Chapter 1
When I was ten, Dad’s second wife died too.[]
Just because I was starving and fought a stray dog for bread, Dad was ashamed of me and wanted to beat me to death.]
My stepmother threw herself over me, taking those thirty lashes herself.[]
She died from it, but Dad acted like nothing happened. []
Just two months later, a new wife moved into the house.]]
She looked strangely familiar, sweet and flirty, quickly wiping away every trace of my stepmother.
I hated her. I bit her hand until it bled, but she didn’t get mad. []
Instead, she touched my head and said quietly:[]
“Little Luna, this time I want you to watch.“]
“Watch how I get revenge for both your mothers.“]]
-]
On the day of my stepmother’s grand funeral, I hid in a corner crying my heart out.]
Dad’s face showed no pain. When he helped carry the coffin, his eyes kept sneaking glances at the new maid he’d just bought.
That night, I snuck into the mourning hall to light a candle for my stepmother, praving
she’d be happy in her next life.[]
My stomach was growling with hunger, so I took a piece of cake from the table and ate it slowly.
If my stepmother could see me, she wouldn’t blame me. She’d probably give me more.
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Footsteps rushed toward me. I quickly wiped my tears and tiptoed behind my stepmother’s coffin to hide.[]
Dad came in with the new maid in his arms, the two of them laughing and fooling around like nothing else mattered.]
I covered one ear like I always did and quietly swallowed the cake in my mouth.]
“Master, do you truly care for me?” The maid looked young, her delicate fingers tracing circles on Dad’s chest, making him chuckle softly:]
“Of course I do.“[]
“Then-” The maid looked around: “Now that your wife is dead, what are your plans?“]
Dad snorted and lifted her chin: “What, you think you can climb above your station?“[]
The maid was clearly getting too bold: “I come from a decent family. If I hadn’t fallen for you and entered this house, marrying a minor official would be no problem.“[]
“Oh?” Dad seemed thoughtful, then called out to the door:
“Guards, drag her to the dungeon.“[]
Two servants immediately rushed in, stuffed the disheveled maid’s mouth with rags, and dragged her away.
Chapter 1
This was the fifth maid dragged out this month.]
“These so–called proper ladies think they’re better than everyone else, but they’re all the same boring trash.“[]
Dad sighed and slammed his hand on the coffin:[]
“Just like you, treating yourself like that little brat’s real mother over some worthless girl. Useless soft heart.“]
My heart suddenly ached, and I crushed the cake in my hand to crumbs.]
Dad used to be nothing but a street thug who was never home.
But his sister married well, helped overthrow the old king and put herself on the throne. Out of mercy, she made Dad the Earl of Plainview.
It was just a fancy title with no real power, but he was still royalty. Plenty of old nobles sent their daughters to marry into our house to show their loyalty.
That’s how my stepmother ended up here, only to die so miserably and get mocked by Dad even after death.[]
When I snuck out of the mourning hall, it was already late at night. Dad’s room still had lights on, and someone was sitting across from him.[]
The figure looked familiar. I peeked through a hole in the wall and saw it was Aunt Empress.
“You should at least try to behave yourself. Don’t embarrass His Majesty and me.” Though Aunt said this, her face showed no real blame.[]
Dad lounged carelessly on the couch and snorted: “Sis, you know me. I just can’t stand these high–class ladies and their fake faces.“]
“I think you still haven’t gotten over Lily.” Aunt Empress covered her sleeve and laughed:[]
“You only developed this strange habit after she died. Now there’s no one left to control you.“]
Dad’s expression was unclear in the candlelight. He smiled: “Yeah, ever since she died, I just can’t help wanting to kill people.“]
“I’ll ask His Majesty to give Lord Miller an explanation about his daughter, but you need to remarry quickly to stop the gossip.“]
Everyone in the capital knew that Plainview Manor had a vicious master who had bloody corpses carried out the back door every month.]
Though the maids were scared, Dad was handsome and royal blood, so they still fought to get into his bed.]
But they didn’t know that Dad didn’t actually like any of them.]
He didn’t like anyone, except for Mother.
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