After breakfast, I personally went to the kitchen to prepare a peace offering for Jasmine—a peach pie and some expensive tea from my collection—to apologize for my harsh treatment of her.
I happily pushed the cart toward the guest room when my husband's right-hand man stopped me.
"Why?" I asked.
"General Mathias ordered that no one is allowed to enter," he replied. I laughed, thinking it was a joke.
"Who am I?" I asked.
"His wife," he answered.
"Exactly! I'm his wife, and besides, I healed Madam Jasmine. So, if you please, step aside," I said, with a hint of command. He hesitated, so I glared at him and pushed past. I found them having breakfast with the children, who were playing.
"You're already having breakfast? You didn't even tell me, and don't you know there's a dining room?" I asked, feeling offended and maybe a little jealous.
"Sorry, Madam. The nannies brought my breakfast here as you instructed, and the children happened to pass by, so they joined us," Jasmine explained. I looked at the nannies; I'd given no such instructions.
"Let's say that's what happened, but Madam Jasmine, aren't you aware that it's not allowed to eat and play at the same time?" I asked. Mathias seemed annoyed and stood up.
"Nanny, please take the children," he ordered, glaring at me as they left.
"Gracia Matilladious! Are you never tired of finding fault with Jasmine? Everything she does is wrong in your eyes! Didn't we already talk about this?!" he reprimanded angrily. I was shocked he raised his voice.
"W-What?" I asked, attempting to laugh it off. I tried to calm down.
"Mathias Riverlilies, who is really your wife? Can you read the situation?" I asked. He nodded.
"Yes, I can see that you're jealous for no reason," he replied, triggering me.
"MATHIAS RIVERLILIES!" I shouted, but I tried to regain my composure.
"If the children came here because of the food, then I'm asking you: Why are you here, sitting on the bed with her early in the morning, and ordering your men to not let anyone in?!" I asked. He stepped back slightly.
"I was just checking on her condition. As for my men, I was just worried that you might hear the wrong information," he explained.
I closed my eyes, my patience exhausted. "Mathias, you know it's wrong, but you don't avoid it..."
"Gracia, please! Enough, I'm suffocating!" he shouted, interrupting me.
I took a deep breath, nodded, and forced a smile. "Okay, I won't bother you anymore. Do whatever you want. And if something happens, get out of my house," I said, bravely, though inside I was broken.
I left, slamming their door shut, and stormed to my room, slamming that door as well. Mathias followed.
"Gracia, what are you saying? Please open the door, let's talk," he said, confused.
"Please, Mathias, is war all you think about? Do you have any common sense? I'm not sensitive; your behavior is simply unacceptable. Mathias, you have a wife. Can you please act like a responsible husband and father because I don't feel it!" I confessed my feelings, unsure if my jealousy was justified.
"What do you want me to do? Gracia, I grew up on the battlefield; this is new to me! I can't understand what you're trying to explain, especially for someone like me whose instinct is just to survive," he argued. I opened the door to confront him.
"Oh? What if I use your logic? Since I don't know men, should I try to find a man so I can learn to understand you?" I retorted. He fell silent, and I was disappointed by his response.
"If that's what will make you quiet, I won't stop you," he replied.
My heart ached. I wanted to slap him, but that's not something a proper lady does. "W-Why? Why did I even marry a war maniac like you?" I asked, confused, before closing the door again. I leaned against the door, my hair almost falling out from stress and anger.
I'm confused!
Am I the one creating a toxic environment in our family, or is there something wrong with him?
"I don't know anymore."
I'm filled with jealousy. At first, it was because of the system's influence, but now it's me. I can't stop myself from thinking negatively about my husband's actions.
I don't want this anymore...
Please let me forget about this screen.
I couldn't help but cry while looking at the screen, slowly losing hope and trust.
Days passed, and I pretended everything was normal, trying to ignore the screen and convince myself everything was fine. But, to my surprise, my children were growing distant. They preferred Jasmine's care, and I often forbade them from sword training with their father and Jasmine. My children were becoming sullen because of my constant prohibitions, things I used to do for their well-being.
I think I'm becoming a toxic parent too.
"I hate Mommy!" I heard Dana shout as I passed their room.
