Chapter 5
I gently patted his hand. “The legitimization ceremony is about to begin. You should head to the family chapel.”
Sebastian hesitated. But in the end, he pressed the warm pastry into my hand.
“I won’t be long, I promise.” He paused. “You… you’ll stay with me forever, won’t you, Grace?”
If it had been the past, I would’ve nodded without hesitation.
But this time, I only gave him a quiet smile.
He must have sensed something strange. His lips parted as if to say more–but before he could speak, a pageboy ran up breathless.
“My lord, there’s trouble at the chapel. Someone’s giving Lady Seraphina a hard time.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened. Without a backward glance, he turned and strode toward the chapel, his cloak sweeping through the dew–dampened courtyard.
And as the last glimpse of him vanished from the courtyard, my vision began to blur.
Then came the familiar, emotionless voice
of
the system: [Extracting host’s soul. Preparing return to original timeline.]
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Warm liquid trickled from the corner of my mouth. I lifted a trembling hand to my lips and found blood.
The system added coldly: [Upon your departure, this physical vessel will perish.]
So… this body would die once I left?
That was fine. I didn’t want to leave him anything anyway.
I staggered, lifting my eyes just in time to catch Sebastian glancing back.
His pupils widened. His face–one I had studied for years–was twisted in a kind of panic I’d never seen before.
M
And in the instant my soul was pulled from this world, memories flashed through my mind in quick, blinding bursts.
I had lived in this strange realm for more than ten years.
Seven of them married to him.
I thought that at the very end, I would remember the good—our laughter, our vows, our winter nights by the hearth.
But all I could see was betrayal.
All I could feel… was hurt.
As the countdown ended, I plummeted into darkness.
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www
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Sebastian’s steps echoed through the stone corridor leading to the family chapel, nestled the quiet heart of the Ashford estate.
The chapel’s ancient walls, adorned with the carved eagle crests of his lineage, loomed under the faint glow of torchlight. His heart pounded, Grace’s pale, silent face haunting his thoughts. Why had she looked so distant this morning?
“My lord,” the steward whispered urgently, “the council elders are already seated. Last time, you
If you keep thein waiting again…”
He hesitated.
“…they’ll take it out on Lady Grace.”
Yes. That’s right.
Sulted them by arriving late over a domestic matter.
The Ashford family had long been a noble bloodline, but Sebastian’s branch had lived in quiet obscurity on the northern coast for decades.
It wasn’t until he rose through the court, now one step below the crown, that the main branch came knocking again.
He had never cared much for kin he’d barely known. But a man in court needed influence. Respect. A legacy.
At first, he was content.
Even proud.
But after Grace’s fifth miscarriage, everything changed.
Chapter 5
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The family council turned on her in an instant.
“A barren mare, and she dares call herself the Chancellor’s wife?”
“I know she helped you through your humble days, Sebastian, but you’re a noble now.”
ད་ན
still have affection for her, take a mistress. Or better yet–marry again.”
“It’s not as though she’s fertile. You must provide the Ashfords an heir.”
“What’s stopping you? Is she jealous? Selfish? If you won’t talk to her, I will!”
That day, thunder cracked over the city like judgment from the heavens.
Sebastian had roared at them, fury burning in his eyes. But under their cold, greedy stares, he’d eventually bowed his head.
“I understand,” he said at last.
“I swear… I will give the Ashford line an heir.”
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