Chapter 2
When Halbert burst in, the courtyard was a total mess.
Unity lay sprawled on the ground, clutching her shattered hand, wailing in agony.
A few maidservants hovered around her, completely at a loss, but when they spotted Halbert, it was like they'd finally found someone to rely on.
"General!" they cried out.
Halbert's gaze swept over the shattered porcelain and spilled medicine on the ground, finally settling on me.
His eyes were cold as ice.
After ten years, this was the first time he looked at me like that.
He used to care about no one but me.
He used to say, "Lizzie, your eyes can speak."
Now, he hurried over to Unity, dropped to one knee, and carefully cradled her in his arms.
"Unity, what happened?" he asked.
There was an anxiety and concern in his voice that I'd never heard before.
Unity's face was streaked with tears as she pointed accusingly at me, barely able to speak through her sobs.
She said, "She put a curse on me. She said my hand would break apart..."
Halbert's gaze fixed on me again, cold and full of suspicion.
"Lizzie, was this your doing?" he asked, his tone icy and demanding.
I didn't move.
I just stared at him.
He wore a dark, fitted outfit that made him look tall and unyielding, his expression icy and severe.
This was the man I'd loved for ten years.
I used to think he'd be the one I could count on for the rest of my life.
Yet now, he was holding Unity in his arms, demanding answers from me.
An older maid mustered up the courage to speak.
"General Fowler, just now, Lady Lizzie actually spoke out," she stammered.
Halbert stiffened.
He looked at me, shock flashing in his eyes, along with a trace of something unreadable.
"What did she say?" he asked.
The old maid nervously repeated what had happened.
She said, "She said Unity's hand was going to break, and then, Unity just collapsed..."
Halbert's brows furrowed, looming like a mountain.
Unity sobbed even harder in his arms.
"Halbert, she's a witch. She's a monster. She did this to me!" Unity wailed, her voice trembling with desperation.
Halbert soothingly patted Unity's back, trying to calm her down.
"Don't worry, I'm right here with you. The doctor will be here any minute," he reassured her.
He got to his feet and started toward me, each step slow and full of pressure.
His tall frame towered over me, casting a shadow that swallowed up the sunlight.
I stood there, completely engulfed in his shadow.
"Lizzie." Halbert's voice was cold and commanding.
He spoke my name, his gaze never wavering.
"You'd better give me an explanation," he demanded, his tone icy.
I raised my chin and locked eyes with him.
My words came out barely above a whisper. "I said that her hand would break."
My voice was rough, but loud enough for him to catch every word.
Halbert's eyes widened in shock.
He probably never thought that after ten years, I'd talk to him like this.
He reached for my shoulder.
I jerked back, dodging his hand.
His hand hung in the air, and his expression turned ugly.
"What exactly are you trying to do?" Halbert demanded, his voice sharp with anger.
I stared at him, then suddenly burst out laughing.
I said, "Halbert, I'm not here for anything.
"I just wanted to tell you that tomorrow's a good day.
"It's perfect for a funeral."
His expression turned thunderous.
"Shut up!" he growled.
His voice was a low, furious growl.
He was like a lion pushed to the edge.
Halbert growled, "Lizzie, I'm warning you, stop pretending to be some kind of witch.
"Unity is your sister. How could you be so vicious toward her?"
The smirk on my lips grew even wider.
I said, my tone cool and steady, "Have you forgotten, General?
"You gave me the deed just yesterday.
"I'm your concubine now.
"How could a mere concubine ever be the sister of the lady of the house?"
Halbert was stunned into silence, unable to find a retort.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, barely containing his rage.
The doctor came running, medical bag in hand.
Halbert spun around and rushed straight to Unity's side.
"Check on her!" he snapped.
The doctor knelt down and checked Unity's hand, looking really serious.
"General, her bone's broken and it's dislocated. She's badly hurt," the doctor said, sounding really worried.
Unity's cries reached a new pitch of desperation.
"Is my hand crippled?" she wailed, her voice trembling with fear.
Halbert's fists clenched so hard, his knuckles popped with rage.
He whipped around, shooting me a glare so intense it felt like daggers.
His glare was so intense, it was like he wanted to devour me alive.
I stared right back at him.
Strangely, I felt calm inside.
I even felt like laughing a little.
For the past ten years, Halbert had blocked arrows and taken blades for me.
He used to say I was his world.
But now, Unity had become his world.
I didn't know what I represented to him.
The doctor gave Unity emergency treatment, splinting her arm with wooden boards.
"General, she needs the best medicine as soon as possible, or she might never fully recover," the doctor said, sounding worried.
Halbert nodded.
"Use the best," he said, his tone unwavering.
He lifted Unity into his arms.
As he passed by me, he paused.
He lowered his voice so only I could hear.
He warned, "Lizzie, you'd better behave yourself.
"Otherwise, I won't hesitate to make sure you never speak again."
I looked at him.
I watched his back as he walked away, carrying Unity in his arms.
It felt like I was looking at a stranger.
I spoke quietly, but my words were clear enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear.
I said, "General, you sure are in a rush.
"Worried you'll miss the funeral tomorrow morning?"