would accompany me to pay respects to my family. But this year, with Lucia having entered the estate and the two of them enjoying themselves together, of course my birthday had been forgotten. There was no need for him to waste any more effort pretending with me. "Isabel, I..." I didn't want to hear what he had to say. I cut him off and looked at my belongings scattered across the ground. Landon suddenly seemed nervous. He stammered, "Isabel, Lucia has only just returned from Southvale, and she's still in poor health. The physician said she should stay somewhere with plenty of sunlight. "Your courtyard is the most spacious and well-lit one in the entire estate, so I thought I'd let Lucia stay here for now. Once she's recovered, she'll move somewhere else." I'd already decided to leave. What difference did it make where I lived? I was just about to say that I could move out myself when I saw the servants carrying out numerous portraits and throwing them onto the ground. I stared at them in disbelief. Then I rushed forward and gathered the plaques into my arms. "Stop! Who gave you permission to touch my things..." Before I could finish, Lucia walked out of the main house. A smug smile spread across her face as she slowly approached me. "I told them to throw them out. Keeping portraits in the house is terribly unlucky. I was already in poor health. Why would I keep all these dead people around? Do I look like I want to die?" I raised my head and glared at her with bloodshot eyes. I don't know where I found the strength, but I broke through the two maids trying to hold me back and grabbed Lucia by the collar. "Lucia, you threw away my parents' portraits and insulted my family. I'll kill you!" I pulled the wooden hairpin from my hair and drove it viciously toward Lucia's neck. The hairpin sliced through her delicate skin before a large hand shoved me from behind. I slammed into the stone behind me, and blood immediately spilled from the wound on my head. Landon's face changed, and he instinctively reached out to help me. But Lucia shrank against him and grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Landon, thank God you protected me in time. Otherwise, I might never have seen you again." Landon's brow furrowed deeply, but he stared at me without saying a word. He knew exactly how much the deaths of my parents and the rest of my family had devastated me. He had even personally promised that I could keep my family's portraits in my room. Yet now, he had stood by and watched Lucia throw away the things I treasured most. The moment he saw that I had hurt Lucia, even the pity he had shown me moments earlier vanished. Landon frowned and called for the servants. "Someone take the Duchess to the west wing. She's distraught and not in her right mind. Keep a close eye on her." I was led away by the servants like a lifeless shell. As I left, Lucia gave me a victorious smile. It was as if she were saying, "We have plenty of time. Let's take this slow." But I was the only one who knew that my time at the Duke's estate, where I had been living among them while waiting to make them pay for their crimes, was almost over. I was locked inside a small, neglected room that had been unused for a long time. Strong, burly servants stood guard outside both the room and the courtyard. Chapter 5 I figured Landon was afraid I'd tell the Queen what he'd done and planned to keep me confined here. I cleared a clean space and set down the portraits for my parents that I'd been carrying against my chest. That night, my mind was surprisingly calm. Perhaps it was because I knew I'd soon be able to avenge the Conrads who had been killed. Early the next morning, the door creaked open, and Landon walked in. "Isabel," he called my name softly. When I didn't move, he sighed. Then he walked over to my parents' portraits and carefully arranged the portraits of the other family members beside them before giving them a slight bow. Only then did he come over to me, his expression earnest. "Isabel, don't blame me. Lucia can be difficult, but we've known each other since we were children. If you're upset, I'll apologize to you on her behalf." I let out a cold laugh. Even now, he was still putting on an act. "There's no need. You said it yourself. You two have known each other since childhood. If you want to marry her, or if you want me to give up my place as your wife, I won't say a word. I just don't want to watch the two of you keep putting on this act..." Before I could finish, Landon hurriedly cut me off, "What are you talking about, Isabel? I've told you before, you're the only woman who will ever be my wife. After three years together, no one could ever take your place in my heart." I couldn't help finding it ridiculous. He had mentioned our three years together too. For those three years, anyone with a shred of sense could see how sincerely I loved him. And yet he had brought me to such a miserable state while still managing to pretend to care about me every single day. When he lay awake at night, did he never fear that the portraits of the dozens of people he'd killed would come back to haunt him? What kind of heartless person could look at my family's portraits and me and remain so utterly at ease? "You're joking, Duke. I'm sure Miss Bellamy is waiting for you to have breakfast with her. Don't keep her waiting." Landon's expression darkened. After a long silence, he said, "Stay here and calm down. Once you've come to your senses, I'll let you out. Isabel, whatever happens from now on, I won't hurt you again." I said nothing. It didn't matter. There was no future left for us anyway. Even from the west wing, I could hear Lucia and Landon's laughter as they frolicked together beyond the courtyard wall. Meanwhile, I gathered a few wildflowers and laid them out in remembrance of my family on the anniversary of their deaths, but no one even brought me lunch. It was as though I didn't exist anywhere in the Duke's estate. I didn't care. I knew the moment I'd been waiting for was coming soon. When Landon and Lucia finally grew impatient and pushed open the gate to my courtyard, I was looking up at the sun overhead, calculating the time. "Isabel, if you kneel and beg me, I'll have Landon let you move out of this miserable little room. From now on, you can bring us our foot baths and attend to us at bedtime. If you do a good job, you can still live comfortably." I smiled and rose to walk toward them. This time, the smile was genuine because I heard the sound of orderly footsteps approaching, along with a brightly illuminated scroll held high as someone came toward the entrance of my courtyard. "No need. You don't have a future either." Landon froze and followed my gaze toward the courtyard entrance. Then a shrill voice rang out. "Royal decree!"