《A Tale of One Lady and Two Men》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    When she was a child, Nadia would rarely express her emotions. She never complained, never cried, nor did she ever laugh out loud.


    The adults around her would praise her behavior, saying that she was very mature for her age¡ªas expected of the Ingram family¡¯s conduct. But, little did they know, the child herself wouldn¡¯t regard her behavior as mature. It¡¯s just that she thought she¡¯d be loved if she acted like this.


    If she bothered the adults, cried whenever she wanted, behaved petulantly, ran around, played to her heart¡¯s content, clung to her parents¡¯ clothes¡ªwhenever she acted her age, the results were different.


    So, in the end, she thought if she endured and stopped herself from whining that she wanted to be loved, then she would be treated better.


    When Nadia realized that her family wouldn¡¯t change no matter what she did, everyone already had the impression that she was a mature, elegant child.


    It was all too late. She couldn¡¯t turn back now, that would only mean that she must admit that she went through all those hardships because she was starved for love. At the end of the day, she admitted nothing because it was a matter of pride.


    The Ingram Duchy¡¯s wealth and power were second only to the Imperial Family, though no matter how this was boasted of, this renown would never lead to a real loving family.


    To everyone else in high society, the Duke and the Duchess were the epitome of a harmonious marriage. But, the truth was that their union was nothing but a necessity of political gains.


    Nonetheless, the couple fulfilled their marital responsibilities by birthing a perfect son to become the family¡¯s heir and a beautiful daughter who would later be put on a show to the marriage market.


    As a product of a loveless marriage, it was inevitable that her parents gave her nothing but apathy.


    When Nadia was around ten years old, she found out that her father had a mistress, and her mother had a lover. She finally realized why they both stayed out all night.


    It might have been better if she could rely on her brother at this time, since they were experiencing the same pain. However, her older brother Nigel was equally disinterested in a sister who¡¯s younger than him by ten years.


    He was entirely focused on two things: on his classes as the Duke¡¯s heir, and on fooling around at parties, using his face and his standing as a Duke¡¯s son to play with women.


    The Duchess would say that it was fine, as long as he didn¡¯t come back with an illegitimate child. And so, this brother of hers, who comes back home with the lingering scent of alcohol and perfumes, would always turn her away when she tried to talk to him.


    At twelve years old, even though she had been young, he looked terribly pathetic in her eyes as he often wouldn¡¯t wipe off the lipstick stains on his mouth.


    She thought all nobles lived like that. As she observed this household, where no one held any affection for each other, she eventually came to the conclusion that she would grow up to live the same life, build the same kind of family, stay miserable and lonely.


    Although she would be proven wrong later on¡­


    It was a party she attended back then. Count Marten, who was close to Duke Ingram, held a birthday party for his daughter.


    As usual, parties of this kind had their own political implications, and so the adults would want to get along with each other, showing off their friendship and using their children as an extension of their interconnected business relationships.


    As she sat by the fountain, brushing her fingertips on the water¡¯s surface because she was bored, she happened to see something that shocked her. Count Marten, who had a well-kept mustache, carried his daughter dearly as he delivered his closing remarks.


    The Count and Countess smiled brightly at their daughter as she embraced her father, as if she was the most precious thing in the world. Nadia desperately wanted to ask them if they could look at her like that, too.


    Nadia hesitated, but she gained the courage to go near the Countess.


    ¡°My little angel, do you want to open your present with mom?¡±


    It almost made Nadia¡¯s cheeks blush, even though she knew that the Countess wasn¡¯t talking to her. If the Countess was her mother, then she¡¯d be called an angel. Nadia wanted to ask her if she could call her mother.


    Her real mother, the Duchess, had scary eyes, and she would always swipe away her small hand whenever she reached out to hold her mother¡¯s hand with all her might.


    It wasn¡¯t all too obvious, but Nadia could see that her mother would always be holding back a look of irritation whenever she looked at Nadia.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± the Duchess once asked her.


    ¡°I-I just¡­¡±


    Nadia fidgeted, twiddling her fingers as she felt intimidated. Instinctively, she thought that she shouldn¡¯t say what¡¯s on her mind. But, when it took too long for her to continue speaking, the Duchess lost her patience and slapped away Nadia¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a nuisance and just behave. I don¡¯t have time to waste on you.¡±


    She could only nod. It had been ingrained in her that if she was a good daughter, then one day she might be called ¡®my angel.¡¯ It was a child¡¯s optimistic mindset that held her back from despairing.


    Nadia got used to pretending to be strong. The most effective method of concealing her pain was to raise her chin up so that it was her that looked down on people and not the other way around, but it later became natural for her to act in this manner.


    The more Nadia exuded arrogance and coldness, the more she kept her distance from other people, whether it be the maids whom she would see every day, the family she might or might not see once a week, or the other girls her age whom she socialized with at tea parties.


    The maids around her would always hold their tongue whenever they were in her presence, always wary. The other noble children wouldn¡¯t stop currying favor with Nadia, either gaining access to her reputation as a friend or somehow becoming acquainted with her for a political marriage.


    Regardless of their efforts, no one managed to become a close confidant to whom Nadia could share her innermost thoughts.


    She couldn¡¯t figure out where it went wrong.


    Would it have been different if she had cried immaturely, flipping the entire household upside down with her tantrums? Still, at this point, she couldn¡¯t talk about this weakness to anyone.


    To whom exactly could she confide? She couldn¡¯t possibly say she was lonely to a maid or lady-in-waiting.


    That¡¯s why she kept to herself, even among those loyal to the Ingram name. It would be her downfall if she exposed this weakness to anyone at all. If there was someone who would dig into her armor, where the cracks were numerous but thoroughly camouflaged, then it would be horrendous.


    Her optimism from childhood gradually disappeared as well. As she continued acting like a strong, arrogant, dignified Ingram, she knew very well that no one would call her ¡®angel¡¯ now, or embrace her as if she were dearly beloved.


    This lonesome girl, who turned seventeen in a blink of an eye, stared blankly out the window, the cool night breeze brushing by her cheeks.


    She couldn¡¯t tell if she was shaking because of the chill in the air, or if it was because of her misery.


    ***


    Nadia¡¯s coming-of-age celebration was magnificent.


    Eloise, her mother who didn¡¯t seem to care whether her daughter was dead or alive, volunteered to be her chaperone and to be in charge of the preparations for her debutante.


    Cynically, she thought the Duchess was doing this only out of obligation. However, there wasn¡¯t an ounce of hope left in her to think that her mother would spare her any attention.


    Nadia endured the tight schedule with an aloof expression, uttering not one complaint. She had to undergo several dress and accessory fittings, had to be tested for her etiquette a hundred times, had to practice dance steps that were the trend, and had to memorize the names and faces of the children of powerful families so she could build connections.


    The debutante ball, which began early in the evening, was a huge success.


    Among the seven girls who debuted that day, Nadia was the one who stood out. Though if everyone were to be honest, it was only because of the name attached to her.


    Wearing a dress of light blue silk reminiscent of snow and elaborate accessories made of lilies and pearls, and with her rich brown hair was carefully styled in an updo, everyone¡¯s gazes lingered on her. She did her best to keep a smile on her face and to talk politely, but inside, she felt that she wasn¡¯t any better than high-quality livestock being paraded around at a butcher¡¯s shop.


    As she danced and circled the hall, being passed around from one nobleman to another, she suddenly felt that there was a certain dissonance brewing within her.


    Her future wouldn¡¯t be any different from the present. Her eventual marriage, which would catch the attention of all those in high society, would only be a product of a carefully strategized union between two households to benefit each other¡¯s families.


    It would be harsh and without any warmth, and she would become exactly like the Duchess. All aristocrats lived like this, so she had no choice but to follow this path.


    The only good thing about becoming an adult was that she could finally go out alone, although she technically still needed to have a knight or a maid beside her. More than anything else, she was glad that she didn¡¯t need to ask permission from her father or brother, who were both rarely home, anyway.


    It was tiring to keep socializing with others when invitations came to her in droves, but she couldn¡¯t ignore every invitation.


    At one particular tea party, Nadia heard something interesting.


    It was commonplace for young women of her age to exchange stories about men.


    Marriage and relationships between a man and a woman, as Nadia had thought, were supposed to be cold and dry, but in these young women¡¯s conversations, such relationships became hot, secretive, passionate. Nadia pretended not to be interested, but she listened intently as she drank her tea.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to have fun, but you can¡¯t have an illegitimate child,¡± said the blond young lady of the Melchard Countdom, who was two years older than Nadia. Not to mention, she was about to be married.


    With her outspoken personality, she enjoyed rambling about her ventures, spinning out her stories like they were entire sagas.


    The girls, who were brought up like expensive plants in a greenhouse, clearly couldn¡¯t hide their curiosity. Somewhat used to how the Count¡¯s daughter told her stories, the girls urged her to hurry.


    In most cases, it was Nadia¡¯s responsibility to keep the conversation going at social gatherings, but if the topic was about men, she couldn¡¯t say a word. It was an unknown world for Nadia. She didn¡¯t even know to what extent she could trust what they said, since she couldn¡¯t discern the truth from lies in this subject matter.


    Lady Melchard relented to the urging of the young women around her and carefully unravelled her experiences, and as time went on, her story became ever more colorful. She was about to get married¡ªabout to be sent away for the sake of tying together two noble households¡ªbut it was unbelievable that she was in the midst of a tryst.


    Nadia, who was on the verge of exposing her curiosity, sipped her tea quietly as she listened.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    Nadia thought she¡¯d be able to become a more upright and quiet woman because of how her family treated her, though no matter how much she tried to be indifferent, she could still hear malicious whispers following her everywhere.


    They always said that she must not show her love too much, that there was nothing uglier than a child who ran and cried all the time. They said that men would tire easily of a woman, so she should be coy and should not give in so quickly in bed because he would leave once he got what he wanted.


    It was difficult for Nadia to judge whether these were true because there was no one who was truly candid with her, and she had no experience.


    By the wall, a clock chimed two o¡¯clock as one girl asked ¡®What should I do with my tongue?¡¯ At that, Nadia set her teacup down on the table with a resounding clack and stood up. The atmosphere between the young women, which had become hot and heady in broad daylight, suddenly cooled as if ice-cold water were splashed on them.


    ¡°I shall get up first. I hope you have a pleasant chat.¡±


    With the corners of her lips trembling as she forced herself to smile, Nadia got up from her seat and left the table while hoping that her cheeks weren¡¯t too red. She did not speak out to the rest of the young women negatively, but three or four of them followed her exit, perhaps feeling uncomfortable.


    Nadia got on her carriage with the help of her maid after she said her goodbyes.


    The steady staccato of the horse¡¯s gait helped calm her down, but she couldn¡¯t help biting her lip. There was an unbearable curiosity plaguing her.


    After hesitating for a long time, Nadia ordered Suzanne, the maid who was attending to her today, to tell the carriage driver to go to the shopping district.


    She had never felt so restless before. She thought that it might have been better if she just asked a while ago, just to satiate her curiosity, although she just bit her lips and stopped pondering about it.


    She didn¡¯t want to make any mistakes. So, she was going to buy a book to distract herself.


    She got off the carriage near a bookstore that she usually frequented and went inside to look around. As Nadia looked between the bookshelves, thinking that she should have worn a hat or a veil, she easily found what she was looking for.


    As she bought collections of poetry and tomes of philosophical books that she had no intention of buying in the first place, she brought them all home and carried them over a desk.


    There was one particular book that stood out. Among the dull-covered books was one that had a fairly colorful cover. It was a romance book that came out today.


    Nadia was stunned by her own actions. She went as far as pretending not to care at the bookstore, yet running straight back to the book to pick it up. She hesitated a great deal, but her temptation was far too powerful.


    As she opened the book, Nadia instantly fell in love with it.


    ***


    Before long, trips to the bookstore became a frequent occurrence. There was a long line of maids and knights that would desperately try to stop Nadia from going out and buying books, although the number of servants who protested soon trickled down.


    The maids who first tried to stop her eventually gave up as they couldn¡¯t do anything against her stubbornness.


    Nadia hurried as she donned the usual plain dress and hat. She knew that it was dangerous for a woman to walk around alone, but her heart fluttered at the possibility that someone might catch her reading this kind of literature.


    She bought one book at first, then she would bring that book back to resell it, then buy another book. Nadia didn¡¯t mean to do this for a long time, just¡­ until her curiosity simmered down. Then, she¡¯d be able to quit any time.


    She disposed of the book she had and bought two books from a writer she quite liked, thinking this was going to be the last time.


    As usual, she became happy about the thought of going back home to read them. Just like the gossip she heard that day, reading things like that made her dream that someday, she¡¯d get to experience things that would make her ears go hot, too.


    As she rushed down an alley to catch a carriage, Nadia fell down after she bumped into someone as she rounded the corner. The book she was holding got flung to the ground as she hit her bottom on the pavement.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to open those eyes, Miss.¡±


    Terrified of the man before her, Nadia¡¯s imagination flared up as she saw the man¡¯s huge build. At that moment, she regretted not listening to the maids and knights.


    She slowly rose to her feet, trying not to show her apprehension. She realized that there was a wound on her palm when she felt a stinging sensation as she shook off the dirt from her. She must have gotten it when she tried to catch her fall.


    ¡°I apologize, I was in a hurry, so¡­since it¡¯s not a big deal, then goodbye.¡±


    And so, she tried to sneak past the man in that alley, hoping that he was content with her apology. However, against her expectations, the man¡¯s hand harshly snatched up her arm, and Nadia couldn¡¯t help but let out a small scream.


    ¡°You¡¯re going? After you hit me?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do it on purpose. And¡­¡±


    Nadia trembled like a leaf. She had to be careful not to accidentally bite off her own tongue for all the fright she felt.


    ¡°Y-you aren¡¯t hurt and, I a-apologized so¡ªhiiek!¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re just gonna leave like that?¡±


    The man leaned into her, and she could clearly see his bloodshot eyes. The unpleasant smell of alcohol pervaded the space between them, which emanated from the man¡¯s shaggy, bearded face.


    ¡°What do you mean I wasn¡¯t hurt? You¡ªdo you not see this?¡±


    He pointed at a knife wound on his forearm. He was saying that the nearly healed gash was sustained when he had bumped into her.


    At that point, Nadia realized this man wouldn¡¯t let her off easily.


    ¡°¡­What do you want from me?¡±


    She stared at the man¡¯s arm with contempt, still, with no other choice, she fished out her purse from her pocket and tossed it to him. The man looked satisfied when he saw a purse full of silver.


    Relieved to see that he seemed satisfied, she thought she was lucky that it would end only at this. She held her breath as she waited for the man to leave. Yet, instead of leaving, he reached for Nadia¡¯s hat.


    ¡°You have a cute voice. Mind showing me your face?¡±


    ¡°You have no right!¡±


    She yelled sharply and looked around with urgency. She wished that someone would come to show this bastard his place.


    And, before long, her wish came true. The moment the drunken man snatched Nadia¡¯s hat recklessly, another person grabbed him by the arm.


    Shaking in fright, she forced herself to look up to see who it was that came to her rescue.


    The man who appeared suddenly had red hair, and he was taller than her by a head, and by his waist was a large sword.


    With refined features that wouldn¡¯t be lacking compared to her older brother, Nigel, his appearance made her heart flutter for a moment, but the large scar on his cheek looked so ferocious that it distracted from his fine looks.


    The scar was so ferocious that, for a moment, Nadia imagined how much this man struggled in his daily life.


    ¡°Hey, go find someone else to bother.¡±


    ¡°And, who the f*ck are you?¡±


    The drunken man attacked the red-haired man with a fierce glare. Nonetheless, the latter had no intention of backing down easily.


    Nadia was relieved that someone had come to help her, but she was still nervous because a fight might break out in front of her. However, the altercation quickly ended with the drunken man¡¯s arm bent in a strange direction.


    Scuttling away with his bent arm cradled in another, the drunken man ran out of the alley and swore loudly.


    The red-haired man really did save her. It was nothing like what she secretly read every night, with a prince coming to the rescue on a white horse. Though as she stared at him, even with the scar on his cheek, she realized how handsome he was.


    Nadia expected him to say polite things, like ¡®Are you alright, Miss?¡¯ or ¡®That must have scared you.¡¯ But, he just handed over her hat without saying a word. Nevertheless, she wasn¡¯t disappointed¡ªthis was fine in its own way.


    With a shy smile on her lips, she expressed her gratitude.


    ¡°Thank you. If not for you, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡±


    Her smile froze. The man picked up the books that she completely forgot about and berated her.


    ¡°When a woman like you walks along a back alley like this, you¡¯re practically screaming you want to be preyed upon.¡±


    His strict tone was like a slap to wake her up from a dream. Nadia was taken aback for a moment, though she immediately accepted it. It really had been dangerous.


    As she bowed her head slightly, the man sighed, perhaps thinking that she had reflected already.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you back to your carriage. Be careful next time.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    Nadia put her hat back on and nodded. She reached out to take her books back, but¡­


    ¡°I¡¯ll hold these for you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, no. I¡¯ll take those. Give them back!¡±


    Trying to get them back quickly backfired as the man glanced at the titles. One of them was Lady and the Knight. Nadia desperately hoped that the man didn¡¯t think wrongly when she saw him smirk.


    When they arrived at the carriage port, the man turned around without hesitation. In a frenzy, she was surprised by her own actions when she reached out to grab the hem of his clothes.


    ¡°Do you have any more business with me, Miss?¡±


    ¡°Ah, that¡­U-um¡­¡±


    It was an impulsive action that had no reason behind it, so Nadia struggled for a while, trying to think of something to say. After a while, with her face a deep shade of red, she finally thought of something.


    ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t have anything left to pay for the carriage¡­ I lost all my money to that man earlier. So¡­ if you could lend me some¡­¡±


    Of all the things she could say, this was the best she could come up with. Nadia wanted to bury herself underground. She couldn¡¯t believe this was the only excuse she could think of just to hold onto him.


    The red-haired man laughed at her shyness, yet he was surprisingly willing to lend her some money.


    Nadia insisted on paying him back, even when he said she didn¡¯t have to.


    From there, she found out that his name was Asheel, and they promised to meet the next day.


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 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    Similar encounters continued several times.


    First, it was only through serendipity that they met¡ªand they met again after that when Nadia returned the borrowed money.


    Nadia wracked her brain to create more excuses every time their meeting would end so that she could see the man again. She would say that she wanted to thank him, or she would even go as far as pacing along the streets for another ¡°chance¡± encounter.


    Whether it was by coincidence or whether he wanted to meet her as well, she would come out to meet him without a plan. If she hung around an alley and met him there, she would ask him to escort her just in case another suspicious man would appear once more when she¡¯s alone.


    Whatever happened, her heart pounded loudly in her ears as she moved forward without any countermeasures.


    Asheel treated her in a very polite and thoughtful manner that it baffled her now that she had once been afraid of him. Nadia suddenly realized that she was now thoroughly doused and softened by the sheer kindness of a man who didn¡¯t even know her true identity.


    It wasn¡¯t long before these warm feelings, which quietly and gradually sowed themselves within the two, that the beginning of their relationship sprouted.


    As they kept meeting several times, there was no way that Asheel wouldn¡¯t notice her being shy and defenseless every time his gaze met with hers.


    Nadia was going through the same thing she read in the novel. Whenever she faced him, her heart would beat fast as if it was going to explode, and she was out of breath. It was difficult to make eye contact, and it felt like her heart was stuck in her throat whenever she saw his smiling face.


    She blushed all the time, and she stayed up all night thinking about what else she could talk about with him to make him smile more.


    As the number of times those two met increased, Nadia¡¯s feelings gradually wore down his defenses, and slowly, Asheel stopped trying to keep his distance from her. The kind eyes that looked at her only as a younger sibling soon changed into the same gaze that she had for him.


    She was convinced that love was the warmth that she saw in Asheel¡¯s eyes, even though it was her first time experiencing it. It was like rain pouring over the dry, cracked ground.


    ¡°I like you.¡±


    Asheel¡¯s hushed confession was a delight for Nadia. The ecstasy of knowing that he felt the same way was like nothing she had ever felt before. She was drunk on those emotions, almost like a person who had never drunk a drop of water all her life.


    As she woke up from her daze, she was wrapped in this soft, budding love. And so, after they confirmed their feelings for each other, it was only natural that they became lovers.


    It happened on a day they had agreed to meet. It was a more special meeting because they hadn¡¯t met for the past few days. When she saw the man from far away, waiting for her to come, Nadia couldn¡¯t hide her excitement and ran to him like a child.


    ¡°Did you wait long?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Asheel¡¯s lips curled up in a gentle smile. Nadia rushed into his arms, out of breath, and without realizing, a peal of laughter left her lips.


    Folded in Asheel¡¯s arms, which rushed to embrace her, held her lightly, then let go.


    They were at a deserted alley, and while she always tried to be careful to keep away from prying eyes, she often couldn¡¯t hide her excitement. But, at times like those, Asheel was always the one who let go first.


    It was so natural for her to fall in love with him.


    She thought it was fate. As though it were a scene in one of the romance novels she enjoyed reading, he was her knight that appeared during a crisis and saved her. He may not actually be a knight, but it was fine. Nadia herself knew that having such fantasies was immature.


    She was the young lady of Ingram, one of the seven notable families that supported the Empire. Her father, the Duke of Ingram, had yet to betroth her with a fianc¨¦, but he would surely force her to marry soon, perhaps in a year or two, as if she would be sold to a powerful family.


    ¡­This was a future that she would not be able to change.


    She could immediately imagine what kinds of disgraceful rumors would abound if she were to be found out rendezvousing with an unidentified man, and her value as a marriage partner would instantly sink.


    Even if she wasn¡¯t comfortable bearing the weight of her family name, it was something that she felt she should protect. She knew that the honor and glory that came with the name could disappear any moment, like dying embers after a fire, nevertheless¡­ she couldn¡¯t stop having her fiery encounters.


    Asheel. A man with hair as red as fire and green eyes that matched his surprisingly excellent features. He was tall enough that Nadia had to look up just to match his gaze, and he had a long scar that ran down from his cheek to his chin.


    When she first met him, she was busy shaking from fright because of the sword he held and the scar engraved on his face. However, now she knew¡ªhow boyish this man was, who pretended to be indifferent but was actually sensitive, who smiled often, whose warm hands were covered with calluses and scars.


    The two held hands and walked together through places with no people, sometimes sitting by a lake deep within the forest, glancing at the swans that swam on the water¡¯s glistening surface, and they would talk for hours on end.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go home.¡±


    Asheel smiled silently at the admission that came out of the blue, then smoothed her hair. She gazed up from where she was, lying down on his lap, and was blinded by the sunlight that streamed through the leaves.


    He raised a hand over her to give her some shade, and at that moment, she saw the troubled expression he had as though he didn¡¯t know what to say.


    ¡°I wish we could continue staying together.¡±


    The man¡¯s low voice felt as sweet as melted honey.


    The time they spent together wasn¡¯t long. It was only a few times a week and only a few hours at a time. The only things they knew about each other was that she was Nadia and he was Asheel, but they could guess a few things about the other while they spent more time together.


    Nadia could easily tell that he was a commoner, and because he was wearing a sword, it led her to the speculation that maybe he was a mercenary.


    On the other hand, it was also easy for Asheel to tell that she was a noblewoman. Even if she wore simple clothes and accessories, she wouldn¡¯t be able to hide it.


    They were attracted to each other from the start, though it wasn¡¯t like they didn¡¯t resist the temptation of developing a relationship at first.


    At least, they knew that it was dangerous for a noblewoman like her to meet someone like him.


    ¡°I told you, you have to be careful.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be able to see you again.¡±


    ¡°Still¡­¡±


    The man, with a troubled expression filled with worry, tilted her hat a little more to cover her face. It became difficult for her to see Asheel¡¯s face, but Nadia accepted his touch calmly because she understood what he was worried about.


    Asheel had repeatedly tried to break up with her. It wasn¡¯t that his emotions had gone cold. As a matter of fact, as he would say this, it was clear that his heart sank with a sad face. It wasn¡¯t until she saw his forlorn expression that she would be able to regain her footing.


    She was still worried¡ªworried that she was the only one who wanted to cling onto this relationship. Nadia didn¡¯t know where her courage from holding onto him went.


    Before meeting him, she never thought that she¡¯d ever associate herself with a person that had a job that did not have any honor¡ªor at least, this was what she thought before because there was no such thing as ¡°never¡± in this world.


    He was a commoner, but he wasn¡¯t servile, nor was he vulgar. And, above all, he did not judge her like all the others. She felt this very clearly. When she was with him, she could be in love just as Nadia, and not Nadia Ingram.


    It was the first time she ever felt that way. Before, the world was so devoid of color, but now, she was looking forward to every tomorrow. When she was wrapped in his wide arms, she almost cried because it felt like he was saying, ¡®This is how much you are loved¡¯ and ¡®You have lived without knowing such warm and happy feelings until now.¡¯


    Nadia realized how much she did not have by loving him.


    But¡­ when she thought of a future with him, she couldn¡¯t see anything.


    The future will flow towards an ending where their love wouldn¡¯t be able to last. Nadia was the only daughter of a ducal family, which meant that she was an indispensable tool for marriage to expand the family¡¯s influence.


    She knew that her parents weren¡¯t such people who would indulge her, just the same as she knew how they wouldn¡¯t pay her any mind when she was a child, even if she cried and rolled around on the floor in a tantrum¡­


    There was no way they¡¯d allow her to marry a man of different social status. They would probably look at Nadia with a perplexed expression and say, ¡®Just break up with your lover.¡¯


    Maybe they should just run away together. As she was absorbed in her thoughts, Nadia took out a veil that could cover her face.


    Perhaps they could leave and settle in another country, or another continent where no one would be able to recognize them. She could get quite a lot of money from selling all the jewelry she had, so they wouldn¡¯t have to struggle.


    Even if that didn¡¯t work out, Asheel could hunt, and Nadia was good at embroidery, so they¡¯d be able to make ends meet. This ongoing fantasy went on in her mind for a moment.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go alone. Don¡¯t follow me.¡±


    This was what she said to the maids as she rode a servant¡¯s carriage instead of the official carriage with the family crest on it.


    Although it was common to have lovers amongst nobles of high society, and it wasn¡¯t so much as a ¡®flaw,¡¯ it wasn¡¯t something widely accepted either.


    It was only done by people in the capital, and not by unmarried people in the least.


    It was even harsher for women, so even if the act of cheating was the same on both ends, the punishment for women who committed infidelity was much heavier.


    As much as possible, this kind of relationship must never see the light of day because it was common to be persecuted if someone else found out.


    No one would notice a modestly dressed woman walking down the street, but it was good to be careful in advance. Nadia knew that this relationship was already dangerous in itself, so she didn¡¯t intend to add more danger to it.


    She turned the corner nonchalantly and entered a series of alleys where she would make several turns, even though no one was following her. The closer she got to their promised meeting place, the more discreet she became.


    Nadia stopped suddenly when she reached the point where she needed to round one last corner at the back alley of the general store, but she suddenly heard voices.


    Sticking close to the wall like a frightened rabbit, she carefully peeked her head out and looked past the corner.


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 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    Asheel was leaning against a large wooden barrel, talking to a man that Nadia had never seen before.


    They seemed to be friends, or at least, on friendly terms.


    It was getting closer to Nadia and Asheel¡¯s meeting time, though he never told her anything about introducing her to someone, so she thought she should come to greet him later. She didn¡¯t want to increase the number of people who knew about their relationship.


    Nadia leaned against the wall and waited for the stranger to leave.


    ¡°Do you want it?¡±


    ¡°No, she doesn¡¯t like stuff like that.¡±


    As she waited quietly, her ears began to adjust to their hushed conversation. Even though there was quite some distance between her and the other two, Nadia could make out Asheel¡¯s voice immediately.


    Were they talking about her? What did he think she hated¡­?


