The Savior Who Bites My Neck (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5

After Sinclair left, the Asweld estate was utterly in shambles.

“Answer me right now! What did you say to Sinclair!”

Melvin, pressing Elaina, looked as if he were being chased by something.

Elaina knew the reason all too well—better than anyone else.

Of course, he was furious because his plan to sell her off to Duke Hank for a hefty dowry had gone awry—but that wasn’t all.

The radiant empire, Edenbell.

Unless some great upheaval occurs, the next emperor of Edenbell will be Hester Butler, a son of the imperial concubine.

That was precisely why Melvin had long cultivated connections with Hester and the Emperor.

But in this very situation, if Elaina—as an Asweld bloodline, however half-baked—were to become the wife of the reckless Prince Sinclair…

All the effort he had invested would vanish into thin air.

“Why are you still holding onto that proposal, Elaina!”

Perhaps sensing his inner turmoil, her silence and flustered anger somehow gave him a fleeting sense of satisfaction.

So Elaina did not lie.

“He said he would give me time to think, and I told him I understood.”

“…What?”

“I was frightened by how forcefully you pushed me.”

“….”

“I’m sorry, Father.”

But the reply he gave was a slap.

Elaina was struck eight times across the face and kicked five times.

Furious, Melvin seemed ready to tear Sinclair’s proposal to pieces—but when he grasped it in his hand, fear seized him.

He slammed his fist against Elaina’s head and hurled the proposal to the floor.

“Send a reply to Sinclair tomorrow saying you refuse his proposal. You handle it yourself. Otherwise, I swear I’ll make both your legs useless!”

Truly, he was craven and cowardly. If Sinclair had truly left behind a marriage contract, and if Elaina had seen the Emperor’s seal, would Melvin have dared go this far?

Elaina secretly mocked Melvin as she retrieved the proposal, then returned to her room.

“….”

She sat before a cracked, old mirror, still clutching the proposal in her hand.

Her face was a mess; her hair worse. If she walked out like this, people would point and call her mad.

But this was far too familiar to feel truly sorrowful.

Elaina stared silently at her reflection in the mirror.

Hair as dark as midnight, smooth as silk, reaching her waist. Eyes of bright blue, mirroring the sea and her mother. Skin as pale as moonlight. Features perfectly filled into her small face.

It was no surprise that Layla felt inferior to Elaina’s beauty.

If one were to name the most beautiful woman in the Empire of Edenbell, many men would unanimously say: Elaina Asweld.

…Had it not been for her crippled leg, she might have lived a life of ease with such beauty.

But it was tragic.

For a weak woman with no wealth, no backing, and no power to speak loudly—beauty was nothing but poison.

A lethal poison that ruined an entire life.

“….”

At last, Elaina reached out and swept her fingers across the back of the mirror. Soon, she pulled out a dusty dagger.

She had once tried to slash her face.

Perhaps then, she wouldn’t be sold off.

She thought no man would take a limping, scarred woman.

But it was Melvin who cruelly shattered that hope.

[Go ahead, try it.]

He laughed at her as she raised the dagger to her face.

[The moment you mar the surface of that face, I’ll dig up your mother’s grave.]

With a look of utter contempt.

[Why are you crying about your mother?]

“[…]”

[I’ll dig it up myself and bring it to you. Do you think I can’t?]

After that day, Elaina abandoned all hope.

There was nothing left she could do—not even harm herself with her own hands.

‘Maybe accepting Sinclair’s offer is my best choice.’

Then, without lifting a finger, she could bury Melvin’s political standing in mud overnight.

Besides, hadn’t Sinclair said? If she waited just one year, he would help her leave Edenbell.

‘But… if Sinclair’s rebellion fails, I’ll die too.’

And could she truly trust Sinclair? What if he had other schemes?

Lost in thought, as was her habit, Elaina brushed her injured leg—and soon found herself letting out a hollow, bitter laugh.

What’s the difference between

being beheaded,

and being sold as a slave for a dowry, enduring violation for life?

Elaina clenched her lips tightly, her face hard. Then she picked up the proposal, which had lain on the dusty floor.

