The Evil Ladies Form An Alliance

CHAPTER4: My New Found Husband

As Satomy gradually emerged from the depths of unconsciousness, the first words that escaped her lips were laced with confusion and fear. Her body trembled as her gaze locked onto the stranger standing before her. A whirlwind of unsettling thoughts rushed through her mind. Had her parents truly sold her to a wealthy foreigner while she had been lost in a coma? The situation felt surreal, leaving her utterly bewildered. As she tried to orient herself, each movement reminded her of the stiffness and weakness that clung to her after seemingly spending almost a year in a state of suspended animation. The notion that her own family might have gone to such drastic measures to erase her from their lives was incomprehensible.

“Wife,” he spoke gently, his voice barely above a whisper. The anguish in his eyes was palpable, reflecting a depth of sorrow that made her heart race with uncertainty. His hands shook slightly, conveying the fear that mirrored her own.

Beside her, a brunette woman was visibly emotional, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Duchess,” she called out, her voice thick with emotion, adding another layer of complexity to the bewildering scene unfolding around her.

"I don’t know who you are! Where am I?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with confusion.

The expression on the Duke's face was a mix of concern and deep sadness, his eyes reflecting a turmoil that seemed to resonate with her bewilderment.

"Duke," a third voice interjected softly, breaking the silence. "The doctor has advised us to be very gentle when approaching the Duchess once she regains consciousness. It's important to remember that she might be easily startled, as it appears she has lost her memory."

"You’re right," the Duke replied, nodding slowly, his brow furrowing with worry.

"What? What are they talking about? These people keep calling me Duchess," she thought, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.

The Duke clenched his hands tightly, the fabric of his clothing bunching in his grip. He bowed his head for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then took a deep, steadying breath before turning his face toward her again. This time, his demeanor was calmer, more composed, though concern still lingered in his emerald-green eyes.

"You might not remember me," he said gently, his voice soft yet firm. "Allow me to introduce myself. Please don’t be alarmed by what I’m about to say, okay?"

The flood of unfamiliar sensations that washed over her since she opened her eyes felt overwhelming. She had no idea what further surprises awaited her in his words or actions. As he locked his gaze onto hers, she felt as though she were staring into two brilliant green diamonds, sparkling under the light. His features were striking. His strong jawline defined his cheekbones, and the way his golden hair fell slightly over his forehead left her momentarily breathless as if she had stumbled into a dream.

"I am Duke Clifford Raygen Wildenburdge, and you are the Duchess of Wildenburdge, Rosette Wildenburdge. You are my wife," he stated, his voice steadied yet laced with an emotion that suggested both pride and vulnerability.

Upon hearing this, a vivid memory struck her like a bolt of lightning, illuminating her memories. Following her breakup with her fiancé, her two best friends, eager to cheer her up, decided to introduce her to an intriguing Otome game, a genre specifically designed for single young women seeking romantic adventures in fictional worlds.

The game centers around a captivating protagonist named Cindy, who is depicted as a beautiful and gentle saintess. Cindy's character is designed to resonate with players, immersing them in a narrative that transports them to another dimension. She is a modern young woman who finds herself reincarnated in the enchanting kingdom of Alvier, where she must navigate the challenges and trials of her new life.

As players embark on this journey, they are first introduced to Cindy and her unique circumstances. The game immediately draws players in with stunning visuals and a richly developed storyline, making them feel connected to her character. Before diving into the game, players have the opportunity to choose one of several love routes, each offering its own distinct storyline and romantic encounters.

Among the five intriguing male characters available, one route that particularly caught her attention was that of Duke Clifford Raygen Wildenburdge. A nobleman with a complex personality and a captivating backstory. The allure of the Duke and the potential for an enthralling romance set the stage for an adventure filled with choices, emotional depth, and the chance to shape Cindy's destiny in a world where love and magic intertwine.

The backstory of Rosette is marked by hardship and betrayal. Abandoned by her father, Viscount Robert Aniston, who belonged to the noble class, she was left to navigate life in a poor village alongside her mother. Their existence was quiet and uneventful until her mother’s untimely death forced Rosette to confront the harsh realities of her lineage.

Rosette, as an illegitimate child, had been kept a secret by her father due to the shame her commoner mother brought upon his prestigious name. With the Aniston family drowning in debt and no legitimate daughter to uphold his title, the Viscount arranged a marriage for Rosette with an elderly, wealthy merchant. This man was notorious for marrying young brides, only to exploit them by forcing them into prostitution after extracting a hefty dowry. Despite the bleak prospects of her impending marriage, Rosette was determined to forge her own destiny. Upon hearing of Duke Clifford Wildenburdge, a wealthy bachelor renowned for his charm and status, she saw a glimmer of hope. To elevate her situation, Rosette cleverly devised a plan. She ensured that she and the Duke would be seated next to each other at a lavish dance hosted by a prominent noble family, hoping to capture his attention and perhaps change the course of her life forever.

