To My Beloved Oppressor

Chapter 3

"If what you said is true, and you are still living in abundance thanks to being my wife, then there is no reason for you to want to separate. The fact that you would go so far seems to me that there's something."

"No, that can't be true. I just don't want to live with you any longer."

"Why, do you hate me now that you know I betrayed you?"

"I don't hate you, Heiner."

Heiner's eyes twitched briefly at

Annette's words. He made a small movement of his lips as if he wanted to say something. Annette did not wait for him and spoke first.

"I don't hate anyone. Even if everyone in the world hates me, I don't. Because I don't deserve it."

Heiner looked incredulous that such words had come out of her mouth. Annette felt a little odd.

Did he think she was stuck in this official residence, seething at people talking about her disposition? Without a bit of guilt.

"All the newspapers were saying that all the dregs of the dictatorship must be destroyed. I am not sure what part of me needs to be destroyed, but I am willing to do so if you wish."

Annette was still unfamiliar with politics. But she did know what the cause was. She knew what human rights were and what democracy was. She even knew why people wanted to establish a new system.

In the past she didn't know and didn't want to know, but now she did.

There was a sense of guilt, debt, and shame. Of course, that was not really a heart based on understanding.

She just came to be convinced because everyone in the world was telling her she was wrong. Three years after the fall of the monarchy. Three years was enough time to drive a person's mind to a corner.

"You don't mind if I do what I wish? Do you know what you're saying right now?"

"I don't care about anything, as long as you give me a divorce."

Even if she fell, she did not want to fall as Heiner Valdemar's wife. She did not want the man she loved to see her downfall. This was Annette's last remaining pride.

The only thing she wanted to be compensated for was the time she had spent loving Heiner.

"Divorce, divorce, divorce."

Heiner hissed. "Maybe it's because you've lived a really easy life, but divorce seems to come easy to you."

"...what could be more difficult? As long as you agree."

"I don't agree."

His large hands gripped both of her shoulders. The heat she felt through her nightgown was excessively hot.

He said ferociously. "I disagree."

"I am of no further benefit to you. Like I said, I'm only a stain. Please let me go."

But Heiner grabbed her shoulders even tighter. They were so close that their faces were in the touching distance. Her breath was choked by the ferocious force.

His low, deep voice pierced her ears.

"You will gladly be my stain."

"Heiner."

"You will always be my wife, you will never leave this place, you will never dream of freedom or happiness. As I see it, you will atone for your sins by indulging all your misfortunes."

Heiner spat out as he chewed each word. Their gazes collided. They were close enough to feel each other's breath.

When Annette frowned slightly at the numbness in her shoulders, Heiner finally let go of her. A dangerous silence fell.