Liliana trembled violently. It was against the rules for even a royal member to physically punish another royal family member, but Katleyanira didn’t care. She always made sure that she didn’t leave any scars on visible areas.
The maids brought her a well-worn rod.
The dowager empress took a deep breath and leaned against the sofa. After the maids took Liliana’s top off, the dowager empress started hitting her daughter with the rod. The terrible sound of whipping filled the room.
Roselia, who had been watching in fear, was now starting to panic. She could barely breathe anymore, but no one helped her.
If the princess’ own nannies were there, they may have reacted more caringly, but they weren’t allowed to be present here. The dowager empress gave the rod to a maid to continue and watched in satisfaction.
Liliana looked at her mother who patted her belly lovingly. Sadly, she was used to this kind of situation.
When she was younger, Liliana used to be jealous of Roselia before she was born. Just like now, the dowager empress used to show infinite love for her unborn child because she thought it was a son. Of course, this was only until Roselia was born, and it turned out she was a girl.
Her father, the former emperor, showed no interest in his children. Her stepbrother, Lucretius, was the same as he was Katleyanira’s nemesis.
No one seemed to notice her except for her fiance, but he lost his title and was gone from her life. She had no one now.
It was the same for Roselia ever since she was born. Liliana took care of her all her life.
Liliana couldn’t hate Roselia because she was going through the same hellish life. In fact, Liliana felt sorry for her, so she tried her best to take care of Roselia and be a mother to her.
However, in days like this, she ended up failing to protect her little sister.
Liliana was fearful. She was deathly afraid of her mother. She was also concerned for the unborn child. If it was another girl…
Liliana prayed it was a prince. She didn’t care about politics; she just wanted Roselia and herself to be left alone. That was the best life she could hope for.
Liliana also knew this was the last chance for her mother Katleyanira. After the death of her father, this would be the last child for the dowager empress.
If it was a girl, she didn’t know what her mother would do. All Liliana knew was that it would be something horrible.
Bina.
I kept blinking because I couldn’t believe my eyes. My older sister was standing in front of me and calling me. I said her name out loud.
Biin?
That’s right. Come quickly.
Sis?
My sister seemed confused.
What? What’s wrong? Let’s go. Mom and dad must be waiting.
Mom? Dad?
It had been so long since I said these words out loud. It felt strange.
My sister smiled and nodded.
Yes! Let’s get going. You finished your SAT, so let’s go out to eat!
Behind my sister, I saw the shapes of my parents forming like magic.
I stared at them silently.
I already knew then this was just a lovely dream.
My family! I loved them so much.
I stayed still in fear I may wake up.
I wanted to run to them and hug them, even though I knew this was just a dream, but I was afraid that they would disappear if I moved.
In the last year, I have dreamt similar dreams.
I tried not to cry and held on as best as I could to this beautiful dream.
I woke up suddenly.
Ever since I arrived in this new world, I hadn’t been dreaming often. Even when I had a dream, I couldn’t remember what it was as soon as I woke up in the morning.
Last night’s dream felt so real.
It was a dream I never wanted to wake up from.
I held on to it as long as possible, but I couldn’t stop the morning from coming. When my eyes opened, I noticed that my pillow was wet.
I blinked a few times. It was a struggle not to cry.
Suddenly, I realized I couldn’t move.
Huh?
A voice said to me from behind.
Are you awake?
I was so surprised my heart almost stopped.
I screamed,
Gyaaa!
I flailed around like a cat getting an unwanted hug, but it was useless.
Why?
…
My husband was hugging me tightly from behind.
What the hell!
L, let me go!
He replied annoyingly,
I don’t wanna.
Gosh… How could one person be so annoying? It was amazing.
I tried to get free, but it was useless.
He wasn’t that big, yet he was so strong. Lucretius often lifted me up, so I knew this very well.
He laughed teasingly before he finally let me go.
I was still flailing, so when he loosened his arms, I ended up rolling off the bed.
I squealed, not because I was in pain, but because I was embarrassed. The floor was covered in thick luxurious carpet, so I wasn’t hurt at all.
However, my pride was damaged.
I was so mortified I wanted to disappear.
Please make him leave! Please!
Of course, he didn’t.
He asked me,
What are you doing?
…
He was standing right in front of me. He sounded like he was laughing at me. I couldn’t feel any worse right now.
He suddenly sat down beside me. I was covering my face with my hands and flinched at his sudden move.
Bina?
My heart skipped a beat.
I didn’t know why, but I knew something was different.
This wasn’t the first time he called me by my name, yet…
Wait! Actually, this WAS the first time he had called me properly by my first name in private. He often used my name in public so we could pretend to be a loving couple but in private… This was the first time he had looked at me in the eyes and said my name intensely.
I looked back at him in silence. He repeated,
Bina? That’s how you say it, right?
…
I remember you explaining that Sa was your family name and Bina was your first name.
That was right. When I was lying to him about my world and my family, I did explain my name to him.
He said it again questioningly,
Bina.
I hesitated, but I couldn’t just continue to remain quiet. It just felt strange being called by my given name instead of ‘your highness’ or ‘my lady.’
It was especially intense because Lucretius was saying it.
I finally had no choice but to acknowledge him and reply.
Why…
He smiled so happily. It was such a bright smile it looked strange. It didn’t suit the Lucretius I knew.
He answered,
Good. I was afraid you turned mute from the shock of falling from the bed.
…
He was such an ass. I glared at him, which made him chuckle.
I don’t think you are hurt… But then why are you not getting up?
Should I answer? Should I tell him because I was embarrassed?
I turned away from him and ignored him. He continued to look at me.
Then he did something unexpected. Again.
He lifted me up effortlessly.
Gyaa!
When I looked at him in surprise, he smiled in satisfaction.
This was the Lucretius I knew.
I like it when you look at me.
… Is that why you lifted me up?
Well… why do you think I did it?
He grinned as he laid me down the bed. He mussed my hair and said to me,
I think my wife wanted me to ignore her embarrassing fall and leave…
That’s right. Can’t you be kinder to me?
I sighed, but what he said next was surprising.
Alright.
Pardon?
I looked up at him in shock, which made him sigh. He must have seen my disbelief at his answer.
He came closer until his face was so close to mine.
He replied,
This is what a man does when he falls in love.