    As she wondered, she quickly found out what it was¡ªthe faint scent of cigarettes soon entered her senses.


    A smile tugged on the corners of her lips. Asheel remembered that she hated the smell of cigarettes when they passed by it once. She thought he didn¡¯t smoke, but she supposed that¡¯s not the case.


    She then prickled her ears with bated breath, trying to hear more.


    ¡°Are you still seeing each other? Isn¡¯t she a noble?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re just having a little fun.¡±


    Nadia¡¯s smile froze in an instant. She wanted to hear more of the conversation, but she couldn¡¯t hear anything. The sound of her heartbeat was so loud that she couldn¡¯t hear Asheel¡¯s voice.


    Slowly, she placed a hand over her chest and pressed down. She held her breath and tried to calm herself down, but all she could hear was the stranger laughing and jokingly slapping Asheel on the shoulder.


    At that, she felt that he was laughing at her directly, so she turned away, clutching the skirt of her dress so tightly that her knuckles were white.


    What she heard was only part of their conversation. The distance was so far that the words couldn¡¯t even be understood properly in the first place. Maybe she had just misunderstood. It would be careless on her part to judge the whole thing by just a part of it.


    It really couldn¡¯t be true¡­


    She should smile as usual and ask him about his friend. After asking that¡­ she¡¯ll ask if they had truly been talking about her back then. If she told him that she overheard their conversation¡­


    As if there was something stuck in her throat, Nadia hesitated a long time, then gulped.


    At that moment, it sounded like the man was about to leave, then she realized that if she took just one step from where she was, Asheel would notice she was right there.


    Nadia was scared.


    She was trying to suppress the thought, but what if Asheel said that she heard it right? What if he laughed at her just like his friend did?


    There were many possibilities that Nadia was thinking of.


    As if the temperature suddenly dropped, she could feel chills and goosebumps all over her skin. Nadia shook her head and wrapped both arms around herself.


    A constant cycle of speculation and denial plagued Nadia¡¯s mind. There was no way he would do that. She knew how much he cared about her¡­ although what if it was all a lie? She kept denying that this wasn¡¯t the case, but there was still a possibility that what she was assuming was right.


    Nonetheless, she knew that she should hear his side of the story. There was no denying the time they spent together, and it wouldn¡¯t crumble just from a few words. She knew this.


    Even so¡­ she wasn¡¯t confident that she could go out and face him with a smile. She couldn¡¯t pull herself together. Nadia wouldn¡¯t be able to greet him with a calm expression and ask him about what she heard. The faith she had in herself and in their relationship was collapsing.


    It felt as though her heart had become cold.


    Maybe she misunderstood everything. Maybe she was too excited and mistook Asheel¡¯s kindness and gentleness as love¡­ because she had never experienced love before.


    She shouldn¡¯t have eavesdropped. She should have walked slower. If she did, then she wouldn¡¯t have started suspecting him or second-guessing herself.


    Nadia was breathing hard, heaving as her thoughts became more tangled up. It felt like her feet were nailed to the ground, but eventually, the strength in her legs came back and she rushed away.


    After she took that first step, it became easier for her. With her mind still a mess, she hailed a commoner¡¯s carriage that was passing by.


    It was fortunate that she had left the estate wearing a veil. She couldn¡¯t hide her emotions well, so she would have shown such a shameful face if she hadn¡¯t been wearing a veil.


    When she arrived home, she ran straight to her room as if someone were chasing her. The maids wondered why Nadia came back so soon, shortly after she went out.


    ¡°I¡¯m not feeling well, so let me rest. No one is allowed to enter my room.¡±


    Spewing out a half-hearted excuse, Nadia slammed the door shut without waiting for a response. She leaned her back on the wall as though she was blocking it, then took a deep breath. She couldn¡¯t breathe properly, and her vision was blurred.


    She tried very hard to suppress those thoughts, but they were bubbling up to the surface.


    In the end, she couldn¡¯t ask him about it.


    If she had a little more confidence in herself, then she would have stood confidently in front of him to ask what exactly it was that he and his friend were talking about.


    She knew how dangerous it was to keep fueling her imagination without hearing the whole story, and so she forced herself to think reasonably, still, her emotions were beyond her control and trampled over rationality.


    ¡°No¡­ No. That can¡¯t be¡ª¡±


    As though she were trying to convince herself, she whispered this to herself over and over again, but the words that she uttered in a shaky voice did nothing to affect the already established doubt that was festering within her.


    Only negative thoughts followed one after another.


    No matter what she did, every time she tried to push away those thoughts, it was futile. She was trying not to think about it, but it just didn¡¯t stop.


    Nadia fell into the endless pitfall of imagining what he meant by ¡®fun¡¯¡ªif he had told his friend a story about what they have done together while laughing. In her mind, she had already become a poor girl betrayed and abandoned by her lover.


    It was simple to conclude that she was a victim even as she ran away for fear of learning the truth.


    Her hand trembled while it was pressed upon her chest, but she didn¡¯t stop breathing evenly. Otherwise, it felt like she would collapse in tears.


    It was because she couldn¡¯t do anything in an unseemly manner. She couldn¡¯t show herself to the maids if her eyes were swollen and her face messed up from crying.


    With that thought, Nadia took off her hat and threw it away, then stood in front of a mirror.


    After taking off all her hairpins and combing her messy hair, she whispered to the mirror as though she were casting a spell.


    ¡®It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay.¡¯


    She kept mumbling to herself so she could stop thinking and calm herself down. However, the blue eyes in the mirror that stared back at her were already pooling with tears that betrayed her will.


    Soon, the river that she desperately tried to prevent from flowing soon trickled down her face.


    ¡°How stupid of you¡­ Do you truly believe that? Why? On what grounds?¡±


    With no one to say this to, she realized all these words were just hurting herself. Her voice quivered so badly because of her tearful voice, but she didn¡¯t stop.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been loved before, though how did you become so sure that you were loved now? How are you so stupid¡­? That¡¯s why you were fooled so easily. Isn¡¯t that right? Who likes such a thing as you!¡±


    Nadia raised her voice almost to the point of screaming, although she closed her lips immediately, surprised by her own voice.


    She then immediately wiped her face of her tears, however, more poured down to no avail. Her trembling hands still covered her face.


    ¡°You said you were worried about me. You said I¡¯m pretty¡­ You said you liked me¡­¡±


    She experienced everything for the first time.


    There was no way for her to know if he meant it or not. She was so focused on clinging onto the warmth that she had never gotten in her life, so excited about the saccharine words that were just for her¡­


    ¡°I thought it was real¡­ How could I¡­ How do I know if it was all a lie¡­¡±


    It was suffocating. She poured out all her resentment that she had tried so desperately to keep down, and the tears wouldn¡¯t stop as if she had become broken.


    Curling into herself on the bed, she gasped and wept.


    ¡°¡­I want to die.¡±


    Amidst her heart-shattering pain, she spat out these words suddenly, but she did not truly want to die.


    Nadia just wanted to be loved¡­


    It was a good thing that Nadia made an excuse about not feeling well. She spent a few days in bed without any motivation at all. She couldn¡¯t stop thinking about how she didn¡¯t do anything, but as time passed, this, too, subsided.


    ¡ª


    On the third day of Nadia¡¯s collapse, she thought that if she stayed like this, other people might notice that she was behaving strangely. Especially because her father, the Duke of Ingram, had arrived home.


    When Nadia went down to greet him, the first thing that the Duke did when he saw her shabby composure, was to make a face and click his tongue in disapproval.


    As she cowered from her father¡¯s silent yet pointed look of dissatisfaction, she raised her head when her father finally spoke.


    ¡°You will get married next month, so take good care of yourself. You can¡¯t show yourself in front of people if you look like this.¡±


    ¡°Marriage? ¡­My marriage¡­?¡±


    The Duke of Ingram raised an eyebrow as if he wasn¡¯t expecting any resistance.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°A-All of a sudden? Who is my fianc¨¦? What about the engagement¡­?¡±


    ¡°It is the Marquis of Elantz. I decided to skip the engagement ceremony. He needs to go back to his territory, so we set a date in a hurry. I didn¡¯t even know you¡¯d be in this state.¡±


    With her mind still in a state of chaos, she couldn¡¯t understand her father¡¯s terrible words properly.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    Edwin R. Elantz.


    His name was attached with many other connotations. The sixth in line to the throne, Count of Lancard, Count of Reneil, and Viscount of Ulster.


    All of these titles were his.


    He¡¯s the strong, resourceful protector of the Empire¡¯s borders, carrying a name of glory in the history of the Empire due to him and the three knights he had with him. They were famous for their great contributions to the current Emperor¡¯s succession as they aided him in the eradication of the other heirs to the throne.


    He spent most of the year in Elheim, but when the Emperor¡¯s birthday celebration would approach, he¡¯d come to the capital and stay in the luxurious mansion that the Emperor had bestowed upon him.


    The urgency of aligning oneself to the right political stance had subsided since the Emperor had been crowned, though the fact still stood that Edwin R. Elantz was one of the most powerful people in the whole Empire.


    This year, he¡¯d be turning thirty-two years old, but even so, he had an effortless beauty to him¡ªwith dazzling blond hair and dark purple eyes. The Marquis, who had every trait to make anyone drool, made people question why he was still unmarried.


    Considering his age, people wondered if he had a flaw to him. A few years ago, he even rejected the Emperor¡¯s offer to be wed to the Princess.


    There was no alliance stronger than marriage.


    Everyone around him tried to get their daughters to marry the Marquis in order to be associated with him. Nevertheless, as he stayed single, there were some rumors that he was patronizing courtesans or that he was meeting someone secretly.


    Whether it was that Marquis Elantz was actually gay, or that his manhood was miniscule and he wanted to hide it, or because he snubbed women, the rumors became even more scandalous as time passed on¡ªto the point that they would say he was a murderer who lived daily on the battlefield, and he would feel alive only when he saw blood.


    At this point, the people who had initially wanted to shove their daughters onto him began to say that the Marquis might later beat his future wife black and blue, or strangle her to death.


    A nobleman¡¯s daughter was no more than a trading chip, but no matter how beneficial the gain was, anyone would be reluctant to pursue marriage with a man surrounded by vicious rumors.


    As people¡¯s interest in him subsided, so did the rumors. Everyone wasn¡¯t sure where and how the rumors started, and there were a few who had tried to ask the Marquis. Although he did not respond to those rumors at all, even as they smeared his beautiful outward appearance.


    Some would even think that the Marquis was keeping quiet because everything was true, but even these assumptions died down as well.


    In addition, in spite of the vicious rumors, there were still people who pursued a connection with the Marquis. One of them was Duke Ingram.


    Nadia felt helpless at how a decision that would change her life completely had been done for her so suddenly.


    Of course, the Duke and the Duchess would have decided on this regardless of Nadia¡¯s wishes, since they never thought to ask Nadia¡¯s opinions. But, even so, she thought she¡¯d at least have a year or two left before she was sent off to an arranged marriage.


    The fact that her imminent marriage was only a month away had driven her into a corner. Though it was more shocking that her groom would be the Marquis of Elantz.


    He was twelve years older than Nadia, and while she didn¡¯t think all of the rumors were true, there were still a lot of bad rumors surrounding him, and she had never even had a conversation with him.


    She had only ever seen him from a distance at the Emperor¡¯s birthday banquet. And, if she were to marry him, Nadia would have to leave Querun, where she lived all her life, and move to Elheim.


    One meeting with the Marquis was too short of a time to have prepared all this.


    What did her father do to arrange this? It was a meaningless curiosity that popped into her mind, but was soon erased without a trace.


    Still, Nadia had no choice but to nod obediently. It wouldn¡¯t change anything if she rebelled against what had already been decided. It had always been this way anyway.


    If her relationship with Asheel was the same as before, she would have struggled somehow, even a little bit. However, now, she wasn¡¯t motivated enough to do so.


    It had already been more than a week since she last saw him, and there had been no communication between them. The thought that he might still be waiting at their promised meeting place disturbed her deeply.


    The urge to run out to check if he was still waiting for her would visit her at times, though this soon abated because she had to deal with hectic wedding preparations.


    She was so busy that she didn¡¯t even have enough time to catch her breath. Nonetheless, she was grateful for this.


    Under the orders of the Duchess, Nadia, who hadn¡¯t even seen her mother in over a week, was suddenly surrounded by three times as many maids than usual and was given extra special care from head to toe.


    Besides, she was given dozens of new dresses with matching shoes and accessories, as well as her wedding dress and the evening dress for the ceremony¡¯s reception. And even though there was no formal wedding gift, it was confirmed that the Marquis would be sending over an engagement ring.


    Nadia didn¡¯t know how many days had passed by.


    A month had passed in an instant and nothing felt real¡ªuntil the morning of the wedding had dawned upon her. It was like she was watching a play being performed by other people, watching her own life from a distance because she couldn¡¯t grasp the opulence that was being showered on her.


    And, on the long awaited day, she woke up before sunrise, took a long bath with expensive perfumes, and instead of eating breakfast. Nadia had a cup of tea with a few pieces of cookies.


    The maids crowded around her, dried her long, voluminous hair, and brushed gently to the point of making it shine.


    Some dexterous hands would style her hair with sparkling platinum strands, weaving into several braids and neatly pinned them up into an updo. She was also accessorized further with diamonds, sapphires, and flowers.


    They put light makeup on her and a dazzling white wedding dress. Nadia could only listen passively to their chattering, saying that she was so beautiful that she didn¡¯t even need to wear that much makeup.


    She stared blankly into the mirror.


    The reflection stared back at her, and she was beautiful, though her eyes were empty.


    She gazed into the mirror for a long moment, immobile, until a maid put on a long veil over her that went until her knees.


    When she finally rode the carriage and was on the way to the ceremony, she had finally snapped out of her reverie.


    As she stared at the scenery running by her outside, Nadia realized she was now at a point of no return.


    Nadia clenched her lips. A month or so should have been enough time to forget the girl she had been before.


    She should be fine now. She must not burst into tears thinking about him. Although her heart felt hollow now, her relationship with Asheel was what made her realize that there was an empty space within her, so she didn¡¯t regret anything.


    However, the stray thought that ¡®this wasn¡¯t right¡¯ would flash in her mind from time to time. And, whenever it did, Nadia would cover her lips so that she would not utter the thought.


    There was no turning back. She had no power to stop it, anyway.


    During this sunny day, where not even a fragment of a cloud graced the sky, the wind was gently blowing, carrying over the breathtaking scent of roses throughout the air. She could see life-like marble sculptures, white anemone flowers, and blue roses that heavily decorated the surroundings, making the sculptures themselves seem alive.


    As she walked down the meandering length of the carpet, which was embroidered with colorful patterns.


    She was dressed more lavishly than any noble in attendance, but Nadia felt the most fortunate for the fact that she was wearing a veil. It was because nobody would see her expression.


    It was far from the weddings she would read in romance novels, where the guests would be excited about the future of the couple as the wedding march echoed through the hall. This was a wedding where the bride and groom had never spoken to each other before, and the bride¡¯s will was nonexistent.


    Nadia thought that she would feel that this was unjust, or at the very least sad about it, but all she could feel was a hovering tension and some trepidation. She was already resigned to her fate¡­


    When she finally neared the podium where the officiant was, the Marquis offered a hand to her with an expressionless face.


    As if to show off the confidence they had in each other, the Emperor had intervened in the wedding preparations and said that he would officiate it himself. Any woman would be honored to have her wedding officiated by the most powerful man in the Empire, but Nadia was stuck in a daze, feeling nothing at all.


    The ceremony was tedious and dull.


    As it came to an end with her barely enduring it all, the Marquis continued to say nothing at all even after they had kissed, walked together out the hall, and danced at the reception.


    His eyes, which Nadia¡¯s gaze met mechanically, were so disinterested that it was rather reassuring to her. He didn¡¯t seem to be as crazy as the rumors painted him out to be, so she thought it would be best if they had a moderately peaceful marriage where they could stay somewhat indifferent to each other.


    Side by side, Nadia stood quietly as Marquis Elantz ignored the nobles who flocked towards them, an insincere smile on his lips for show.


    Whether people believed the rumors about him or now, every noble¡¯s attention was entirely focused on the Marquis. After seeing how greatly the Emperor favored him, everyone thought that it didn¡¯t matter if those dreadful rumors were true.


    The Marquis made it apparent that he was annoyed by the attention being showered upon him, but despite his arrogant attitude, the people around him didn¡¯t back down.


    Next to him, Nadia was getting exhausted just by watching them all.


    Her head felt heavy because of the accessories on her hair, her feet hurt because she¡¯d been standing on uncomfortable shoes the whole time, and above all, she felt hungry because she hadn¡¯t had a proper meal since the day before.


    However, she didn¡¯t make it obvious. Pretending that she was fine was something she was accustomed to.


    ¡°I thought you were going to live alone for the rest of your life because you wouldn¡¯t budge when I said I¡¯d give you my daughter, but I guess that wasn¡¯t the case.¡±


    ¡°The Princess was five years old at the time.¡±


    When the Emperor appeared, Marquis Elantz finally spoke, opening his lips that had been closed like a shell all day.


    The Emperor chuckled and patted the Marquis on the shoulder. They were clearly at ease with each other. The Emperor kept teasing and babbling at the Marquis even as the latter wouldn¡¯t react. Then, the Emperor turned to Nadia as though he had noticed her belatedly.


    ¡°Miss Ingram¡­ No, now you are Marchioness Elantz. Congratulations on your marriage. You are rightfully the most dazzling person here as you are today¡¯s main character.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡±


    The Emperor kissed her lightly on the back of her hand, then smiled playfully. Nadia bowed slightly, hoping that his attention would turn to something else right away.


    ¡°Do you like the reception?¡±


    ¡°O-Of course. It was only through Your Majesty¡¯s grace that the ceremony could be this wonderful.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that. You look tired. Why don¡¯t you go up to your room and rest first?¡±


    The Emperor put a hand on the Marquis¡¯ shoulder as he looked at Nadia, who was puzzled by his sudden suggestion.


    ¡°I¡¯ve prepared a room for you at the Palace. Alan will show you the way. In a while, I¡¯ll let Edwin go to you.¡±


    The Emperor and the Marquis left Nadia without even hearing her answer. Nadia was a bit flustered by it, although when the Emperor¡¯s servant came to her side and said he¡¯d show her to the room, she didn¡¯t refuse.


    She was absolutely drained. She just wanted to leave the banquet hall.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    The room that the attendant showed Nadia was gorgeous and beautiful, befitting of the Imperial Palace. The attendant that led her to the room told her that a maid would come to assist her soon.


    Nadia looked around cautiously.


    There was a reception room, a balcony, a large bathroom and, of course, a bedroom. Though she almost forgot about the last one because of her husband¡¯s indifferent attitude.


    Ah!


    How could she forget about it? Nadia turned white. Marquis Elantz looked too indifferent, but before that, she was quick to redirect her thoughts and push the blame to herself.


    She knew very little about what went on between men and women in the night. All she knew about it was what her tutor told her, or what she heard during tea time, or from romance novels. However, wherever it was that she heard the story, they would always say that it would either hurt so much that you¡¯d feel like dying, or you¡¯d feel so much pleasure that you¡¯d still feel like dying. She didn¡¯t know what to believe.


    Her heart was beating hard.


    Nadia tried to calm down somehow, but she was startled by a sudden knock on the door.


    Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t the Marquis who came in, but the maid. Nadia relaxed a little as she was reassured. But now that she was in a thin nightgown, her fear of the act rose again when she was alone in the large room.


    Again, of all things, there were nasty rumors about the Marquis. When she first heard it, she wondered why people would focus on such detailed things about a man they didn¡¯t really know, but it did bother her a lot.


    All she thought was that people should mind their own business. Yet, even until a month ago, she never imagined that the scary man from those rumors would be her husband.


    Right now, she wasn¡¯t the neglected eldest daughter of a Duke anymore. She tried to comfort herself by thinking that she was now someone¡¯s wife, so they wouldn¡¯t be as hard on her.


    Still, in the end, she didn¡¯t want the Emperor to send the Marquis back to this room.


    Nadia paced nervously in the drawing room at first, though she eventually returned to the bedroom. Looking around, she found a bottle of wine, a crystal chalice, and some beautifully plated sliced fruits beside them on the bedside table.


    Wouldn¡¯t tea be more suitable for waiting?


    As she sat in front of the table, Nadia hesitated over and over before she finally opened the bottle. If it was something that would be difficult when done sober¡­ No, she shouldn¡¯t make excuses.


    What¡¯s wrong with drinking when this was here for someone to drink?


    She only ever drank alcohol at banquets, but it was good that she could relax after drinking it. Nadia filled about half of the glass with wine, then took a sip to taste it. It wasn¡¯t as bitter as she expected, rather it was a little sweet. It suited her palate more than she thought.


    As she ate some fruit from time to time, and the glass was quickly emptied. Meanwhile, the Marquis did not come. She hesitated again and took one last glass before deciding to go to bed if he did not come before she was finished drinking. There was nothing she could do. Nadia wanted to put it off somehow anyway, even though it was obvious that she would have to do it eventually.


    Marquis Elantz did not return until Nadia emptied the glass of wine, and the time was already past midnight. She lay in bed without waiting up for him any longer.


    She could barely stand because of all that she drank.


    Nadia, who had drifted off into quite a deep slumber, began to feel strange less than an hour after she fell asleep.


    The bed shook. No, it was her who seemed to be shaking. Was it her or both? Nadia woke up with a small groan.


    It was then that she felt that something was wrong. Lying on her back, she saw a black shadow looming over her and pressing down on her body, an intense, tight feeling from her lower body.


    She opened her lips to scream, though she couldn¡¯t because a large hand blocked her mouth.


    ¡°Are you awake now?¡±


    The black shadow penetrated into her, breathing softly in her ears.


    It was a familiar voice. She didn¡¯t even try to think of anything else, but when Nadia heard his voice, she felt relieved.


    It was her husband, who she met for the first time today.


    She shook helplessly again as she tried to make sense of her thoughts. At the same time, there was a bit of pain and a strange excitement heating up in her abdomen. People said that it hurt so much that women would want to die, but it wasn¡¯t like that. Perhaps it was because of the wine? Nadia breathed out onto the palm of the hand that covered her lips.


    He nibbled on Nadia¡¯s earlobes teasingly and whispered, ¡°Because you fell asleep¡­ huu, I went ahead and started.¡±


    She craned her neck and flinched. He sucked on the supple skin on her neck, which made a chilling sensation rise up her spine.


    Nadia belatedly realized that she was naked. She couldn¡¯t even hide in embarrassment. She thought he¡¯d leave her alone if she went to bed first, but she didn¡¯t think that he¡¯d start something with a sleeping person.


    To be honest, she didn¡¯t think of it as a possibility at all.


    She thought that maybe all the rumors about the Marquis¡¯ preferences were wrong. She couldn¡¯t confirm everything yet, though, at the very least, she had confirmed that he was a pervert¡­


    ¡°Hngh!¡±


    The hand that was on her mouth soon groped her chest tightly, and reflexively, Nadia grabbed his wrist.


    The heat behind her face burned like fire.


    The Marquis, however, rubbed her soft breasts and pinched the nipples that stood erect. Her lower half was soaking, and it was like there was electricity coming from his hands and into her skin.


    Nadia was flustered by that sensation and tried to sit up, but the man pulled her ankle and lifted it up to his shoulder, leaving her pinned.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite good at receiving me. Is this your first time?¡±


    She wanted to ask what he was talking about, but, of course, she couldn¡¯t.


    He grabbed her waist tightly and thrusted into her suddenly. As he went in and out of her soaking entrance, a strange feeling spread all over her body, a pained pleasure.


    ¡°Ah, ung, hnngh¡­ Ahh¡­¡±


    The world became so terribly hot. Until a few hours ago, in this position and fully naked, she had no idea that she would do this with a man whom she had just met that day.


    Did everyone do it this way¡­?


    Nadia¡¯s thoughts were all tangled up. Nadia felt uncomfortable with the strange warmth that touched her bare skin, this body over her that dug into places where she didn¡¯t even know existed.


    Every time he went in and out of her, there was a sound of damp flesh pounding into each other. She was so embarrassed by it that she couldn¡¯t stand it. The same was true of the sounds that came out of her own lips. Nadia raised her hand to cover her own mouth, but the man snatched her hand with a smile.


    Now, both her wrists were caught in an instant. It was a grip that she couldn¡¯t shake off.


    He began to thrust into her harder as though he was deliberately trying to get a rise out of her. Nadia shrieked and moaned wildly. Her buttocks, the inside of her thighs, and the very act of accepting him seemed like it was all to tease her.


    What was ridiculous was that, despite these violent, sudden movements, her body felt a rising sensation¡ªand that sensation swelled up little by little whenever the man would move.


    ¡°Ah! AH¡­! Y-You can¡¯t, haa, please stop¡­¡±


    Despite Nadia¡¯s pleading, the man did not stop.


    She was even afraid of the pleasure that was rising higher¡­ higher and higher because of his manhood rubbing into the same place over and over. She struggled to escape from him, but the man overpowered her easily.


    Then, Nadia saw a huge wave of bright light behind her eyes as she moaned and wailed. She could feel her body twitching in pleasure. Her stomach tightened to the fullest, and the place between her thighs flinched endlessly.


    With a wild growl, he plunged into her fiercely one last time until the base of his length, which burst with fluids that she could feel flowing deep into her. Nadia trembled wildly as though she had a seizure.


    Both the tutor¡¯s words and the novel¡¯s scenes were false. So painful or so pleasurable that once could die¡­


    This¡­ This wasn¡¯t anything like that.


    Catching her breath, Nadia waited for the storm-like sensations to leave her body, and she shivered at the feeling of the man¡¯s length still inside her, rubbing into her sensitive inner flesh as it was taken out of her.


    Her face instantly turned red when she could feel something trickling down below.


    With that, it should be done. she gently placed a hand on the man¡¯s shoulder, who was nibbling on her chin, then pushed him away carefully.


    Their eyes met.


    Marquis Elantz looked down at her with a curious glance, grinning. He wasn¡¯t phased by her pushing him away, but instead, he kissed her. His hand, which had been roving all over Nadia¡¯s body, soon grabbed her hips once more and pulled her closer.


    Surprised, Nadia yelped in a small voice, but as she opened her mouth, his tongue slipped in.


    He reached down to stroke himself, and at the same time, she could hear the sound of squelching made from their mouths so clearly that she wanted to turn away in shame, but she couldn¡¯t because the man wouldn¡¯t let her go, continuing to explore her mouth with his slick tongue.


    Only having been kissed with a slight touch of lips on her cheek until now, so she had no idea how to respond to another person¡¯s tongue in her mouth, with her own tongue being sucked, her lips licked and bitten.


    For her, the same was true about the secret place that she had never touched before. She didn¡¯t know about that part that she only touched whenever she bathed, and so she learned how it felt to be touched by another, now with her thighs spread out and his manhood rubbing over her sensitive entrance.


    Each time he grazed over her, her back would arch in tension.


    He was hard again.


    Nadia¡¯s face turned pale. She was already exhausted, as though her bones had melted from all those jerking movements. Needless to say, she was too tired to receive him again.


    Perhaps, he saw the look on her face, though the Marquis only raised one corner of his mouth, then turned her over so that she was lying on her stomach.


    Before she could even realize what was going on, her hips were raised in an uncouth position. Nadia was almost reduced to tears.


    ¡°T-This¡­ I don¡¯t like thi¡ªAH!¡±


    In one motion, he entered her all at once, and she burst out screaming. She didn¡¯t know how it was possible, but it felt like he had gone deeper into her than before.


    She felt more pressure in her stomach.


    It was clear that her tightly opened entrance was struggling to accept his entire length.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    Nadia was overcome with fear by the pressure she felt inside her. She acted pitifully, hoping that he would be more gentle with her, but it¡¯s clear that this wouldn¡¯t work.


