Kallion froze in shock.
He didn't expect Lloyd to admit it so easily.
He thought he would dodge the question or make up a story—but instead, he was completely honest.
"I don't know if it really matters who told me, but yes—it's just as you suspect."
Kallion wanted to say something, but his lips wouldn't move.
All he could do was clench his fists so tightly that his knuckles stuck out.
"Are you sure…?"
The shock caused him to slip into informal speech.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Lloyd said.
That confirmed it.
Yuliana had leaked information about Valdormer.
Even though he had half-expected it, Kallion still felt all the strength drain from his body.
"I'll contact you later… about the mine issue," he said in a daze and stumbled out of the room.
Lloyd watched him go, his eyes dark.
Kallion had believed his single sentence and now thought Yuliana was guilty.
The fact that Yuliana had married a man like that…
The fact that she had willingly walked into such filth…
It enraged him.
Lloyd clenched his teeth and bowed his head in anguish.
This was his punishment for her choosing someone like that.
And for lying, driven by his own petty jealousy.
***
It was already late—time for bed.
Kallion returned to the mansion without saying a word, ignoring Layla's questions.
Lloyd had said it himself—he heard the information from Yuliana.
Layla had shown evidence and circumstances that matched.
So why did part of him still want to believe she was innocent?
He was furious.
She had motive—she was from a rival family.
Just like he hated her, she had every reason to hate him.
So yes, she could have done it.
Trying to hold back his rage, Kallion saw Kate, Yuliana's personal maid.
He stormed up to her, his face twisted in anger. Kate flinched and bowed deeply.
"Where is Yuliana?"
"She—she's in the bedroom, my lord. Today is your scheduled night together…"
Kallion let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
Even now, she still cared about the scheduled night?
His mind grew cold, but his body boiled with emotion.
Grinding his teeth, Kallion left Kate and Layla behind and walked off.
***
I sighed as I looked out at the moonlit window.
Kate had told me the news.
Valdormer's classified information had been leaked to Silverstel.
This had never happened during my marriage in my past life.
Or maybe it had—but I didn't know about it back then.
Back then, I had no access to such news, and Kate wasn't with me either.
Or perhaps… the future had already changed.
Still, my goal hadn't changed: to meet Denian.
Even though today wasn't the right time.
With everything happening in Valdormer, it was clear that tonight wouldn't go as planned.
Kallion was probably too busy dealing with the fallout.
He might spend all night with the vassal lords.
The mansion had been chaotic all day, but I just watched from the sidelines as if none of it concerned me.
I felt no fear, no urgency.
I was going to leave this mansion one day anyway.
Wearing only a thin nightgown, I shut the window and headed for bed.
That's when the door suddenly burst open.
Startled, I turned and saw Kallion standing there with a hardened expression.
Was he seriously here for the scheduled night, even in this situation?
I always thought it was better to get the pain over with quickly, but this…
He marched toward me, face full of anger.
I didn't even have time to react before he threw something down in front of me.
It was a half-burned letter.
I picked it up in confusion and froze as I read the remaining words.
Then I looked up at him, stunned.
Did he… really think I did this?
Just because of this?
Seeing my frozen expression, he asked coldly,
"Did you betray Valdormer for a man?"
I couldn't speak.
No—that's not right. I had nothing to say.
I didn't even know how he got the letter.
But the fact that he was so sure I was guilty… it left me speechless.
"Speak, Yuliana."
A mocking smile crept to my lips.
Kallion's face twisted even more.
"No matter what I say, you won't believe me. If you were someone who trusted me, you wouldn't be accusing me now."
I said flatly.
He gritted his teeth.
"I'll listen. Just say something—anything."
But he didn't look like someone ready to listen. He looked like someone ready to kill.
I stared at him and finally asked,
"Did Layla give you this letter?"
His brow twitched.
So it was Layla.
I laughed bitterly. I had no more energy left to argue.
He growled.
"You're really trying to blame someone else right now?"
Blame someone else?
Who was blaming who?
What kind of person was I in his mind?
Why did he need to torment me like this when I just wanted to stay quiet?
Did I have to die for all this to be over?
Was it too much to ask—just to want Denian?
To disappear quietly without bothering anyone?
"Why'd you stop? Keep talking. Blame Layla if you want—I'll listen."
I glared at him and spat out my words.
"Go ask Layla. I'm sure she'll explain better than I can."
"She already did."
"…?"
"She told me everything. The second son of Silverstel—your lover—told me."
That didn't make sense.
Why would Lloyd lie like that?
"I don't want to hear anything else from you."
I turned away, but he grabbed me roughly and pulled me back.
"Why? Is it so hard to believe he'd say something like that? If what he said isn't true, then you tell me what is!"
Suddenly, something inside me exploded.
A deep, bitter rage I didn't even know I had.
"You won't believe anything I say anyway! Why do you want to hear it if you'll never trust me!"
Kallion stood frozen for a moment, then finally spoke.
"Just answer me this."
My chest rose and fell with my heavy breathing.
I hated him so much I could barely stand it.
"Did you ever love me?"
Did I love him?
Once.
A long time ago.
"No."
The Yuliana who loved you died a long time ago.
"I hate you."
All that's left is the me who hates you now.
His expression twisted.
He looked both angry and hurt.
The idea that he could feel hurt was ridiculous.
He looked down and spoke with a hollow voice.
"I know."
He laughed bitterly.
"You've said that more than once."
Then why did he ask again?
I didn't want to understand him.
"I finally see how cruel you can be."
Then, suddenly, he let go of my wrist and shoved me onto the bed.
My legs hit the edge, and I fell back onto the mattress.
He stood over me and began undoing the buttons of his shirt.
"What… what are you doing?"
I frowned.
His eyes were cold and sharp as he answered.
"Why? Isn't tonight the night you begged for? Or is the purpose already achieved—so this isn't needed anymore?"
He lost his temper and ripped his shirt open—buttons flying everywhere.
He tossed it aside and glared at me like a wild animal.
Eyes full of rage and lust.
I didn't look away.
This was what I had wanted anyway.
How didn't matter.
I shut my eyes tightly.
He scoffed, as if expecting me to fight back.
But I didn't.
All I wanted… was for a child to come from this night.
Please… just this once…
He swore under his breath.
My lack of resistance only seemed to upset him more.
"Damn it."
Despite all the threatening energy, he hasn't touched me yet.
I slowly opened my eyes and saw his face.
For some reason, his eyes looked… hot, like he was burning with something he didn't understand.
Then, with a trembling voice full of frustration, he spat out,
"Lift your skirt and get on your knees, Yuliana."
As he reached for his belt buckle, his voice growled low and rough,
"I'll give you what you want."