[There is a way, Len. I will escape.]

As she stared silently at the proposal, an old voice from long ago echoed in her ear.

[Our mother used to say I inherited her speed—my legs are so swift, no one can catch me.]

“….”

[Once I successfully escape the Asweld household, I’ll come back for you. I swear it.]

“…Ha.”

A fleeting smile slipped from Elaina’s lips. Yet at the same time, a quiet, inexplicable rage simmered in her eyes.

‘Foolish thoughts…’

It was all over already.

Now, she had to deal with what lay before her.

“Yes, my escape route…”

Elaina murmured hoarsely.

“…nowhere to be found.”

Then, she dared to cling to even a sliver of new hope.

If Sinclair truly succeeded in rebellion within a year, became Emperor, and set her free…

Then perhaps, just perhaps, she could break free from this hellish Edenbell—and the Asweld house.

Even if it meant risking execution, she did not care.

Having made her decision, Elaina carefully folded the proposal and tucked it deep inside her old, worn dress.

“….”

She raised her head, gazing out the narrow window as moonlight poured in, staring endlessly at the black night sky.

And she thought:

Please, let this choice today not drag me further into hell.

Because right now, I am still drowning in a hell unlike any other.

[This is the timeline separator]

Melvin’s face remained ashen as he repeatedly drained his goblet.

“….”

Melissa, arms crossed, watched him intently until she could no longer bear it. She grabbed his shoulder as he poured himself another drink.

“What are you planning?”

She asked.

“If Elaina, that girl, really marries Sinclair, the Asweld family is finished. Our Layla won’t find any suitable match!”

Disgraced by the Emperor, hated by the future Emperor Hester—no noble family would accept a daughter from such a house. Of course, the Aswelds’ ruin was certain.

“If Sinclair pushes forward like this… we have no response!”

“….”

“Stop drinking and answer me!”

“Enough!”

With Melvin’s roar came a clatter—the goblet he held had been flung in fury.

“Damn it…”

A thick vein pulsed on Melvin’s forehead, rising and fading in cycles.

He muttered to himself, then lifted the entire bottle to his lips.

He had always known Sinclair was mad, but he never imagined that madness would touch him.

“Why her… of all people!”

No matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t find a reason.

Nor could he confront Sinclair directly—he was afraid, and if word spread that he’d met with Sinclair, the scandal would fall on him.

But hadn’t Sinclair already visited the Asweld estate? Right now, gossip about this must already be circulating among the nobility.

Indeed, it was certain. Damn nobles and royalty lived for nothing but whispering about others.

So how could they overcome this crisis?

Melvin’s face sank into deep thought.

“Darling! Are you just going to sit there and watch…!”

“Send someone to Duke Hank immediately.”

“What?”

At the sudden mention of Duke Hank, Melissa’s eyes narrowed.

“She’s not even his lawful wife—she’s his seventh concubine. He won’t be asking for any ceremony.”

“…Darling?”

“As soon as his reply arrives, send Elaina straight to the Duke’s estate.”

Only then did Melissa grasp Melvin’s plan—and she hesitated slightly.

“But what about the aftermath…?”

“Duke Hank is very close to Crown Prince Hester. He’ll handle it himself.”

Of course—he would. If not for that connection, Melvin would never have considered selling Elaina to Duke Hank, no matter how large the dowry.

“No matter who Sinclair is… he won’t dare insist on making a concubine his wife.”

Yes.

This way, every problem would be solved.

Having finished his thoughts, Melvin shouted at his wife.

“What are you waiting for? Go downstairs and tell the butler my orders!”

“Alright, alright! I’ll send someone to the Duke’s estate right away.”

Melissa nodded hastily and left, leaving Melvin alone in the chamber.

“Ha…”

Melvin continued drinking, then sighed with growing irritation.

Before Sinclair came, he had planned to drag things out for days, trying to raise the dowry even higher. But now, circumstances left him no choice.

Besides, Duke Hank greatly favored Elaina—if he sent her immediately, without unnecessary formalities, he’d be delighted.

…Yes, there was nothing more to worry about.

Melvin believed this utterly, foolishly.