    ¡°You¡¯re cute, too, huh?¡±


    He spoke in a sweet voice, as though he had already made up his mind, then leaned down to bite her neck.


    She flinched at the sensation, knowing that a mark would remain. Nadia wanted to lift herself up a little bit from this terrible position, though her shaky arms didn¡¯t have any strength in them.


    His hand gently wrapped over Nadia¡¯s hand, which was holding the sheets like a lifeline. It was a stark contrast to the violent movements of their lower bodies that kept pushing in and out.


    She could feel her temples throbbing.


    ¡°Ungh, umph¡­ Hnngh¡­¡±


    Nadia groaned and unintentionally relaxed her hand. Not missing the chance, the man moved to interlock their fingers. It was an act that was so intimate and gentle that it made her face burn scorching red.


    As soon as Nadia felt a slight sense of relief, the man raised himself and pulled her back with him. Her upper body was lifted up.


    ¡°Ah¡ª wh, what are you doing¡­¡±


    No one had ever told her about anything like this¡­ Was this truly how everybody did it? Just a touch for his fingertips on her sensitive pink flesh made her eyes close with a sigh of anticipation.


    Everywhere he touched burned.


    Would it be possible for them to be cold-hearted and indifferent to each other after sharing a night like this?


    It was a completely different world than what Nadia had lived thus far. Since she experienced something like this, it felt like there was truly no turning back for her. Whether this change was good or bad, it was extremely frightening for her. Her eyelashes were soaked with tears that trickled down her cheeks.


    The man drew closer and closer to her body and began to rock his hips again. The feeling of moving together as her hairs spilled around her, with hands roving all over her chest, made her feel so shameful that she suddenly felt sorrowful.


    Everything was so vulgar that she felt ashamed of herself for thinking that he was kind for holding her hand. She wanted to be held, but never like this. Nadia felt so ashamed that she began crying.


    Being treated like this¡­ It almost felt like she was being mocked. She was a quiet noblewoman. The wrist that the man was clutching would surely have bruises tomorrow.


    He suddenly pulled Nadia up. With her knees helpless, she was forced to sit on his body without any resistance, with him still inside her.


    She inhaled sharply.


    The man let go of her arm and embraced her waist from behind, then moved as fast as he could. Her inner walls were already swollen, but they tightened over him, and soon their combined bodily fluids spilled out. Her thighs became more and more slippery.


    Nadia shuddered and sobbed.


    ¡°I hate this¡­ I hate, I¡ªah, AH! Stop this, hngh, agh¡­ Stop¡­ Please!¡±


    The man didn¡¯t even pretend to hear her pleas and continued to thrust into her over and over until he fulfilled his own desires. Nadia couldn¡¯t even raise her hand against him because she was overwhelmed with just trying to breathe.


    Pushed to the edge, she flinched and felt him climax as well.


    ¡°Ah, huu, uhhng¡­¡±


    Nadia bit her lips and closed her eyes. It wasn¡¯t long after this sensation that he released into her, and her vision flashed faintly.


    The next day, she wanted to sleep more, though when she opened her eyes it was already close to noon.


    Knowing that the celebratory banquet was scheduled to continue for two more days, Nadia needed to get herself out of bed to get ready, but she just couldn¡¯t. As expected, the man¡¯s large handprints showed light bruises on her wrists which would likely darken later, and along her nape and her chest, red marks bloomed.


    Her hair was all tangled up, her legs were stinging and burning as though they were swollen, and there were still traces of s*men flowing down her entrance to her thighs. Because she screamed and sobbed all night, her voice was hoarse.


    It was the first time in her life that she¡¯d been left in such a mess.


    Marquis Elantz, her husband, had already left long ago. She felt strange¡ªshe didn¡¯t feel good. Sighing, she put on her nightgown and pulled the rope next to the bed.


    As if they¡¯d been waiting, the maids who prepared her bath last night assisted her again and washed her body clean. Nadia was ashamed because of the marks left from last night, but the maids didn¡¯t seem to care. It later became much easier for her to move after they massaged her muscles and after soaking under warm water.


    After the bath, she ate lightly, then the maids put on some light makeup on her. Her eyes were a little red, but the maids covered it up fairly well.


    At the same moment, the maid in charge of Nadia¡¯s hair lifted it up, but she froze in place. This was because of the marks on her neck that became visible for all to see.


    They seemed embarrassed for a moment, although they soon recovered and proceeded to decorate her hair with long tracks of ribbons and lace with flower ornaments. Then, she was dressed in a dress adorned with pearls and silk gloves to cover the bruises left on her wrists.


    Nadia, after having been prepared by the maids, walked along the hallway of the quiet palace alone, ignoring the persistent sensation between her legs.


    Everyone was busy preparing for the banquet, so she at least had some time to think quietly by herself. She still hadn¡¯t recovered from last night, doubting what had truly transpired.


    What would happen when promiscuity went too far?


    The love affairs she read in romance novels were too vague, so she couldn¡¯t tell. Nadia desperately searched her memories to see if she could remember anything that her tutor might have said about this.


    It hurts to the point that it felt like she was dying, and it seemed like even if she endured it, it still wouldn¡¯t go away. It hurt to death and she felt like dying, but the pain didn¡¯t end soon.


    And, down below, it felt like there was still something inside her. She was scared to find out what this feeling was, and she didn¡¯t know what to do about it.


    Nadia blushed. She didn¡¯t even feel anyone approaching her because she was so lost in thought, but she finally sensed someone stopping in front of her. She gazed up belatedly, then froze.


    She tried so hard to forget, but the moment she saw those light green eyes, she realized that all her efforts were futile.


    Now, her heart that she thought had already recovered, fluttered terribly as she faced the only person who could shake her.


    Fiery red hair, a long scar on his right cheek, light green eyes, and a height that was taller than hers. It was all the same, but what had changed was¡­


    He now looked down at her with a look that seemed to contain no emotion at all, as though they had no past together. Nadia knew that if she didn¡¯t clench her teeth, she would cry then and there.


    She didn¡¯t know if it was fortunate or not that he hadn¡¯t come forward to hear a proper answer from her. She could tell what he was thinking just by looking at his cold eyes, and only then did Nadia come to her senses.


    After checking around her surroundings, she pursed her lips and lifted her chin. She belatedly realized that he was dressed as a knight, though it didn¡¯t matter right now.


    ¡°What do you need?¡±


    He seemed to have noticed her hoarse voice, a natural reminder of the man who made her cry last night.


    Nadia became the wife of another man yesterday. She had really become a woman who had nothing to do with Asheel.


    She didn¡¯t want him to see her be so agitated. If he only thought of her as a woman he played with, then she should treat him in the same way. And, in order to do that, she had to pretend that nothing happened between them.


    Ever since they ran into each other, she couldn¡¯t breathe properly. She wanted to rush at him and slap him in the face, on his chest, ask him why he did that to her. However, now, if Asheel had any conscience left, he should treat her with courtesy without any signs that they were once lovers.


    ¡°¡­You can¡¯t go around alone, even if you¡¯re in the palace¡­ Milady.¡±


    It was a familiar voice.


    As she lifted her gaze, the tension in her body was relieved, but at the same time, there was a sense of disappointment in her that she couldn¡¯t understand.


    Nadia asked herself¡ªWhat did you expect? Did you want him to ask you why you disappeared without saying anything?


    ¡°I¡¯m going back now, so you don¡¯t have to worry.¡±


    Nadia turned around without waiting for his reply. She had no idea why he was dressed as a knight in the palace. Nonetheless, she did not wish to run into him again.


    In less than five minutes, her mind was sent into a spiral once more because of one encounter. Even though she was busy trying to get away, she stopped at a crossroads. Nadia had to decide whether to go back to her room and stay cooped up in there until the evening, or to go to the banquet hall early and mingle with the other aristocrats.


    But, just as she was about to choose, without a chance to scream, she was dragged by the arm to a nearby empty room, her mouth covered.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    Surprised by the force that made her back hit the wall, Nadia¡¯s eyes widened as she looked at just who it was who had done such a crude, bold move.


    A little while ago, the green eyes which she thought held no emotions at all, but now they were staring at her as though he wanted to devour her. This man who was significantly larger than Nadia had a formidable expression as he held her locked in his arms. And yet, rather than getting frightened, Nadia was angry.


    Nadia stared at him with the same intensity, not wanting to lose.


    ¡°Just what are you doing.¡±


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t talk like that.¡±


    With clenched teeth, his tight jaw expressed how much anger he was holding back. His voice sounded more like a predator¡¯s snarl than a man¡¯s voice. Nadia couldn¡¯t understand why he was mad.


    What was his problem? Was he complaining now even though he played to his heart¡¯s content?


    This sudden ambush that was too close for comfort prevented Nadia from seeing Asheel in any favorable light at all.


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Like you¡¯re treating me like I¡¯m nothing¡­¡±


    ¡°You are nothing to me.¡±


    It was absurd of him to try and sneak around to involve himself with her again. He didn¡¯t know how much she went through at that time¡ªhow she held back her tears, what kind of forlorn days she spent.


    No. Of course it¡¯s possible that he didn¡¯t know, but there was no use saying anything now. She vowed not to be swayed by his words. She was done with all that after experiencing it once.


    In Nadia¡¯s mind, Asheel had already become a scoundrel who played with her and threw her away. And after all that, even if it turned out that this wasn¡¯t true, she had just gotten married yesterday. She was now the wife of another man. She now had nothing to do with him.


    ¡°There was no reason for you to have stood me up that time. No, I¡¯ve already expected that it would happen, but it was sooner than I thought¡­¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Nadia couldn¡¯t help herself from asking back, then she bit her lips. Just a second ago, she promised that she wouldn¡¯t be shaken by him.


    Pushing away the arms that trapped her between him and a wall, she opened her lips and spoke coldly.


    ¡°Move. We have nothing to talk about.¡±


    She didn¡¯t want to hear anything from him. Whatever it was that came out of his lips¡ªeverything scared Nadia. She tried to push him away again, but he wouldn¡¯t budge. She felt frustrated that she couldn¡¯t get away on her own unless he would loosen his hold around her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you want to do here, but we¡¯re already over.¡±


    It was something that she had wanted to say to Asheel for some time now. But as she said this, she had to focus a lot of effort into her eyes so that her tears would not fall. The corners of her lips seemed to quiver, but she continued speaking.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you had enough fun?¡±


    A fist rushed next to her head¡ªand it made her jump instinctively, but Asheel¡¯s gaze on her was more terrifying than the ferocious sound that slammed next to her ear. At this moment, she came to realize their difference in strength, and so her shoulders trembled.


    But at the same time, she was livid. Who was it between them who did something wrong? How could he deceive her all that time, only to turn up here and threaten her instead of getting on his knees to beg for her forgiveness?


    Nadia was convinced that she was the only one who deserved to be angry here. She didn¡¯t have to be afraid of his low threats. He was a knight, and yet he still threatened a lady like this. Despite her trembling hands, Nadia opened her lips to criticize him, but he cut her off.


    ¡°Maybe you¡¯ve had your fill, but I¡¯m not done with you yet.¡±


    ¡°Stop spouting nonsense! I got married just yesterday!¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    His rough, hot hand gently wrapped around Nadia¡¯s cheek. Unlike his hostile attitude just now, he caressed her as though she was something that could break at the slightest touch.


    Seeing that she was hesitating, he went ahead and carefully stroked his thumb over Nadia¡¯s lips. Nadia tried to deny everything that she heard, but if he continued to talk¡­


    ¡°Just know¡­ that I won¡¯t let you go.¡±


    And his lips rushed in. He had restrained her from leaving all this time, so she had no choice but to helplessly stop him from moving closer. But right now, not only was the hand that she used to push him away caught in his own grip, but he also swept in and locked his lips with hers.


    All they had ever done before were light kisses. There was a time when she was happy with just that, thinking that he must have been trying to be considerate and respectful because she never asked him for more.


    However, the current Asheel was someone unfamiliar to her. The look in his eyes, the tone of his voice, the intensity of his actions¡­ All of these seemed to say that the Asheel she once knew was all but a lie.


    She tried to keep her mouth closed, but his hand grabbed her chin. Even though she closed it forcibly, she eventually relented because she couldn¡¯t resist his persistence. When his tongue went into her mouth, she shed tears as her complex thoughts became even more complicated.


    He touched her earlobe and stroked her neck, obviously sending signs of sexual provocation. Nadia trembled with an itching sensation, something that she didn¡¯t know the name to, yet she tried desperately to think of a way to get out of this situation.


    Considering their huge difference in physique, it was impossible for her to escape through force. If she struggled¡ªif her hair and her dress would be left in shambles¡ªit would be clear for anyone to see what happened. Rumors would spread in an instant, and if that were to happen¡­


    Swept away by an uncontrollable helplessness, she loosened the tension in her body. All she had to do here was to endure and let this moment pass.


    If she just waited a little¡­ Asheel would be bored with a useless toy, so he¡¯d eventually come to his senses and let her go. If he would generously let her leave like that, then she would at once.


    And Nadia was sure that Asheel knew the reality of the situation, too.


    What could one knight do against a Marquis?


    In any case, it was going to be fine. Nadia would be leaving Elheim with her husband in four days, so she was never going to meet Asheel ever again.


    As his tongue stroked over hers, she desperately comforted herself.


    She tried to get rid of the words ¡®I won¡¯t let you go¡¯ that she heard just a moment ago.


    ¡°Uungh¡­¡±


    Asheel let go of Nadia¡¯s wrist, then embraced her waist strongly. With her back arched, there was no distance left between their bodies. Whenever their tightly engaged lips would untangle and twist together once more, the sound of their tongues and lips smacking¡ªthe sound of their heavy breathing were so closely mixed that it was difficult to distinguish whose it was.


    As his fingertips began to rove carefully over her back and waist as though he was handling a delicate instrument, she could feel goosebumps throughout her body. She could feel his intense gaze at her, waiting for her reactions, but Nadia closed her eyes and pretended not to notice it.


    She wanted to treat all this with apathy, but her body kept reacting by itself. Once again, when Nadia tried to swallow her moan, his hand suddenly went up to hold the back of her neck, then an aching pain came¡ªand finally, their movements stopped.


    He removed his lips from her, then reached up to press down on the part where a mark was left. The sensation of his tongue invading her lips could still be felt, and Nadia gasped and blushed heavily.


    Desperately trying to catch her breath, Nadia was still waiting for him to step away, but the silk gloves she had on her left hand came off before she could notice.


    Suddenly filled with shame, she hid her hand behind her back. However, she had already been caught having the darkening blue bruise wrapped around her wrist. An incredulous smile formed on his lips.


    At this, her face heated up from the exposed evidence of what had happened the previous night.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s his doing. Your husband.¡±


    All she wanted to do right now was to run away and hide. Without even having to look at herself in a mirror, she knew what her body looked like at this moment.


    She could barely keep a straight face. She could feel her face flushing bright red, and so there was no guarantee if she managed to keep a dignified front.


    ¡°The proper¡­¡±


    ¡°I really regret it.¡±


    Asheel cut off Nadia¡¯s words, saying something she couldn¡¯t understand. The emotions behind his green eyes were unreadable. He grabbed her shoulder roughly, then turned her around.


    ¡°W-What are you¡­ Ahh!¡±


    Her skirt was lifted up. Asheel grabbed Nadia¡¯s thigh even as she struggled, then he spoke with a calm tone.


    ¡°Stay still.¡±


    And then he ripped her dress apart.


    Nadia was terrified, not knowing what to do. And yet despite everything, she still tried not to shed tears as her hands were on the wall in front of her.


    She couldn¡¯t believe what was happening.


    Was he truly the man she knew?


    Even though she could feel his hands pulling her hips up and pulling her undergarments down, all she did was deny reality without rebelling.


    She couldn¡¯t hold her tears back anymore, especially now that she was turned away from the person she tried so desperately to hide her tears from. Her cheeks were soaked.


    Why was this happening?


    Even after last night¡¯s affairs, she was being touched down there again. Nadia was horrified and she almost screamed, but she barely covered her mouth and looked at the door. She didn¡¯t know if he locked the door after they came in, but if someone were to find out about this¡­


    ¡°Spread your legs.¡±


    He touched Nadia¡¯s bare backside while saying this. The way he spoke was like he was dealing with a prostitute.


    ¡°¡­No.¡±


    He laughed because he didn¡¯t miss the tremor of her voice.


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°AH!¡±


    She heard the sound of her undergarments being torn off from her thighs. Nadia cried out as her legs were spread open a little.


    The place between her legs still stung, but even without that problem in her mind, she was going crazy with panic, worrying that someone would barge into the room and see them like this.


    Why was he doing this? Nadia still couldn¡¯t fully understand why Asheel was so enraged with her.


    Just a while ago, he initiated a conversation in which she refused to take part in. It was her now who wanted to talk, but he didn¡¯t seem to be open to it anymore.


    ¡°Just¡­ J-Just stop this now¡­¡±


    The fact that he wasn¡¯t listening was obvious with how he started opening up her entrance with the tip of his finger. As soon as Asheel touched her there, Nadia realized that she was wet.


    She closed her eyes tightly. Just thinking about him seeing this made her want to die from shame. She just wanted to disappear. But in no time, she cried out and had to open her eyes again.


    She could feel his hot breath¡­ his tongue licking her entrance.


    ¡°Wh, why are you¡­ You¡¯re crazy, you¡¯re out of your¡­ AHH!¡±


    The more Nadia tried to utter words due to her astonishment, the bolder Asheel¡¯s actions became. She couldn¡¯t even struggle to keep her dress, the one that she had chosen to wear for the banquet, up on her body as it now just fell down to her feet.

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    Thinking that Asheel¡¯s actions were just to humiliate her, her knees weakened immediately the moment his lips covered her tender flesh.


    Nadia trembled as she recalled the shameful fluids that came out of her last night, but it wasn¡¯t trickling down this time¡ªthis was because Asheel was drinking it without hesitation. At this, she panicked.


    With shaky knees, she twisted her torso slightly so she could reach behind her, using one hand to push his head away, but Asheel wouldn¡¯t budge. Rather, her movement only caused the hem of her dress to cover his head.


    ¡°Aah, uhngh, heuup¡­¡±


    Nadia bit her lips, desperately blocking her moans from leaking out to no avail.


    And then the situation she was worried about came¡ªthere was a knock on the door.


    Nadia hoped she heard it wrongly, however, no matter how much she begged, Asheel¡¯s ministrations under her wouldn¡¯t stop, and it didn¡¯t seem like the knocking sound was an illusion.


    She forced herself to stand up straight while pushing Asheel away in case someone would barge in. However, just pushing him away while his head was still under her skirt was impossible.


    Then, as he pulled himself up suddenly, startling her, he wiped the tears from Nadia¡¯s cheeks and fixed the skirt of her dress. He crouched down behind her suddenly and barely hid himself under her skirt.


    Nadia then looked at the person who came into the room.


    It was a young servant who Nadia had seen at the banquet. Her heart was about to leap from his chest.


    It was impossible to hide himself entirely behind the volume of her dress. Nadia wanted to faint just thinking that she had been caught like this¡ªso obviously looking like there was a man under her skirt right now.


    But thankfully, there was a couch blocking the servant¡¯s line of sight.


    ¡°Did I tell you to come in?¡±


    There was a third person now in the room, but Nadia could feel a hand grabbing her thigh. And she was so distracted by the sensation of a hot breath over her behind.


    No one should have seen this. It was so easy to guess what had happened here, and if the person who had come in had happened to be the Marquis¡­ Nadia felt a chill running down her spine.


    It was common for aristocrats to have lovers even after they¡¯d married, but it was never an act that was done so openly. And it was done only after the married couple was done fulfilling their marital obligations, such as birthing successors.


    Her wedding was just yesterday. If she was caught doing something like this, it would be difficult to avoid divorce, whether or not someone intervened. The young servant, who met Nadia¡¯s gaze, bowed her head in embarrassment.


    ¡°I deeply apologize! I thought that there was no one inside¡­¡±


    Just by not having to meet the servant¡¯s gaze, Nadia felt that she could breathe a little. But¡ª Asheel bit her plump buttocks as though mocking her for feeling relieved for a moment.


    Nadia almost screamed. Tears formed around her eyes as he dug a finger into her still tingling entrance.


    It was clear that this man was crazy. She wanted to kick him, but she didn¡¯t want to provoke him further, seeing as he currently hadn¡¯t moved to announce his presence in front of the other person. If he changed his mind and stood up to expose his face¡­ What would happen next?


    The fact that she felt the need to be grateful for him not doing the worst was terrible.


    Nadia desperately stopped her anguished voice from leaking out. For now, her only wish was to kick the servant out as soon as possible.


    Of course, what she wanted the most was to kick Asheel off her and run out herself, but the situation wouldn¡¯t allow that. She had to be satisfied with not facing the worst.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Ah! You¡¯re the Marchioness of Elantz, correct? The Marquis has requested you to come to the banquet hall.¡±


    The servant quickly got over being flustered and spoke in a polite manner, as if this was how he was trained. The finger, which was persistently pushing into her inner walls, retreated faster than she expected.


    Nadia felt relieved, and she replied quickly, hoping that her nervousness wasn¡¯t obvious.


    ¡°Tell him that I won¡¯t be late.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    When the servant closed the door after saying this, the tension that had tightly wound over Nadia¡¯s whole body disappeared in an instant. Nadia hurriedly rolled up her skirt and found Asheel¡¯s face.


    She tried to back away to widen the distance between them, but she couldn¡¯t move at all when his hand clenched her thigh again, perhaps noticing what she wanted to do. Nadia tried to remove his hand.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you h-hear? I¡¯ll pretend this didn¡¯t happen, so just¡ª just stop. I need to go.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not done with you yet.¡±


    He stood up and instantly stuck close to her. She didn¡¯t know when it was that he undid his pants, but she could feel something stiff poking at her. Asheel held her waist and lifted her slightly, making her stand on her tiptoes.


    Even before Nadia could stop him, his manhood rubbed over her wet entrance.


    She could feel the bitter pain of his intrusion, and Nadia tried to stop him further but couldn¡¯t finish all that she had to say.


    ¡°If¡ªIf you do this, you won¡¯t be s-safe either. A knight, a knight will¡­ agh!¡±


    His relentless body that wouldn¡¯t budge couldn¡¯t be pushed away at all. Rather, he just thrusted into her without any hesitation as though he didn¡¯t care.


    A sensation of heat slowly rose within her as she felt her inner walls being invaded by a swollen member¡ªit was all too intense, she couldn¡¯t relax her body.


    She whispered constantly ¡®no, no, you can¡¯t,¡¯ but it was like she was talking to a wall. He didn¡¯t listen to her at all.


    ¡°Ahngh, Asheel, it hurts!¡±


    ¡°¡­Now you¡¯re calling my name.¡±


    Asheel pushed into her more, pressing his lower body against her hips, anxious to go in further.


    Nadia breathed roughly, feeling like her insides were absolutely full. Fear flashed through her as she thought that she might burst.


    But Asheel¡¯s hand reached down to gently press down over her lower abdomen. She could feel pleasure coming as he pressed down. Nadia couldn¡¯t stand it any longer.


    She tried to push off Asheel¡¯s hand, sobbing as she struggled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ I h-hate it, uhk¡­ Don¡¯t press¡­¡±


    He began to move little by little. The shallow movement of his manhood being thrusted in and out stimulated her insides¡ªbut Nadia was terrified, feeling like she was losing control over her body.


    Why was he doing this? She didn¡¯t want to¡­ She hated it¡­ But she could feel goosebumps rising over her skin. She was so frustrated that she didn¡¯t know what to do, but even as she stayed still, she couldn¡¯t think of any way to escape.


    Nadia¡¯s body also shook as he rocked his hips over hers, and she closed her eyes because she felt dizzy. She gave up trying to remove Asheel¡¯s hand and instead covered her own mouth.


    The sensation became more intense as she closed her eyes. The man¡¯s length rushed into her even faster, and a sweet burst of pleasure made her back shudder like lightning had passed through every time he rubbed that one spot.


    The skirt of her dress cascaded over her legs. She was still on her tiptoes because of the arm that was on her waist, lifting her slightly.


    Nadia opened her eyes again. Beyond her tear-stricken eyes, she couldn¡¯t see the red wallpaper engraved with golden grapevine patterns anymore. She bit her lips tightly as she tried to think about something else.


    She wondered how long it had been since she came into this room, or whether her hair had already been ruined.


    She had to think about something else constantly.


    Otherwise, she felt like she could be swept away by the rough breathing near her ear, or by the musk that swirled over her head, or by the roving touch that stroked her back, pulled down her dress, kneaded her breasts¡­


    ¡°Haa, haa, I keep¡­ regretting it.¡±


    He leaned down and placed his lips over her nape. She was surprised by this and flinched away, but he quickly held her closer.


    ¡°I should have told you¡­ before I had let you go¡­¡±


    And then, where the Marquis had left a series of his own marks, Asheel bit down hard. At this, Nadia reached her climax with a scream-like moan.


    Her legs trembled and she was so exhausted that she wanted to collapse right then, but Asheel, who grabbed her waist and supported her weight, didn¡¯t let her.


    The squelching sound of their matching groins was enough to make her faint in shame.


    Then, the movement of his hips became even more intense, moving faster and faster. The sensation that this brought pushed her over the edge, seeing as she was so sensitive after just having reached her peak.


    Nadia¡¯s breaths were ragged, as if she had just sprinted. She tried again to struggle out of his arms, but it was futile.


    When she thought she couldn¡¯t hold out any longer, his body stiffened and soon, something inside her exploded. A thick liquid burst deep inside her and leaked out.


    The white fluids trickled between her legs, down her thighs, mixing with her own bodily fluids. After the intense climax, Nadia collapsed, trembling.


    He supported her up like she was a child and, with an expressionless face, arranged her dress, covered her chest, and spread out the skirt that had been bunched up on her waist.


    Nadia wanted to push off his hand as hard as she could, but as she breathed hard, it made her feel like she was going to faint.


    She still had to attend the evening banquet. It was her wedding celebration. She couldn¡¯t be absent from it because she was the star of the occasion.


    She wouldn¡¯t be able to greet the guests in this state, or even think about dancing, but she also knew that she had no choice. And so, she arranged her clothes with trembling hands.


    Her tears refused to stop.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    ¡°You¡ªyou can¡¯t do this to me. You¡¯re not even a knight.¡±


    Unable to stand the overwhelming emotions, she cried like a child and insulted him. Asheel neither looked at her as she cried, nor did he wipe away her tears.


    She thought she had no regrets in her life, but it felt like even her spirit, which had already been battered down to dust, crumbled and scattered through the wind.


    Nadia barely stopped crying when she started fixing her appearance. She fumbled and checked if there were any torn parts in her dress, and at the same time, she looked at the clock.


    There was about thirty minutes before the banquet began. Just how much time had passed while she was in this room?


    As she wiped her cheek with the back of her hand, Nadia looked at Asheel, which took her a lot of courage to do.


    He picked up Nadia¡¯s ragged undergarments that lay on the floor, wiped the fluids on his manhood with it, and roughly stuffed it in his back pocket. It was ingratiating that all he had to do was adjust his pants so that he¡¯d look clean once more.


    She grabbed the furniture nearby to help steady her as she limped towards the mirror. She had to go out before Asheel tried anything else.


    Fortunately, her hair wasn¡¯t fully ruined. A few strands of her baby hair came loose at her nape, but what happened just now was so crazy that this could be seen as a miracle.


    Her dress was also fine, apart from the wrinkled part at the back of the skirt. Originally, the fabric was in layers, so it was thankfully not too obvious that the back had any wrinkles. It¡¯s a relief because she had no time to go back to her room and change her clothes.


    However, she needed to do something about her makeup. It was all gone because of her tears.


    It would look like the bride, who had to leave her hometown where she was born and raised, cried so much because she couldn¡¯t overcome the distress of having to go far away.


