How did it become like this?

This was all she could think about as blood seeped out of the wounds on her chest. How could she, the Great Marchioness of Crossbourne, the ruthless Iron Lion, the Soulless Widow of the Northern Castle, Iona Dalton Crossbourne, die a pathetic death like this?

Sprawled across the forest floor by an unnamed road, stabbed multiple times on the torso with an ugly dull knife by a lowly ruffian who doesn't bear any last name or title.

Pain burned on her scalp as the one who had just stabbed her pulled her up by her hair, its golden tresses sullied with dirt. Iona gritt her teeth to hold in a groan and glared at the men with what ounces of energy she had left.

"Look at her still giving you the bad eye, brother." Someone sniggered causing her captor to tilt her head up to meet his eyes.

"Hey don't hate me for this, you ugly, old bitch- slap- You can only blame yourself for this! -punch - If you hadn't been so horrible and created many enemies for yourself -kick- maybe you could've been spared." The ruffian  cackled loudly and his comrades followed suit.

Iona coughed as she felt blood and bile rise her throat. Ahh, she was so tired. She couldn't muster up anymore strength to even lift a finger and she felt her eyelids grow heavier by the minute.

Where did it ...go wrong? When was it?

"This bitch is so pathetic! Boss said it was her own son who hired us to kill her! She must've been a terrible mother!"

Hansel...? Iona felt her body and heart grow colder than it already was. Hans... did this?

"Iron Lion, my arse! You're just a useless bitch who couldn't even handle her own household! Che! Stupid nobles. You probably lived your life with a stick shoved up your pretty little arse!"

"Hey, hey, now that you mention it, she does have a nice figure doesn't she?"

Wait! No! Stop! Get your filthy hands off me!

"Good thing she's weak so we only had to stab her a few times and left these gorgeous titties unharmed. Gods! Look at these!"

Stop!

Johannes!

*-*

There was once a young girl. She was born to a poor Baron from the country side. Despite her father's title, they lived a simple life on a tiny property with her mother, elder brother, and younger sister.

Her mother loved her dear brother the most, thinking that as the heir to their family, he would bring them to greater heights and give them a good life unlike their father who was an alcoholic and a gambler. She doted on him and gave him the best clothes they could afford, fed him good bread and good milk, gave him a bed of his own, and sent him to school. Even at the cost of starving her younger daughters.

Iona and her sister lived their lives serving their parents and elder brother. It was a cruel life.

One day, Iona and her sister, came home from the market to find a fancy carriage by their gates. Men in stiff red uniforms stood on their porch and whispered to each other as they passed by.

Hesitantly, they entered their home and found their father sitting on the dining table with their mother standing behind him. However, what caught Iona's attention was the man seated on the other end of the table. He had an air of dignity around him that shook Iona's core as he turned around in the most elegant of ways. She noticed his blonde hair that was much like her own, his high cheekbones and defined jaw, but then... sharp blue eyes met hers and took her breath away. At that moment, all she could think of was how beautiful they were.

He stared at her for a few more moments in silence before standing up and bidding her parents goodbye. Gracefully, he walked towards the door and Iona felt her heart begin to race as he approached her. The man paused right in front of her and looked down on her from his height while Iona could only stare. He gave her a tiny nod and passed her silently.

That night, Iona could not sleep at all. The man had invaded her thoughts and all she could think about were his blue, blue eyes.

A week flew by and just as she thought she wouldn't meet the man again, a carriage arrived at their gates with a messenger who carried forty bags of gold. Even at a young age of 13, it wasn't hard to understand what was happenning. Iona kept her head down as she followed the messenger. Her mother's only words-

"Do not fail us."

She searched her mother's eyes for even an ounce of emotion for her in them, but all she saw was her greed and obsession for elder brother. Iona could only swallow the screams she wanted to release and it made her chest heavy with sadness.

