EPISODE 3

As they stepped outside, Mabel quickly released his arm and stepped back, muttering,

“I’m sorry… someone was inside.”

Edric nodded but didn’t say anything. He simply walked toward the vehicle. She blinked, watching his retreating back, a thought slipping through her mind.

"Is he offended…? "

She shook her head and followed him.

By the time they reached Alkiza Manor, the sun was sinking toward the horizon. The vehicle stopped near the main gate. Mabel stepped out and said softly,

“Thank you…”

She turned toward the gate and walked in. The guards tried and failed to hide their surprise, glancing at her and then at the vehicle, clearly curious about who had accompanied the lady of the house.

As the car disappeared down the road, Mabel glanced back. The mask of indifference she had worn finally crumbled; her shoulders tensed. She looked at the mansion and inhaled slowly.

"He must be furious."

Blinking once, she walked toward the door.

Inside, the mansion was quiet. The head maid came into view, her brows lifting in surprise.

“Miss… you are back.”

Mabel nodded. “Yes. Where is Father?”

“He’s out. He’ll be back soon.”

Mabel nodded again and walked toward her room, releasing a quiet breath of relief as she went.

The ride back was silent.

Cael glanced at Edric in the back seat and muffled a laugh.

Edric spoke without looking up. “What is it?”

“Oh, nothing, Master,” Cael replied, still amused. “It’s just that the ladies at the boutique assumed you and Miss Alkiza were husband and wife.”

Edric glanced at Cael and said flatly, “That woman is troublesome.”

Cael coughed lightly. “So… did she agree to your contract marriage?”

Edric looked out the window. “Not yet. I gave her time to think.”

Cael nodded. “And… if she refuses?”

Edric exhaled. “Then I’ll find someone else.”

Cael hesitated. “Well… and..um ..Master.”

Edric turned his gaze to him, sharp and impatient. “What now? Be clear.”

Cael straightened. “Lady Kate has returned.”

Edric blinked once, then shifted his eyes back to the passing scenery outside the window. He didn’t say a word.

Cael released a quiet breath, relieved by his master’s lack of reaction.

.....

The night had settled over the mansion.

Mabel rose slowly from the couch, sensing that the hour of her father’s return has come. She stepped into the corridor and stopped at the railing, peering down.

Below stood Merove Alkiza, speaking in a low voice to the head maid. Behind him were Jane, composed as ever, and Rebecca, who had clearly just returned. All three lifted their gazes toward her.

Merove’s brows drew together, fury unmistakable.

“So,” he said sharply, “you’re finally back. Come down. Now.”

Mabel exhaled, resignation, and descended the stairs.

Merove strode toward her, anger radiating from him. His hand rose instinctively.

Mabel flinched, eyes squeezing shut.

Nothing came.

She opened her eyes slowly. Merove’s hand hovered for a moment before dropping to his side, his jaw clenched hard, restraining himself.

“You have crossed your limits this time,” he said coldly. “Where were you for the past two weeks?”

The sharpness of his tone made her shoulders tense.

“With Irene,” Mabel replied quietly.

Merove’s eyes narrowed.

“In Orenvell.”

She nodded.

Silence followed , thick and suffocating.

Behind Merove, Rebecca’s lips curved upward, amusement flickering in her eyes as she failed to hide it. Jane, as usual, remained impassive, her expression calm.

Merove exhaled through his nose.

“I’ve had enough of your childish defiance,” he said. “Go back to your room. The Founding Ceremony is approaching. Esteemed guests will arrive soon, and I will not tolerate any more embarrassment. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Mabel replied, her voice barely audible.

Merove studied her for a long moment before asking,

“And who escorted you back?”

Mabel hesitated, then answered softly,

“Irene’s family.”

Merove blinked once, as if weighing the response, then dismissed her with a curt gesture.

“Leave.”

Mabel nodded and turned away.

As she walked back up the stairs, her steps were steady, but her expression was tight, fragile, it was clear she's trying hard not to cry.

Merove turned and strode toward his room , his steps brisk and heavy with restrained anger. Once he disappeared down the corridor, the hall fell into an uneasy silence.

Rebecca leaned closer to Jane, lowering her voice.

“Mom… why didn’t Dad hit her? I was sure she’d get slapped this time.”

Jane exhaled softly, her expression composed.

“She’s still his daughter—his beloved one at that. He was worried sick for days. After finally seeing her return safely, he wouldn’t be able to raise his hand against her.”

She turned to Rebecca, her gaze sharpening just slightly.

“And didn’t I tell you already? If you can’t get along with her, then stay out of her way. Don’t provoke her unnecessarily.”

Rebecca opened her mouth but Jane continued calmly,

“I want peace in this house, not petty conflicts and childish victories.”

Rebecca lowered her gaze and nodded.

“Yes… I understand.”

....

The room was quiet, broken only by Mabel’s muffled sobs.

Everything had begun months ago, after her father married Jane.

At first, Mabel had accepted it. She told herself her father deserved companionship after years of loneliness, and Jane, at least on the surface, was polite , measured, distant, but never openly unkind. Mabel responded in the same way, maintaining courtesy without warmth.

Rebecca, on the other hand, had never hidden her dislike. Their interactions were sharp, often tense, but nothing Mabel couldn’t endure. Jane remained neutral through it all, never openly taking sides, never intervening beyond quiet reminders to “keep the peace.”

