Side Story 2. Bremlin’s New Family Member

The most luxurious room in Bremlin Castle was undoubtedly the Duchess’s bedroom. This was a truth acknowledged by the room’s owner, Duchess Hyacinth Erentis, and even Mrs Seina, who had come to the North with her.

In such a splendid bedroom, Hyacinth lay face down, hugging a large pillow tightly. Occasionally, she would stomp her feet. Although it had only been ten days since she got married, the new bride’s face was flushed with annoyance.

She pouted as she checked the clock.

Her husband would soon be back from work. Although there was a separate bedroom for the Duke, the Duke of Trisel, Ethan Erentis had not slept in his own room even once since their marriage. So he would come to this room today as well. Hyacinth, who had resolutely decided to throw the pillow at him as soon as the door opened, eventually flopped down, burying her face in the pillow.

Ten days.

It had been ten days since their first night.

* * *

After the grand banquet, Hyacinth was escorted to the bridal chamber before Ethan. Although she was tired from being dressed up all day and attending the event, she couldn’t sleep. Instead, her eyes were wide open. It might have been due to the tension and anxiety about what was to come.

As she sat quietly on the bed, a sudden wave of anxiety surged up.

She remembered that all the problems of her previous life had arisen because of this first night.

……No. Don’t think like that.

Hyacinth earnestly tried to calm herself.

Since both she and Ethan had changed, the tragedy of the previous life would not repeat itself. This time would surely be different. Even while thinking rationally, Hyacinth couldn’t help but feel emotionally agitated. She harshly reprimanded herself as she tore at the innocent bed sheets.

While trying to break free from her delusions, she heard the faint sound of the door opening and closing. Hyacinth quickly lifted her head to confirm Ethan’s presence.

“Hyce?”

“……Yes.”

Ethan, who always sensitively noticed her changes, quickly closed the distance and pressed his forehead against hers. It was a tender gesture to check her temperature. Relieved that her body temperature was normal, Ethan sighed in relief. Since coming to the North, he had been meticulously careful to prevent Hyacinth from catching a cold.

There was no scent of alcohol on his breath.

This time, Ethan was not drunk. Just that one difference brought Hyacinth immense relief, and she hugged her husband’s neck tightly. His strong arms wrapped around her in return, patting her back. A light kiss landed on her cheek.

“I was worried you wouldn’t come in.”

“I was afraid you would kick me out.”

Ethan, who had swiftly lifted Hyacinth, sat down on the bed and placed her on his lap. The bed shook once as it bore the weight of both of them.

“In my previous life.”

Ethan paused and then gave a bitter smile.

“I don’t remember the first time, but the second time, I was definitely trash. You would have had every right to kick me out.”

“……Can’t we have a proper first night now?”

“Are you okay with that?”

Ethan reached out and removed her hair ornament. Just the removal of the massive jeweled accessory made her feel much better. Seeing her relief, Ethan smiled faintly and turned her around. Then he began removing the rest of the small hairpins.

Since they were not facing each other, honest words flowed more easily. Hyacinth whispered as she pressed her foot against Ethan’s.

“You were too big, so it hurt.”

“……I’m sorry.”

“No, just try not to hurt me this time.”

“Okay. And?”

The pins came out one by one. Ethan moved the pile of pins from the bed to the side table. Hyacinth tried to comb her hair with her fingers, but Ethan stopped her, saying there were still some pins left.

“I tried to do some research, but only strange books came out…….”

“Huh?”

“Oh, come to think of it, I remembered something…… I don’t want to choke your neck. I won’t do it. Don’t choke my neck either!”

In the book she had read, the woman was choking the man’s neck while they were joined. As soon as she saw the illustration, Hyacinth’s eyes widened and she felt uneasy after reading the accompanying explanation. It claimed that choking a man’s neck heightened his s*xual pleasure. It was such a bizarre picture that Hyacinth closed the book as soon as she opened it.

Coming out of her reverie, she noticed the trembling beneath her. Ethan, with her on his lap, was trying to hold back his laughter.

I confessed honestly, but you’re laughing?

Despite Hyacinth’s fierce glare, Ethan buried his face in her shoulder and chuckled. It was only after she grabbed his collar threateningly that he finally calmed down.

“My goodness, Hyce. What did you read as a beginner?”