    Either that, or perhaps they would think that she cried because she couldn¡¯t bear to be married to a husband surrounded by so many terrible rumors.


    Nadia¡¯s bloodshot eyes trembled, but she set her mind to deliver an ultimatum to Asheel.


    He was such a reckless man who did not think of the consequences of his actions. They would not meet again in the future, but just in case, she wanted to say that she never wanted to see him again.


    It would be fortunate if nobody found out about what happened here, but if this were to transpire every time she met Asheel, she wouldn¡¯t be able to handle it.


    He didn¡¯t seem to care about his status, chivalry, or anything at all. It¡¯s like he was a man who had nothing to lose¡­


    But Nadia¡ªshe was a person who had everything to lose, even though she did not want all these things.


    She wanted to scream all of this at Asheel, but she couldn¡¯t. Perhaps it¡¯s because it¡¯s something she had never done before, but she couldn¡¯t say what she had in her mind, like it was all stuck in her throat.


    Nadia desperately calmed herself down while thinking rationally, keeping her breath even.


    Rather, this was a good thing. She thought she would finally be able to kill any lingering feelings after this encounter.


    He wasn¡¯t the kind and thoughtful man she knew. He was a selfish, terrible, dangerous man.


    ¡°¡­Asheel, you¡¯ve done something you shouldn¡¯t have. And it¡¯s not something that should be told to other people, so¡­¡±


    Nadia couldn¡¯t finish her sentence¡ªshe felt something flow down her legs.


    Unknowingly, she closed her thighs together and turned red, feeling an uncontrollable shame and indignation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t show up in front of me again.¡±


    Asheel¡¯s expression was unreadable, as though it was somewhere in between a smirk and a grimace.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    After a derisive chuckle, he stepped towards the window to open it, and when he did, a cool breeze flowed in. The scent of daffodils made the room smell lighter.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon, Nadia.¡±


    He nimbly jumped through the window and disappeared.


    She barely arrived at the drawing room without being late. It was only possible because a maid had passed by as Nadia was walking here, almost falling down several times because of her weakened legs.


    Nadia asked the maid to fix her appearance, and she felt relieved only after her makeup was alright again. All the red traces around her eyes couldn¡¯t be concealed, but it was fortunate that her eyelids weren¡¯t swollen.


    Marquis Elantz came to pick her up on time. He smiled without saying a word, but Nadia could feel cold sweat trickling down her back.


    Whenever she took a step, a little of Asheel¡¯s s*men would trickle down because she had no undergarments.


    She wondered if he could hear the sound every time the thick fluids rubbed against her thighs, but it was hard to guess if it could really be heard or if it was just her panicked imagination.


    ¡°You don¡¯t look so good.¡±


    Nadia was surprised because she didn¡¯t think he would talk to her.


    As he slightly leaned forward, his breath swept over her ears, and he smelled lightly of champagne.


    They were at the banquet hall now, and she was trying very hard not to let her smile slip from her lips when there were so many nobles around her.


    She wasn¡¯t happy having attention pointed at her. She didn¡¯t want him to talk to her if possible, but this was a useless wish. He spoke once more.


    ¡°Where did you go when your condition¡¯s like that?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡­ I¡­ went on a stroll¡­¡±


    ¡°I guess you could endure that much. Surprisingly, you have good stamina. Oh, and¡­ call me Edwin.¡±


    Edwin handed her a glass of champagne and spoke in a lighthearted voice. She took a sip from the glass with her hands trembling.


    She thought she was good at hiding things, but she was second-guessing herself right now. She couldn¡¯t relax at all. Not only was she afraid that her husband might notice that something was wrong, but she was also in front of the nobles right now without any underwear at all. It felt like a dream¡ªa nightmare.


    Nevertheless, she wished that this really was just an illusion. She couldn¡¯t believe that something like this was happening just one day after her wedding.


    She tried not to move as much, her thighs firmly squeezed together, but she was so conscious every time she felt that some fluids were trickling down.


    Nadia was paranoid, thinking that the people around her had her name on their lips, laughing and gossiping about her, pointing at her and calling her a sl*t for being with another man during the ongoing banquet celebration of her wedding.


    Of course, what transpired earlier was something that she absolutely could not reveal to anyone. If her father came to know, he would hurl all sorts of abusive words to her, and if Edwin would find out, she would definitely be divorced. And while ignoring that she was the victim in this situation, rumors about her being a lewd woman would spread far and wide.


    It would be useless to cover up a story like that. And if she would try to prove her innocence, she would just be offering herself as easy prey towards the vultures.


    After that, she would have to be stuck with her family, or she would be shipped off to a monastery. This was her obvious fate, even if she didn¡¯t think about it.


    Her only choice was to stay silent. And if nothing came out, then all she could hope was that he would leave her alone¡­


    When the orchestra started playing, the center of the banquet hall was emptied for the main characters of the night. Edwin looked down at her with an amicable smile.


    After emptying the glass that he gave her earlier, Nadia handed it back again to a passing servant. Then, his hand reached out to her.


    Nadia closed her eyes, then opened them again as she took his hand nervously.


    A gasp came out automatically. Her limbs were sore¡ªit was as if someone had pulled out her joints and inserted them back in. She just wanted to collapse and sleep right then and there, but she still needed to dance even if she was in this condition.


    Edwin skillfully led her to the center of the hall. She could feel everyone¡¯s attention on her. As she took in a deep breath, she told herself that she must stay alert.


    The Marquis danced so well that it was hard to believe that he was someone who rarely went out to balls. As Nadia let herself be led by him, she felt the tension in her body gradually loosen as she took one step at a time.


    But she couldn¡¯t think of this as entirely positive. She was getting sleepy because of the pleasant harmony flowing into her ears.


    By the time the song had reached the middle, Nadia gasped slightly because Edwin pulled her waist forward suddenly, then he whispered quietly.


    ¡°What kind of walk takes two hours?¡±


    Stunned, Nadia made a mistake with her steps, but Edwin lightly steadied her as though he expected this reaction. There was an unreadable smile on his lips.


    She felt her vision flashing. She couldn¡¯t figure out whether to thank him or not.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you just got back from rolling around the sheets with some other bastard? You smell like c*m.¡±


    ¡°¡­Th-that isn¡¯t the case at all!¡±


    Inside her dress, Asheel¡¯s fluids trickled down to her knees, but Nadia still firmly denied it. She almost broke out in cold sweat as she pretended that nothing was amiss.


    It was a relief that she was good at controlling her expressions, but she continued to avoid the persistent gaze directed at her, hoping that he would just drop the subject and let it go.


    ¡°Then, is it mine?¡±


    He drew close to whisper into her ear, dirty words leaving his languid tongue as he teased her with a hint of sadistic glee.


    ¡°You must have had fun, hm? It¡¯d be nice if you could make sure to handle it properly so we won¡¯t need to worry about any illegitimate children. How are you doing now, is it leaking out?¡±


    Nadia felt the blood drain from her face.


    No matter how far away they were from the others, this wasn¡¯t something that should have been brought up when several nobles were watching them right now.


    No, even if they were in a place with only the two of them, she couldn¡¯t focus on his words at all as he said this without even regard as to how shameful it was.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you were a virgin. Even if this household would go bankrupt later, it can survive as long as you shake your hips well. That¡¯s a compliment.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that¡­!¡±


    At his insult, Nadia could feel tears forming. What kind of compliment was this? She glared at Edwin as hard as she could. If it weren¡¯t for the attention of other people on them right now, she would have slapped him.


    Without thinking about what would happen later, she stomped on his foot with all her might with the pointed heel of her shoes.


    He grunted a little, but her anger wasn¡¯t relieved because he didn¡¯t seem hurt at all.


    Throughout the banquet, she no longer made any eye contact with Edwin, nor did she keep up her forced smile. He didn¡¯t try talking to her anymore as well. And rather than gauging Nadia¡¯s mood, it seemed as though he had lost all interest in her.


    While Nadia tried not to think about anything and wished for time to pass by more quickly, countless nobles approached Edwin to somehow win his favor.


    As she stood next to him, she kept thinking that she was just some kind of pet in this situation, but she couldn¡¯t think of a good excuse to retire to her room.


    He consistently ignored the nobles who curried his favor, but nobody was openly angry at him. However, she caught him disguising his distorted expression that soon disappeared with a smile.

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    As soon as the banquet ended, Nadia returned to the room alone. She was so tired that she could even collapse here and sleep on the floor soundly.


    On the way here, Edwin had turned around and said he was busy. And this was fortunate¡ªif she had to sleep with him again tonight, she was sure that she¡¯d be sick the next day. Apart from that, she was glad because she wouldn¡¯t have to endure such dirty acts while she was in turmoil.


    Maids had come in to help her bathe, but she sent them out and took off her clothes after that. Evidence of what happened earlier in the day, which made her nervous for so long, had dried up promiscuously between her thighs.


    Sitting in the bathtub, she scrubbed every inch of her body clean. As if that would wash away the ominous feeling that¡­ this marriage would not be peaceful.


    The next day¡¯s banquet was attended by the Emperor, who presented a precious and extravagant sword and tiara to the Marquis and Marchioness. He danced with the Empress, then danced with Nadia, and promptly returned to the palace.


    Nadia suddenly became curious. The Emperor and Edwin were cousins on their fathers¡¯ side. Did that mean that the Emperor also had a perverted taste? But it was a question that she couldn¡¯t dare utter.


    Just like at the wedding, Edwin was indifferent to her the entire time, and thanks to this, the final banquet ended without any problems.


    She had to leave Querun in two days. She didn¡¯t have much to do before she left, but the servants seemed to be very busy. Edwin didn¡¯t come for those two days, and he just said that the carriage ride would be uncomfortable and that she should rest well.


    Nadia had some time alone to think because of this. No one knew that her thoughts were full of worries.


    Most of them were concerns about her husband and the future of their marriage. She didn¡¯t expect that she¡¯d form a close connection to her husband that would eventually lead to love. It would just be nice if they were indifferent but polite towards each other, but as if to mock her low expectations, her husband was a rude man who did however as he pleased.


    He was rude to everyone. Other nobles would only need to meet him a few times a year, and in just a short encounter with him, there would already be a bad impression of him.


    Nadia would have to live with him.


    If she had to hear insulting things like what he told her at the banquet¡ªand if she had to hear it every day¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t be able to hold out.


    Rather, Nadia wanted him to have an affair. She was sure that he was such a great man who would easily find a woman who¡¯s interested in him. Then, he would have less to do with Nadia that way.


    She would be more comfortable alone.


    If there was anything she was relieved about, it was Asheel. When he disappeared after saying something she couldn¡¯t understand, he never appeared in front of her again. She wouldn¡¯t need to worry that he¡¯d show up suddenly and pull her into the abyss.


    On the day she left Querun, Nadia wore a dark purple satin dress and a hat with a long veil.


    She was a little afraid to leave her the Duke¡¯s estate, her family¡¯s home, but it was a feeling of apprehension for an unknown place rather than regret. She had no attachments to this house.


    In front of the gates, the Marquis¡¯ many carriages, horse-mounted knights, and luggage carts waited. A maid came to call her, and Nadia went down the stairs unhurriedly.


    All the servants were out, and Edwin and the Ducal couple were greeting each other. Nadia approached Edwin.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Today was when his younger sister was leaving for good, but Nigel couldn¡¯t be seen anywhere. Nadia was sure that he was rolling around in the sheets somewhere with some woman he didn¡¯t know, then he¡¯d come back home. Throwing away all her disinterested thoughts about her brother, she curtsied towards her parents.


    She just needed to leave like this. Everything that had tied her up and tormented her for eighteen years was over. Even though her shackles were just being replaced as she moved elsewhere, she was still relieved. She decided to look at the bright side with this bean-sized hope.


    Edwin led Nadia towards the largest and most spectacular carriage. She was about to go in, but he grabbed her shoulder and stopped her.


    ¡°I have someone to introduce to you.¡±


    There was a sound of disciplined footsteps behind her. Edwin looked behind her, and so she followed suit.


    His fiery red hair was the first thing she saw.


    ¡°He¡¯s the Vice Commander of the Red Thorn Knights. He¡¯ll be in charge of escorting us on this journey. You won¡¯t interact with each other, but it¡¯s better to say hello. He should know his master¡¯s wife as well.¡±


    As though she was hearing him from a far distance, she couldn¡¯t hear Edwin¡¯s voice clearly.


    ¡°I think it¡¯ll be a smooth journey, but if anything happens on the way, just look for him. He¡¯s the best among the escort knights here, and it¡¯s easy to find him because of his red hair.¡±


    ¡°Red Thorn¡­ Knights?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You didn¡¯t know?¡±


    No, Nadia answered blankly. Was this what he meant by ¡®You¡¯ll find out soon¡¯?


    It felt like Nadia was being drilled with a nail over her head.


    The Red Thorn Knights. They were one of the top five knight orders in the Empire. And the Marquis had two of them under his command.


    Vice Commander of this knight order. Nadia now realized how ridiculous her speculation was that he was a mercenary.


    Her face was as pale as a corpse¡¯s. Her hands trembled helplessly.


    She tried to hold her hands together to hide it, but Asheel¡¯s gaze stayed on them for a moment before he turned away.


    ¡°I am Asheel Khurshid, Your Excellency the Marchioness.¡±


    Nadia reached out her hand without looking at him, feeling herself grow cold with tension. He kissed her lightly over the back of her hand. Asheel Khurshid. This was the first time she heard his full name.


    ¡°I am Nadia¡­ Elantz. I¡¯ll be in your care, Sir Khurshid.¡±


    It was fortunate that she was wearing a veil, lest she would have been caught in a heartbeat. Nadia climbed the carriage in a hurry. Susan, the maid who was to follow her to the Marquisate, went in as well, then Edwin personally closed the carriage door. He mounted a horse and went to the front of the procession.


    Nadia, who could feel Asheel staring at her the entire time until the door closed, turned her head and fixed her hat so that her face could be hidden from his piercing gaze.


    Here, she confirmed that her future would not be peaceful. Even if anything wouldn¡¯t happen, she would never be able to shake off the feeling of thorns pricking at her every time she moved.


    Nadia was terrified. She didn¡¯t know what Asheel was thinking. She couldn¡¯t guess what he would do.


    Once she left the capital, she thought that her problem regarding him would be over with, but that wasn¡¯t the case at all. As she thought that she would have to live with him under the same household for decades, for the rest of her life¡­ She already wanted to bite off her tongue.


    She didn¡¯t even know what it was that Asheel wanted. She wasn¡¯t sure what she would do.


    What would happen now?


    Nadia took off her hat as she looked over at Susan, who glimpsed out the window. The maid was pretending to be calm, but she couldn¡¯t hide her curiosity. Sitting on her comfortable seat, Nadia stared blankly outside.


    Asheel¡¯s appearance stood out at once. Amongst the other knights around the carriage, his silver armor with a coat as red as his hair on top of it entered her vision. She didn¡¯t know that her eyes would go to him immediately as though there was a magnetic pull.


    His curly red hair fluttered in the wind and revealed his bright green eyes. As Nadia stared at him as though she was possessed, she realized that he was also looking back at her.


    Stunned, Nadia closed the curtains. Then, she laughed at herself. What was she doing? She already told herself that she¡¯d gotten rid of her lingering feelings. She needed to be more aware.


    Just as Edwin said, the trip wasn¡¯t easy. The interior of the carriage was large and soft, so there was a couch and a thick carpet that she could sink into when she sat down, and there was even a small bed in one corner. But after three days, her hips and her back began to ache to the point of numbness.


    The road became more uneven the further they travelled. And for the periods of rest they had in between, first it was a city where they stopped by to relax and stretch. The next was a village, then a smaller village, then next a private house. The procession stopped almost always late into the night, then they¡¯d set off right away early in the morning.


    It was a smooth journey without them encountering any bandits, but still, both of Nadia¡¯s body and mind were worn out.


    She spent most of the day lying in bed and forcing herself to sleep. As if he guessed what she was thinking, for each of her meals, Edwin had some tea sent to her, the kind that would help her fall asleep. Her husband was a difficult man to like, but she accepted his consideration with gratitude.


    The journey took an average of ten days, and it did not end until the full moon. Fortunately, the roads became better the closer they got to the Marquisate. Thanks to the well-paved roads, the carriage shook less and the trip became more bearable.


    Nadia stared at the Elantz estate, which she could see from a distance out the carriage window. Rather than looking glamorous or splendid, as it stood tall in the cool river breeze, the huge castle looked like a strong fortress that could face any wind and any wave. It was the place where she would spend the rest of her life.


    As they passed through a town with dense and tall buildings, they reached the outer wall, and the sound of a horn announcing the territory¡¯s lord rang long and loud.


    When she saw that the trip was finally on its last stretch, she felt relieved. She didn¡¯t want to go through a journey like this again. The knights riding on horseback looked as though they didn¡¯t feel any discomfort.


    With Susan¡¯s help, Nadia changed her clothes and dressed lightly. She couldn¡¯t appear as the new Madam of the estate with a shabby appearance.


    While passing through a boulevard leading to the estate, cheers could be heard from the citizens who burst out and welcomed the procession. Not being able to overcome her curiosity, Nadia opened the curtain¡ªbut she found Asheel on a horse nearby. As though she had been burned, she closed it again.


    Without realizing it, her excitement cooled down, and instead, an unknown anxiety rose within her.

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    She began to comfort herself with words that even she herself did not fully believe. Maybe he didn¡¯t know that she had become the Marchioness of Elantz. He wouldn¡¯t have possibly touched his master¡¯s wife¡­ Nadia pressed down on her forehead. It wasn¡¯t enough to keep her worries at bay.


    There¡¯s no way he didn¡¯t know. She¡¯s the wife of the lord he¡¯s serving. Besides, didn¡¯t he say something like she¡¯ll know soon when they parted ways? If he didn¡¯t know that she was the Marchioness, he wouldn¡¯t say anything like that.


    Nadia changed her train of thought. Anyway, they wouldn¡¯t need to cross paths. Unless Nadia wandered into the knights¡¯ training grounds or at their quarters for no reason or unless they would have an accidental encounter, he wouldn¡¯t be able to touch her so carelessly because she had no intention of going around alone.


    ¡­Was this really possible? No, she shouldn¡¯t doubt it. Nadia bit her lips gently. Touching her meant that he was going against his lord.


    Vice Commander of a chivalric order. He was so young, so there¡¯s a high chance that he would be promoted in the future. If he was already in this position back then, would he have given it up for her¡­ She wanted to force these thoughts down, not knowing whether to accept them or deny them.


    What did she want to do? But as she floundered through these constant worries, it was Susan who rescued her from spiraling.


    ¡°Madam, we¡¯re here.¡±


    The carriage stopped before she knew it. Nadia rose from her seat, shaking off her lingering anxiety. The carriage door was opened, and Edwin reached in for her. She hesitated for a moment and grabbed his hand.


    Nadia looked around as she got off the carriage. The first thing she noticed was a beautifully landscaped garden.


    The scent of orange blossoms and white daffodils gently blew towards her direction, the flowers growing amongst green leaves. When she raised her head a little, she saw purple flowers hanging onto meandering vines that hung along the castle walls.


    She had been trembling in anxiety just a while ago, but it all disappeared easily. A faint smile could be seen on her lips. No one would possibly react differently after seeing a castle like this.


    ¡°The garden is beautiful.¡±


    Edwin grinned.


    ¡°The rear garden is more beautiful. You¡¯ll like it.¡±


    Edwin let Nadia into the castle. He kindly introduced the butler and the head maid, which was unlike him to do.


    Sure enough, he left right away because he was busy. Nadia wasn¡¯t particularly disappointed because she didn¡¯t have any expectations of him holding her hand while looking around the castle.


    After the old butler, who had a strict air to him, greeted her politely, he hurriedly disappeared after Edwin. The head maid Mila naturally approached Nadia¡¯s side, but this was all new to her.


    ¡°I would like to guide you through the castle, Madam, but I shall take you to your room first. The carriage trip must have been tiring. Please, come this way.¡±


    It was a suggestion that was like rainfall after a drought to Nadia. She followed the head maid and memorized the way. They turned left in front of Edwin¡¯s portrait on the third floor, then went down the hallway with a long red carpet. She saw a view of the Aman River out the window to the right.


    They passed through numerous doors and turned left once more, and the most intricate and large mahogany door stood at the end of the hall. Mila looked back at Nadia and opened it with a good-natured smile on her lips.


    Nadia quietly admired the room. She heard that it was the room that generations of Marchionesses had used, and it was truly amazing. The room she had at her family¡¯s Ducal estate was also spacious, but it couldn¡¯t compare to this room.


    The wallpaper covering the walls were of glossy, deep blue silk, and expensive rugs that seemed to have been bought from the South were strewn across the floor¡ªshe thought that she might not even get hurt if she fell on them with how soft they felt. Tables, side tables, chairs and the other furniture in this room were all crafted with precious rosewood.


    There was a breeze coming in from the white, smooth marble balcony that was wide. It occupied one side like an open wall, and the breeze made the lace curtain flutter. Nadia was delighted to see wisteria flowers hanging from the trellis. It was such a delicate, beautiful room that she already fell in love with.


    Soon, Nadia found something even more surprising. As if she was possessed by something, she approached the opaque glass door on another side of the room and carefully pushed it open. After descending a short stairway, she saw a flower garden.


    No, it wasn¡¯t a flower garden but a small greenhouse. With high ceilings and glass walls, the fragrant scent of exotic flowers welcomed her as she gaped at the small fountain in the center with a tea table and a long couch next to it. Nadia couldn¡¯t believe her eyes.


    ¡°It was rumored that the Marchioness likes plants. It¡¯s a greenhouse that Milord has given to Your Excellency as a gift.¡±


    Listening to Mila¡¯s explanation, Nadia fleetingly nodded. Susan could normally control her expression, but this time, her cheeks were burning with excitement. Here, Nadia realized once more that she was truly married.


    This room¡ªthis entire castle¡ªwas more than what she imagined as a child while reading all those romance novels. As her mood became lighter, the worries and concerns that had been bothering Nadia all seemed to be insignificant.


    Asheel would never be able to come near her room, and Edwin didn¡¯t seem to be the type to abuse his wife or overly engage her in nightly activities at least.


    His insulting remarks¡­ If all she had to endure were words, then she would be able to adapt one day. Even if she couldn¡¯t, as long as she didn¡¯t take them to heart, then she didn¡¯t need to listen. No matter what anyone said, she was now a Marchioness and was the Madam of this castle in name and reality. This was not something that could easily be reversed. So she could be more at ease.


    When it was time for her to bathe, the bathroom she entered was also surprising. Without having to bring in water from outside, clean water was poured out when a maid had turned a handle hanging at the edge of the bathtub. She didn¡¯t know how this was possible but it looked like magic to her. It was such a novel thing, however right now, she was too exhausted to act on her curiosity.


    While Mila told Susan how to use the Elantz Castle¡¯s various magic tools, Nadia bathed while being assisted by other maids. They were all strangers to Nadia, but they were so skilled that she didn¡¯t feel uncomfortable.


    As Nadia dozed off while her hair was being dried, Mila excused herself and went out the door, saying that she could come back before dinner. Left alone now, Nadia went straight to bed and fell asleep as though she had fainted in exhaustion.


    How much time had passed by? Nadia woke up when Mila shook her gently. It was difficult for her to open her eyes as though her eyelids were stuck together. Stumbling up, her face was wiped with a warm wet towel.


    It had gotten darker outside. She could see servants walking around while lighting lamps along the pathways.


    Because everything was unfamiliar, Nadia entered the dining hall feeling a little nervous. At the head of the long table was Edwin, who was dressed lightly, drinking by himself. As she sat next to him, the attendants came out to serve their food.


    Nadia didn¡¯t talk to him because he didn¡¯t say anything to her either. For a while, the only sound that could be heard was them chewing or the tableware clinking. As the silence stretched further, useless thoughts made their way into Nadia¡¯s head again.


    She didn¡¯t know if he was looking at her as she ate. Nadia gulped dryly.


    Should she spend the night with him tonight? Naturally, this was her first thought. It was frightening to imagine, but she was compelled to look forward to it¡ªbut at this thought, Nadia was startled.


    She was expecting. It was a ridiculous idea. Was it reasonable to look forward to such an overly obscene act? Besides, she didn¡¯t even love him.


    Love. The next thing that came to her mind was their relationship. Nadia closed her eyes tightly, then opened them once more. It was clear that he didn¡¯t love her.


    If you love someone, you wouldn¡¯t be able to do that¡­ At least before, she thought that it was an act that only lovers did. She was mistaken. No, there were a lot of things that she thought wrong, especially after Asheel did that to her.


    Did he? Did he really do that? Nadia asked herself. She had refused so much, but he didn¡¯t listen. Should she have screamed? Or should she have asked the young servant for help¡ªto let him know that there was a man under her skirt at that very moment?


    She would have never done it. She was the victim, and she knew that she didn¡¯t do anything wrong.


    As Nadia¡¯s hand trembled when she picked up her glass to take a sip of the sweet wine, Edwin called out to her.


    ¡°Wife.¡±


    She almost spat out her drink.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame, but try to sleep alone for the time being.¡±


    After sipping his red wine that was like blood, his lips were moistened with a red tint, and he looked at Nadia.


    ¡°I have a lot of work to do because I left the territory empty for quite a while. So¡­¡±


    Edwin rose slowly from his seat. Placing her own glass back on the table, she became nervous. She didn¡¯t even know why she felt so anxious. Her husband strangely had an air around him that made people nervous.


    Soon after, the man approached Nadia and, with a soft touch, he swept back the hair that was around her neck.


    Nadia froze. He leaned down and touched his lips to her ears. She waited for the words he would utter, but her expectations were betrayed.


    The feeling of hot breath went down to her nape, then it was followed by a sudden sting of pain. Shocked, she yelped briefly, but immediately covered her lips.


    Nadia glanced sideways at the servants at one side, but they had their heads bowed down, embarrassed. Edwin suckled on her nape so much that she could hear the sound distinctly. Then, his lips soon rose back next to her ears.


    She felt goosebumps all over her body, and her shoulders quivered. There was a strange heat pooling in her stomach. The hand that gently touched her shoulder slid down.


    He reached down the front of her dress that had a deep-cut collar, and he stroked one of her breasts skin to skin. Nadia stiffened, only her eyes moving as she widened them due to his bold actions.


    While Nadia endured this without saying a word, he kept fondling her breasts.


    He squeezed and pinched her nipples as he nibbled her earlobe.


    After teasing her so much, to the point that the apex of her legs was soaked, he pulled back the moment Nadia couldn¡¯t stand it and tried to hang onto him¡ªas though he had waited for her to react this way. Then, the belated whisper entered her ears.


    ¡°Even if your p*ssy feels empty, endure it for a while.¡±


    The heat within her suddenly cooled as though ice-cold water had been poured over her. Nadia was sincerely curious. Did Edwin truly speak this way all the time? Or was it his intention to make her tremble with shame?


    He treated her like a cheap prostitute every time they met. Perhaps that¡¯s all she was to him. Or did he find out what she had done with Asheel, that¡¯s why he kept treating her like a cheap woman?


    It was just an assumption, but chills ran down her spine. Nadia shook her head. If he knew, he wouldn¡¯t have ended with just verbal ridicule. Why would a man of such high stature continue putting up with a wife who had cheated on him?


    She stared at his retreating figure as he walked away without hesitation, then Nadia returned to her room after she finished eating.


    She felt like a fool after having been so excited about this splendidly beautiful room. It felt like her heart was being wrenched apart.


    That night, she went to bed early, comforting herself from either anxiety or guilt, she didn¡¯t know which.

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    Nadia woke up early the next day, perhaps because she had tossed and turned all night. After breakfast and a brief teatime, Mila guided her around the castle.


