Trang!
In a blink, Matthew moved faster than anyone expected. His sword met Marquess Barnette's snapping jaws just in time, only inches away from Ruby's neck.
He stood protectively in front of her, his blade wedged between the feral werewolf and the woman he had sworn to claim as queen.
If he had been even a second slower, Ruby would've been torn apart by her own father.
"Milady," Matthew said, glancing over his shoulder, "are you all right?"
After awakening from her shock, Ruby immediately nodded.
However, her relief turned into panic as she noticed something on him.
Blood.
A thin stream of red dripped from Matthew's left arm, trailing down to the ground.
In order to protect her, he had taken the hit himself, shielding her from the werewolf's claws with his own body.
Ruby pointed at the wound, her expression full of concern, trying to let him know he was bleeding.
But Matthew barely gave it a glance. "It's just a scratch," he said calmly.
[A scratch?] Ruby screamed inside her head. [That's not a scratch, your blood is still dripping!]
"Grrrrrr!"
The wolf growled louder now, more furious than ever. It clamped its jaws around Matthew's sword, trying to wrestle the weapon from his hand with brute force.
"You're just wasting my time," Matthew said coldly.
Crash!
With one powerful kick, he sent the werewolf flying back. The beast landed hard on the ground in a daze.
Dark energy began to swirl beneath Matthew's feet, creeping like smoke toward the wolf's shadow.
The black mist moved so fast, aiming to bind the Marquess where he lay.
However, before the shadows could reach him, iron chains suddenly shot out from the ground, clinking and wrapping tightly around the werewolf's limbs.
The beast roared in frustration, struggling against the bonds.
A new voice rang out from the steps of the mansion. "Please forgive my father's behavior, Your Majesty."
A tall man with sharp features and dark hair stepped forward, holding the glowing chains with both hands. His cool gaze shifted to Ruby, who was still standing behind Matthew.
That man was Lucas Barnette, the second son of the Barnette Family.
Matthew didn't relax. His blade remained pointed at the fallen wolf, his golden eyes sharp. "Your father attacked a king. Worse, he tried to kill my future queen. Why should I forgive him?"
Matthew's expression was as cold as the snow that could freeze the bones. The blade tip was still pointed at Marquess Barnette, indicating that he wanted to vent his anger by injuring that bastard werewolf.
Lucas stepped closer, calm but cautious. "My father was clearly in the wrong, but Your Majesty did strike first."
He lowered his head respectfully. "If both sides are willing to let this go, we can end it here."
Matthew snorted, then lowered his sword. "Fine. I'll consider the matter closed. But tell me … is he willing to make peace?"
Marquess Barnette answered with another low growl, his eyes were full of hatred. His wolf eyes burned with humiliation, making it clear he wanted nothing more than revenge.
But before he could act, Lucas pulled hard on the chains. They tightened instantly, pushing the werewolf to the ground with a pained snarl.
"He doesn't need to be willing," Lucas said calmly. "I'll take care of my father myself. You don't have to trouble yourself, Your Majesty."
Sometimes, Ruby thought that Lucas's behavior was a bit strange.
Throughout her life in the Barnette mansion, Lucas had never once hurt her. In fact, he barely acknowledged her existence. It felt like, to him, she was just air. She was there, but never noticed.
Still, Ruby never held any resentment toward him. Being ignored was far better than being insulted or beaten. Invisibility, to her, was a kind of safety.
But today, she didn't expect Lucas to step forward, much less stand up to their father.
Marquess Barnette didn't even try to fight back. He knew he wasn't strong enough.
Lucas, after all, was no ordinary son.
He was a respected general in the Wridal Kingdom, commanding a powerful military unit. Among the Barnette family, Lucas was the one person their father couldn't overpower.
"Ruby," Lucas spoke suddenly, his voice calm. "Do you want to leave this family?"
Ruby blinked, a little stunned that he was speaking to her. But she nodded right away, without hesitation.
Lucas gave her a small, genuine smile. "Then go. Be careful. I hope … your life in Veritas will be better."
He took a few steps back, pulling the chains that still held their father, giving space for Matthew and Ruby to leave.
Matthew, who was still in a bad mood, didn't bother to acknowledge Lucas. His steps were firm and impatient as he turned to Ruby.
"Come, Milady," he said. "Let's leave this miserable place."
Without wasting another second, Ruby helped her mother and guided her into the carriage.
Just before stepping in, she turned and gave Lucas a brief smile, a small gesture of gratitude.
Once they were inside, Alger closed the door behind them. He gave Lucas a courteous nod and said, "We'll take our leave. Thank you for your help, Milord."
Lucas simply replied, "There's no need to thank me."
Alger offered a polite smile, then climbed up to sit beside the coachman. "Let's move."
As the carriage pulled away, Ruby looked out the window. The mansion slowly faded into the distance. From the outside, it was beautiful with a flower garden in the courtyard.
But to Ruby, it had always felt cold, haunting, and unwelcoming.
She had spent her whole life in that place … but it never felt like home.
It was just a building.
A prison dressed in gold.
Now, as the carriage moved farther and farther, the house became smaller until it disappeared completely.
Still, even as the mansion vanished from sight, the memories it held didn't. They were still with her, like old scars that refused to fade.
Then Helena's voice broke her thoughts. "Oscar, where are we going? Is it a good place?"
Ruby took a breath and gently held her mother's hand, tracing letters into her palm. "Mother, I'm Ruby. And yes … we're going to a good place."
[I hope so,] Ruby said in her heart.
Matthew had saved her, yes. He gave her protection and offered her a future.
But Ruby couldn't ignore the rumors she'd heard over the years, even from within the cold halls of the mansion.
Rumors that Matthew Harelle had lived over fifty years.
Rumors that he never had a mate, not because he was too picky or unlucky, but because every woman fated to be with him had died before they could marry him.
They didn't die from sickness, but rumors said they took their own lives.
The stories said those women would rather die than bind themselves to the cold, terrifying King of Veritas.
As a result of knowing the rumors, Ruby had been worried and filled with fear ever since she boarded the horse carriage.
[What if he's pretending to be kind?]
[What if I die after giving birth to his heir?]
[What if the rumors are true?]
The thoughts spun endlessly, wrapping around her like chains.
[It doesn't matter now,] she told herself. [I already made the deal. I can't run.]
"Milady," Matthew finally spoke up after seeing Ruby keep her head down since they left. "Are you regretting leaving with me?"