She acted decisively, swiftly introducing the Duke to the love potion she had meticulously crafted. This potion, infused with her distinct and enchanting scent, worked wonders on him. Almost instantly, the Duke transformed into a figure of devotion, eager to please her and ultimately proposing marriage. The wedding was a splendid affair, and her dowry played a crucial role in alleviating her family’s financial burdens by paying off their accumulating debts.

However, the love potion was not without its limitations. It had a fleeting lifespan of only three months, requiring her to find ways to maintain the Duke's affection. To navigate this challenge, she secretly continued to administer the potion, hoping it would keep their bond strong. Unfortunately, the arrival of Cindy introduced an unexpected complication. Her holy aura interacted with the potion in such a way that significantly reduced its potency, threatening the delicate connection she had cultivated with the Duke.

When the Duke awoke to the harsh reality of his wife’s deceit, he felt a mix of betrayal and anger. Without hesitation, he made the difficult decision to divorce her, seeking to reclaim his honor and freedom.

In the wake of her husband’s rejection, Rusette was consumed by rage and bitterness. Desperate to take revenge, she devised a plan to eliminate the saintess who had played a pivotal role in shattering her dreams and aspirations. However, her plot ultimately failed, and she was captured and brought before the people for judgment.

In a public trial that drew the attention of the entire kingdom, Rusette was found guilty of her actions and sentenced to death. As the crowd looked on, sensing the weight of her fate, her former husband, Duke Clifford, stood beside his new partner, Cindy. Together, they turn the page on a tumultuous chapter of their lives, embracing a future filled with love and happiness while Rosette faces the consequences of her choices.

For Satomi, playing the route of Duke Cifford Wildenburdge, Rosette was not a villain. Her actions were driven by a desperate desire to escape a life filled with misery and despair. She longed for freedom from the oppressive circumstances that awaited her, seeking a path to a better existence. Duke Clifford, on the other hand, found himself in turmoil. Although he had provided his wife with a life of luxury and comfort, he was tormented by the realization that her love was nothing more than a facade, a deceit that left him feeling betrayed.

Clifford had showered Rosette with riches and privileges, believing he was playing the part of a devoted husband. However, he soon understood that this ostentatious display of affection was a mere veneer, cloaking the truth of their relationship. The weight of her insincere affection felt like a shackle around his neck, holding him back from pursuing true happiness and fulfillment.

Additionally, Clifford's pride as the most brilliant knight in all of Alvier added to his distress. He had earned a formidable reputation as an exceptional commander, known for successfully orchestrating a three-day war that put an end to a brutal six-decade conflict with the barbaric people of Ostine. Remarkably, he had achieved this without spilling a single drop of blood from his troops, a testament to his strategic genius. Yet, despite his successes on the battlefield, he found himself trapped in a painful web of deception at home, leaving him feeling more isolated than ever. He soon understood that this ostentatious display of affection was a mere veneer, cloaking the truth of their relationship. The weight of her insincere affection felt like a shackle around his neck, holding him back from pursuing true happiness and fulfillment.

Duke Clifford of Weldenbrige is a renowned and cunning strategist, infamous for his military acumen and unwavering dedication to his principles. However, his life takes a dark turn when he is manipulated by a woman of mixed heritage, a mere commoner, whose deceit cuts deeply into his pride and sense of integrity. This betrayal spirals him into a state of madness, leaving him to grapple with the overwhelming shame and fury that consume him.

Amid the turmoil, it is Cindy, the woman at the center of this deception, who unexpectedly offers Duke Clifford solace and a renewed sense of hope. Her unwavering support and genuine compassion became his lifeline, pulling him back from the brink of despair. Yet, the fragile peace they have built is shattered when Rusette, a figure entangled in the dynamics of power and jealousy, attempts to take Cindy's life. Enraged by the attack on his beloved, Duke Clifford's wrath is formidable and relentless. In a dramatic shift of fate, he decides to alter Rusette's punishment entirely. Instead of being banished from the kingdom of Alvier, Rosette is sentenced to hang, a stark reflection of Duke Clifford’s fury and his need for vengeance.

As Rosette faces this grim fate, she finds herself utterly alone. The people of Alvier, captivated by the saintess's charm and grace, rally around her, leaving Rosette without an ally in her time of need. In this moment, the true weight of loyalty and betrayal is laid bare, illustrating the stark divides in a society torn by love, envy, and ambition.