Evandria Gravewood stood in a dark room lit only by moonlight. Beside her stood another woman, a servant who served Elion Goldleaf, Evandria’s husband.

The woman spoke in a low voice, breaking the silence. “You asked me before, my lady, why this room is always kept closed. But I cannot tell you that yet. First, you must know whose room this is. Then I will tell you why it was closed.”

Evandria looked at her with a puzzled expression.

The woman glanced around the room and spoke solemnly. “This was the chamber of Master and his first wife.”

She fell silent, and a quiet sadness settled on her face. After a brief moment, she continued, “You may not believe me… but he did not kill her, as the rumors claim. So before I tell you more… you must know who she truly was.”

The servant reached into the darkness, lifted a portrait from a dust-covered table, and handed it to Evandria. “Here, my lady. This will give you some of your answers.”

Evandria took the portrait and brought it into the moonlight. But the moment her eyes fell upon it, she froze. Her eyes widened, and her breath caught in her throat. 

“No… no way.” Evandria’s voice broke, and her hands started trembling. “She’s... my sister.”

“Yes, my lady. She was your elder sister, Sofien, the first daughter of House Gravewood.”

Evandria clutched the portrait tighter. “B-but my sister died when I was in my final semester at the academy. So how... how is her portrait here? N-no… you’re mistaken. My sister was never married to anyone.”

“As I told you, my lady. She was Master’s first wife. And he loved her more than anyone else. Master did not kill her, my lady. The one who killed her… was none other than your own brother.”

“...What?”

Evandria’s heart shattered with every word the woman spoke. Tears began to fall from her eyes, though she did not realize when she had started crying. She stood frozen, unable to comprehend what she was seeing and hearing.

The sister who had loved her dearly. The sister who had always taken care of her. The sister Evandria had always admired with pride and respect. She was the first wife of her husband. And the ones who killed her were her own family. Evandria remained there, drowning in questions she could not answer.

Even if it destroys everything… I will find the truth.

Why did Elion marry me? Why did he never tell me the truth about my sister? Why did Cedric kill her? And why am I bound to my sister’s husband?