The battle cries echoed once more at the border. It was as if the field itself thirsted for the blood of soldiers willing to sacrifice their lives. Rafael stood at the front line, examining his worn shield. His sharp eyes scrutinized the approaching shadows of the feral creatures. He muttered under his breath, seeing how savagely the beasts tore through his men. There was no time to retreat or hesitate in eliminating these menacing creatures that had long terrorized the northern border of the kingdom. This time, the attack was more brutal, larger in number, and more organized than the previous onslaught. The scent of fresh flesh and blood pierced Rafael's senses. The battlefield and the soldiers' resting ground had transformed into pools of blood and scattered human entrails. Rafael felt frustration and anger at his inability to protect the many soldiers who had fallen to the beasts' onslaught. As Rafael prepared to advance, a familiar voice called out to him from behind. "Rafael..

Annette had accepted Rafael as her husband. However, her uncle had not. Rafael’s life in the Hurbret family home was never as simple as the moments of laughter he shared with Annette. Behind the warmth that was slowly growing between them, there was another figure who constantly loomed, exerting an invisible but palpable pressure. Frederick Hurbret, Annette’s uncle, was a man brimming with pride for his family name, never missing an opportunity to remind Rafael of his lowly status.It all started on a crisp autumn day when the wind carried the scent of dried leaves. Frederick walked with steps that always sounded like a statement. The sound of his boots echoed across the marble floor of the main hall, where Rafael stood, examining a strategy map spread out on the long table. Rafael sensed Frederick’s presence even before the older man spoke—the air in the room seemed to tense.“Ah, my esteemed son-in-law.” Frederick’s voice cut through the silence, laden with sarcasm. His face, framed

Rafael sat in the dimly lit study, accompanied only by a half-empty cup of wine and the dancing shadows of candlelight on the walls. His eyes were fixed on the piece of paper before him, but his thoughts wandered far, drifting to times when his life had been different. He remembered the early days when he secretly worked to help the Hurbret family recover from the brink of economic collapse. Back then, despite being a noble family, their wealth was almost just a name if Rafael hadn’t intervened.Using his influence and connections without the Hurbret family’s knowledge, Rafael infiltrated the kingdom’s trade routes, ensuring that every Hurbret venture yielded unexpected profits. He disguised himself as a mysterious broker, facilitating lucrative trade contracts and transactions. When gold began to flow back into the family coffers, Frederick claimed it as the result of his strategies and cunning. Annette, on the other hand, welcomed the news with a genuine smile that warmed Rafael’s h

Annette’s room was filled with an unspoken tension. The flickering candles cast wavering shadows on the cold stone walls, shifting as the wind from the half-open window brushed through. The physician, with a serious expression, checked the pulse of the pale Annette. Meanwhile, Rafael stood rigid near the door, his body tense and eyes locked on his wife. Frederick, draped in a shimmering black robe, stood in the corner with arms crossed, his brows furrowed in a look full of accusation.“You know, Rafael!” Frederick’s voice broke the silence like an axe splitting wood. “This is all your fault. Annette collapsed and fainted because of the pressure you brought into this house.”Rafael frowned but kept his mouth shut, restraining the storm in his chest. He knew that arguing with Frederick would only lead to more conflict. Yet tonight, Rafael’s calm was wearing thin.“Uncle, this isn’t the time to—”“No!” Frederick stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “You pretend to care, but what

That night, Rafael returned to the mansion with heavy steps. The cold air bit at his skin, but his heartfelt even colder. Each step echoed through the vast house, announcing the cracks that now split him apart. The cold stone walls and flickering candle shadows added to the silence and gloom. Rafael felt his entire body tremble, not from the night wind, but from an anger mixed with a pain he couldn’t explain.“Damn it, how dare she betray me? I feel like a fool,” Rafael muttered as he took a deep drink from an expensive glass of wine in his room.Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Rafael’s face, still marked by a sleepless night. His eyes were dark, burning with uncontrollable emotions. He waited for Annette in the flower garden, a place where their sweet memories were intertwined with the fragrance of flowers and the gentle breeze. He heard Annette’s footsteps approaching, soft and cautious. When she entered, their eyes met briefly before Annette quickly looked away.