My New Love That Isn’t Fated - Episode 28

Owen caught Lilia in his arms, steady and firm. When he looked at her, his brows furrowed deeply.
A cold anger filled the air, making the already chilly pre-winter breeze feel even colder.

“Lilia… I’m glad you’re safe. How could anyone do something so cruel to you?”

“I’m sorry, Lord Owen… I’ve caused you trouble.”

“There’s no need to apologize. You don’t have to act brave at a time like this. It’s okay now, Lilia. I’ll protect you.”

“But why…?”

“Because you’re my friend. Do I need a reason to help a friend?”

“…!”

Owen’s hands were strong, but also gentle.
They weren’t like Elad’s, or her father’s.
A sharp ache stung the back of her nose, and she fought back the tears that threatened to fall.
The relief made her drop her guard. Her tightly held emotions broke free, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

“Lady Lilia!”

“Irma… are you alright? Are you hurt?”
“You shouldn’t be worrying about me! I’m fine, Lady Lilia. Oh, this is awful… Please forgive us for not being able to protect you…”

Irma rushed to Lilia’s side. The other maids, stewards, and servants, who had been watching from a distance, pushed past Elad to gather around her.
They gently took Lilia from Owen’s arms, wrapped her in a warm shawl, and helped her put on shoes.
Seeing Irma and the others trying to protect Lilia, Elad’s eyes burned with rage.

“You people! What do you think you’re doing? Taking her side? She’s nothing but a cheating woman who had an affair with Owen!”

Fuming, Elad stormed down from the front entrance into the garden on the right.
Above him, the bedsheets tied to the balcony railing flapped wildly in the wind.

“If that’s what you believe, then you don’t need her anymore. She’s too good for you.”

“She’s mine! I can treat my wife however I want!”

Elad glared at Owen with hatred.

“She’s a person, Elad. Just like the people in your household who support you—they’re human beings too.”

Owen’s voice was calm, but that only made his anger more apparent.

“Nobles and commoners are different!”

“And yet, the songstress you love is a commoner. You want to keep Lilia as your lawful wife because of her noble status, don’t you? Are you that afraid of what others will think? Women are not tools to boost your pride.”

“Shut up! You’re just a viscount’s son—you don’t even hold a title! No one wants you, so you went after Lilia. Are you happy now, taking my leftovers, Owen?”

Even though Elad was clearly losing control, his words were shockingly cruel.
Irma and the others turned pale.
He had just called a member of the royal family by name with no honorifics—and mocked him. In an earlier era, that alone would’ve been enough to get him executed.

Though such bloody times had passed, Lilia knew the kingdom’s past was once ruled by brutal monarchs without laws or limits.

Even now, there were still laws against disrespecting royalty. What Elad had just said could easily land him in prison.
Owen listened to the insults in silence.
Then—he smiled, though his eyes remained cold.

“Yes. I’ve never met a woman as wonderful as her. I love Lilia far more than you ever could. All you know is how to use violence, like a spoiled child. You’re pitiful, Elad.”

Owen’s voice was filled with true pity.
Then, he gently took a lock of Lilia’s hair and kissed it with deep reverence.

“A flower blooms beautifully when it’s cared for. But if you crush it, it withers. All you know how to do is destroy. You’re just a child who grew older without ever growing up. And you call yourself a marquis? Don’t make me laugh. …I can help Lilia bloom.”

“How dare you mock me like this! Lilia is mine—she’s my wife! Don’t touch her!”

Elad shouted and lunged at Owen, throwing a punch.
Irma and the others screamed.
Lilia gasped.
Before anyone could stop him, Elad’s fist flew toward Owen—
But it never landed.

Owen grabbed Elad’s wrist, twisted it, then used his long leg to sweep his stance and threw him to the ground.

“Guh…!”

Elad groaned in pain, collapsed on the ground.
Owen held his wrist and stepped on his back, grinding his shoe into Elad’s spine.

“…This is self-defense. I won’t be charged. There are witnesses.”

“D*mn it…! Let go of me, you bastard…!”

“How foolish can you be? You had a remarkable woman as your wife, and yet you couldn’t treat her with decency. No matter your upbringing or family, people like Lilia exist—people who live with strength and kindness. Do you realize how lucky you were to have met her? You’re a fool.”

Hearing Owen’s words, Irma choked back tears and repeated over and over in a regretful whisper, “It’s true… He really is a fool… our poor young master…”

“I’m not weak enough to lose to a drunk like you. Elad, this is still self-defense. I’m just giving back what you did to Lilia.”

Owen removed his foot from Elad’s back, then kicked him hard in the face.
Elad rolled over from the impact, bl00d spilling from his mouth, his face pale.

“This still isn’t enough. You hit Lilia’s face—and did what else? Should I break your fingers so you can never use them again?”

Owen lifted his foot again, aiming to stomp Elad’s hand. He really meant to break it.
Lilia quickly called out.

“Wait! That’s enough…! Lord Owen, please…!”

“I’m not satisfied yet.”

“I’m alright now. Elad was my husband… but it ends today. If he aGriez to a divorce, that’s enough for me.”

At Lilia’s plea, Owen stopped himself from crushing Elad’s hand.
He glanced down coldly at Elad, then kicked him in the stomach one more time before stepping away.
Elad looked like a crushed animal hit by a carriage.

“I’ll bring the divorce papers myself. Stay away from Lilia from now on. She doesn’t want you to suffer anymore. You should thank her. You won’t get many chances like this to turn your life around.”

“W-Wait… Lilia…”
Owen lifted Lilia into his arms again.
Elad, unable to move, reached out toward her, desperate.

But Lilia turned her gaze away from him.
She could no longer take that hand.

“Goodbye, Lord Elad. …Thank you, for the short time we had together.”

It hadn’t all been bad.
Thanks to this, she met Irma and the others. She’d had a little happiness here, even if just for a while.

As she said her farewell, Elad shouted “Lilia, wait! Lilia…!” over and over, slamming his fists against the ground.