Obey Me Now

Edzoff stared at her, unable to process the words that had just reached his ears. Amelia suppressed the bile rising in her throat as she continued, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”

Edzoff’s initial confusion quickly shifted to cold realization. His lips curled into a mocking smirk.

“Clever. So, you’re not as naive as I thought.”

He had always presented himself as a gentleman to her: long, shimmering silver hair, golden eyes full of sweetness, and an elegant smile adorning his perfect features. But now, his true nature showed—arrogant and condescending.

“Not once was this man ever sincere with me.”

“If you hadn’t noticed, I would’ve played the perfect husband until the end. I was even willing to extend that courtesy to you.”

His voice was steeped in derision, but Amelia forced herself to remain composed.

“But now that you’ve figured it out, I suppose this relationship is over.”

He shook his head, his expression dismissive.

“You think you can leave me? Do you even have the strength to?”

Despite the current turn of events, Edzoff was confident Amelia wouldn’t leave. To him, she was a pitiable woman, utterly dependent on him, manipulated by her feelings of love. Until her dying breath, she was meant to obey him, ensnared in the illusion of affection he had created.

“Of course, I’m leaving. You don’t love me, and I no longer love you,” Amelia said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

“Are you saying you don’t love me anymore?”

Amelia took a deep breath, her resolve unwavering as she met his gaze.

“Yes. So, let’s end this. I’m rejecting your proposal, Your Grace. Please leave now.”

She turned her back to him, but Edzoff grabbed her by the waist, pulling her close in an instant.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

He silenced her protests with a hand that gently caressed her cheek, leaning in close as if to kiss her. His whisper was soft, yet chilling.

“I understand how hurt you must feel. I know you want to appear strong, but even now, you’re trembling for me.”

His golden eyes searched hers, watching as her pupils wavered in fear and fury. To him, it was proof that she would never escape him.

“I’ll give you time,” he murmured.

“…”

“Ameli, you’re useful to me. Messarina is not. She was just a fleeting distraction—a toy. That’s the difference between the two of you. So don’t feel defeated by her.”

His hand moved to her hair, stroking it as he spoke in his smooth, honeyed voice.

“At this banquet, we’ll announce our marriage. When I become emperor, you’ll stand quietly at my side as empress. I’ll cherish you, love you, until the day you die.”

He locked eyes with her, as if etching his words into her soul.

“Just keep obeying me, as you always have.”

With those venomous words, he left, his presence lingering like a suffocating shroud. Amelia trembled—not from love, not from longing, but from sheer disgust.

“Obey? That’s what he’s wanted all along. Not love, but submission.”

She clenched her fists, her breaths coming fast and shallow as the full extent of his cruelty dawned on her.

“He’s always treated me as his possession.”

He called his betrayal a mistake, dismissed her pain as a mere inconvenience. For the first time, she saw Edzoff for what he truly was.

“Let him keep thinking he owns me. Let him think he’s won. I’ll show him how wrong he is.”

Amelia placed her hand over her chest. There, beneath her palm, her heart beat differently—stronger, steadier. She could feel it: a vibrant, unfamiliar rhythm coursing through her veins.

“I’m alive. Truly alive. Stronger than ever.”

The memory of the voice echoed in her mind:

‘I’ll let your heart bloom for exactly one year. Just one year.’

“The miracle of the violet has come to me,” she whispered.

One year. Just one year. But it was enough.

“Stay quietly by your side as empress? Let’s see if you even become emperor, Your Grace.”

The tears in her eyes dried, replaced by a cold, steely gaze.

“I’ll make you feel the pain you caused me. I’ll strip you of everything you desire.”

With the year she had left, she would love herself fiercely. And she would destroy those who had trampled her heart.

“I’ll show you who truly deserves obedience.”

“Amelia! My lady!”

Mami burst into the room, tears streaming down her face.

“Mami,” Amelia said, startled by her maid’s frantic state.

“Wahhh! My lady! I was so scared! They told me you collapsed, but I was stuck preparing for the banquet and only just heard. I’m so sorry!”

Mami threw her arms around her, sobbing uncontrollably. Amelia looked at her, her expression softening in confusion.

“Wasn’t it you who found me, Mami?”

“Me? No, my lady.”

‘Then who was it that brought me here yesterday?’

Someone had carried her to safety. She had assumed it was Mami.

‘I think they even said something to me. Something warm and comforting.’

The memory was blurry, but the words had left a profound impression on her heart.

“Why do you ask, my lady? Are you alright?”

At Mami’s genuine concern, Amelia offered a faint smile.

“I’m fine. In fact, I’ve never felt healthier.”

“Pardon?”

She decided, for now, to keep her newfound vitality a secret.

“Mami, has Grandfather returned yet?”

“Not yet, but he’s expected to arrive today.”

“When he does, let me know immediately. I have something to discuss with him. And one more thing…”

Amelia’s gaze fell on Edzoff’s proposal letter.

“I’m getting married.”

Mami beamed, delighted by the announcement.

“Oh my! You’re accepting Duke Bastyan’s proposal? That’s wonderful! I heard His Grace has already arrived at the estate!”

“I am marrying a duke, but not Duke Bastyan.”

Amelia’s voice was calm as she picked up the proposal letter.

“I’m going to marry Duke Clio of the North.”

With no hesitation, she tore Edzoff’s letter in half. Mami gasped in shock.

“Wh-what did you just say? Duke Clio? The monster duke?”

Amelia had chosen to align herself with Edzoff’s most hated rival—his younger half-brother, Eclite Riot Clio. Though a royal prince, Eclite had been exiled to the northern territories, condemned for the lowly blood of his mother. Known as the “Black Lion of the North,” he was surrounded by terrifying rumors. Stories described him as a bloodthirsty warmonger who waged endless battles, leaving a trail of carnage in his wake. His personality was said to be just as savage, earning him the nickname of a monster.

And now, Amelia was planning to marry him.

“My lady, you must be joking! You received a proposal from Duke Bastyan, but now you’re saying you’ll marry Duke Clio instead?”

Amelia calmly explained everything to Mami, who listened with widening eyes. By the time Amelia finished, Mami’s expression darkened, her indignation growing until she nearly exploded.

“That despicable…! Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness!”

“That’s how it is.”

“I never thought Duke Bastyan would stoop so low! And with Messarina of all people! No, she’s not even worthy of being called that—what a vile woman! I never liked her, not from the beginning!”

Mami’s anger boiled over as she trembled, struggling to hold back even harsher words. Amelia found herself oddly comforted by her maid’s unwavering loyalty.

Mami was the only one who truly stood by her side, sharing her anger and taking her side.

“But why, my lady? Why would you marry Duke Clio?”

“Because he’s the one Edzoff despises and fears the most—his younger brother, Eclite Riot Clio. It was Duke Clio who had the greatest hand in exiling Edzoff to the North. Just the thought of sharing the same land as him drives Edzoff mad.”