# 2
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The House of Sachsen, the first representative of the power of the “new nobility,” was originally a petty feudal family from the provinces, with no place among the elites of the capital. During the reign of the late Duke of the Taylors, even if Jack Sachsen had the title of “Little Count,” he would not have even mentioned Grace Taylor’s name in conversation.
But today, with the Saxen family relying on the influence of the Empress – who belongs to them by blood – they have become a force that overpowers all who oppose them, even being said to be able to “drop a flying bird from the sky.”
In the most magnificent guest room at Taylor Palace, the marble floor was strewn with broken wine bottles and scattered glasses. In the middle of the room, the maid Jessie was lying on the ground, while Jack Sachsen was sitting cross-legged in front of her, laughing in obscene intoxication.
He stammered, the heavy smell clinging to his breath:
“What's so hard about sitting near me for a little while?”
His words were slurring, his swaying body barely keeping his balance. The servants of the House of Saxon quietly withdrew, and the young heir of the House of Taylor, who had been drinking with him, was carried unconscious to his bed. As for the new Duke and Duchess, as well as the spouses of the Sachsen family, they chose to stay away so as not to see this shameful sight.
Only Taylor's simple servants remained, freezing helplessly.
An old servant knelt down next to Jesse and pleaded in a trembling voice:
“Young Master, please, calm down a bit...”
His words were not complete until Jack slapped him harshly. The first blow was not enough for him, so he hit him with another, screaming angrily:
“A vile person like you talks to me without permission?!”
The servant immediately lowered his head, but the young count's tantrum did not subside. He picked up a cup from the table and poured what was left of it onto the servant's bent head. The golden wine ran down his hair and neck like degrading threads of shame.
Some of those present clenched their hands in anger, while others looked away. As for Jessie, her fists were shaking as she stared at the ground. She heard his sarcastic voice rising above her:
“You people like you are nothing but cups that can be filled and emptied. Do not think, do not speak except at the command of the Master.”
Then he violently grabbed the back of her neck and dragged her, holding her head up.
"Understood?!"
But suddenly the sound of the solid door opening violently rang out. Jack turned towards the source, stopping his movement as he dragged Jesse. At the door stood a young woman in a pale green dress.
Grace was breathing quickly, her eyes scanning the scene with lightning precision.
A quick glimpse of hope flashed across the faces of Taylor's servants, which was quickly extinguished. One of the servants cast a reproachful look at the maid who brought her to this place:
How dare you bring the missus here!
Grace approached with confident steps, stared at the prone Jessie, then looked up at Jack Sachsen.
“My lord, Young Count Sachsen.”
Her voice was low, but it had the power of nobility. Jack felt the wine evaporate from his head all at once.
His faltering eyes roamed over her delicate features, and he realized in an instant that the person standing in front of him was not an ordinary woman, but rather a rare beauty. He unconsciously loosened his grip on Jesse, his gaze only fixed on her.
She was different from the women of the capital who drowned themves in powders and jewelry; Her golden hair shines like threads cast from pure gold, her green eyes are like the clear light of a summer river, and her skin is as white as snow.
He muttered in amazement:
“Really… worth all her money.”
Jessie bit her lip until blood flowed, and the faces of those present became frozen, but Grace alone remained calm and did not move.
She said in a solemn voice:
“The night has advanced, it is time for your rest, Lord Saxon.”
A sly smile appeared on his face. He liked the tone of her voice too. He was angry with her because she refused to meet him even though he was her fiancé, but now she was beautiful and calm in front of him, so his lust intensified and he immediately forgot his resentment.
He said smiling:
“Maybe if you filled a cup for me with your own hand, I would stop all of this right away.”
Grace was silent for a moment, then sighed and looked around quickly before ordering everyone in a calm, firm voice:
“Everyone get out.”
Jack's smile widened, while the servants' eyes widened in horror.
“My lady!”