    It was as though she was boasting the long history of the Marquisate and this castle. The morning flew by as Nadia half-heartedly listened to Mila¡¯s explanation as they climbed the watchtower just to see how spacious the estate was.


    It was fortunate that she had no time alone to feel anxious or depressed¡ªthere was no time for her to think back on what happened at dinner last night.


    She couldn¡¯t look around to see all the annex buildings. She decided to explore them later because lunchtime was slowly approaching.


    There was actually enough time for her so she didn¡¯t need to rush, but because more time had passed by than they expected, Mila was behind on her work, and Nadia was still fatigued. They decided to take a break.


    It was refreshing, the cool summer breeze that passed by coming from the riverside. Nadia appreciated the view from high above.


    With the bustling city below them, there were foreign merchant ships docked at the river port where there was also a huge drawbridge. Beyond that, there was a vast, fertile farmland. As she saw the pastures, Nadia couldn¡¯t help but admire it all.


    She imagined that this would be a desolate and barren land because of her own assumptions, but that was not the case at all. She even wanted to apologize due to her poor imagination.


    ¡°Thanks to the treaty that was signed with Alquid a few years ago, there hasn¡¯t been much conflict at the borders. Still, the knights regularly did their patrols. Sometimes wild animals from the mountains or monsters would come to prey on the sheep or goats.¡±


    Nadia nodded wordlessly as she listened to Mila. She shifted her gaze towards the land where Mila pointed. A dense forest full of broad-leaved trees could be seen behind the castle, and it was at the base of a low hill.


    ¡°If you ride a horse and go south for about two days, you will arrive at the sea. That¡¯s at the southern end of the Marquisate.¡±


    ¡°The sea?¡±


    Nadia had never seen the sea. She realized how


    The woman smiled softly at Nadia, who had a surprised expression, then continued speaking as though she was telling an interesting story to a child.


    ¡°You can tell Milord that you¡¯d like to go to the villa when the summer is ripe. The Marquis has a beautiful mansion along Lancard Beach.¡±


    Nadia could only nod as though she was possessed. She liked the idea of a beautiful villa, but what she liked more was the beach. She imagined what the waves over the sea and the dazzling white sand beach would look like, and Nadia felt her expectations rising.


    While descending the watchtower, Mila¡¯s explanation continued. It was all interesting to Nadia, so she tried to listen without missing anything.


    She talked about how Marquiz Elantz greatly improved the relationship of Elheim with Alquid due to the settlement of the border disputes. It was also thanks to the Emperor¡¯s support. Every autumn, the Emperor comes down to Elheim for a week.


    The head maid seemed to be proud of the tight knit relationship of the Emperor and the Marquis. Nadia knew that they were cousins, but it was still strange to her that the Emperor¡ªwho slaughtered his own brothers and his father, the previous Emperor¡ªtrusted and cared for a cousin of his.


    Because the Emperor did not rise to the throne legitimately, in a way, Edwin was also a danger¡­ Nadia took in a sharp breath and shook her head to shake off those thoughts.


    Those were words that should not be uttered carelessly. She firmly pushed those ideas out of her head as though she had never even thought of them in the first place. Other than that, there were plenty of other things that she needed to pay attention to. Although it¡¯s said that they trusted each other a lot, the Emperor was still a distant person. And the Marquis himself was her husband, yet it felt like he was so far out of her reach.


    ¡°If you go that way, you¡¯ll find the training grounds, but it would be better if you don¡¯t go there. There¡¯s nothing there for the Madam to see.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    She grew nervous once more at the mention of ¡®training grounds¡¯, but she noticeably became relaxed when Mila said that she shouldn¡¯t go there. The older woman smiled as if to reassure Nadia, perhaps because she thought that Nadia was frightened.


    ¡°Although they are considered the most esteemed knights in the continent, they are energetic young men who sometimes fight and stab each other. If the Madam is nearby and a broken piece of blade flies out, you might get into an accident. That¡¯s why you must avoid the training grounds¡­¡±


    Nadia only murmured dismally in reply. It wouldn¡¯t happen anyway, was what she thought. She didn¡¯t want to run into Asheel, not even by chance, so she was going to avoid that place anyway.


    She was not na?ve enough to not avoid a dangerous situation like that. What came to her mind was how Asheel had groped her behind while smiling. This made her expression harden.


    The last place they stopped by was the rear garden that Edwin had mentioned yesterday. Just as he said, it was truly beautiful. As she passed through the arched pathway where vines meandered with light pink roses, she was enveloped with the breathtaking scent of roses.


    The scent of roses seemed to have permeated her body entirely in the short while that she passed through the passage. Nadia took a whiff of her hair and immediately recognized the scent.


    They soon arrived by a large pond full of water lilies. There was a small bridge over it and a white pavilion at the end of the bridge. Nadia gasped in admiration.


    ¡°How beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it? It¡¯s all yours, Madam.¡±


    For a moment, she thought that being the Marchioness was worthwhile if only to be in a place like this. She could just endure the gossip about her husband. It wouldn¡¯t last long. Nadia encouraged herself again.


    As she touched the railing of the marble pavilion, she thought that she could have a meal here tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. Or, she could have tea here instead. It would be nice if there was someone for her to invite, but that was impossible. All the nobles in the capital were close to each other already and she had no acquaintances. Still, she could admire the scenery even if she was alone.


    They passed through a small flower garden and reached a maze of shrubs that was well over Nadia¡¯s height. She went on her tiptoes to try and look over it, then she grabbed Mila¡¯s arm in worry.


    ¡°If you get lost after going in, isn¡¯t that troubling?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Madam. The maze isn¡¯t big enough that one would wander in it for a long time.¡±


    The woman looked at Nadia affectionately, thinking that her concerns were cute, then she took Nadia¡¯s hand and led her into the maze. In the end, Nadia couldn¡¯t resist her curiosity and followed Mila.


    The scent of grass became even stronger. Mila went into the maze and pointed to a bell next to a pillar that was between the thick shrubs.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t find your way out, you can ring the bell. There will be servants who will come to help you, Madam!¡±


    Just as Mila said, the maze was not that wide. It eased her worries that they managed to leave the maze in an instant. Afterwards, Mila politely excused herself as she had work to do, and Nadia went back to her room to eat lunch.


    After eating, Nadia rose to her feet and went out for a walk to digest her meal. She looked around the castle, but her expression was troubled as she thought that something was odd. Ever since this morning, she felt that her back was stiff and her lower abdomen was tingling, making the sore apex of her legs wet for some reason. Her expression wrinkled unknowingly.


    ¡°Susan, can you bring me some new underwear?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Milady!¡±


    The quick-witted maid moved swiftly. As she changed into thicker underwear, Nadia rubbed her lower abdomen with her palm.


    She completely forgot, but it was that time of the month. This would have been more unbearable if it came during the carriage trip, so she was glad that it only happened now. Just thinking of enduring the pain inside that rattling carriage without being able to wash herself made her feel sick and exhausted.


    Sipping a cup of tea that served as a pain reliever, Nadia felt like she had forgotten something important.


    Nadia cancelled her plans to go on a stroll and buried herself under her bed covers. With the body aches she felt, she trembled.


    ¡°Milady, shall I close the windows?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ You should call me ¡®Madam¡¯ now.¡±


    ¡°I apologize, Madam.¡±


    Susan closed the windows, the balcony door, and the curtains. In an instant, the room was enshrouded with darkness.


    ¡°After taking a nap, the medicine will take effect. I shall wake you at dinner time, Milady.¡±


    Instead of answering, Nadia only pulled her blanket higher. As Susan left and closed the door behind her, sleep visited Nadia.


    Nadia had a dream.


    The familiar touch of fingertips carefully stroked her cheek, then went down to her abdomen. It felt strange, so she looked down, but her stomach was swollen like a ball.


    She almost screamed¡ªbut she couldn¡¯t because someone had kissed her. His tongue pushed in through her lips without hesitation and, feeling only half-awake, Nadia lifted her hand to touch her belly.


    What the hell is¡­ She couldn¡¯t understand this situation. Then, she felt a hard chest coming up behind her. From the back, a man embraced her and gently began to rove her breasts. The front of her dress became soaked.


    Nadia was startled and tried to break away from him, but she couldn¡¯t at all.


    ¡±Whose child is this, hm?¡±


    The man behind her whispered into her ear. It was Edwin¡¯s voice. Goosebumps formed on her arms.


    ¡®I¡­ I¡¯m¡­¡¯


    The man standing in front of her removed his lips, but with a rough touch, he pulled the front of her dress open.


    When her breasts, which were larger than usual, were revealed, he leaned down and suckled one of her nipples. When the man buried his head into her chest, his red hair cascaded down. Asheel continued to suck on one nipple and then the other. Then, as though he had sucked something from her, he gulped something down.


    He swallowed it. The sweet smell of milk was vivid, and white liquid flowed down through Edwin¡¯s fingers as he kneaded her breasts.


    Nadia screamed and struggled to get away from the two men, but she couldn¡¯t escape.


    ¡±Is it my child?¡±


    ¡°Is it my child?¡±


    Then, Nadia¡¯s eyes shot open. Susan was hovering above her, looking at her with concern. Nadia sat up, her breathing rough. Her heart was beating so loudly to the point that it hurt. And her back was wet as though it was covered with cold sweat.


    ¡°Are you alright, Madam?¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine.¡±


    With her forehead wrinkled, she looked down. She sighed in relief when she saw that her stomach was flat as usual.


    She never imagined the day that she¡¯d welcome her period wholeheartedly. She couldn¡¯t believe that she didn¡¯t even think about this dilemma before. Why wasn¡¯t that her first thought? She was told that a woman who had her menstruation was not pregnant with a child.


    She couldn¡¯t stand how pathetic she was. It was terrible to think that she could have gotten pregnant. It felt like her blood was drying up as she imagined how she could have wondered every single day as her stomach grew bigger¡­ about who the father could be.


    She¡¯s glad that this wasn¡¯t a concern of hers anymore. The same thing would not happen again, so it was fine now.


    With Susan¡¯s help, Nadia ate dinner. She was served a lamb stew that was seasoned with lime and some steamed prawns as well. She had wheat bread with raisins and three kinds of cheese with pickled olives, then dried jujube and figs.


    After dinner, she went out on a light stroll with Susan. She returned to her room soon after, then went to bed early. Fortunately this time, she had a dreamless slumber.

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    She managed to get through her period with herbal tea and sweet food. The pain itself that she felt wasn¡¯t severe, but since she wasn¡¯t feeling well in general, her mood plummeted to the ground.


    She made an effort to prevent her condition from deteriorating somehow. Strangely, the amount of blood that she shed this time wasn¡¯t much, but her discomfort remained.


    One time, Nadia ate some sugary, cream-filled pie that she normally wouldn¡¯t have eaten. And she spent time at the greenhouse, dazed under the sun¡¯s warmth like an old cat.


    The colorful and exotic flowers were all around her and filled the air with a pleasant aroma. It was a little too warm in the greenhouse, so there was a little sweat along her forehead. Nevertheless, it was perfect for her because she usually had chills during her period. But going by the usual cycle, this would be over by the day after tomorrow.


    Nadia heard the door quietly open and close. With her eyes still closed, she thought it was Susan. But as she was half asleep, the touch of a man could be felt on her cheek.


    She opened her eyes languidly.


    ¡°Edwin¡­?¡±


    But the hand stopped. Nadia, who came to her senses belatedly, raised her gaze. She made eye contact with the man in front of her, looking at her as he was on one knee in front of the couch.


    ¡°Asheel!¡±


    Nadia looked around in a hurry. There was no one else there. A while ago, she told the employees that no one should come inside, and because of this, she didn¡¯t know if it was fortunate or not.


    This small greenhouse was for her personal use. Only a few maids and her husband, Edwin, could come in. Even though he was a knight belonging to a chivalric order that is held to the highest esteem in the Empire, he still should not have entered this place recklessly.


    For what reason should a knight privately meet his lord¡¯s wife in the first place? She couldn¡¯t understand why he didn¡¯t stop himself from coming here, whether or not he was caught by someone. His shamelessness knew no bounds.


    Nadia flinched away from him, lifting her blanket higher as though it was a shield.


    ¡°You¡¯re not allowed here.¡±


    Nadia was on her guard for fear of him assaulting her, and she stood up in a hurry. If he wouldn¡¯t leave, then she¡¯d leave instead.


    Nadia rushed to the door leading to her room and locked it. She didn¡¯t care about the reason for his visit. If he had something to tell her, she didn¡¯t want to hear it. She only locked the door because she didn¡¯t want anyone to see him there.


    Regardless of her past feelings for him, she was too scared to take any risks.


    ¡°Nadia.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that!¡±


    Her scream echoed throughout the greenhouse. The determined mask that she was desperately trying to keep up was shattered with just those four words. Nadia stopped in front of the stairs and hesitated, but she barely turned around to face Asheel.


    ¡°Please, please¡ªI beg you. Don¡¯t do anything. Just leave me alone.¡±


    With her eyes closed, she clutched her hands together and spoke as though she was begging. Nadia was not the type to enjoy risqu¨¦ adventures or thrills. She hated scandals most of all.


    She had no desire to walk between two men on a tightrope. All she wanted was to spend her days quietly without any anxiety or excitement, not like the past few days.


    But this moment¡ªit was so dangerous. It would be over the moment a maid would come in here and ask if there was something she needed. Even though Nadia couldn¡¯t talk properly, she continued to speak, almost unintelligibly.


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re doing this to me. Our relationship was one that would have ended soon anyway, so I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re so angry¡­!¡±


    Despite her desperate efforts to keep him from approaching, Asheel was only a few steps away from her. He grabbed her hands that were clasped together and spoke with a harsh expression.


    ¡°Why are you ending it all on your own terms? I said it before. I¡¯m not done with you.¡±


    Nadia looked up at his face that was full of impassioned anger, and she trembled, not knowing whether it was because of shock or trepidation. But he was not finished speaking.


    ¡°It might have been simple for you to cut me off so easily, but that¡¯s not the case for me. Do you understand? I can¡¯t do that!¡±


    Asheel¡¯s voice echoed in her mind, but inside her, she knew that she was refusing to try and understand his words.


    She slapped off his hand as hard as she could and returned to her room as if she was running away, locking the door behind her. Her heart was beating so fast that it hurt. An unknown fear crept over her whole body. Nadia wrapped her arms around herself and lowered her head.


    She was so scared, but at the same time, she wondered what Asheel would have said if she stayed there. It was the same just like then, and she ran away again.


    Nadia muttered many excuses to herself. Nothing would change even if she stayed and listened to him. Even if he didn¡¯t want to end it, it¡¯s already over. It¡¯s okay if she didn¡¯t listen. It was fine.


    In the end, she didn¡¯t even get the opportunity to think about turning back because she was so terrified to face him. His hands over hers, his cold expression as he looked at her¡­ it was stamped so vividly in her mind.


    ¡°Madam?¡±


    After she heard a knock, the door from the hallway opened. A maid poked her head inside to see. Nadia answered and stood up casually.


    ¡°¡­What is it?¡±


    ¡°Milord has asked for you.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t seen his face for nearly a week, but this was still sudden. Even so, Nadia trudged to his office without saying anything, her face half-worn out.


    She still felt so nervous every time she thought about her husband. Because his office wasn¡¯t far away, she went there without having to be guided by the maid.


    Knocking a couple of times on the large door, she stood outside until she heard the monotonous voice inside say, ¡°Come in.¡± Nadia opened the door, feeling both wonder and dread. There was still a different visitor inside.


    ¡°It might be nice to try and go there.¡±


    Edwin gestured lightly with his hand, perhaps because their talk was already over. The middle-aged knight, who was wearing red armor with the chivalric order¡¯s insignia emblazoned on it, greeted her politely then passed by her. He closed the door behind him.


    At the sound of his armored footsteps moving away, Edwin leaned back on his chair and took off his glasses. Nadia waited quietly, watching him tiredly rub his eyes.


    Edwin¡¯s face was slightly gaunt, and this made Nadia think that perhaps he wasn¡¯t only saying that he was busy. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he looked like he lost weight overall. His hair was neat and his clothes were immaculately without any wrinkles, but his fatigue couldn¡¯t be easily disguised.


    Nadia grew more uneasy as time went on because she couldn¡¯t guess at all why he called her.


    What was the point in asking her to come here, taking time out of his hectic schedule? Maybe Asheel¡¯s visit had already reached his ears. Her heart leaped out of its cage at the thought, as though it was about to jump out of her throat.


    The silence was deafening, and she thought about speaking up first several times, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to. It wasn¡¯t until about her third attempt that Edwin looked at her.


    ¡°How have you been? Is everything to your liking?¡±


    ¡°Yes, everything¡¯s perfect. The garden is beautiful, and I like my room¡­¡±


    Because of how nervous she was, she chattered on without any more prompting. He touched his lower lip then smirked.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. But if there¡¯s something you want to change, you can do whatever you want.¡±


    With his persistent gaze on her, Nadia felt burdened. She could only nod with her head down. Did he really call her here just to ask this?


    ¡°Come here.¡±


    Nadia lifted her head, and their gazes met. She was entranced by his lips that were slightly curled up. Only the two of them were in this room, so there was no one else that he was calling to him.


    Nadia hesitated, but soon walked towards the front of his huge desk. He smiled again, but Nadia only stared at the golden accents at the end of the elegant mahogany desk.


    ¡°Closer.¡±


    Uncertainly, she took a couple more steps, but the man sighed softly as though he wasn¡¯t satisfied.


    ¡°Are you being coy? Come over here.¡±


    Edwin patted his lap, and at this, Nadia was visibly flustered. He wanted her to sit on his lap. As she was confused and doubtful, he eventually reached out to Nadia¡¯s wrist to pull her closer.


    Right then, she was in Edwin¡¯s arms. His arm was around her waist as he pulled her down to have her sit on his lap, then he went on to pull the string in front of her dress.


    She trembled like a deer caught in a snare, looking up at him cautiously. Their eyes met again. His dark purple irises glinted mischievously, and his face was now closer to hers.


    Nadia closed her eyes tightly. But time passed and she didn¡¯t feel anything on her lips, so she silently opened her eyes again.


    She saw him smiling broadly, their noses only a very small distance apart, as if he had been observing her the entire time she had her eyes closed. Her face instantly flushed red. She assumed that he would kiss her right then. As he came closer, the tops of their noses touching now, he persistently looked into her eyes, then whispered.


    ¡°Kiss me.¡±


    As he spoke, his breath touched her lips and tickled her. Nadia gently closed her eyes and kissed him as he said, as though she was hypnotized.


    Because they were already so close, their lips touched just by her moving closer by a fraction of an inch. Somehow, this moment felt sweet, delicate. It could be because she was swept away by the atmosphere, or it could be because of his beautiful features or his deep voice.


    He suckled her upper lip softly. Whenever their lips would intertwine, there was a moist sound reverberating in her ears. A weak moan escaped from her throat¡ªthere was a gentle touch on her waist.


    Before she knew it, she suddenly felt her clothes become loose, and there was a hand that went straight to grab her chest. As if this was the trigger, heat pooled in her stomach.


    As his hands kneaded her breasts, he pinched the pert nipples and freed both mounds out of her clothes. Her body, which slowly heated up, shuddered.


    ¡°Hmngh!¡±


    As Nadia flinched and moaned, he didn¡¯t waste the opportunity and pushed his tongue into her lips. He was relentless inside her mouth. She grasped Edwin¡¯s shoulder tightly as he licked the soft part of the roof of her mouth, then soon persistently entwined with Nadia¡¯s tongue.


    At a loss, she accepted everything that he did. She was out of breath in no time. Noticing that she was getting overwhelmed, Edwin took his lips off her for a while, but he leaned down and soon sucked and bit one of her nipples, which had become sensitive because of his earlier ministrations.


    The fleeting thought passed through Nadia¡¯s mind that she couldn¡¯t believe he was planning to do this here. But as soon as he sucked her nipple harder, this thought disappeared and was washed away by a sharp pleasure.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    ¡°Angh, ahh¡­!¡±


    Her waist was moving on its own, her stomach was in knots, and she was closing her legs together unconsciously. Edwin licked and sucked on Nadia¡¯s nipples to the point that they¡¯ve gotten red, making her tremble and reach a small climax¡ªshe came in an instant in his arms. Her breasts were glistening with saliva.


    He looked at her with half-lidded eyes, then touched her earlobe, caressing the tender flesh gently. Nadia moved to avoid this because it tickled, but all this did was rub her cheek against Edwin¡¯s palm.


    It wasn¡¯t long until this tickling touch turned into pleasure, and so small moans leaked out of her lips.


    ¡°Stick out your tongue.¡±


    Her body reacted before her mind could even process it, perhaps mesmerized by his gaze. She gingerly stuck her tongue out a little. He kept whispering¡ªmore, more, more. How much more did he want? Nadia stuck her tongue out more with a tearful gaze.


    She looked up at Edwin, who stared carefully at the tip of her tongue as though it was the most interesting thing. At that moment, she was thinking that she wanted to touch his long, thick golden eyelashes that fluttered as his eyes were half-closed. But then suddenly, her tongue was caught between his lips.


    He sucked on her tongue loudly, and it seemed as though he was making that sound on purpose. Nadia blushed instantly, and it was like there was a lightning bolt that ran from the crown of her head and down her spine. Her tongue was caught. She kept losing the strength in her body. No, just when she needed that strength.


    She reached out to grab something, anything. She must have held on too tightly because the place her hand left was crumpled. As she stared at his wrinkled clothes with blurry eyes, she murmured, but her pronunciation was unclear because her tongue was still trapped.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m sor, mmph, mmngh¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Edwin kissed her repeatedly and briefly asked, ¡°For what?¡±


    While breathing roughly, he moved his lips down to her chin, and Nadia leaned her head back. She felt his moist lips trail kisses at her throat, and this continued to fuel the heat and redness of her cheeks.


    ¡°Your, clo, thes are, hmngh, wrinkled¡­¡±


    He laughed with a low, devious smile. Right then, he strongly sucked on the tender flesh above her collarbone, and she felt a mild sting because of this.


    ¡°Sorry? If you¡¯re apologetic, how can you make it up to me?¡±


    ¡°What? T-That¡­¡±


    After watching her embarrassed face for a while, he lowered his hand that had previously been on her waist, then he groped her backside.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be more sorry because that time of the month isn¡¯t over yet? What a useless wife you are. You¡¯re sorry because you wrinkled your husband¡¯s clothes, but not because you can¡¯t give your husband what he desires?¡±


    It was a ridiculous thing to be nitpicking about, but somehow, Nadia couldn¡¯t refute him. It was the same thing as her husband saying that it was something he didn¡¯t like about her. She didn¡¯t know this would happen, but she didn¡¯t feel it was unfair.


    Nadia just bowed her head and thought of what her husband would make her do under this pretext.


    The man, who stared at Nadia for a moment as if to appreciate her unkempt appearance, grabbed her waist and lifted her up. Then, she set her down on the floor.


    Her knees hit the floor hard. It didn¡¯t hurt because of the thick carpet, but the impact was enough to surprise her. Nadia looked up at Edwin with a puzzled expression, sitting between his legs.


    Edwin sighed playfully and took Nadia¡¯s hand. And he placed it on the bulge on his pants. She was horrified in an instant and tried to pull away, but he wouldn¡¯t let go.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be such a killjoy.¡±


    He urged her. She knew what he wanted, but she pulled away¡­ He was enjoying her embarrassment.


    What a hateful hobby this was. Even when she thought she¡¯d prepared herself for it already, she would be shocked by his perverted behavior every time. Nadia hesitated several times and could barely touch his clothes. While fumbling and untying the cords that kept his pants closed, Edwin just looked at her, chin on one hand.


    It was a contrast to her flustering over her trembling hands, her face terribly red. It took a long time for her to untie the complicated strings, and she finally stopped moving. She didn¡¯t have the courage to continue.


    Nadia had never actually looked at a man¡¯s length closely. Even if she already had some experience in that regard, it was never something she had seen before. Even if she had been given the chance to see it up close before, she would have just turned away.


    She was hoping that he would act first, but when Edwin continued to be motionless, she felt the urge to cry. Was he truly going to make her do this? Nadia looked up at Edwin, tears in her eyes as she pleaded silently.


    He seemed to be enjoying the situation. Then finally, he opened his lips.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do it??¡±


    Nadia couldn¡¯t reply. She wanted to nod right away, but she recalled what he said earlier, and she wondered if he might make her do something worse if she refused here. As if reading her mind, Edwin asked once again.


    ¡°I asked you if you can¡¯t.¡±


    She inhaled once, closed her eyes, then nodded.


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    She was finally able to breathe properly. Nadia almost burst into tears with relief. She didn¡¯t know what came over him, but it was fortunate for her as long as he stopped doing these perverted things.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Even before she could grasp what he meant by this, as Nadia looked up, all she could see was his member. She covered her lips to hold back her scream, and yet she couldn¡¯t take her eyes off it. It was too bumpy and vicious looking to be something that was part of a body, and its size was something that she didn¡¯t think could possibly enter her.


    With an expression full of astonishment, Nadia struggled to look up at Edwin¡¯s face again. The smile on his lips as they made eye contact was more devious than before.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Nadia, who barely averted her gaze, looked up at him reflexively once more as he asked.


    She couldn¡¯t think of anything to answer. In her head, all she could think of was his member as it stood there right in front of her. She breathed roughly. Her shoulders went up and down.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, n-nothing at all.¡±


    Nadia shook her head vigorously, as if she thought that what¡¯s in her mind was being revealed.


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s a relief.¡±


    Gently, he stroked Nadia¡¯s head. It was such a relaxed and calm gesture that it was hard for her to believe that it was the same person. Without knowing what to do, she tried not to look at him again.


    But he held Nadia¡¯s hand once more. Nadia, who realized what he was about to do, struggled to pull away. However, it was an action that was more futile than a child¡¯s rebellion.


    Her hard work was useless, and eventually, her hand reached the hot pillar of flesh. It was so thick that just one of her hands couldn¡¯t wrap around it completely. Veins rose and twitched over it unevenly, and the throbbing pulse was beating strangely in her palm. Nadia closed her eyes.


    If Edwin¡¯s purpose was to bother her, then he was successful. She was so scared and ashamed that she almost cried. The fact that it was daytime and that they weren¡¯t even in the bedroom seemed to be of no consequence to him at all.


    He seemed like a man who didn¡¯t even know what shame was. Unspeakable criticism about him swirled through her mind.¡±


    Edwin led both of Nadia¡¯s hands over his member and, like a bolt of lightning from the sky, whispered these words.


    ¡°Lick it.¡±


    Her eyes widened in a flash. What did he mean? Lick where? She denied the obvious even as it went through her mind. No way. No matter how much of a sick pervert he was¡­ She couldn¡¯t do something like that.


    But he remained persistent. Nadia didn¡¯t know how to avoid this situation.


    In the first place, she wasn¡¯t feeling well, that¡¯s why she¡¯s been staying in her room to rest all this time. Even if she lied alone and suffered from all that unknown anxiety and guilt¡­


    ¡°Stick out your tongue. You did it earlier, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Nadia stared at him. He pretended to be kind and she thought he¡¯d let her go¡­ But now, she quickly felt deflated. If she didn¡¯t follow him while he was still treating her gently, his attitude might change in an instant. She would need to decide right away. Even for a child who¡¯s seven years old, the choice was obvious.


    She hesitated once more, but Nadia relented and stuck her tongue out. Should she get used to this? But she didn¡¯t want to get used to it.


    Edwin wasn¡¯t as kind as she thought. Nadia quickly blinked so that she wouldn¡¯t shed her tears. The act of sticking her tongue out and putting her tongue on his throbbing member was something that she needed courage for.


    She was scared because it felt like it was something that wasn¡¯t human, this length in front of her, but the skin that touched her tongue was soft and didn¡¯t taste disgusting. It was a little strange¡­ but it wasn¡¯t as terrible as she thought it would be.