“I’m curious too……. But is there a separate beginner’s guide?”

“Well, that book can’t be normal.”

She felt like pins were continuously being pulled out of her. Eventually, Ethan carefully combed her hair with his fingers. After untangling all the knots, he kissed the ends of her hair.

Hyacinth flinched at the subtle sensation transmitted through her hair.

“Anyway, Ethan. I’m not sure as it’s my first time…… but as long as you don’t strangle my neck, I think everything will be fine.”

“That’s quite a dangerous statement, my love. What if I’m a scoundrel?”

“You wouldn’t hurt me, would you?”

Ethan moved the remaining pins on the bed back to the nightstand. A moment later, his lips landed on the nape of her neck. It was a light action, neither biting nor licking, just pressing his lips against her skin.

“Tonight might be painful. I’ll try my best, though.”

“Okay.”

“……Hyce, this is your last chance.”

Even without a subject, Hyacinth understood exactly what he meant.

Not just for the first night, but it was the last chance to annul the marriage. If they didn’t consummate the marriage, it could always be annulled.

Especially since Hyacinth Hener was the king’s niece, annulling the marriage wouldn’t be difficult.

Instead of getting angry, she turned towards Ethan. As they sat facing each other, the man’s graceful fingers lightly touched her lips. Unconsciously, not realizing what she was doing, Hyacinth reflexively licked his fingertips.

Ethan’s ash-gray eyes gradually darkened. It was as if black flames were flickering inside them, eventually bursting into a blaze. Pretending not to notice, Hyacinth calmly wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck.

In the blink of an eye, her view changed.

Before she knew it, Hyacinth was lying on the bed, looking up at the man who was now on top of her.

“Is that an answer?”

“It will hurt…… I’ll do my best not to hurt you.”

Kissing the top of her foot, Ethan quietly whispered.

“But I can’t promise; it’s my first time too.”

It might be clumsy. With a low excuse, an unfamiliar sensation approached.

Hyacinth quickly and surely understood why Ethan had called his past self a scoundrel. In fact, she hadn’t had any expectations for the first night up until the moment she was preparing for the wedding. She had already experienced it twice in her previous life. All she remembered was the impression of pain and hardship. Since the person was the same, what could be so different…… She was swept away from the start, contrary to her thoughts.

It was fine until Ethan kissed her. Since they had often exchanged kisses after their engagement, Hyacinth hugged his neck tightly and shared his breath. She was familiar and confident with kissing.

To be honest, Hyacinth liked kissing Ethan.

It was the act that made her feel most assured that they were moving forward together.

After giving her such a sweet sensation, Ethan slowly pulled away.

When Hyacinth opened her eyes, she realized he had already taken off all his clothes. Whether he had removed his shirt while kissing her, his well-toned upper body reflected the candlelight. It was a dazzlingly beautiful body. As Hyacinth instinctively reached out, Ethan caught her hand and placed it near his heart.

His heart was beating noticeably faster than usual. The pounding sound seemed to echo like an auditory hallucination. A wildfire spread from her fingertips throughout her body.

Hyacinth quietly traced the contours of his perfect physique with her fingertips. Like a knight, his body bore scars that made it even more sensual. As her hand explored his chest, she discovered a mark where his collarbone had broken and healed. Looking up at Ethan, he quietly whispered.

“I fell off a horse once.”

“You did?”

“I was young too.”

“It must have hurt……. Can I kiss it?”

“No.”

Hyacinth pouted at his firm refusal. But Ethan resolutely removed her hand.

“……Next time, next time. If I get too aroused, it will be hard for you.”

“Oh.”

“Just accept it tonight, Hyce.”

She felt the hardness pressing against her thigh. When Hyacinth widened her eyes, Ethan laughed with a sigh.

“I’ve waited too long.”

When she nodded briefly, he moved decisively.

Despite the urgency with which he undressed her, his touch was gentle. Feather-like kisses rained down on her body, awakening her senses. Experiencing such sensations for the first time, Hyacinth clutched the sheets and writhed. Strange sounds kept escaping her mouth, and she wanted to cover it, but Ethan pulled her hands to hold onto his knees. With her waist curled up, her secret place was fully exposed. Realizing the position she was in, Hyacinth hastily tried to pull her hands away, but Ethan was faster.