Jessie whispered pleadingly, but Grace didn't back down; She stood upright, her gaze unwavering.
Jack shouted harshly:
"What are you waiting for?! Didn't you hear her say? Get out!"
They left slowly, terrified, and the door closed behind them.
As soon as the place was empty, Jack advanced with an animalistic step, like a wolf crawling towards its prey. He extended his hand to play with her golden hair and mumbled:
“Even the Taylors sometimes seem worthy of their price.”
In fact, this marriage did not satisfy him. He, the nephew of the Empress, was accustomed to getting whatever he wanted from women. And Grace? A country girl who had never been seen in the salons of the capital. He had imagined her as a rustic, dull-looking woman, but her beauty shattered all his expectations, and a feeling of victory overwhelmed him. He extended his hand to touch her hair, but her voice stopped him like a sword:
“And you too… You seem to be worth what he thrust into you.”
"What?!"
He thought he heard wrong. His eyebrows furrowed as he stared at her. Then she pulled her hair from between his fingers with elegant ease and took a step back. In every movement there was the poise of an aristocratic woman born to rule.
She smiled a delicate smile and said with eloquent clarity:
“The Empress’s own nephew, and yet… how much debauchery have you committed that the Saxons had to cancel the dowry and pay off the Taylors’ debts in full? I thought I heard wrong, but you really deserve the reputation that follows you.”
Jack's face hardened with anger.
“You dare...you crazy person?!”
He raised his hand to grab her by the hair again, but Grace was quicker; She backed away, while his drunken body swayed and his balance was shaken, and he stumbled. At that moment I picked up the largest bottle of wine from the table.
He raised his head, stammering, and saw a shadow above him. He swallowed his saliva, and his body shivered.
“What…what are you doing?!”
Grace Taylor was standing in front of him, her body as straight as a sword, holding the bottle with a steady hand, the red light sparkling on its surface.
“Don't say you are...”
His voice trembled, her eyes seemed deathly cold, and her lips were pressed with undoubted intent.
“I heard that you don't remember anything after you get drunk...”
His body trembled: “No…no! I remember everything!”
She smiled faintly and said in a gentle tone:
“If you scream, I will hit you twice.”
I held the bottle up high. Despite his horror, he couldn't help but notice how strangely noble this sight seemed—a woman bearing her threat with regal grace.
Then he heard her last cold whisper:
“Bite your teeth well...or else your tongue will be cut off.”
M.M.: Our heroine is strong and cold 🔥🔥🔥
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Outside, servants and maids were turning anxiously in the hallway.
“How did you let yourf bring her there!”
“But there was no one else...!”
“Tomorrow you will marry that monster... Oh God, what will happen to our lady?”
Before anyone could answer, the door suddenly opened. All the faces turned outward, and they saw Grace Taylor standing there. She smiled at them calmly, as if nothing had happened.
“My lady!”
She quietly closed the door behind her and said to the older servant who had just received the slap:
“The young count is asleep now. Summon the Sachsen servants to clean the room.”
"Sleeping?! Suddenly?"
“Yes, he suddenly collapsed and fell asleep.”
“…Ah…yes, ma’am.”
There was a look of confusion on his face, but Grace continued walking calmly, and everyone leaned aside to make way for her. The torches on the walls glowed, reflecting in their long, majestic shadow.
A faint voice called to her from behind:
“My lady...”
I turned around.
“Are you okay?”
The eyes around her were filled with concern and affection. Since the fateful night she lost her parents, it has been this same anxiety that has raised and protected her. Despite the cruelty of the new Duke and Duchess, the palace servants did not leave her without warmth, food, or affection. They were all her real family.
She smiled at them from the heart of darkness and said:
“Thank you... everyone.”
“My lady...”
“Just be patient.”
They did not fully understand what her last words meant, but Grace had turned her back, walking steadily towards a darkness that seemed to never end, hiding the continuation of the sentence between her lips:
“Until I get back.”