After a very long ride, they finally arrived at a huge mansion. The moment they arrived, she was taken away, bathed, groomed, and dressed. With new clothes on, it seemed as if she was an entirely different person- completely reborn. Her once tangled and dull blonde hair now shone like the gold they placed around her neck. Gone were her rags and as if a fairy had poured magic over her, a beautiful gown took it's place adorned with pearls and laces.

Then she was presented to the Lord of the house. Her heart fluttered at the thought of the man who would soon be her husband, and she hoped he wouldn't find her displeasing in her new appearance and turn her away. She lowered herself to a curtsy when he turned to look at her, and she was relieved to see his eyes show a hint of a smile and his beard twitch.

He offered her a seat and had the servants serve her a cup of tea and a slice of cake. She tried to recieve them as elegantly and politely as she could considering her lack of ettiquette lessons.

They talked for a long time before Iona finally came out of the room with lifeless eyes and a burden that was far too heavy for her slender shoulders.

Six months later, she married the man she came to know as Johannes Von Crossbourne, The Count of Crossbourne. He was a capable man, well-respected by his people, and favoured by the Emperor himself. Despite being more than twice her age, he adored Iona, and their relationship grew with mutual care and respect. She lived with him happily and came to learn many things about the world as Iona Dalton Von Crossbourne, the young Countess of Crossbourne.

A few months after their marriage, a rebellion rose from the commoners in the nearby property of a weak baron. Johannes took the initiative to help before it turned serious, and left home to settle the people. It was just a simple matter at first which then uncovered into an elaborate conspiracy against the Emperor. Before the eyes of the entire noble society, the Count successfully dispersed the rebellion within a couple of months without wasting a single resource. It was a crucial event for the Crossbournes as the Count of Crossbourne would return home not as a Count, but as the Marquess of Crossbourne.

The Emperor was well pleased with him and rewarded him with a bigger land and great riches. A year flew by, and then another. Iona lived a rather carefree life, forgetting her bitter past and simply facing the future with hope and contentment in her heart. After becoming a Marquess, Johannes became busier than ever, and often left home on business trips and inspections.

And one day, he would return in a state that no one, not even Iona, would have expected.

Iona somehow saw it coming, but it still shook her to her core. She knew his days had been numbered from the very beginning, but she never expected it to catch up to them this soon. Johannes had told her everything and taught her everything she had to know for this. This was the burden she had to carry. And for the next 15 years, she would live with this burden. A promise she held in her heart dearly for the man that was her husband.

And just like that, everything fell apart as the great Marquess of Crossbourne withered  away in his mansion, and eventually left Iona everything he ever owned. The riches, the title, the mansion, and... his children.

Yes, they had children. However, they did not come from Iona's womb. They were the Marquess' children from his previous wife who had died not long before he had come to take her from her parent's place.

At the time of his death, Iona had merely turned 15.

The eldest was the same age as Iona's younger sister. A 12-year-old boy named Hansel Cecilthi Von Crossbourne. He was the type who acted mature for his age and was a boy of few words, but had a temper that could rival that of the devil's. Most of the time, he would simply ignore Iona, and she would do the same. Besides, he reminded her too much of her late husband with his blonde hair and his eyes... Especially his eyes. He would always look at Iona coldly- a contrast to Johannes' sharp, knowing eyes that would often lead you to think that you are safe and that he knew exactly what he was doing.

The second eldest, another son, 10 years old. Kaliendri Josephet Von Crossbourne. He was, in Iona's eyes, the devil's incarnate. An evil boy, through and through, spoiled rotten by the servants that followed his tail since he was able to walk. For such a young boy, he was a genius who prepared elaborate pranks for Iona whenever he could. From tripping her in a room full of people, to trapping her in rooms throughout the mansion, and putting insects in her food, he was simply a detestable child.

