《小三》唐紫

4、Chapter 4. Austria X Hungary 患难夫妻

　　Elizaveta was a girl actually, which she realized until recently. However, this helped her in winning Roderich’s affection among those male competitors. Now she was the happiest bride in the world.
　　‘I told you I shall marry him someday,’ she cried to Gilbert, her vanquished foe, ‘look at you. You are nothing but a guest now.’
　　‘No, I am the third party.’

　　What makes a true happy marriage A lot of factors contribute to it. If the husband is handsome, considerate and wealthy, could he keep a beautiful wife, or will the wife be satisfied
　　As for Elizaveta, the answer is definitely not after she realized her situation in the marriage with Roderich. From others’ point of view, she should be the happiest wife: her husband was the gentlest person in the world; she got a cozy house and a large garden, in which she was served by crowds of servants.
　　While most wives in the world complained about not knowing what their husbands were thinking about, Elizaveta feared for knowing hers’ thoughts. Roderich was obviously absent-minded to everything except those to do with Gilbert.
　　‘I won’t give up,’ Elizaveta told herself, ‘I’m his legal wife; I have every right to protect my marriage from being broken by that third party.’

　　However, it was not a good time for Elizaveta to manage her marriage. Their friends outside were fighting with each other and the couple need to declare their stand.
　　Roderich chose Ludwig, Gilbert’s younger brother, which meant he chose Gilbert as Elizaveta feared.
　　‘Don’t, please, my dearest Roderich. Being their ally means failure, I can tell you. You will probably lose everything you have now. Those servants in our house… they all want independence and freedom from you. You will collapse.’
　　‘No, I won’t. Ludwig said he will help me.’ Roderich replied quietly.
　　‘How could you expect that crazy self-centered young man to understand and help you’ Elizaveta shook her head, ‘He was badly educated by Gilbert and he did not show any respect for all of us seniors. Now even Gilbert couldn’t control him and how could you layyou hope on him’
　　‘I don’t mind at all, Elizaveta.’ Roderich gave her a bitter smile, ‘I care for nothing now.’
　　‘Nothing’ Elizaveta kneed down, ‘I know what you care for, everything about him, right You show your love by being their ally. Tell me you marry me for love, the love between lovers.’
　　‘…’Roderich kept silent for a while, ‘I’m sorry Elizaveta. This is the only lie that I can not tell.’
　　‘Well, my dearest Roderich,’ Elizaveta grasped Roderich’s coat tightly, ‘it seems useless for me to persuade you. I can’t prevent you. So the last thing I can do for you is to stand byyour side, even if it means I have to stand by the mad brothers’ side too.’ She kissed Roderich’s hand and sobbed, ‘how I wish you had never met with that guy before and you would be well after all this.’
　　‘But that had happened, Elizaveta,’ Roderich petted Elizaveta’s long light-brown hair, ‘If we failed,you could leave me and live your own life. You are a brave and beautiful girl. You deserve a much better husband than I, and much happier life than now.’
　　‘I won’t marry anyone else.’ Elizaveta burst into tears, ‘You know I only loved and still love you. I shall be your side forever even though you don’t want me.’
　　‘I’m quite sorry, Elizaveta,’ Roderich kissed his wife’s cheek, ‘I wish I loved you. But it seems I can’t go against my true feeling. I don’t expect you to forgive me. You can hate me and do whatever you want to revenge.’
　　‘I will not.’ Elizaveta wiped her tears and released a smile, ‘Anyway, now we are not losing. Why are we talking about these sad futures which may not happen at all’