Chapter 1

...DEDICATION...

To those who have ever felt small before the world —

May this story remind you that even the coldest chains can be broken.

And that, even in the darkness, a chained heart can still learn to love...

— With all my feeling,

The Author.

---

Vanessa is a humble and simple slave, a gift chosen by the Empress to be given to the Silver Duke.

The slave cart departs the quarantine station, filled with slaves like her. In the empire, the lighter the hair color, the nobler the status.

The royal family typically has hair pure white as milk, while the nobility beneath them bear various shades of blonde. Below them are hair colors mixed with brown and red.

Vanessa awakens amid the swaying, overhearing the loud conversation of the drivers.

"Her Majesty, the Empress, is sending them as rewards for the great nobles who took part in the hunt. They are truly lucky," said the first voice.

"Who wouldn't say so? Being a dog in a noble house is better than being a driver," said a second voice, deeper than the other.

"Of course, except for Duke Ackerman," replied the first voice.

"After the hunt, Her Majesty allowed him to choose the slave he wanted first. Guess what he said?"

"What?"

"I want the one with the shortest life. To stay under the same roof as such a thing for more than three days — I would die of poisoning," said the first voice, imitating the Duke.

"Her Majesty was most pleased with his answer! She chose the weakest one for Duke Ackerman."

The driver grumbled irritably in her direction. Vanessa shrank back in fear behind the others, desperately burying her face in her knees. Due to some anemia, she had fainted three times while being vaccinated at the quarantine station.

Those people considered her far too weak and even wanted to remove her from the food rations, to discard her in the slave hunting grounds on the outskirts.

"How old is she? She's an adult, right?"

"Eighteen. She's from an inferior race — grows slower than us."

"How long do you think it'll take before she turns up dead in an accident on the Duke's estate?"

"Tonight?" They laughed again, and she hugged herself in fear.

"Thornbird Manor. We've arrived."

Vanessa was dragged out by the soldiers, heavy chains binding her hands, feet, and neck. The chains were thicker than her wrists, dragging her down, forcing her to bow.

"Thank the Empress."

"Long live the Empress! Thank her for the gift!"

A clear, shrewd voice rang out. Vanessa barely lifted her head, following the voices, and saw a pair of angelic twins standing at the door to greet the soldiers.

They were the sons of Duke Ackerman — the elder, Orion, and the second, Jasper.

They were dressed in extremely luxurious clothes, with hunting knives at their waists, their faces touched with a little powder, their boots tall and stiff.

Their hair color was nearly silver, the closest to the royal family, and their faces were so beautiful that the world's finest painters could not capture even one percent of it.

"Well then, the Empress's grace is delivered to you, young Dukes," said one of the soldiers. The twins nodded arrogantly.

As soon as the soldiers turned away, the servants dragged her, pulling Vanessa into the manor.

"Damn, is she going to live in our castle from now on?" asked Jasper.

"Impossible. Father wouldn't allow a slave to appear in his line of sight," replied Orion, and he looked at his younger brother as if it were obvious.

"When does he return today?" Jasper asked, curious.

"Very late."

"Then can we have some fun?" Jasper looked at the slave being dragged by the servants.

The slave before them was slender, dressed in rags, with pale skin showing through the gaps in her clothing. Her pure body and suffering expression were deeply stirring.

"I don't care how chaotic your private life is, but if you dare touch a slave, Father will definitely strangle you with his own hands," Orion warned his brother.

"He's returning late. He won't know," Jasper said, dismissing his brother's words.

Jasper sent the servants away, then pulled her beneath the corridor on the ground floor of the castle. Vanessa felt the atmosphere gradually heating. Then she made a decision.

"Save me, Orion." She sought Orion's help, but Jasper was faster. Orion, somewhat panicked, shot another warning look at Jasper.

"How dare you call my brother by name." He grabbed her chin roughly.

"I warned you — don't touch the slave. If Father finds out, you won't leave the castle until next month." He sighed irritably and continued, "He'll leave you at the quarantine station."

"I'll be quick. He won't know." Jasper tore her clothes. Vanessa screamed and was pressed against a column.

Suddenly, the sound of a carriage came from the main road. Jasper trembled all over.

Orion quickly pulled her away, then reluctantly wrapped Vanessa in the rags again.

"He's back!" Orion shouted, nervous.

"You said Father would return late!" Jasper cursed.

"I didn't know! Damn it, you idiot, you tore her clothes! Where are we going to find another cloth to cover her!" Orion lost his temper.

Jasper looked around, trying to find a place to hide her. Vanessa seized the moment while they were busy and panicked, breaking free from Orion's grip.

Vanessa ran desperately, then was knocked down by something hard at the corner. Silence descended around them. The sound of the twins sucking in air was particularly clear. Vanessa fell to the ground.

Before her were a pair of deerskin boots, long straight legs, pure white silk gloves, and a platinum cane with thornbird spikes.

Her gaze traveled upward, and before her eyes was a face somewhat similar to the twins', but much older and extremely stern. He had long, cold silver hair reaching his waist, meticulously tied behind his ears. Fine eyebrows and a high nose, deep blue eyes reflecting profound stillness, devoid of emotion, reminiscent of endless snowfields.

This beautiful man was the owner of Thornbird Manor, Duke Ackerman. Also, due to the color of his hair, he was often called the "Silver Duke."

Orion and Jasper stood petrified.

This slave had actually barreled straight into their father. This was ten thousand times more terrifying than being caught playing with a slave.

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