When he saw my swollen cheeks, he seemed to realize what had happened. Instinctively, he reached out to comfort me, but Bayram stopped him.

Bayram looked down at me with an icy expression. Then, he sneered sarcastically.

“Let’s see how long you can keep up this tough act!”

“Send the word. Without my orders, no one is to give these two spies any food or water!”

After Bayram left, Rio approached me while seething with rage.

He gripped my throat tightly. But just as I struggled to breathe, he tossed a jar of wound medicine at my feet and strode away.

When everyone had left, Mr. Smith slowly regained consciousness.

He let out a howl of pain as he glimpsed his blood-soaked wound.

I closed my eyes to rest. The wedding was just a few days away. If I could just hold on, someone would come to save me.

But I had overestimated my strength. The damp basement quickly sent a high fever coursing through my body. Seeing this, Mr. Smith immediately shouted for help.

“Quick, go fetch a doctor! If anything happens to the Consort, don’t even think about Prince Bayram. Even Rio would be put to death!”

He made a loud fuss. Rio eventually showed up.

But he merely ordered his men to douse me with ice-cold water, convinced I was faking my illness.

“Enough with the act!”

“Tell me where Reverie is as soon as possible, and perhaps I will spare your life.”

In my daze, a scene from my first timeline flashed through my mind. It had been the moment I chose Rio.

When Bayram buried me alive, he had stared at me just as coldly.

He said that as long as I agreed to be his maid, he would spare my life.

Thinking of that, I spat viciously at him. “Get lost!”

Rio paused for a moment, then gritted his teeth and warned me. “This is your last chance!”

Just as we stood facing off, Rio’s personal guard reported. “General, a bridal carriage is waiting outside the mansion. They say they’ve come to pick up…”

“Speak!”

“The man leading the group here to fetch Ms. Savoy is the Crown Prince’s personal attendant!”

Mr. Smith was overjoyed. “Rio, your time has come!

“And you, Bayram Anjou. The consort is the Crown Prince’s most cherished person. After humiliating her like this, you’d better brace yourselves for the royal family’s wrath!”

Rio looked nervously at Bayram as he approached us.

Bayram raised his hand and laughed. “Why all the panic? There’s no doubt she’s a spy from the enemy nation!”

“Do you really think His Highness the Crown Prince would marry a spy?”

Hearing that, Rio immediately let out a sigh of relief.

Taking advantage of his distraction, I pulled out the signal flare hidden at my waist and tried to light it.

Bayram’s sharp eyes noticed it immediately. He drew his sword and slashed my wrist, giving me a cold glare. “Behave yourself!”

I clutched my wrist and glared at the two of them through gritted teeth.

“Let me go right now! The Crown Prince is right outside the door. If I die, you won’t get off easy either!

“You’ve unlawfully imprisoned a consort and destroyed a Royal Decree. Do you really think you can get away with either of those? Bayram Anjou, don’t forget—you’re just a collateral branch of the family and haven’t even inherited a title yet!

“Rio, the imperial family has long been wary of you. This would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of you!”

The two exchanged glances. Mr. Smith added insult to the injury with a loud laugh.

“The consort is right. When has the capital ever been ruled by two lowborns?!”

“Just you wait…”

Before Mr. Smith could finish his sentence, his eyes widened. Bayram severed his head, and it fell to the ground.

Rio waved his hand. “Take her away to the back courtyard.”

The slightest touch from him sent a wave of pain through my festering wound.

I struggled while shouting, “Your Highness!” However, Rio clamped his hand over my mouth. Despairing, I thought I was going to die at their hands once again.

The next second, the door swung open.

A figure dressed in wedding robes strode quickly toward me, kicking Rio and the other man standing beside him to the ground.

Then, with a tender gaze, he pulled me into his arms. “Don’t be afraid, Reverie. I’m here!”