Then there was the Marquess' only daughter- A girl who had just turned 5 years old, Dinah Ann Cristi Von Crossbourne. Dinah was difficult to handle as she was barely weaned from her mother's breasts. She would throw endless tantrums looking for her mother, the previous countess. Iona had been greatly troubled by her as she grew to be inceasantly rebellious just like her elder brothers and never once acknowledged her as mother.

Lastly, the youngest of the Crossbourne children, a 2-year-old toddler, Adam Hans Von Crossbourne. He was what made the first several years of Johannes' death bearable for Iona. He was an absolute angel. However, he caught a certain sickness that was similar to Johannes' and died at the very young age of 10. His death almost drove Iona to the edge of sanity.

As the years went by, the children's hatred for her only grew and their relationship worsened to beyond repair. Still, Iona held on. Managing the property, her late husband's businesses, bearing the criticism of everyone around her, hardening her own heart until the day the eldest would marry and assume his role as the Marquess of Crossbourne. Only then, will she be free.

She did everything, making sure that her children were safe and well provided for with good food, quality clothes, and quality education. Giving it her absolute best, she made sure that the Crossbourne children would all grow up to be the best they could be- the Empire's elite.

She had called them her children but she also knew very well that none of them acknowledged her as one. Not once had she ever heard any of them utter the word mother in front of her. Nothing could stop her heart from feeling a little pain at the knowledge.

"You never were, and never will be our mother!" Hansel's voice rang through the halls of the mansion.

"Who do you think you are to order me around?! It hasn't even been a year since father died and you're going around climbing rich men's beds?! Some wife you are!" Kal yelled, banging the table hard enough to leave a crack.

"You never even loved father! You were just after all our gold and power, weren't you?! You power hungry, gold-digger!" Dinah screeched.

“You... you were never my mother at all..?” Adam shook as his blue eyes turned dark with betrayal. Even Adam refused to call her mother at his deathbed.

"Madam," Robert, the butler, bowed slightly as he entered Iona's private sitting room, behind him followed Gwen, Iona's maid, and Marcus, the captain of the Knights of Crossbourne, "Everything is ready."

Iona’s eyes cleared and she sighed and stood gracefully. Looking around her room one last time, she held her head high and turned to face her most loyal servants. "For all these years, you have served me well. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Robert, Gwen, Marcus." She said with a calm voice, gathering her skirts and curtsied to her companions.

Tears glistened in Gwen's eyes, "Oh, Madam, please don't! We were merely doing our jobs."

"Madam, are you sure you won't be attending Master Hansel's wedding banquet?" Marcus inserted, worry clear in his voice.

At the mention of his name, Iona felt a prick in her heart. She was quiet for a moment. "No. I'll be leaving tonight. Isn't it better... to leave at my own will instead of being forced out from a house nobody wanted me in anyway?" Iona spoke softly, the usual air of confidence leaving from her petite frame.

Gwen clutched her chest, her heart feeling for the Madam she had served for the past 20 years. "Madam, that's not—"

"You're still here?" Hansel's deep voice cut through the somber atmosphere, making it heavier than it already was. If glares could kill, Iona would have been dead a long, long time ago. Even now, it bothered her how his eyes looked exactly the same as her husband's. She realised she would regret only ever seeing hatred in those eyes.

"Yo- young master..."

"Hansel," Iona's gaze turned as cold as her heart and rested on the Crossbourne's eldest son, then swiftly moved to the servants who stood by the side with their heads bowed. "Gwen, Robert, Marcus, you should now address him as Master or Lord."

"Yes, Madam."

Without looking away from his heavy gaze, Iona continued to speak, "Serve him well. Make sure not to anger him..."

"Yes, Madam."

Turning around, she picked up her fan to hide her face. And as she passed by the servants, she said in a low voice, "You all are well aware of his temper." Making sure she gave him the look before turning her back and walking out of the mansion without ever looking back.