Then, one month later, everything shattered.

Mabel found out—by accident—that her father had known Jane long before her mother’s death. Not only known her, but met her. Spent time with her. And after her mother passed away, those meetings had only increased.

The realization clawed at her chest.

The thought formed slowly, horrifically:

"Was he dishonest with Mother? "

Unable to bear it, Mabel confronted him directly.

He didn’t deny it.

He didn’t explain it either.

He stayed silent.

That silence was worse than any answer.

From that day onward, their relationship fractured. Conversations turned clipped. Disagreements erupted over the smallest things. What followed was not loud conflict, but a cold, suffocating distance , a silent war that eventually cost her, the right of inheritance.

Mabel wiped her face and stood, moving toward the window. The night outside was still, indifferent.

“Not like I care about the inheritance,” she muttered bitterly. “I just wanted a peaceful life.”

She exhaled, eyes softening as another thought surfaced.

“Abel will take over anyway.”

Her younger brother—currently out of the city, working at a firm to gain experience. One of the remaining potential heirs.

A hollow laugh escaped her.

“And now,” she murmured, “Dad wants Rebecca involved too.”

She stood there for a while, blinking as the cold wind brushed against her cheeks. Her gaze drifted to the table, where the card Edric Thorne had given her lay.

She exhaled softly.

"We’ll see."

The next day began tensely. At breakfast, the table remained subdued, broken only by light, measured conversation between Merove and Jane.

Merove finally looked at Mabel.

“Come to my study after breakfast.”

Mabel met his gaze briefly. “I have plans. I’m going out with Susan.”

Silence fell.

Merove’s eyes narrowed. “Planning to run away again?”

Mabel took a slow sip of her tea, unbothered. “No. I’m going out for some fresh air. This mansion feels suffocating.”

Another pause. Rebecca glanced at her, brows lifting slightly in thinly veiled curiosity.

“So,” Merove said coolly, “that’s why you disappeared for weeks? Because the mansion was too much for you?”

Mabel set her cup down and stood. “Think whatever you want, Dad.” She turned away. “If it’s urgent, I’ll come to your study this evening.”

With that, she left the dining room.

Merove watched her retreating figure and let out a breath.

“What has happened to this girl?”

Jane blinked, her tone even. “You did remove her from the line of inheritance.”

Merove scoffed lightly. “She was never interested in it to begin with. Abel is capable now, and Rebecca wants to compete as well. Things will settle.” He paused, then added flatly, “I’ve already begun considering potential matches for her.”

Jane said nothing, her expression sharp but edged with amusement.

---

The street buzzed with chatter as Mabel walked toward the pastry shop, where her academy friend Susan stood waiting.

“Susan.”

Susan turned, her eyes lighting up. “Finally! Come on..let’s eat pastries first. Then I want to show you an interesting place.”

Mabel sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Sure.”

After eating and chatting for a while, they wandered through the streets ,quieter now, yet still crowded, until they stopped before a darkened building looming ahead.

Mabel frowned slightly. “Where are we going? It looks like a stadium… or a playground?”

Susan chuckled. “Neither. This is where casual fights happen. Men come here to fight, people place bets, it’s kind of exciting.”

Mabel blinked, arching her brows. “Where did you even find a place like this?”

Susan shrugged, already stepping forward. “Come on, let’s go in.”

Mabel exhaled, a spark of excitement stirring in her chest, and followed her inside.

They took seats near the middle, where the view of the ring was clear.

Susan reached into her bag, pulled out two cans of juice, and handed one to Mabel. Mabel took it and began to open it casually.

Then the referee’s voice rang through the arena, announcing the arrival of the fighters.

Both girls straightened instantly, excitement flickering in their eyes. The fighters stepped into the ring, shirtless, wearing only trousers, a colored ribbon tied around one wrist for identification.

Mabel blinked, her gaze drifting around , until it froze.

Her breath caught.

She leaned forward, squinting, disbelief flashing across her face as recognition struck. Her eyes widened.

It was Edric Thorne.

She sucked in a sharp breath, nearly choking, and immediately ducked her head, eyes blown wide in shock. A second later, she straightened abruptly, stole another look and then bent forward again, burying her face in her lap.

Susan jolted at the sudden movement, staring at her in confusion.

“Mabel,” she whispered urgently, “what’s wrong with you?”

Mabel remained ducked, hiding her horrified expression, her mind spiraling.

"What the hell… this man actually does this?

I thought he’d be the type to play the piano in his spare time… not something like this."

The bell rang sharply, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She straightened at once, eyes drawn helplessly to the ring.

The fight erupted—fists clashing, bodies colliding. A blow grazed Edric’s cheek, blood streaking across his skin. He wiped it away with the back of his hand and struck back without hesitation.

Mabel blinked rapidly.

The match ended swiftly. Edric stood victorious as the referee raised his hand, the crowd erupting into applause.

People surged to their feet, blocking the view.

Susan snapped, “What the hell , let us see!”

Mabel swallowed. “Let’s leave. It’s over.”

Susan grumbled but stood anyway. As they turned to go, Mabel glanced back toward the ring. Edric was stepping out, rolling his shoulders, completely unfazed.

She stared longer than she should have.

Susan tugged her arm. “Hey, let’s go. What, you want to meet that guy?”

Mabel blinked, startled, and immediately started walking.

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