    Even so, this didn¡¯t mean that she was alright with Edwin¡¯s behavior towards her.


    Nadia, like a good child, used her tongue and closed her lips over it, licking the tip according to his words. What she thought was already huge enough surprisingly increased in size even more.


    He told her to open her mouth wider and put the tip inside her lips, but his size was something that she couldn¡¯t put into her mouth, regardless of whether she opened her lips wider or not.


    ¡°How terrible. It¡¯s like I¡¯m masturbating on my own.¡±


    Edwin, who was watching Nadia wriggling and licking only the tip of his member, stood up and pulled her body up with him. Nadia stumbled and leaned back on the chair he was sitting in just a second ago.


    Then, he calmly told her to gather her breasts together with her own hands. She looked down at the valley in her hands, ashamed for a moment, but then he suddenly pushed his length through the gap between her breasts.


    Nadia thought he would lick or suck on her chest again, but with this, she tried to flinch away, but she was blocked by the chair¡¯s backrest.


    His length dug between her swollen breasts, and it grew stiffer and stiffer every time he thrusted through her soft flesh carelessly. With one hand on his member as he continued thrusting, his breath grew rougher. The more he did it, the more white, musky fluid leaked onto her chest.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤

 Chapter 16

    ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤


    Chapter 16


    She had no choice but to look at the shameless, obscene sight in front of her. Whenever the vicious manhood thrusted recklessly at her breasts, touching her pert red nipples, an electric shock would pass through her body over and over.


    Nadia gritted her teeth, not wanting to admit that she felt promiscuous as well. Just endure. It will be over soon.


    His thrusts as he rubbed between her chest seemed to accelerate, then he soon poured out s*men, moaning low. The fluids spurted over Nadia¡¯s breasts.


    The salty smell suddenly hit her. While he stroked his manhood as though to squeeze every last drop, he touched the tip of his length over her chest, his hands relaxed.


    Even then, Nadia was still frozen with shock. As he moved away slightly, he pinched her nipples, then the s*men flowed down to her stomach.


    ¡°What a nice sight. You look good with c*m.¡±


    Edwin chuckled as he pulled up her dress. The hand that was on her chest pulled the string that held the dress up, and it was a gentle touch, but it didn¡¯t comfort her at all. The inside of her dress was damp, and the fluids splattered on top of her chest glistened.


    He lifted Nadia to her feet as though telling her their business here was done, and he sat back down on his chair, grabbing his quill. Nadia, who looked vaguely at his fingertips and how clean he looked, faltered and turned around. She felt it again, the realization that she was married.


    She staggered over to the mahogany door, then just as she reached it, Edwin said, ¡°Ah,¡± as if he remembered something belatedly. What was he going to say? Nadia looked back.


    ¡°You¡¯d better practice doing oral. You were so terrible that I almost lost my erection, but if you¡¯re like this again next time, I¡¯ll have you practice with the knights. There¡¯s a lot of practice targets for you to use.¡±


    ¡°¡­Y-You must be joking.¡±


    Her lips trembled. No way. He wouldn¡¯t go that far. The unfairness of being treated this way over and over again filled her senses.


    Even as she tried to hold it in, tears dropped sharply. She couldn¡¯t stop them. Her eyelashes were soaked, and her chest was nearly heaving. Nadia even thought that she should hang onto his feet and beg him not to make her do that.


    Then, her husband smiled viciously.


    ¡°I¡¯m joking. You¡¯re so na?ve.¡±


    She heard him say it was only a joke, but she couldn¡¯t calm down. Nadia turned around, swallowing her tears. He seemed to have said something more, but she didn¡¯t want to listen any longer. She returned to her room, crying to the point that her entire face was soaked.


    It was fortunate that she didn¡¯t come across anyone one her way back. Regardless of her appearance that was tear-stricken or laden with s*men, she didn¡¯t want to show it to anyone. She just wanted to be alone.


    Summer was just around the corner. The days became hotter and hotter, and people started wearing clothes that were thinner and lighter.


    Elheim¡¯s fashion followed other countries¡¯ trends. Instead of a skirt that had abundant layers and a tight corseted waist, the dresses here tended to look just like a simple piece of cloth that was draped over the body. It was a simple, yet unconventional outfit.


    The light dress called Stola1 was simple, and the most ornate thing about it was the sash that would be hung over the shoulder, along with the other colored fabrics used as a belt on the waist.


    Nadia¡¯s eyes widened when she saw this at first, not having been able to see anything like it before. She waved her hand, expressing her disapproval because she¡¯s never been out of the capital, therefore she was reluctant to try it.


    But as the heat began to rise, the corset used to tighten her upper body seemed to suffocate her and sweat flowed unpleasantly underneath her layered dress that did not let any wind pass through.


    Eventually, she couldn¡¯t help but wear the clothes that the maids had prepared for her.


    As the bottom part was empty, it was an unfamiliar and awkward feeling, but because it did not trap heat. She now understood why this style of dress was popular.


    There was no need for a heavy petticoat, stockings and high heeled shoes that need garter belts and thigh highs. The wind blew into the long open skirt on the side, and every time she took a step, the skirt¡¯s pleats would brush over her legs. It was all unfamiliar, but not as bad as she originally thought.


    The estate was right next to the river, so the river breeze blew by all year round. The heat was dampened by the cool river wind as she sat on a wide window frame on the balcony.


    It¡¯s been well over a month since she started living in Elheim, and Nadia was more relaxed here due to the freer atmosphere compared to the capital. As she adapted to the unfamiliar city, she was also able to adapt to her eccentric husband.


    They had spent the night together a few more times in the past few weeks, but Edwin still ran a foul mouth. Even so, the more Nadia heard it, she became used to it. She wasn¡¯t so affected by his words anymore.


    As she got used to it, she felt that most of the rude words he said did not have much malice. Of course, anyone else would agree that his words were harsh, but he seemed to be the kind of person who was originally like that anyway.


    Some people were just naturally born as*holes. Nadia laughed alone, recalling the word that she would have fainted at only a few weeks ago if she heard it. It would have been better to tie up Edwin¡¯s mouth rather than her adapting to his foul language, but it couldn¡¯t be helped.


    It wasn¡¯t that she intended to learn extraordinarily crass swear words. The Elantz castle was full of knights. Half of them were nobles and the other half were commoners, but either way, they were all foul mouthed.


    No, perhaps they were more like mercenaries than knights. It was shocking for her at first because in the capital, she had only seen elegant and chivalric knights. But as she continued to stay here, she got used to them as well.


    She had nothing to do with the knights, but that didn¡¯t mean that she didn¡¯t encounter them at all. So, the few swear words she heard from them were stamped in her memories, and she would try saying them at night once she was alone. Most of the words she tried were directed at her husband.


    Throughout all that, she had also encountered Asheel several times, but he pretended that they had nothing between them, just as Nadia had pleaded that day. He just bowed and left like any other knight that she encountered in the castle.


    She felt relieved¡­ and disappointed. At this, she only laughed at herself. Why was she disappointed when she was the one who told him to leave her alone? Wake up. This is your life now.


    Nadia spent time alone sipping cold fruit tea at a pavilion in the rear garden whenever she had nothing special to do. Sometimes, Edwin would come by as well and drink tea with her. Today was a day like that.


    Nadia still couldn¡¯t figure out why he only drank tea and would leave without doing anything else. She thought it might only be a whim on his part, but she was actually quite bothered.


    Looking at the man who threw a piece of fruit at the pond like a man who didn¡¯t know how to spend his free time, Nadia turned to him and carefully spoke.


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    It was an extremely impulsive decision to voice this question now. All this time, she had attributed it to fate, but she wanted to ask him at least once.


    Edwin glanced at her, then turned back again towards the pond where a silk carp surfaced, showing its mouth. It was a random question, but he understood what she meant. He answered her question with another of his.


    ¡°Why do you want to know all of a sudden?¡±


    Nadia couldn¡¯t respond. She didn¡¯t know either. When she hesitated because she couldn¡¯t think of anything to say, he sighed and then faced her.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll answer you. It¡¯s because I don¡¯t have to be careful with you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be careful?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    His expression returned to an uninterested one right then as he drank his remaining fruit tea in one gulp. Certainly, it didn¡¯t look like they were together now because he was interested in her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of the rumors surrounding me, yes? Those were rumors I personally ordered to be spread because it¡¯s annoying to see so many marriage proposals. It worked pretty well, but there were still some persistent people left. Like your father¡­ As long as it¡¯s beneficial, he¡¯s the type of father who¡¯d marry off his daughter to a lunatic.¡±


    As he tilted his head to the side with his chin propped over one hand, his soft blond hair fluttered over his pale face.


    ¡°The woman who would be sent from a family like that won¡¯t try to cling to her parents and try to go back home, even if I act however I want.¡±


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s better not to have heard your reason.¡±


    ¡°I think so too, but you asked, so I answered.¡±


    She chewed on a walnut cookie with her eyes on the floor. The refreshments and walnut cookies smelled strongly of butter.


    She didn¡¯t know the details, and she didn¡¯t think it was going to be a good reason, so the blow wasn¡¯t that big. Nadia swallowed down her complex thoughts along with the snacks she munched on.


    Edwin mockingly toasted his empty cup with Nadia¡¯s and said, ¡°For Ingram.¡± Nadia wanted him to leave as soon as possible, but when he called the maid and asked to bring more tea, he indirectly expressed his intent to stay longer.


    ¡°Since I¡¯m spending time with my wife as a husband, tell me if you have more questions. I¡¯ll answer them.¡±


    That seemed to be his reason. Whenever she was with Edwin, she became so nervous that the back of her neck would grow stiff, worried about what words would flow out of his lips. He was like an uninvited guest to her, and she couldn¡¯t believe he was acting like he was being a good husband. Even so, she couldn¡¯t correct him.


    As she stroked the sides of her teacup, feeling the beads of condensation trickling down the sides of the crystal cup, she thought about what she wanted to ask the most¡­


    ¡°Have you always been like that since you were born?¡±


    Her thoughts spilled out of her lips unknowingly. Nadia was surprised by what came out of her own lips, and so she shrank down. She was worried that he would throw his cup at her and get enraged, but rather than that, he burst into laughter.


    With a frozen expression, Nadia stared at Edwin, distracted by the way he laughed riotously with his head tilted back.


    Nadia regretted what she said. If she knew this would happen, she should have asked if he was an as*hole since birth. After laughing for a long time, he barely stopped chuckling as he took in a short breath and wiped away his tears.


    ¡°Have I always been like this since I was born? Haha, that¡¯s true. I¡¯ve always been like this.¡±


    The maid brought more fruit tea with ice. Edwin drank the tea with an indifferent face, and with a plain tone as though he was commenting on how nice the weather was today, he spoke.


    ¡°I¡¯m an illegitimate child of the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    ¡°And even in front of my father¡ªno, His Imperial Majesty¡ªI also speak like this.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª


    t/n:


    1 Stola ¨C a traditional Roman garment; the counterpart of the Toga that men wore

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    Nadia almost spat out her tea. Barely keeping her dignified appearance, she stared at his face, not even knowing that she was gaping. After numerous scenarios passed through her head, she came to the conclusion that he must only be teasing her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make fun of me. His Majesty is two years younger than you¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m talking about the previous Emperor. What did you think I was saying?¡±


    ¡°B-But!¡±


    Nadia was confused. If he really was the Emperor¡¯s illegitimate child, why did he become the Marquis of Elantz? If his father was the previous Emperor, then who was his mother?


    Edwin observed Nadia¡¯s stunned face, himself elated at the sight of her not knowing what to do.


    She couldn¡¯t tell if he was being serious about this or if he was just teasing her. When she looked at Edwin¡¯s expression, it seemed as though he was telling the truth despite his broad smile. This was too serious to lie about.


    ¡°It¡¯s clear that you have a lot of questions.¡±


    ¡°I-I¡¯m not curious at all!¡±


    Nadia shook her head vigorously. She didn¡¯t want to get caught up in anything complicated. While still smiling, Edwin stood up.


    ¡°That¡¯s a wise answer.¡±


    Seeing as he was about to leave, Nadia inwardly rejoiced. Edwin straightened his rumpled clothes, leaned down to kiss her forehead, his eyes like crescent moons.


    ¡°If you have any questions, you can ask me anytime.¡±


    A husband can do that much for her. He pretended to be in a pleasant relationship with her, but to Nadia, he was like a beast biding his time, waiting for the right chance to bite her neck. Nadia averted her eyes and nodded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stay inside the castle. You can go around and sightsee. I¡¯ll arrange a knight escort for you.¡±


    Whenever he acted friendly, Nadia could feel goosebumps rising on the back of her neck. At first, it was a sweet voice that she could almost fall for, no matter how many times. Listening to this voice while looking at his face captivated her completely¡ªbut that was before. Not anymore.


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Nadia answered calmly. No matter how flustered she was, her heart pounded. Nadia tried to forget the few words that Edwin had told her, stopping herself from examining the relationship that he revealed in such a blas¨¦ manner.


    There would be nothing good about knowing it. She regretted even being curious about the Emperor and Edwin.


    Knowing him, he acted that way perhaps because of his absurd way of wanting to get a rise out of her. He mentioned such a huge thing just to see her surprised reaction. From this day onward, Nadia vowed not to be flustered by his absurd behavior every time he acted that way.


    What did he mean he was an illegitimate child of the previous Emperor? Among the dirty rumors that she heard, there was no such mention. No, was there? It wasn¡¯t worth remembering in any case, that¡¯s why she must have forgotten it after hearing it once.


    If his father was the previous Emperor, who was her mother? Edwin¡¯s mother, Marchioness Elantz, and Princess Adella were both younger sisters of the previous Emperor. At the time of marriage, the Marchioness wedded the Marquis when he was nearing 60 years of age, so it could have been difficult to see a successor. Would that be a reason to accept the previous Emperor¡¯s illegitimate child into the household as an adopted heir?


    No matter how much she thought about it alone, there was no answer. The previous Emperor and the previous Marquis of Elantz have already died, and Princess Adella left someplace else no one knew.


    Nadia didn¡¯t have the courage to ask Edwin for more details. All she could do here was to quash her curiosity.


    A few days later, Edwin urged her to go out. He told her that he had already prepared a carriage while saying that she should sightsee instead of just staying in the castle.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like being with me, do you?¡±


    He smiled without any signs of displeasure as he said this, then he left without even waiting for her answer. Nadia was puzzled the entire time she prepared to go out.


    Wearing an inconspicuous, simple dress and loosening her hair lightly, she headed out the main entrance of the castle where a carriage was waiting for her. Instead of Susan, a maid from Elheim would be attending to her.


    She was surprised because it was sudden, but it was a welcome proposition. It was amazing seeing the capital and all the buildings there. In addition to the different clothing trends here, her expectations kept rising because she would be able to see so many new things in this foreign land.


    Also, if she had the chance, she wanted to visit the river. The Asharam River was a very wide river. Though it wasn¡¯t appropriate to play in the waters due to how deep it went, there were many small streams flowing into Asharam, making it a large river. People could even dip their feet in the shallow parts of the river that¡¯s close to the city.


    Nadia walked slowly, hiding her child-like excitement. The carriage she was riding on looked normal enough, so it didn¡¯t stand out. But the moment she saw the red-haired knight standing next to it, she halted in her steps.


    ¡°Madam?¡±


    The maid, who was following a little behind Nadia, called to her curiously. Nadia gulped dryly and walked again. When the old coachman said his polite greetings, Asheel bowed his head with a cold expression on his face.


    Nadia heard a sudden sharp breath, and when she looked back, she saw how the young maid¡¯s face was dyed red, at a loss on what to do. At this, a bitter smile tugged over Nadia¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Milady, I shall be escorting you.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll be in your care, Lord Khurshid.¡±


    Nadia swiftly got onto the wagon to avoid him in case he¡¯d try to kiss the back of her hand. Subsequently, the maid and Asheel went in as well. Because Asheel was sitting across from her, she turned her eyes outside the window to avoid his eyes. She didn¡¯t want to talk to him either.


    When Ashil knocked behind him, the carriage rattled and started moving. Breaking the uncomfortable silence that continued hovering in the air for a while, the maid carefully spoke up.


    ¡°I-Is there anything you¡¯d perhaps want to see, Madam?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    Nadia asked the maid, looking at her flushed, freckled cheeks. The young maid answered, looking down anxiously.


    ¡°It is Becky, Madam.¡±


    ¡°Becky, nice to meet you.¡±


    As soon as Nadia smiled, the lively girl began to talk about this and that. Nadia thought that she might have been too young, but she¡¯s a pretty good guide. The first place they arrived at was a noisy market. It was a market adjacent to the pier, where it was very crowded.


    She was surprised by her surroundings for a while, but all kinds of scents rushed in. There was a pungent smell of smoke coming from somewhere, the sharp fragrances of unfamiliar spices, a faint metallic smell of blood from the butcher¡¯s, and the strong scents of aromatic oils in an alley from which the wind blew. Then, from somewhere else, the savory smell of meat stimulated her appetite.


    Even though it hadn¡¯t been long since she had a meal, her mouth was already watering.


    Nadia looked around excitedly. There was a store where necklaces and earrings were lined up, their colorful beads hitting each other with a pleasant sound. They also passed by shops selling colorful patterns.


    In a store where a stuffed deer head was hung, a large man was waving off a fly while flailing around a bloody chunk of meat. At the fish store next to that one, grimy cats meowed and hovered in front of an old woman who was chopping off the head of a fish.


    As she looked at the cats, she was momentarily transfixed. Then, someone¡¯s arm suddenly hugged Nadia¡¯s waist strongly. A short yelp came out from her, however, it was drowned out by the loud noise of a mountain of fruits on a cart falling down right in front of her.


    Perhaps because she was surprised, her heart pounded as if it would pop out of her lips. It wasn¡¯t long until she realized that the pounding sound did not come only from her heart. She felt a loud thumping sound from the solid chest behind her, and it was at a similar speed as her heart. She already knew whose arms these were that she immediately felt steady.


    ¡°That was dangerous, Milady.¡±


    In a small voice, she whispered, ¡°Thank you,¡± and pushed him away to escape his arms. But instead of being pushed away, he embraced her waist even more tightly again as though he didn¡¯t want to let go, but he eventually did.


    Becky was frantic beside her, but she couldn¡¯t hear. Nadia instantly felt miserable as she realized, with just this one embrace, how she hadn¡¯t forgotten how affectionate he had been with her. Or if it wasn¡¯t an embrace, it was an ambiguous enough contact between them to be called an embrace.


    This excitement felt like a lie. Did it make sense that she missed a man who did such a horrible thing to her? It was clear that she needed to pull herself together.


    Nadia didn¡¯t know what to do. She didn¡¯t want any feelings to surface whenever she looked at his face. She hoped that it would be fine eventually, that she¡¯d look at him in the same way she looked at the other knights of the castle.


    When would these complicated feelings disappear? Love? Yearning? Guilt? Desperation? Anxiety? Things that could never be defined as one emotion swirled together within her.


    It would have been easier to organize her feelings if she never had to see him again. But this cruel man appeared in front of her as soon as she thought she could forget him, shaking her heart once more.


    Since that day, her desire to be loved, which had been buried deep within her and locked up so that it would not come up again, had been fluctuating.


    She did not want to cling onto Asheel as much as just because she didn¡¯t know anyone else. But whenever she cried alone, whenever she would be at the receiving end of her husband¡¯s temper, she missed his warm embrace.


    This desire made Nadia think that she was pathetic, weak. She recalled what Asheel had put her through in that secluded room at the Imperial Palace. Whenever she thought positively of Asheel, she could hear another voice reminding her of what he did.


    It would be nice if someone could tell her the answers she wanted to hear. She felt like a lost child. She didn¡¯t know where to go, it¡¯s like she¡¯s at a standstill¡­


    Nadia went deep into the market as though nothing had happened. She could see from one corner of her eye that Asheel and Becky were behind her. She wanted to turn her eyes somewhere else, to see things that she might like, so she looked around and listened to the words of solicitation from the merchants who were impatient because she did not stop moving.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    Nadia bought a cloud-like snack that she saw children were carrying earlier, sharing it with Becky. Then, she called to a merchant who was carrying a cart full of sugarcane and bought some juice from him.


    A sweet snack, enough to make her fingers sticky, and lukewarm juice. It made her feel calm again.


    She then looked around the stalls full of ornaments, accidentally buying two bracelets from a gypsy merchant as they were twisted around her wrist. It both had three-colored straps, and she didn¡¯t know why she bought two of the same things. As though feeling that Nadia might ask for a refund, the gypsy quickly added.


    ¡°This is an item that brings luck to the person wearing it. We often give it as a gift to precious people such as a family member or a lover.¡±


    Then, she told a series of dangerous situations that portrayed how effective the bracelet was. After hearing the brilliant story, when Nadia came to her senses, she had already returned to the carriage carrying two bracelets in her hands.


    To give to family or a lover? Looking down at the bracelets with an awkward expression, Nadia fell into a small dilemma.


    Even if she hadn¡¯t experienced giving a gift to her family, she already knew how that would turn out. She was sure that they would call it trash, and that they¡¯d hate to even hold it in their hands. Even if that wouldn¡¯t be the way they¡¯d react, their family never gave gifts to each other in the first place.


    The same was true for the young noble ladies who she called ¡®friends¡¯. For them, gifts were bouquets with breathtaking scents, magnificent jewels, or beautiful dresses that followed the latest trends. It was clear that a bracelet like this would be considered an insult, so she couldn¡¯t give it to one of them.


    Truthfully, Nadia didn¡¯t even know why she bought this. If someone handed her a gift as trivial as this, she would have been equally insulted.


    Lover. A lover. Asheel¡¯s face came to mind before her husband¡¯s. She looked around in surprise as if she was jolted by electricity. After realizing that no one could possibly have read her mind, she came to her senses.


    As expected, it would be better to get a refund. However, it would be impossible to find the same gypsy merchant amidst this large crowd.


    Before returning to the castle, the carriage stopped by a small stream for the last time. It was around the outskirts of the town, so there were less people. Nadia liked this place more.


    Nadia looked down the stream of flowing water, its sound clear. The wind blew and her skirt fluttered.


    She couldn¡¯t overcome the urge and ran down the hill. She heard the hurried footsteps of two people following her urgently. She turned to ask Becky a small favor, sticking her foot out.


    ¡°Will you take this off for me?¡±


    However, it wasn¡¯t the young maid, but the red-haired knight. He knelt down on one knee without any hesitations, following her request. When Nadia snapped out of her daze, she was already being held by him.


    Carefully holding her ankle, Asheel quickly took off her sandals with a quick touch. Even before she could feel uncomfortable, he had already taken his hand off her. He stood up and took a step back.


    Hesitating for a moment, Nadia turned around. She could still feel his lingering touch on her. As if in a rush, with her skirt held up in a bunch, she approached the water. Then, she carefully dipped her toes.


    The water was surprisingly cold. Nadia went deeper, the sound of gentle splashing around her, until the shallow water reached her calves. She smiled softly and pulled Becky, who was standing next to her.


    ¡°You should come in, too. It¡¯s refreshing.¡±


    Becky seemed hesitant, but as Nadia urged her, she took off her shoes as if it couldn¡¯t be helped. With Becky holding one of Nadia¡¯s arms, saying that the floor was slippery and that she might fall, Nadia played in the water like a country girl who didn¡¯t know grace and dignity.


    It was an act that could never be done by someone like her, someone who grew up with the expectations of an aristocratic young lady. The same was true now that she was a married noblewoman, but she was at least convinced that it should be fine this once.


    She had always wanted to do this. It was always on the back of her mind whenever she saw the fountain in the town square, or whenever she would find a clear puddle in the garden after a drizzle of rain.


    A peal of laughter trickled out through her lips. It felt like it¡¯s been a long time since she laughed like this.


    Nadia watched as Becky walked around to find a pretty pebble, then she raised her head. And she made eye contact with Asheel, who looked as if he was mesmerized by her.


    Nadia¡¯s smile hardened. She felt her body instantly freezing in place. Why did he have that expression? As if he had encountered something incredibly dangerous¡­ or as if he was captivated by something so beautiful.


    After seeing that the expression, which stayed for a short moment, had now disappeared like a fog, Nadia snapped out of it as though she had woken up from a dream. The sunset was now setting behind the castle in the distance.


    ¡°We need to go back now.¡±


    After hearing his voice, Nadia nodded silently. She felt cold now, perhaps she had been in the cold water for quite some time.


    She looked around to find the sandals that she had taken off. When Becky splashed up and out of the waters, Nadia tried to follow the girl, but she suddenly felt the ground disappear from beneath her. Before she knew it, she was already in Asheel¡¯s arms.


    He strode back to the bank with her in his arms, and Becky followed behind them while carrying Nadia¡¯s sandals.


    Whenever Asheel took a step, she felt her body move along up and down. She wasn¡¯t uncomfortable at all, as if she was where she was supposed to be.


    She slipped the bracelet into Asheel¡¯s coat right then, and with Becky behind them, the young maid didn¡¯t notice. It was incredibly impulsive¡ªshe couldn¡¯t even come up with a reason why she did that. Asheel¡¯s gaze followed her fingertips, perhaps feeling that she had placed something there.


    His gaze lingered for a very long time. Nadia did not look up to meet his gaze, but she felt that his stiff attitude had somehow softened.


    Just as when she first started a relationship with him back then, she felt pleasant sensations and heart flutters for a moment, but then when she was left alone as she returned to her room, the feelings gradually turned into anxiety.


    As they returned to the castle, Nadia looked down at the flimsy bracelet clenched tightly inside her fist. It really was like an accessory shared with a lover.


    She couldn¡¯t figure out what made her so bold. She had once begged him to leave her alone. She paced around her room and agonized over it.


    ¡®Just what am I doing?¡¯


    Nadia hesitated for a long time, then placed the bracelet in the bottom drawer of her vanity table. She did not have the courage to wear the same bracelet that she gave to Asheel.


    She was so immersed in her own emotions that she didn¡¯t realize¡­ What did Asheel think of it?


    He was still so ambiguous. She could still clearly remember how he laughed for just toying with her. Her mind was filled with confusion.


    Was he still not done toying with her? Did he want to do something risqu¨¦ with his master¡¯s wife? Was Asheel that kind of man? If this was just a trick, why did he have that expression on his face back at the stream?


    Nadia wasn¡¯t sure about what she knew about him. She once thought that she knew him well, but now, she was just left confused.


    His actions weren¡¯t restrained today. Nadia stopped pacing around her room, then grabbed the doorknob.


    She was going to run to Asheel and ask him¡ªwhat was it that he wanted to tell her when he came to the greenhouse that day? What would he have told her if she hadn¡¯t run away from him like a coward?


    But the door opened before she could even twist the knob. Nadia flinched as she stepped back.


    Edwin came into the room without hesitation, his gaze pointed at her. He was staring at her persistently, as if he was a predator watching his prey. Then, he smiled pleasantly. Nadia could only feel fear.


    ¡°Where were you going?¡±


    ¡°Huh? No, no. I wasn¡¯t going anywhere.¡±


    She waved her hands around to the point that even she thought it was excessive. Only then did she come back to her rationality once more.


    How could she have possibly met Asheel right now? What was she going to do, storm towards the knights¡¯ quarters? Then what kind of excuse could she have made if someone saw her and if this matter went straight to Edwin¡¯s attention?


    What excuse could she have after visiting a man alone in the middle of the night? Apart from that, she didn¡¯t even know exactly where Asheel was residing.


    Nadia wanted to pull her hair out. How pathetic. It was fortunate that Edwin came in right then.


    He greeted her without any doubt, kissed her lightly on the cheek¡­ licked her other cheek¡­ then walked past her.


    Nadia looked back at him with a perplexed expression. Edwin naturally sat in an armchair as though he belonged there, calling to Nadia to sit next to him. Then, as if they had been waiting, servants came in with trays of food and began lining them up on the table.