On her way out, she passed by the twins who merely glared down at her with all the hatred they could muster. Then by the door, Kal, the second eldest seemed to be waiting for her. When she passed him, he said, "Running away now, huh. Couldn't handle losing your position in this house?" When Iona stayed silent, not even sparing him a glance, his anger rose. "I hope you suffer for the rest of your life and die, you useless bitch!"

Iona kept her head high and continued to walk out of the mansion's threshold. It's a good thing the guest haven't started to arrive yet or they would have witnessed the scene, turning it into the hottest gossip for the next half a year.

Only when she was inside the carriage did Iona drop her fan and allowed her shoulders to relax. A goofy smile showed in her face and she giggled. No, she wasn't going insane. It was just something she had been trying to suppress since earlier. Actually, she was ecstatic about leaving! Finally! She was free!

So long, you little devils! Now I can do whatever the hell I want! I'll move into a far away town and open up a shop, and maybe even find a new love and settle down in a peaceful home!

As the coachmen did the final preparations, Iona studied the mansion before her and the smile on her face faded. For the longest time, it had been her home. A place that carried a million memories that turned her into who she was today. It was so easy to hate it, to call it a place of all her pain and misery. However, she somehow couldn't bring herself to do so as a memory of her husband flashed before her, and once again her heart decided it was all worth it.

No! You shouldn't become depressed because of this! You've been through hell with them and now your free! Iona slapped her cheeks and tried to smile again.

But then again, who was she kidding?

Despite it all, she found that the Crossbourne children... were precious to her.

*-*

With a gasped, Iona woke up as thunder lashed out outside.

"A-AHH!" Her eyes were wild as her hands flew to cover her chest, the flashes of the men who unclothed her as she lost consciousness overwhelming her mind.

At that moment, Gwen burst into the room with a few more maids, "Madam?! What's the matter?!"

"Gwen! Gwen?! I...!" Shakily, Iona reached out and without hesitation Gwen caught her and held her in a tight embrace as Iona continued to panic.

"Shh, I'm here, Madam. It's alright." Gwen held her tightly as she shook and rubbed circles on her back, "It's alright."

Gwen continued to whisper comfort into her Madam's ear, effectively calming her down. Iona's vision began to clear and she saw the familiar pattern on the wallpaper. A frown of confusion replaced the terror in her eyes as tears flowed ceaselessly from her hazel eyes.

That pattern...

Hushed whispers then caught her attention and her eyes lowered to the maids who stood by the door, clutching unto one another.

"Poor Madam..."

"She must be shocked."

"Who wouldn't be? To be widowed at such a young age..."

Something's strange, Iona thought. Something wasn't right.

Gwen noticed her Madam's silence and realised she must've heard the maids' insensitive whispering. Gwen felt her anger rise for her Madam and turned back to glare at the maids. "Well? What are you waiting for?! Go call the doctor!" Gwen's angered voice shocked the maids and they scurried out of the room.

When they were left alone, Gwen grabbed her Madam's face between her hands to make her look into her eyes. That was when she saw the utter confusion and terror in her madam's eyes and her heart tightened for her. "Madam, it's okay now, you're o—"

"Gwen..?" Iona's voice came out soft and her hand came to touch Gwen's cheeks. Something wasn't right, she could feel it in her bones. Did Gwen always look this young? This room... it looked eerily similar to her old room before she moved to Johanne's room. Why was she here?

Her heart drummed in her chest, and with a shaky voice, she asked, "Gwen, what were they talking about?"

Gwen must have misinterpreted the panic and disbelief in her voice because at that moment, Gwen's face contorted into sympathy for her Lady. Gwen pulled away from her to help her rise from the bed, "Come on, Madam, we must get ready."

"For what?" Iona was now all the more confused.

"For the Marquess' funeral today, Madam."

"What? Did Marquess Halwitrod pass away?"

Gwen looked at her as if she just declared unicorns existed, and shook her head slowly. "No, Madam. I was talking about your husband, Master Johannes Crossbourne."