Chapter 2

Chapter 2

[1]

"The orc's master sent a wooden box."

Sonya handed me the wooden box.

In the upper right corner of the box, there was an elegant engraving of the character "Hughes."

"Is it an orc from the Hughes family? Is the head of the Hughes family called Earl Hughes?"

Sonya nodded slightly.

After a few comforting words, she left.

The box was full of blood money.

If one is lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family in the city, even a life can be bought with money.

I held the wooden box and carefully counted the money.

One hundred silver coins.

Jayden's worthless life was worth a hundred silver coins.

He and I had lived a hard life together. If he knew, he would probably laugh heartily...

I abruptly closed the wooden box.

The next morning, I spent ten silver coins to buy a horse and headed to the city.

I had avoided the Hughes family for some time, not wanting to get entangled in old matters.

But Jayden, who delivered goods for me, had met a tragic end.

I had to avenge him.

The Hughes' residence.

"You must have forgotten me. I am the lost child of the Lloyd family. Now I have finally returned, but my mother is already..."

The jade in my arms was as pure as ever. Rylie's eyes reddened, and she pulled me into her embrace.

"From now on, you are a member of the Hughes family! No one will bully you anymore!"

Tears streamed down my face.

I glanced at Noreen, who was standing behind with a fake smile, and the tall and strong White Tiger orc.

They were the ones who had killed my orc.

Since they had become part of my fate, it was time for retribution.

"Madam, my chest hurts."

I took a deep breath and covered my nose.

"The scent of flowers is too strong. I can't stand it, just like my late mother..."

Rylie was stunned and immediately ordered Noreen to leave, forbidding her from using floral scents in the future.

Noreen's face turned cold.

She pursed her lips in displeasure but could only agree.

I took a slight breath and continued, "The floral scent has faded a bit, but I can still smell some medicinal herbs. Is your health alright?"

Rylie sighed and patted my hand.

"I have a stomach ailment. This is probably my retribution."

[2]

Rylie lowered her head and wept. "It was my fault back then."

The daughters of the Lloyd family and the Hughes family were once very close sisters, but they became estranged due to a dispute over an orc.

My father formed a life bond with the daughter of the Lloyd family, causing the daughter of the Hughes family to leave the southern region.

The daughter of the Lloyd family often regretted the rift with the Hughes family daughter. Once the novelty wore off, she quickly grew tired of my father.

He took me to Camellia Village, hoping my mother would seek him out one day, but she soon married a new orc.

Severing a life bond was tantamount to denying an orc's purpose in life.

Driven mad by jealousy, my father set a fire, leaving only me alive.

"I shouldn't have fought with my sister back then, causing her to resent your father..."

"Fortunately, the Lloyd family still has you. From now on, I will treat you as my own and ensure you live a life of wealth and comfort!"

Rylie wiped her tears.

I gently comforted her, but my heart was full of scorn.

It turned out that everything had been set in motion long ago, and it was up to me to bring it to fruition.

I would make this family pay the price.

"Aunt Hughes, don't cry. My mother often thought of you when she was alive. How could she blame you?

From now on, I will be your daughter. I haven't had the chance to fulfill my filial duties to my mother.

I hope you can pity me and let me call you 'Mother'..."

Rylie cried even harder and pulled me closer into her embrace.

What a touching scene of motherly love and filial piety.

But they didn't know, I was just as mad as my father.

This hundred silver coins of blood money, I would return it to them in full!

This hatred would only be repaid with life!

[3]

At the evening banquet.

Noreen swirled her white jade cup. "Sister, were you killing pigs in Camellia Village before?"

My hand paused, and I turned to look at her with a half-smile.

Rylie glared at Noreen, annoyed that she had brought up my past.

They all believed that those twenty years were a disgrace.

Killing pigs, a lowly occupation, unworthy of sitting at the same table with them.

They pitied me as the child of an old friend, which was the only reason I had any standing.

Noreen snorted and left the table with the White Tiger orc.

"Such a stench, it's unbearable. My White Tiger is pregnant and can't stand the smell of pigs!"

Rylie patted my hand. "Noreen is a bit arrogant. In the future, just be humble around her. Use these scented balms."

"No one will ever mention your past as a butcher again. From now on, you are the second young lady of the Hughes family. Your aunt will ensure you remain untainted."

I shed tears and buried myself in Rylie's embrace.

That night, I dreamt of Jayden again.

He sat by the bed, looking at me with a face pale and sorrowful, but filled with sorrow.

"Why risk yourself? Forget about me. From now on, you will live a life of luxury. Don't let me hold you back."

"Orcs in their true form are inherently inferior. If others find out, it will tarnish Miss Lloyd's reputation."

"I'm not worth it."

Tears filled his eyes.

As he spoke, a tear reached the corner of his mouth.

"Why don't you call me master?" I raised my hand to gently caress his face.

He avoided my gaze. "I'm not worth it."

"Call me, master."

Jayden looked at me with hopeless eyes, then turned into smoke and disappeared.

My hand fell into emptiness.

Just one day short, the life bond we were supposed to form turned to nothing.

A night of heart-wrenching pain.

Suddenly, I exhaled a breath of foul air, finally able to breathe smoothly.

A bright moon hung in the sky, casting its light on the desk in the bedroom.

I raised my hand to write.

The next day, the letter was delivered to Sonya in Camellia Village.

I wanted everyone in the Hughes family to die!

This was what they owed me.