    ¡°How was your outing? Was it enjoyable?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was¡­ Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me.¡±


    After he responded, he took a glass of wine from a servant and sipped it. When Nadia took in the scent of the food, she just now realized that she had forgotten her hunger. Edwin poured her favorite apple wine in the glass in front of her.


    Whenever he appeared in front of her with this friendly demeanor, she was at a loss on what to do. She was always nervous¡ªshe didn¡¯t know when his fickle attitude would change suddenly.


    ¡°I wish to have dinner with you. I hope that this is alright with you.¡±


    It was a belated notice, but she didn¡¯t bother to complain because she was hungry, too. Nadia quenched her thirst with the sweet apple wine before partaking in the meal before her.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    For dinner, they had roasted duck that had a crispy outer layer, flat yet slightly crunchy bread, red stew that had a spicy and sour taste, grilled shrimp and scallops in butter, steamed fish with wine sauce and a salad with olives.


    Nadia¡¯s cheeks were flushed red because she had gotten a little tipsy from the apple wine, which she had been sipping in the middle of bites, and before she knew it, she had already downed her fourth glass.


    Fingertips grazed over her cheeks, and she looked at the owner of that hand with bleary eyes.


    Edwin took the glass away from Nadia. The light gold liquor that half-filled the crystal glass was smooth.


    He watched as her gaze followed the glass without her even realizing it. Then, Edwin moved the glass towards Nadia, pressing it over her lips slightly. Soon, the liquor flowed into her mouth as he tilted the glass.


    Edwin and Nadia¡¯s eyes met. His violet eyes were so pretty. Nadia had the sudden thought that she wanted to touch them. With her throat bobbing up and down as the wine trickled, as soon as the glass was removed from her lips, she was bitten on her nape.


    As vivid marks were left like a trail on her, she saw that the servants behind Edwin were cleaning up the table. While she was distracted, Edwin got up from her seat, carrying her in his arms, then he headed somewhere else.


    Nadia reflexively clung onto his neck. Perhaps it was because of her drunkenness, but everything began to feel like a hazy dream.


    With Nadia still in Edwin¡¯s arms, they arrived at the bathroom. Blue hydrangea petals could be seen floating over the filled tub, and at some point, she wondered when the servants had prepared all this.


    Dismissing all the maids that had been drawing the bath, Edwin set down Nadia in front of the tub and began to take off his clothes. Nadia had felt dazed up until that point, but she became sober the moment he took off his pants.


    She turned around in a hurry. After he had taken off all his clothes, she heard the sound of the water flowing over the tub as he entered. Several hydrangea petals floated by Nadia¡¯s feet.


    ¡°What are you doing? You¡¯re not undressing.¡±


    She doubted her own ears.


    ¡°P-Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Strip.¡±


    She tried to pretend that she hadn¡¯t heard it, but he didn¡¯t spare the effort to repeat himself kindly.


    Was he saying that they should bathe together? It was her first time doing this. At the back of her mind, she knew that it wouldn¡¯t end with only a bath. She hesitated for a long time and wondered if there was any way to avoid this situation, but she couldn¡¯t come up with a proper excuse.


    Nadia carefully turned around again. Sitting back in a comfortable position, Edwin poured something into the tub from a small glass bottle that he took from the shelf. In an instant, the strong fragrance of flowers permeated the air.


    Fortunately, thanks to the petals, she couldn¡¯t see clearly underwater. But that wasn¡¯t the biggest problem for her.


    Nadia bit her lower lip as she removed the brooch on her shoulder and loosened her belt. Only that alone made the thin clothes over her body slip to the floor, and they quickly came underwater, getting soaking wet. Nadia took off her underwear with trembling hands, feeling painfully embarrassed. She didn¡¯t want to look shy, but she couldn¡¯t help the heated blush that appeared on her face. It was largely due to his persistent gaze on her.


    Edwin beckoned her forward and so she went towards the bathtub, trying to cover her breasts with her arms. When Nadia sunk down the tub, the water overflowed once more.


    The waters were moderately lukewarm, about the temperature of body heat. The bathwater was mixed with fragrant oils that immediately made her skin slippery.


    Sitting in the bathtub, she sank down until her shoulders. She tried to escape from his gaze, but it was a futile attempt. Edwin quickly drew her closer to him and sat her down on his lap.


    She was confused as to how she was supposed to sit, with her facing him and her legs spread apart on his thighs. Petals clung close to her shoulders and chest.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t we come here to wash up¡­?¡±


    ¡°Are you pretending to be innocent? Did you really think we¡¯re here only to wash up?¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, he bit one of her nipples. She thought that only his hot, humid tongue would lick and pass by, but he soon bit hard. There was a distinct tingling pleasure that could be felt at the tip of her chest. Nadia held onto his smooth shoulder and tilted her head back, trembling at the sensation.


    Soon after, his hands roved over her hips and thighs. Then, his stiff member could be felt on her thigh, and her lower half soon flinched and out came a sticky fluid, even though she was underwater. At the same time, she felt that his manhood, which persistently kept hitting her lower abdomen, kept getting harder and harder.


    Her body was heating up faster than usual. Perhaps it was because of the alcohol. In an instant, she became light-headed.


    With a soft moan, she pushed out her chest towards him, and as if he had chuckled at this, she felt those vibrations. Edwin moved her chest and went to her lips. Then, he took Nadia¡¯s tongue between his lips as he grabbed her breasts with both his lands. As he kneaded until almost the point of pain, he pinched her nipples.


    ¡°Aah, mmh, ugh, it, hngh, it hurts!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean it hurts? Your p*ssy¡¯s wet.¡±


    He whispered as he rubbed his manhood over her entrance. She felt like her skin was burning to the point that it stung. Every time she arched her back, her toes also curled. Rather than this¡­


    But before Nadia could finish her thought, the stiff pillar that had been grinding on her carelessly penetrated into her without any pain. Not being able to make a sound, Nadia trembled as she felt full all at once.


    Edwin pushed into the narrow interior to the hilt. Then, a scream-like moan began to trickle out of Nadia¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Mmh, aahh, you can¡¯t¡ªAH!¡±


    The sense of her reaching climax seemed to soar within her with no end. Nadia clung onto Edwin¡¯s neck as though she was afraid that she would fall. Her nipples, which shook up and down, were a mess as they rubbed over Edwin¡¯s hard chest. His rough breaths flowed into her ear, and it made her spine tremble.


    Edwin thrusted roughly while holding onto Nadia¡¯s backside firmly, as if he could no longer use his hands to tease her.


    Wherever they moved, the water around them would fluctuate and eventually spill to the floor. At some point, she became confused. Was it the scent of hydrangeas That was making her dizzy, or was it him?


    Even the warm water swaying near her chest that carried those petals elicited a soft, itchy pleasure within her. With her eyes half-closed, Nadia continued mewling sweet moans.


    In that spacious bathroom, what echoed was the sound of water splashing, her moaning, and Edwin¡¯s rough breaths.


    Nadia held onto Edwin¡¯s shoulders with trembling hands, her face close to his. Looking into his violet irises, she stuck out her tongue as if possessed, and as if he was waiting for it, he began to suck on it loudly.


    The moment she thought that the sensation tickled soon disappeared. As her arousal escalated, Edwin lifted Nadia¡¯s body and leaned her against the wall, rushing into her with a rhythm that was by no means leisurely.


    She rode this pleasure and blurred rationality, and while she was crushed between the slippery marble wall and this man with a large physique, she received a kiss that seemingly had the intention to devour her.


    His shoulder, which she clutched rightly as though it was a lifeline, kept slipping from beneath her fingers.


    Edwin breathed heavily as he repeatedly thrusted into her, and her hands slipped over his shoulders, his forearms, his collarbone, leaving red nail marks over his pale skin.


    ¡°Ahh, agh, nngh, mmh, AH, ju, just a little, hnngh!¡±


    Gasping and moaning, it took several attempts before she managed to form any words.


    ¡°Mmh, ahh, wai¡ªy, you¡¯re too fast¡­!¡±


    The man¡¯s hasty movements slowed down for a very short time. Nadia took advantage of this brief respite to come to her senses, briefly taking in a deep breath. But only a few moments later, Edwin started moving again as though he couldn¡¯t stand to wait, as if he couldn¡¯t endure any longer even as she tried to push him back.


    It was a futile attempt.it would have been more productive to push a solid wall. Edwin didn¡¯t budge at all, but rather he pressed down on her even harder.


    With her legs over his arms that were spread out so wide that it made her feel endlessly ashamed, the fragile skin where their bodies met soon turned bright red due to friction.


    Inside the bathroom where the acoustics resounded, the splashing water echoed according to their movements, shamelessly echoing. She wanted to cover her ears, but she couldn¡¯t take off the hands she used to cling to his shoulders.


    Edwin¡¯s breath poured over her nape, soaring more, getting rougher as if he was meaning his peak, and at the same time, the movements of his hips became even more frantic.


    At that moment, his hands grabbed Nadia¡¯s hips so tightly as if he would break her, then went all the way inside her. His lower body clung onto her like he would never part from her. When his stiff rod came up to the hilt inside her, pressing deep within, she felt as though she couldn¡¯t breathe.


    ¡°Agh, hnnngh¡­¡±


    Moaning without any restraint, the sound flowed into Edwin¡¯s ear.


    Inside her inner walls, which had been rubbed sensitive, she felt the semen that continued to pour into her. Not comprehending the unbridled sensations, Nadia clenched over his manhood, unknowingly begging to take in more, and she trembled at the endless pleasure of her climax.


    When her feet finally met the ground once more, she felt that the water had already gone half cold. it felt like there was still something inside her, and so she couldn¡¯t put any force into her trembling legs. Washing her exhausted body, Edwin carried Nadia in his arms and headed to the bedroom.


    And so they began again, their night ending only when the sun could already be seen.

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    When she opened her eyes the next morning, there was no one beside her. Seeing that there were no pressed marks on the bed, it seemed that Edwin didn¡¯t even lay there.


    Nadia groaned and sat up. Her entire body felt stiff and groggy. A thin sheet fell off her, soon revealing her naked body. Feeling a still lukewarm liquid trickling down between her legs, she pulled the rope beside the bed.


    Now, this was something she was not ashamed of anymore. After a short while, a knock was heard, then two maids came in and greeted her.


    ¡°Madam, would you like to bathe?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    Her voice was half-inaudible. With the blanket wrapped around her body, she stood up, but her legs trembled as she couldn¡¯t bring any strength into them. A warm wind blew in from the balcony.


    After soaking in warm water, Nadia had a late breakfast. Then, taking a light walk as usual, she walked along the pond of the rear garden. Now, she was used to the shrub maze enough that she wouldn¡¯t get lost. It smelled like grass here.


    She liked the maze already. It was unbelievable that she was scared of it at first. It was a place where she knew that nobody could see her, and so she was comfortable because of this.


    In the middle of the maze was a gazebo where one can take shelter from the sweltering sun. Originally, it was an empty space, but as Edwin knew that she liked spending time there, one day he asked her to check this place. In a casual voice as though it was nothing much, he said it was a gift.


    Edwin was really an unreadable person. He often treated her like a glorified prostitute who was there just to satisfy his lust, but sometimes, he was also a thoughtful, amiable husband. However, in most cases, he still acted like the world¡¯s most insufferable jacka*s.


    He seemed indifferent, but at times generous. And he would speak of the shocking truth as though it was nothing. He was such an unpredictable man.


    Nadia took another step. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn¡¯t understand that man. No, the real question here was whether there was anyone at all who could comprehend him.


    Perhaps because she was so lost in thought, but she couldn¡¯t feel the presence of another person. Suddenly, she was dragged helplessly as a hand snatched her waist, and she bumped her shoulder against someone¡¯s chest. She was about to scream, but before this happened, a large hand covered her lips.


    Nadia¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she saw the face of the person who pulled her back. There was only a tall man in her gaze as the hand covering her lips fell off.


    ¡°Asheel!¡±


    It was a small, hushed shout. Asheel raised his index finger over his lips and shushed her. Nadia, still pressed down on his chest, poured out several questions in a single breath.


    ¡°How did you get in here? W-What the hell are you doing here? If we get caught by someone¡­¡±


    ¡°Calm down.¡±


    Her shoulders huffed up and down, but it was after she had grown so agitated that she regained her composure again. Nadia belatedly realized that she was still in Asheel¡¯s embrace. She took a few steps back, flustered.


    Asheel only watched her without saying a word. Nadia averted her eyes, crossing her arms together in a defensive stance.


    ¡°What do you want? Just say it quickly and leave.¡±


    Asheel took a step closer. Just one of his steps was twice of hers, and so the distance between them was lost once more.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t understand you. Just how much do you plan to make me waver¡­¡±


    When he carefully held Nadia¡¯s hand, Asheel¡¯s wrist was seen, and there hung the string bracelet that she had secretly given to him just a day before.


    Her face quickly turned red. Her heart pounded, overshadowing the composure that she had just regained. She was ashamed. And it seemed like he could read all the confused thoughts she had that she herself hadn¡¯t noticed yet.


    ¡°Why did you give me this bracelet? Do you want to have a lover, just like the noblewomen in the capital?¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Her throat felt tight, perhaps because she became shaken by the voice that whispered in an impatient tone. Nadia¡¯s expression was distorted by shock.


    ¡°If not, then what is it that you want? Tell me with your own lips¡ªwhat do you want me to do? If you really want me to leave you alone, why did you give me this bracelet?¡±


    She couldn¡¯t answer. She also didn¡¯t know why she did that. Nadia looked away, biting her chapped lips.


    She was a fool. She shouldn¡¯t have done that. She felt like she was exposing what she had already hidden deep in one corner of her heart.


    Instead of answering, Nadia reached towards the bracelet on his wrist. It was an action that she didn¡¯t think about. However, when she saw that bracelet on him again, an indescribable sense of shame flooded within her.


    Noticing what she was trying to do, Asheel sharply retracted his hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving. I¡¯m going to the capital.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    Nadia raised her head. Asheel was still expressionless, but his eyes were in turmoil, filled with many emotions that he couldn¡¯t hide.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come back after a short while.¡±


    When he said he was leaving, it was embarrassing that she herself noticed how her heart sank.


    ¡°¡­In the meantime, make a decision. If you really want me out of your life, don¡¯t lead me on in such an ambiguous way.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying¡­¡±


    She asked back as though she couldn¡¯t understand. But truthfully, despite the painful betrayal and the terrible end to their relationship, Nadia was still in love with him.


    And it was clear that before she admitted this to herself, Asheel had noticed it already. Nadia felt despair as she finally realized it.


    ¡°Why¡­ Why are you going?¡±


    Her throat was almost sore because she forcefully squeezed out this voice. It wasn¡¯t the time to ask him this. It was a pathetic question. There was also the shallow intention to somehow redirect the conversation to another subject.


    ¡°I need to attend an appointment ceremony. I am the commander of the knight order now.¡±


    She raised her head, then her gaze met with his.


    ¡°Can¡­¡±


    Asheel trailed off, swallowing reluctantly. His adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down. Nadia tried to guess what he was about to say, but nothing came to mind.


    While she was trying to think of what was happening now, he spoke in a voice that was so hushed that she might have missed it if she hadn¡¯t listened carefully.


    ¡°Can I kiss you?¡±


    He asked for permission. Nadia raised her head to look at him. She couldn¡¯t keep up with the flow of this conversation. Why was he asking if he could kiss her? It was a huge misunderstanding on his part that she¡¯d allow this just because she still loved him.


    ¡°Will you listen to me this time?¡±


    Even before she could respond, he spoke again in a hurry, and it was like he was flustered by what he himself said. It seemed like he wanted to bite off the tongue that said such a thing.


    ¡°Madam!¡±


    But I heard Susan¡¯s voice from afar. This time, it was Nadia who got flustered. Asheel also seemed to be shocked by this.


    No matter what happened, the servants did not come into the maze. But even so, she shouldn¡¯t have been complacent.


    Nadia pushed Asheel¡¯s chest away. Leaving him behind, her steps hurriedly led her out of the maze.


    When she looked back, she couldn¡¯t see him anymore. She covered her face with one hand for a moment, then she went out towards the voice calling her.


    Early the next morning, Asheel forged ahead towards the capital with the other knights.


    A small number of people, including Edwin, briefly saw him off in front of the castle. Nadia was there as well.


    Although Asheel had been in charge of her guard detail a couple of times, there was no other contact between them publicly, and it was too early to see him off as the Marchioness. Nevertheless, Nadia stood next to Edwin with an expressionless face.


    Wearing a red helmet and a silver armor that had an insignia of thorny vines engraved upon it, he looked exceedingly dignified. Even if he didn¡¯t, Nadia noticed the young maids giving him sideways glances while blushing.


    It was safe to say that she played her role as the lady of the house, but inwardly, she was distracted.


    What Asheel told her in the maze kept ringing in her mind. Those words seemed to sharply point at her indecisiveness.


    As she repeatedly thought of those words in her head, she became so incensed that goosebumps bristled over her skin. What was he trying to say? He had treated her that way, and so she couldn¡¯t help but be angered.


    They say that couples resembled each other, so Nadia thought that she perhaps started to have the same whims that Edwin had.


    Asheel said his farewells, but his gaze lingered on Nadia for a long time. Noticing his look, she curled her toes, nervous that Edwin would grow suspicious. She even regretted coming here when she could have just slept in.


    Fortunately, Asheel left the Marquisate without anything more, and the people who gathered to see him off eventually left one after another. She entered the hall with Edwin, who soon quickly pulled Nadia¡¯s waist to his side and groped her backside regardless of other people¡¯s eyes on them. She saw some of the knights, who she met gazes with, turn their heads in surprise.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you sleep more?¡±


    ¡°I-I¡¯ve slept enough.¡±


    Nadia replied and struggled to remove the hand that was slinking towards her chest.


    ¡°Then, shall we do something else instead?¡±


    He pushed his tongue into her ear, and in an instant, it got soaked. The fact that they were in the middle of the hall didn¡¯t seem to bother him. With a pale face, Nadia pulled back and pushed him away.


    ¡°People are watching!¡±


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t matter if they watch?¡±


    Edwin turned his head without even waiting for her to answer, then he shouted towards the knights and servants who were desperately trying not to look at the couple.


    ¡°Everyone get lost!¡±


    The people around them disappeared in a hurry as though they were waiting for the chance to leave. Only Edwin and Nadia were left in the entire hall. Nadia watched him yell something unimaginable at all those people, and at her dazed expression, Edwin chuckled as if he was having immense fun.


    ¡°Now, where were we?¡±


    Edwin lifted Nadia into his arms and sat her onto the stair railing, positioning himself between her legs so that she wouldn¡¯t be able to close them. She gave up on pushing him away and instead clung onto his neck. Because the railing was narrow, it seemed like she was going to fall the moment his hands would leave her waist.


    Whether or not he was worried about this, Edwin¡¯s hands groped her hips and dug relentlessly between her open skirt.


    ¡°I¡¯m the lady of this house, so how¡­¡±


    ¡°That Khurshid, did you cheat on me like a dog in heat with that lowly bastard?¡±


    Nadia¡¯s face turned ashen. She felt like her heart had dropped to the ground. Both his vulgar tone and his words pointed to the truth.


    Did he notice? Perhaps from their meeting yesterday at the rear garden? Nadia shook her head in a hurry, hoping that he would only think that the reason why her expression froze was because of his tone.


    However, as he persistently stared at Nadia¡¯s reaction, he showed signs of doubt. At the same time, unlike a husband who was suspecting his wife of infidelity, his hands were moved with the intention to do lewd things.

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21


    He pulled at the string holding Nadia¡¯s undergarments up, rashly pulling it off as though he couldn¡¯t be bothered. In an instant, her lower body felt empty. A piece of ragged fabric fluttered down the stairs.


    ¡°But why does that bastard stare at you like he¡¯s going to eat you up?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know either!¡±


    After shouting, Nadia breathed heavily.


    She got caught. She was desperately hoping that no one would notice Asheel¡¯s behavior, especially when he was looking at her for a long time, but it was a wish that wouldn¡¯t be granted. She couldn¡¯t do anything but deny it.


    Hmm. He hummed for a moment. The suspicion might not have disappeared, but it seemed like he wasn¡¯t going to interrogate her further. This brought her relief.


    If he pushed her further, Nadia wasn¡¯t confident that she could continue pretending to be calm until the end. She thought that it was better now to turn his attention to what he¡¯s doing now, teasing her as it was.


    She heard the belt of her dress loosening below. He really seemed to be planning to do this here.


    Nadia looked around nervously. The entrance to the hall was wide open, and the sun¡¯s rays streamed freely through the windows, soft wind blowing in. Then, there were hallways at both sides of the hall, and the doors to the numerous rooms were visible.


    There was no one around them, but she was so anxious about showing her body in an open place where anyone could come in anytime. Nadia thumped on his chest to persuade him somehow.


    ¡°Edwin, let¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s go to the room¡­¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    The moment he calmly said this as though he truly saw no problem with this, she thought that she would lose strength in her body for a moment, but she couldn¡¯t just follow what he wanted this time. Her dignity wouldn¡¯t allow her to follow him blindly and shamelessly do this in a place like this.


    Nadia looked around worriedly. At any moment, servants and knights would pass by in groups. She felt like they would definitely see the both of them.


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®why¡¯¡­ Someone might come here¡­¡±


    ¡°No one will. I told them to get out.¡±


    ¡°But!¡±


    As though he felt it was too troublesome to keep her in his arms, he let go of Nadia¡¯s waist. Feeling the dizzying vertigo as she leaned back, she flailed and immediately clung to Edwin.


    With a sly smile on his lips, Edwin embraced her once more and supported her. Nadia, who thought that she was about to fall off the railing, glared resentfully at him as tears formed at the corners of her eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t argue and just stay still. It¡¯ll be done in no time.¡±


    He brazenly pulled out his manhood from his pants and stroked it to make it stiffen. He seemed to have no hesitation about revealing his private parts in such an open place. Nadia felt that it was so unfair that she was the only one worried here, seeing how calm and indifferent he was about this.


    With his member hard enough, he prodded Nadia¡¯s dry entrance roughly with it. The fragile flesh was swept open, causing her pain.


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    Without hesitation, he leaned down at the level of the railing and, holding her hips so tightly so that she wouldn¡¯t escape, he placed his mouth over her entrance.


    Nadia was stunned, but right now, she couldn¡¯t afford to be dazed. Her position on the railing had become unstable the moment Edwin lowered his body when he should have been holding her tight so she could cling on.


    She clutched his shoulder as hard as she could, nervous about falling back.


    Edwin licked through her lower lips and dug into her. Though her entrance had been dry, it was now soaked with a mixture of his saliva. Her senses quickly soared.


    Then, when he raised his tongue suddenly and licked over the stiff bead, she gasped sharply and arched her back.


    It was dizzying enough to endure the pleasure that the man brought her, but she was still so terribly nervous about the narrow railing.


    Edwin¡¯s shirt was rumpled now after Nadia had grabbed it. She desperately bit her lips and held back the sounds leaking through. But it was inevitable, and she couldn¡¯t help but want to prevent the moaning that could still somehow be heard.


    Edwin rose up again, perhaps thinking that because she was nearing her peak, she seemed to be ready enough. Nadia felt antsy now that she couldn¡¯t reach her climax.


    She embraced his neck with tears in her eyes, pushing down the urge to strangle him.


    When she clung to him under the pretext of being scared, there was no space left between them, and her breasts, which he had not touched, began to press over his chest. Her lower body got wetter as she shuddered.


    ¡°Are you feeling impatient?¡±


    With a mischievous smile, Edwin saw through her. His arms slinked around Nadia¡¯s waist tightly.


    Only then did the tension in her body relax, not that worried about falling back from the railing anymore. Nadia didn¡¯t answer him, burying her bright red face in his arms to hide it.


    Edward licked his lips as he rubbed his genitals over hers, which was still standing stiff over her soft, soaked entrance. The feeling of him grinding over her made her back flinch.


    Her entrance quickly became wetter over his hard manhood. Edwin grinded over and over again, and Nadia¡¯s mouth was open as a sweet sound leaked out, overshadowing her efforts to endure.


    She writhed in pleasure, and when her body began to feel it distinctly, as if waiting for that moment, Edwin thrusted into her. She felt no pain as he pierced through, but she felt full the moment her narrow inner walls were spread open at once.


    Nadia took in a shaky breath. Her legs were spread out on both sides, and their lower bodies were moving close together. His manhood anchored her down, and soon, her spine became numb and she reached her climax.


    ¡°Mmh, hnh, hnngh!¡±


    Her inner walls contracted at will and squeezed hard over him. She was still in the middle of her climax, but he continued to pound into her regardless.


    Her entrance was thrusted into several times, and his manhood dug into her to the hilt. At the excessive stimulus, Nadia screamed and tried to struggle unknowingly. However, he held her tightly and kept her close to him as if he had already expected this to happen. Nadia couldn¡¯t get out of his arms at all.


    ¡°Haa, ah, ahh, aannh¡­¡±


    She tried to suppress her moans, but when the pleasure of soaring towards a climax struck her, it became a fruitless endeavor. The thick length pounded strongly into her as if digging fully into her. He would escape his entrance, then he would immediately thrust back in.


    Whenever he went in and out of her, there was a loud noise accompanying it. Her climax was not over. Without thinking about hiding her red face anymore, she had to receive his rough movements, barely hanging over the railing. Her eyes were wet.


    As though she had sprinted, she was out of breath. When he thrusted into her with reckless abandon, Nadia was quickly swept away.


    A high voice that resembled a scream echoed in the hall, overshadowing the fact that she had been trying to hold back the sound. Nadia couldn¡¯t afford to act as though she was out of her mind, she can¡¯t¡­ And so she sobbed and scratched his back.


    How much more did he pound into her like that? At one point, Edwin took in a rough breath and lifted Nadia entirely. When she clung her legs around his hips unconsciously, he started bouncing her hips quickly and shallowly.


    Perhaps because of the weight pulling her down, they were connected even deeper. Whenever they moved, the fluids dripping down the inside of her thighs squelched. With her face on his shoulder, Nadia begged him.


    ¡°D-Don¡¯t, ah, nngh, it¡¯s, it¡¯s too deep¡­ hah!¡±


    ¡°Huu, stop¡ªclenching.¡±


    Edwin¡¯s whisper wouldn¡¯t even reach her properly. It felt like not only her inner walls were filled, but even her stomach was being reached now. Her fingers were losing their grip.


    When she felt that she couldn¡¯t hold on anymore, the back of the man she embraced with all her might became tense.


    Edwin dug into her and began to c*m endlessly. His hot, thick fluids shot out several times into her clenching inner walls, and at this sensation, she felt a lighter peak come out.


    Filling her entirely with s*men, by the time he rubbed her walls and slowly pulled out, Nadia was left with not an ounce of strength to even lift a finger. It seemed to be because she had hung onto Edwin throughout all that with no other place to lean on.


    She thought that he might just leave her like this and walk away, but he now carried her over his shoulder.


    Even if she was being treated like a sack, she had no strength to protest, and so she just let him walk like that without doing anything.


    She could feel his s*men flowing down her legs, and as her mind was in a daze, she could only hope that they wouldn¡¯t encounter anyone like this.


    They arrived in a room after a short while. Edwin placed Nadia on the bed, and he sat at the edge of it while caressing her body with his fingertips. Her body, which had yet to shed off her arousal, trembled at the sensation.


    ¡°You want to sleep more now, right?¡±


    Edwin leaned down and pressed down on her upper body with his. Nadia sucked in a sharp breath without realizing it¡ªshe was afraid that he would want to do that again with her. But, as if noticing her thoughts, a smirk tugged up on his lips.


    His fingers, which were stroking her flat stomach, went further down. Long, slender fingers penetrated her entrance, which was full of saliva and c*m, and rubbed the sensitive nub.


