Chapter 1

　　A single red candle flickered in the brocade tent. 　　The voices outside seemed lonely in the dark night. Elizabeth Mo sat on the couch. On her face was red makeup. She took the red handkerchief off her head. It’s nearly midnight. Maybe he’s not coming after all. 　　Duke Arthur Mu loved his wife, the Duchess. The woman had been ill for a long time, and could not even get out of bed. 　　I’m just his plaything, Elizabeth thought, and a bitter smile spread across her face. The red candle had nearly been burned out. The meager light illuminated her face. Just as she was about to take off her make-up, a loud commotion broke the silence outside. Someone burst through the door. 　　"Miss, Miss, come quickly!" 　　It was her maid, Camille Ah. In a trembling voice, she implored Elizabeth, "Miss, please come to the front hall! The master and his wife have been arrested for treason!" 　　Treason? Her father, a lowly minister, had always been loyal to the Emperor! The main courtyard of the Duke's mansion was full of lights. The guards held torches, as if to burn a hole in the dark sky.  　　She did not have time to remove her red make-up. Elizabeth ran across the yard, and in the light of the fire, she saw her relatives and parents kneeling on the ground. Arthur Mu was also there, dressed in court clothes, handsome and calm. His eyes had an evil glint in them. 　　 "What the hell is going on?" Even after taking a deep breath, Elizabeth's voice was still trembling. 　　Arthur Mu, who was standing with hands clasped, had his eyes on her. In a flat voice, he taunted her. “Who do you think you are?” 　　In her heart, Elizabeth felt unspeakable pain. This was the same boy who had vowed to love her for the rest of her life. But that boy was no more. He has grown up to be a cold, cruel man. 　　Now that boy was the Duke of Pinyang, Arthur Mu. He also held a high rank in the Military, and so he had much political power. 　　Kneeling on the ground in her wedding dress, Elizabeth pleaded with him. "Please, Sir. I don't believe my father will rebel. There must be a misunderstanding." 　　Arthur Mu's voice was strange and mechanical, as if he was tired of speaking. "Richard Mo, the Minister of Industry, intended to rebel. The evidence is conclusive. The Emperor has ordered me, his Duke, to execute Minister Mo." 　　It was a trap. All her relatives had been gathered here for her wedding. 　　They were all going to be slaughtered. Elizabeth trembled in fear. At the Duke’s's command, the officers and soldiers drew out their swords. 　　Elizabeth clutched Arthur’s robe. “Master, Duke, there must be a mistake!” 　　"Get your filthy hands off me!" Arthur impatiently kicked her away. 　　Elizabeth fell to the ground, but she gritted her teeth and got up. Again, she knelt close to Arthur Mu. Arthur Mu's eyes were filled with disgust. 　　He almost strode away, but then changed his mind and walked to Elizabeth. He bent down and buried his head in her hair. His ears rubbed against her cheek. His whispered words were so cold that a wave of panic overcame her. 　　"Please! Please don’t!" 　　Elizabeth's face was pale, and her chest tightened. After all this time, he still blamed her.