"Me too. She doesn't let us eat candy, and she doesn't let me do sword training with Dad because she doesn't want me to be strong like Dad. She wants me to study all day to become a mage, but I really want to be a knight!" Josh whined.
Candy is bad for their teeth, and Mathias is too uncontrolled when teaching, so he's not allowed. I'm just afraid my son will get hurt.
"She also forbids me from playing with Auntie Jasmine. Auntie Jasmine has so many new games to think of, so it's not boring compared to Mommy who just runs in the morning. And she always makes me do my assignments," Dana complained.
Toxic wife, also a toxic mother.
"Am I doing something wrong? Why did my life become like this?" I lamented, wiping my face.
The screen suddenly blinked yellow for a mission. "Mission: save the twins and be their savior."
My eyes widened remembering the plot, but it was too late; I heard the bell signaling bandits had entered.
"The children! I-I need to save the children!" I shouted, running to their room and hugging them.
"Mommy, what's happening?" Dana asked, confused. I tried to stay calm so they wouldn't be scared.
"It's nothing, we're just going somewhere. Let's go," I said, rushing to Mathias's room to warn him. But, remembering the plot, Mathias wasn't at the mansion when the bandits broke in. I was about to leave when I heard a woman groan.
"Mommy, what was that?" Josh asked, confused. I quickly covered their ears and pulled them out.
I had no plans to confront whoever it was. This was my time of danger; my life was at stake.
"We need to leave," I said, but Dana was stubborn.
"No, Mommy, Auntie and Daddy aren't here yet, so I'm not leaving!" Dana shouted, going into Mathias's room. I followed, covering her eyes. Who would have thought I'd need a hand to cover my own eyes, too?
"G-Gracia! Why are you here?!" Mathias shouted, covering himself and Jasmine.
I took a deep breath. I didn't panic, but my body ached, and my eyes stung terribly.
"There are bandits who broke in. We need to save the children. But D-Dana still wants to see you, so she came here," I explained.
"Madam, let me explain..."
"BE QUIET!" I shouted at Jasmine, my anger boiling.
"After this, I'll let you be a concubine, so don't expect to be a second wife. Never in my life," I said, pulling Dana out. Outside, I was met with a sharp sword, and the bandits held Josh captive.
"Mommy!"
I almost lost my breath from fear, unsure what to do as I watched my child in that situation.
"Don't worry, mommy will save you," I soothed him, but he cried even harder when they took Dana from me. I waited for Mathias, but he seemed busy changing clothes.
"Where is the Marquisess!" their leader shouted.
"I'll tell you where she is, but give me the children first," I gambled, but the blade pressed closer to my child's neck.
"Where is she!" he roared, increasing my panic.
"Wait, isn't she the top mage who disappeared four years ago? Master, it seems we're in danger," I heard one of the bandits whisper.
"My mommy is strong, so let us go if you don't want to be in trouble!" Josh shouted bravely.
"I know your purpose, and to be honest, Jasmine has temporary amnesia. She doesn't remember what happened," I lied, sobbing in front of my children.
I took a deep breath and forced a sweet smile at Dana. "I-I have powerful magic stored in my body that can explode the entire imperial city. In exchange for my life and that magic, release my children," I gambled.
I was terrified of dying, but even more terrified for Dana and Josh. I regretted not believing the screen; I was foolish to trust Mathias.
I breathed a sigh of relief when they released Dana and Josh and took me instead. I had a choice, who to trust, but I chose to believe Mathias now, stuck in the destiny I wanted to avoid.
"Mommy!"
"W-Where's Daddy? Mommy!"
They almost screamed. I quickly wiped my tears, but they kept flowing. I looked at the door to Mathias's room, but neither Jasmine the Saintess nor Mathias the great general emerged. I desperately hoped they would come to my rescue as seconds ticked by, my heart aching with the betrayal of the man I loved most. I felt helpless.
"Josh, Dana. Be good. Mommy will be back, but please listen to Auntie Jasmine. A-Always be good and healthy. I l-love you." My voice trembled as I said goodbye to my children, clinging to the hope they would emerge from that room to help me.
A black light appeared and pulled me in. Before I was fully swallowed by the portal, I saw Jasmine and Mathias come out of the room. As Jasmine touched the children's shoulders, my screen changed to 'Mission Accomplished.'