    ¡°Ngh!¡±


    Nadia¡¯s back arched automatically. Two fingers went into her and stirred her insides, and his thumb stroked her cl*toris vigorously.


    Her body twisted and her legs tried to close right away, but that only made it so that Edwin¡¯s hand was trapped right there.


    He used his hands on and in her over and over, and Nadia lost count of the number of times she climaxed. Finally, he relented and she writhed no more, exhausted. Soaked with her fluids, he rubbed his fingers over her lips and whispered with a low voice.


    ¡°Take good care of your p*ssy. I don¡¯t have a hobby of eating one that¡¯s been passed around. Do you understand?¡±


    Nadia nodded like a habit, and she closed her heavy eyelids.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22


    The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and it was a different kind of heat compared to the capital. Perhaps because there was a river nearby, the humidity was thick and hot air stuck to the skin, so no matter how much you¡¯d fan yourself, it wouldn¡¯t be any colder.


    Mila comforted Nadia, saying that the monsoon season would come after two weeks, and the heat would finally abate.


    The monsoon season¡­ Even so, in the past few days, he heard that it¡¯s better to build higher banks than to repair the banks along the Asharam River before the monsoon season would begin in earnest.


    A season where it would rain all the time¡ªthis piqued Nadia¡¯s curiosity enough, but it was terrible that she¡¯d have to endure this heat for the next two weeks.


    She couldn¡¯t adapt easily to the weather that was different from the capital, and so she either stayed in bed all day or immersed herself in a bathtub filled with cold water. It was enough to cool off her body for a while, but it soon wore off.


    The scorching heat that continued was something that she could endure enough, but as she tried to adapt to it, she somehow began to lose her appetite.


    Because her mouth was parched and it tasted bitter no matter what she ate, she couldn¡¯t swallow any greasy food. Nadia began to lose weight noticeably after a few days of just eating a few pieces of fruit or drinking only iced fruit tea.


    Her troubles didn¡¯t end there. Even at night, the heat wouldn¡¯t subside, so she couldn¡¯t sleep. Her nerves became sharper and sharper, and her irritation increased as she had mood swings. It wouldn¡¯t be until midday that she could find sleep as if fainting into it, her body not being able to take the exhaustion and drowsiness.


    The maids didn¡¯t know what to do. Throughout this entire time, they stuck to her side to fan her or wipe her down with cold wet towels, but the comfort was only for a moment.


    As if the worried murmurs for the Madam of the estate reached his ears, Edwin sent a mage to her room one late afternoon.


    The mage Nadia imagined in her mind was either a man who had a long white beard that would go until his waist, or an old woman, but when she saw a young woman who was about thirty years old, her eyes went wide. The woman appeared in a navy blue robe with a hood over her head, and she greeted Nadia politely. It didn¡¯t seem like she was feeling hot in that robe.


    ¡°It¡¯s my first time greeting you, Madam. My name is Tasha.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±


    Nadia stared at her but tried not to be too obvious about it. The hair cascading behind her back was black and her exposed hand was pale.


    Perhaps because of her introverted personality, Nadia chose consideration more than her curiosity.


    Taking out a transparent blue pendant from her sleeve, Tasha handed it to Nadia. As soon as she accepted the item, a cold feeling spread through her as though a cool wind breeze was wrapped around her body. Nadia felt like she could live now.


    Seeing her expression change, Tasha gave her simple instructions on how to use it, saying that she would feel cool as long as she had it on her body. Though the spell wasn¡¯t grand, it was such an amazing magic tool that could make her suffering disappear at once.


    Tasha also mentioned that if it stopped working, it meant that it¡¯s out of mana, so all Nadia had to do was to bring it to Tasha, not any other mage. Then, she bowed towards Nadia and left before Nadia could reply.


    She didn¡¯t know if the mage¡¯s personality was shy or just cold.


    The existence of mages was so amazing that she wanted to ask many things, but if the mage¡¯s personality was like that, it¡¯s a pity. However, since she was staying in the same castle, Nadia would have many opportunities to talk to her.


    Nadia quickly wore the pendant on her neck. During the summer, she could just wear this all the time.


    About three days later, her appetite returned to normal. She managed to sleep more, but strangely, she still felt drowsy and her body still felt heavy. She wasn¡¯t doing anything strenuous, but exhaustion followed her around and she just fell asleep the moment her head would hit her pillows.


    It was so strange. While she was suffering from the scorching heat, she wondered if her body had become very weak. It became a constant cycle¡ªshe just ate or slept all day, and when she woke up again, she¡¯d do the same thing.


    She was worried that the servants might think that she was a lazy hostess and speak ill of her about it, but as she would collapse into sleep at midday, these thoughts soon vanished.


    Asheel, who had left for the capital, returned just before the monsoon began.


    Nadia wasn¡¯t there to greet him. This was because she didn¡¯t want Edwin to say anything about it and for anything else to happen. Even if it wasn¡¯t for that reason, it would be excessive if the Lady of the household was going to do that much for Asheel, a mere knight.


    Half hidden behind the curtains on the balcony, she only peeked at him secretly. She was confused. In the past, she ran away because she couldn¡¯t bear to see him, but it seemed like she¡¯d returned like a boomerang.


    Suddenly, she remembered that he told her to make her actions clear. Just thinking about it gave her a headache. She didn¡¯t know what to say. What actions should she take? She couldn¡¯t decide anything clearly.


    While immersed in deep regret, she held a hand over her forehead. When Asheel acted as though he was going to give up, she should have taken that chance maturely and walked away. She shouldn¡¯t have given him that bracelet. She shouldn¡¯t feel so disappointed by his cold attitude.


    If he thought she was done, he¡¯d hold onto her, and if he looked to be moving away, she would hold onto him. But it was obviously Nadia who started this.


    She shouldn¡¯t have started it from the beginning. It felt like a tug-of-war where no one was the winner.


    Everything was her fault. It was only right to have said goodbye to him properly without running away from him in that alley back then. If that happened, in the end even if they met like this, he would have lived his own life, and she would have lived her life while trying to please her eccentric bottles.


    Her emotions fluctuated. She didn¡¯t even know why Asheel seemed to be obsessed with her. Even if he was from a humble background, he was now the commander of a chivalric order. He had a position and he had his own territory, at the same time, he was young and good-looking.


    There should be a line of good families sending him marriage proposals, so there must be no reason for him to cling to a woman, let alone his Lord¡¯s wife.


    It didn¡¯t make sense. However, if it all could have been controlled by rationality, the situation wouldn¡¯t have reached this point. She gave up thinking about it quickly.


    One day after Asheel¡¯s return, the rain started to pour as though waiting for it. It was the beginning of the monsoon season.


    A puddle was formed on the rear garden¡¯s lawn, and not only the pond¡¯s water level had risen but also the river¡¯s. Thanks to the riverbank being raised, there was no damage, but there were too many outdoor activities that decreased. She used to enjoy her walks while enjoying the scent of flowers in the garden carefully cultivated by the landscape gardener, and so her regular walks were limited to inside the castle.


    While walking and looking around the castle, she encountered many things she hadn¡¯t seen before. Among them, the most interesting things she saw were the traces of magic.


    From small things like bathroom faucets where hot water spilled out any time and lamps that didn¡¯t need oil, and big things like magic that maintained the greenhouse next to Nadia¡¯s room and the defensive spells winding around the Elantz castle, their traces filled the castle, regardless of their size.


    Whether it was in the large dining hall or at a corner of the hallway, the mages would gather regardless of the location, and Nadia would often hear them having heated discussions and writing words that she couldn¡¯t understand. Their faces looked gaunt.


    Whenever she ran into the mages by chance, she tried to look for a familiar face among them, but even if she couldn¡¯t see Tasha with them, she didn¡¯t actively seek her out¡ªNadia was only a little curious.


    The mages were precious individuals. There were mages not only in the Imperial Palace, but also in the Ingram Duchy, but they were generally closed off while staying at their tower, immersed in research that the general public wouldn¡¯t understand. That¡¯s why it¡¯s not a common sight to see them unless a war would break out.


    Hence, Nadia considered it to be extremely rare to meet as she grew up in the Ingram estate. All she knew about them was the fragmented stories she heard reminiscent of a fairytale.


    It wasn¡¯t easy to quell her curiosity about these mysterious individuals that she finally encountered in person.


    For a time, the number of mages a Lord had in their command was a testament to their power. However these days, as it was a peaceful time, there weren¡¯t many nobles who had mages because it cost a lot of money to have a mage in a household.


    The mages looked for Lords who recognized their abilities rather than being loyal to those who could pay satisfactorily for their research interests. The relationship between a Lord and a mage was kind of a deal because the Lord couldn¡¯t expect a mage¡¯s loyalty, unlike it was with a knight.


    As it was impossible to choose better conditions, it was natural for mages to flock towards Lords who had more wealth. Now, the times were close again to having mages as a demonstration of wealth, but if there was a change, it was that this investment could draw usefulness.


    Marquis Elantz was one of the most affluent people in the Empire and as the household that protects the border, he actively hired mages.


    She wasn¡¯t bold enough to approach men, she hoped that she could meet Tasha, a fellow woman, by chance.


    It was late in the afternoon that she encountered a commotion. It was wet all over because of the pouring outside and the sky was full of dark clouds, so it looked like it was already dark out late in the evening.


    While walking without any special reason as she followed the bright lamp lights, Nadia froze after she heard someone shouting from afar. Only then did she realize that she was near the north annex, where she usually didn¡¯t go.


    She normally wouldn¡¯t have been interested in something like this, but the reason she was now was because she heard the faint voice of a woman among the shouting voices. Nadia walked towards the sound.


    ¡°¡­told you! It¡¯s ridiculous¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­not! What kind of crude¡­¡±


    The closer she walked towards the sound, the words got clearer and clearer. Nadia, wondering if something unsavory would happen in the castle, hurried over. It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t feel any fear, but she overcame it by taking comfort in the fact that no one would harm the Marchioness.

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23


    Down the long corridor, one door was open.


    ¡°I never liked this from the beginning! We¡¯re mages, but we go around here and there¡ªit¡¯s not worth it¡­!¡±


    ¡°I also don¡¯t know what His Excellency¡¯s thinking, this much is¡­¡±


    Voices leaked through the open door along with a stream of light. She even heard loud yelling.


    Mages? Nadia tiptoed to the door and looked inside. Three men in robes, whose backs were turned to Nadia, were throwing things in the room, trampling over them while being violent.


    Strewn across the floor were various dried herbs and glass bottles that were filled with thick liquids. Some were broken and so the liquids created a mess all over.


    One man huffed as though he couldn¡¯t rein in his anger while hitting the nearby wall. Then, as he touched an old book hanging on one side of the wall, a scream rang out.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡±


    Nadia realized that it was a voice she knew.


    She opened the door wide. Surrounded threateningly by men, a small woman could be seen in the middle of the room, shivering and barely holding back her rage. Her face was so pale that her pallor was noticeable even under the orange light.


    Whatever happened, seeing as this was a situation wherein three people were persecuting one person, it didn¡¯t look good. With the little information she gathered here, Nadia couldn¡¯t figure out what happened. But because she was the lady of this castle, this was enough reason for her to interfere with this disturbance.


    ¡°What is this fuss about?¡±


    The eyes of the four people were drawn to her at once. Her shoulders trembled a little, but Nadia stepped into the messy room, pretending that she was fine under the weight of their gazes.


    A look of frustration passed over the eyes of the male mages who saw her. Nadia gave Tasha a small smile. The female mage in turn showed no sign of intimidation.


    Nadia raised her head, hoping that her voice would sound authoritative.


    ¡°I asked you a question.¡±


    ¡°The Madam doesn¡¯t have to bother with this.¡±


    ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t have bothered me.¡±


    The tallest man took a step forward, smiling awkwardly. Nadia shifted her gaze and stared at him with an expressionless face. Then, she made eye contact with Tasha.


    ¡°Do you feel the same way?¡±


    ¡°Then please let me speak.¡±


    The shortest among the three of them stepped up. With tangled blond hair, he shot a hostile glare at Tasha, but then he greeted Nadia politely, saying that his name was Sevan.


    According to him, a fire broke out at Cove¡¯s¡ªthe tallest man¡¯s¡ªlab, where the bedding and the books were safe, but only piles of parchments, valuable potions and other materials for magic research had burned down.


    They turned to Tasha and named her the culprit because they said that there weren¡¯t many mages who could handle fire magic in such a delicate way like her.


    Tasha strongly denied it and said that it wasn¡¯t her doing. Judging by how the men regarded Tasha, Nadia could see that a true discussion never happened between them.


    Nadia listened to all three of them and pretended to be concerned for them. It took a while, but she eventually asked.


    ¡°Let¡¯s say that Cove is the victim here. But may I ask why you two came all the way here?¡±


    Then, the two mages shut their mouths. Nadia would have thought that their reasonings were valid enough, except that they were too hostile and contemptuous towards Tasha.


    There might be more in between the lines that she didn¡¯t know. Perhaps that they were hostile because Tasha was a woman, that she had gypsy blood in her. Nadia tilted her head to the side.


    ¡°It¡¯s not very nice seeing three men threatening one woman like this.¡±


    ¡°Threat, you say. The Madam is much too harsh.¡±


    Cove was outraged. Even so, Nadia was going to side with Tasha in the first place. This was because Nadia felt a little indebted towards Tasha, who was very helpful to her. Nadia didn¡¯t expect to pay her back in this way.


    Although it was Edwin¡¯s order, Nadia was grateful towards Tasha for giving her such an effective pendant.


    She was making a lot of excuses for herself, but in the end, Nadia was going to side with Tasha. It might be unfair, but she didn¡¯t feel guilty about it because the other side had people who grouped together and thrashed a room like this just because they were at odds with someone else.


    ¡°When did the fire break out?¡±


    ¡°At noon. When I came back from eating lunch, the room looked just as I described earlier.¡±


    ¡°Is there a witness who claims that it was Tasha¡¯s doing?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ Well, no. But then there¡¯s someone who confirmed that she wasn¡¯t in her room.¡±


    ¡°Oh my!¡±


    Nadia furrowed her brows as though she was troubled, but she soon smiled softly. Meanwhile, with her arms crossed, Tasha quieted for now as if she wanted to see where this situation would lead. She looked at the other three men as if they were pathetic, and this was something that amused Nadia.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. Tasha was with me.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°I asked her to join me for lunch. This¡­ It was about this pendant. I was curious about how it works.¡±


    Nadia took out the pendant that she was wearing around her neck, and their eyes immediately gravitated towards the blue gem. At this, Nadia saw Tasha¡¯s expression become perplexed.


    She might be wondering why Nadia was taking her side. But right now, the priority was to get out of this situation, so she confidently turned to the three other mages as if to say, ¡®Did you hear that?¡¯ Nadia liked this quick-witted woman quite a bit.


    ¡°I hope you can catch the culprit.¡±


    With a subtle dismissive tone, Nadia stepped aside so that they could get out. Their faces turned red as they were huffing and puffing. And as they walked out, Tasha shouted towards them, saying that she would send them a bill for the damages.


    As their steps moved further away from the room, Nadia closed the thick wooden door behind her. The mage in front of Nadia bowed her head in a very polite manner.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what urged you to take my side, but thank you, Madam.¡±


    Though Tasha was bowing deeply towards her, Nadia wasn¡¯t angry. She just smiled gracefully.


    ¡°I guess you don¡¯t get along with them.¡±


    ¡°Those bastards. They just feel inferior. They don¡¯t like that a woman is better than them.¡±


    Her tone was bitter.


    ¡°I was the one who set it on fire.¡±


    As if she was saying something trivial like what she had for dinner, Tasha¡¯s voice was nonchalant despite the surprising content of her words. Nadia¡¯s eyes widened. She thought that it was a false accusation.


    ¡°I¡¯ve just been trying hard to feign innocence.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Nadia lowered her gaze and looked at the ruined floor. The dry herbs had gotten soaked by the haphazard mix of various liquids. Then, there were also many broken glass and ceramic shards. Tasha¡¯s gaze shifted to the floor as well and she soon sighed.


    Nadia didn¡¯t know what kind of items they were and how much they were worth, but she could guess to some extent just by looking at Tasha¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°Will they come back again?¡±


    ¡°Most probably. But I can handle them on my own.¡±


    Her voice was firm. Nadia nodded, no longer intending to step in.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave you so you can clean up.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Madam. I won¡¯t forget your help.¡±


    Nadia could guess what she meant by that. Because Tasha was a mage, Nadia knew about how mages abided by a code of not easily forgetting either favor or spite.


    She nodded again before she left the room. She didn¡¯t know how she¡¯d ask for the mage¡¯s help again, but she just hoped that nothing serious would happen.


    Outside, loud thunder boomed and flashes of lightning flickered while the storm raged.


    Even so, despite the bad weather the castle was busy welcoming guests. Edwin had invited the nobles of the southern region.


    There was something to be discussed, but the banquet hall was abuzz. The nobles of course couldn¡¯t just be sent back after they¡¯d been gathered for only a boring meeting.


    Nadia was busily walking around the hall from morning ¡®til now to see if the banquet¡¯s preparations were going smoothly. Then, she returned to her room, dressed for the occasion and went down alone. She stood beside Edwin there and greeted the nobles who approached them one after another.


    The expensive carpet that was laid down in the hall was soaked and dirtied by rainwater and mud. All those who travelled through the strong rain and wind were wet, but there was no sign of unpleasantness in their demeanor.


    Nadia was surprised that they weren¡¯t complaining. Weren¡¯t nobles the kind of people to make a fuss after just being splashed with a drop of water on their clothes? Or perhaps should she say that Edwin¡¯s command and authority over them was just that great?


    ¡°Thank you for coming all this way. The servants will guide you to your respective rooms. Rest well in the meantime until we convene again for the banquet we¡¯ve prepared for this evening.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Your Excellency.¡±


    They conveyed their greetings to Nadia with a kiss on the back of her hand, then, led by the servants, they headed towards the prepared rooms. The stablemen patted the tired horses and took them to the barn, and the knights who had followed for escort duty followed their lieges. As he watched the hall, Edwin wrapped his arm over Nadia¡¯s shoulders and led her away.


    Nadia felt that the silence was stifling, and so she was compelled with the feeling of having to say something, anything. But then again, she had rarely ever had a proper conversation with her husband. Their interactions were limited to the questions Edwin would ask that needed only answers in the form of a nod, a moan or a cry.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to be nervous about. You just need to sit next to me and smile.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Edwin¡¯s fingertips grazed over her shoulders, then he gently reached towards her chin to lift it up. When their eyes met, he kissed her. Soft lips met each other lightly several times until he moved to pour brief kisses over her.


    Nadia was flushed red because there were many people walking around. She wondered why he was doing something sweet like this, but she didn¡¯t hate it enough that she¡¯d push him away.


    With many more fluttering kisses, she opened her lips slightly without realizing it. Then his tongue, which had been pressing over her lips, pushed in as though he had been waiting for that moment. At the same time as she felt flustered, her eyes heated up with excitement.


    ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤

 Chapter 24

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    Chapter 24


    After the lingering kiss, Edwin pushed her back. The sound of her pounding heart was loud enough that she could hear it ringing behind her ears.


    ¡°Go to your room. There are a lot of outsiders, so don¡¯t wander out alone.¡±


    Nadia nodded like a doll, her cheeks flushed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t walk around for no reason. Don¡¯t meddle in other people¡¯s business.


    Their eyes met. It seemed as though what happened with the mages had already reached his ears. Nadia nodded helplessly.


    Pressing his lips over her forehead as if to praise her for answering obediently, Edwin turned around unhesitatingly.


    While still staring at his back, Nadia spaced out. At times like these, he seemed like the sweetest husband in the world¡­


    If only his bad habits disappeared, she would be completely happy with him. Nadia shook her head, forgetting those useless thoughts.


    Susan followed her back to the room. The maid knew how Nadia had been particularly lethargic these days, and so she poured words of concern.


    ¡°Madam, are you tired? Would you like to take a nap? Or should I bring something light to eat? You haven¡¯t eaten lunch yet.¡±


    Nadia looked back at Susan and smiled faintly.


    ¡°Then please bring me something to eat. Thank you.¡±


    With a bright expression, Susan nodded and shot out the door like an arrow.


    Nadia decided to have a light meal and rest until the evening.


    Recently, it¡¯s been difficult for her to keep up because she felt strangely heavy and exhausted. Unlike when she was in the capital, it was difficult for her to stand in front of people, and for some reason, she felt a sense of crisis because she was feeling more lethargic. But she pretended not to know what to do.


    Entering the room with a small sigh, Nadia sat back in a fluffy armchair as if wanting to bury herself into it. Trying to see outside the window without much thought, she belatedly saw an uninvited guest¡¯s movement over the balcony¡¯s railing.


    To her surprise, Nadia was shocked stiff, but the man pulled his legs up and approached her carefully.


    ¡°Nadia.¡±


    ¡°Asheel!¡±


    Nadia came to her senses. The slowly creeping drowsiness she felt earlier completely disappeared.


    She jumped out of her seat and hurriedly locked the door and put on its latch. Then she stopped for a moment and took a deep breath, calming herself down. Her gaze upon the uninvited guest was ferocious.


    ¡°Just what are you doing? You can¡¯t come in secret like this. You¡¯re the one who told me to get my act straight. How did you even come up here?¡±


    ¡°I came to ask you something. I was careful enough, so don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Nadia held her forehead in one hand, a headache seemingly coming in.


    It wasn¡¯t enough to just be careful! Unless something urgent came up, she expected that he would come someday, but she couldn¡¯t be relieved because her heart was pounding anxiously. She didn¡¯t expect him to come to her room in the middle of the day.


    It was a place where Edwin could come and go at any time. She couldn¡¯t figure out if Asheel was being brave or foolish. Whenever he did this, it felt like her heart would come to a halt.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you come to meet me when I returned?¡±


    ¡°Is this the time to talk about that?¡±


    Why was it that she was the only one worried about being caught. He was much too bold.


    But Nadia figured that was the case. She never dwelled on it, the matter of a noblewoman being caught cheating.


    In the capital, it¡¯s said that nobles had lovers regardless of their gender, but that didn¡¯t mean that everyone took it in stride. If so, it wouldn¡¯t be considered taboo.


    And Edwin acted like the most debauched man in the world and did those unacceptable acts like it was nothing, but Nadia couldn¡¯t even guess how he would react once he found out. She just figured that it was best to imagine the worst and do whatever she could to protect herself.


    ¡°So you came because you had something to say. Hurry up and state your business.¡±


    She pretended as though she wasn¡¯t affected as much as possible, but she saw the string bracelet on Asheel¡¯s wrist. Her first thought was to take it away, but as soon as she did, Asheel grabbed her hand lightly and narrowed the distance between them.


    ¡°I¡­ I need to hear you out. Of course, I have my own predictions about it, and I think I can organize my thoughts once I make sure it¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Nadia¡¯s ears seemed to have pricked up. Numerous thoughts passed through her mind and her heart began to pound relentlessly. She knew to some extent what he was talking about.


    Even now, she could recall it as though it happened just yesterday. The words he uttered towards his friend.


    She couldn¡¯t breathe at all.


    She bit her lower lip, blinking quickly because she feared that those ugly tears would form in her eyes.


    ¡°I knew you were a noblewoman.¡±


    ¡°So, did you have fun?¡±


    She couldn¡¯t just stay still and listen. The pain she received that day, which felt as though she was falling ceaselessly into a dark abyss, tried to encroach her mind. It was a chasm that she consciously tried not to look into all this time.


    In an instant, tears filled her eyes. There was no use trying to hold back, and a faint sob leaked through Nadia¡¯s lips. With her head down, she clenched her hands into fists. She wasn¡¯t confident enough to face him¡ªjust like before.


    She was a coward. She wanted to run away right now. But the reason why she didn¡¯t do that now was because she would have to end it now, somehow. If not, this man would come to her suddenly again just as he did now.


    ¡°¡­What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Why are you asking me that? It¡¯s the word that came out of your mouth, so you should know.¡±


    She wanted to answer coldly and rationally, as if nothing had affected her. All that was left in her was that pride.


    However, the voice that was barely squeezed out sounded so devastated that it was difficult to understand her through her tears. It was a shameful sight. She didn¡¯t mean to reveal that she was still swayed so emotionally by that incident.


    Just as she was nothing to him, she wanted to express that he was nothing to her. But if she was going to cry like this, her lies would be caught¡­


    ¡°Wait, Nadia. What are you talking about, just now?¡±


    His voice held shock. Nadia clenched her teeth as she stared at the tears that were trickling down to the floor. She wouldn¡¯t be swayed. She had been fooled once, but she wouldn¡¯t be stupid enough to be fooled a second time.


    Asheel was restless as he grabbed her hand. He placed it over his chest. There was no sign of coldness anywhere.


    Through the palm of her hand, she felt his racing heart and his exceedingly warm body temperature. Even the resentment that she had been holding onto so deeply in her heart was pushed out.


    She bit her lips to hold back more tears that were threatening to come out, but because she couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer, those tears dripped down as well. Nadia shook off the warm hand that was holding onto hers with all her might.


    ¡°Do I look like a fool? Don¡¯t play tricks on me! I¡¯m neither foolish nor na?ve enough to be deceived twice!¡±


    Nadia raised her head. Her tears finally stopped, but her emotions couldn¡¯t be held in. She didn¡¯t intend to be swayed at all, no matter what he said. One such difficult ordeal was enough. After completely ending her relationship with Asheel, she wanted to lead a decent life while trying not to go against her eccentric husband¡¯s mood.


    ¡°Nadia.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call my name so carelessly! How arrogant! I¡¯m the Madam that you serve!¡±


    She should have done this earlier. She should have threatened this man, who kept trying to cross the line between them by calling her name like this without hesitation.


    Ignoring Asheel¡¯s furrowed brow, Nadia backed away with her arms folded in front of her. As if she couldn¡¯t even bear to be near him.


    After hesitating several times, Asheel looked more determined. But then, there were two knocks on the door.


    She was so surprised that Nadia¡¯s shoulders completely flinched. It was only then that she remembered telling Susan to bring something to eat for her. She was shocked by how she forgot about it entirely. Flustered and out of sorts, Nadia hurriedly pushed Asheel¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Go! Leave!¡±


    She pushed himself towards the balcony door and hurriedly wiped her soaked cheeks. Then, she went to the door and undid the latch on it.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    When permission was granted, Susan came in with a tray and Nadia smiled awkwardly. On the tray were a bowl of fish stew, a large steak, a piece of white bread, a few pieces of cheese over ham in butter, and pale pink carbonated water with rose syrup.


    ¡°I was a little late because the kitchen was busy preparing for the banquet. I apologize, Madam.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. Leave it there.¡±


    Susan immediately placed the plates and bowls onto the table. When Nadia saw the food, the hunger she had forgotten came back up. She took in a whiff of the spices and the fish stew. However, her stomach suddenly felt like it was twisted.


    ¡°Urk¡­¡±


    Susan¡¯s busy hands stopped. In a different sense, her stomach seemed to fluctuate. Nadia raised a hand to her lips in embarrassment. The moment she smelled the food, her stomach turned upside down and her nausea was persistent.


    It was strange. This had never happened to her before.


    ¡°M-Madam, are you alright¡­?¡±


    She barely gestured for Susan to return the food, turning away. With a puzzled face, Susan moved the plates and bowls back to the tray, but then she suddenly smiled as though something pleasant had crossed her mind.


    ¡°Could it be that the Madam is carrying a child? Oh my, oh my¡ªat a time like this! Madam, I¡¯ll call the doctor!¡±


    Susan made a fuss right then and hurriedly went out the door, bringing the tray of food with her. Nadia just blocked her nose without answering back. Then, her eyes that were out of focus met the frozen gaze of Asheel who was still standing outside on the balcony.


    ¡ª


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