Chapter 77. I Was in Love

The light seeping through the curtains and the faint rustling sound of paper turning woke me from my shallow morning sleep.

“…….”

“Are you awake?”

At the sudden voice, I shifted my gaze blankly to see a face that was both resentful and lovable.

He was smiling gently. That fact felt so unreal that I instinctively raised my hand and pinched my cheek. ……It hurt, so it wasn’t a dream, it was reality.

“What are you doing?”

He chuckled in disbelief and set aside the newspaper he had been reading.

He was still n*ked, and I was surprised to realize that his primal appearance had become familiar to me. It must have been because I had seen it so much during the night—or rather, until the early morning.

“What time do you think it is now?”

He asked teasingly. Feeling an inexplicable sense of foreboding, I rolled my eyes. ……I couldn’t see the wall clock because of the canopy.

“……9 AM?”

He laughed derisively at my guess. So it wasn’t 9. I tried again.

“10?”

“No.”

“……11?”

No way, it couldn’t be noon. No matter how late I slept, it couldn’t be that late……

“12.”

“No way……”

“It’s exactly 12:27. I woke up about 30 minutes ago.”

I moved my lips in disbelief. How did I end up waking up so late? When did I fall asleep last night? I couldn’t remember at all!

“You passed out around 4 AM.”

“……?”

“You should work on your stamina, Ellen.”

It took me a moment to understand his casual remark. ……So, last night, for that long……

“……You’re too much, aren’t you?”

“You didn’t refuse.”

“How could I refuse on the wedding night……!”

“Just because it’s the wedding night doesn’t mean we had to do it multiple times, Ellen. You could have pushed me away anytime.”

“No, but still……”

Enoch blinked shamelessly and pulled me out from under the covers to sit on his thigh. Only then did I realize that I was also completely n*ked.

My face flushed instantly, and memories of the late night and early morning came flooding back like waves. How he touched me, how he moved inside me…… I remembered everything vividly.

“It didn’t hurt after the second time, did it?”

“…….”

I avoided his gaze, not answering. He smirked and pulled my chin to make me look at him.

“I lost count after the third time. But you enjoyed it too, Ellen. I could tell just from your moans……”

“S-stop.”

Unable to bear it, I covered his mouth with my hand. How could he say such embarrassing things so casually?

That’s when it happened. His eyes curved mischievously, and I felt a warm, wet sensation on my palm.

“……!”

Startled, I tried to pull my hand away, but he was faster. His large, strong hand gripped my wrist, and he deliberately licked my palm and each finger joint.

“No, huh, what are you―”

“You liked it when I licked you last night too.”

“That’s……!”

“Ah, don’t like the hand? Then, how about here……”

“……!”

As his hand slid down, I jumped and quickly rolled to the side to escape.

I was crawling off the bed when his strong arm wrapped around my waist. I couldn’t put up any decent resistance and was easily pulled back to him.

“Ah……!”

He grabbed my waist from behind and thrust his c*ck into me. The sudden penetration without any f*replay was shocking, but my inner walls, loosened from the night, accepted him without resistance.

“Ha, this is crazy……”

“Ah, ugh……!”

“Just being inside you feels good……”

But it was just words. Naturally, he didn’t just stay still. His fierce thrusts started immediately, making me tremble and whimper.

“It’s broad daylight……”

“There’s no schedule today. I want to do this all day.”

He bent down and bit my ear gently. His hot, moist breath wrapped around my earlobe.

“Huh, Your Highness……”

“Call me Enoch.”

“Enoch, I…… I’m tired…… I’m hungry……”

“Mm, I’ll feed you after this.”

His gentle, coaxing voice was top-notch. In hindsight, I had been tricked several times last night in the same way……

“Eat, drink tea.”

“Ugh……”

“Rest until it’s digested…… then again.”

His movements became rougher, and I couldn’t think of anything else. My mind went blank as I clung to his neck, moaning.

In the end, I couldn’t leave the bedroom even for a single step until the next morning.

* * *

I resent Enoch Bayern.

“Your Highness……. How is your condition……?”

“……Not too bad.”

The morning I was finally freed after being confined to the bedroom all day.

Of all days, it was May 29th, the Victory Day of the 7th Atreos-Freuden War.

Also known as the Navaroa War Victory Day. The war was led by Navaroa, the general, mage, and heir to the throne of Atreos, who invaded Freuden.

Enoch had said, “You don’t have to attend,” but it was my first national event as the Grand Duchess. How could I not attend?

I had to make an appearance, even briefly, or there would be gossip. I already had enough to worry about……

‘Princess Roelyn, Angela Besnard…… and the conservative nobles are all waiting for a chance to slander me.’

……Even as a one-year temporary Grand Duchess, I didn’t want to give them any reason to tear me apart.

“Oh, by the way, His Highness left a morning gift for you. It’s on the dressing table. Would you like to see it while you get ready?”

Jasmine asked in a friendly voice, and I nodded while stifling a yawn.

A morning gift is a present the groom gives to the bride the day after the wedding night. It’s a tradition that has almost disappeared, but Enoch kept it. Technically, the day after the wedding night was yesterday, so he should have given it to me yesterday morning, but…… he was too busy devouring me.

‘How could he go at it all day…… He’s crazy, a monster.’

I was starting to fear Enoch Bayern for different reasons. As I approached the dressing table, I wondered if casting the love spell on him had been the right thing to do.

Thanks to soaking in hot bathwater for a long time, the fatigue was lessened, but I was still sleep-deprived and sore all over from being tormented by Enoch all night. Especially my waist. It wouldn’t be surprising if it broke at this rate.

“Is this box Enoch’s morning gift?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please open it.”

I pointed to the red velvet box on the dressing table, and Jasmine answered excitedly. She seemed happier about the gift than I was. Smiling faintly, I carefully opened the box. Inside, surprisingly……

“…….”

Was a self-defense knife.

‘……This man…… What is he thinking……’

First a gun for my birthday, now a knife as a wedding gift?

I wondered what he expected from me, giving me such dangerous items. There’s no way I could handle a gun or a knife skillfully. I’d be lucky not to get hurt trying.

‘Well…… It’s a pretty item, though.’

I carefully held the knife. Of course, I didn’t pull it out of its sheath. I was afraid of cutting myself.

The handle was made of pure gold, and the sheath was the same. The handle and sheath were adorned with various gemstones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.

It was clearly no ordinary item. Perhaps it was more for decoration than self-defense. In any case, it looked incredibly valuable.

I didn’t know whether to be grateful for such a grand gift or to complain about receiving dangerous items. I should at least thank him……

Sighing lightly, I put the knife back. As I was closing the box, I noticed something odd.

‘Huh……?’

Looking closely, I realized the box had a double layer like a secret drawer. The finish was so seamless that it was hard to notice.

Laughing at the unexpected discovery, I carefully slid the layer with the knife aside. Hidden underneath was another compartment.

In that compartment was a neatly arranged set of platinum jewelry.

“Oh my!”

Jasmine, who had been fidgeting beside me, finally exclaimed in delight. I looked at the gleaming platinum jewelry for a moment before carefully lifting the necklace.

The dozens of small stones were undoubtedly diamonds, but the five large main stones seemed to be blue topaz. They even closely resembled the color of my eyes.

“My goodness, it’s so beautiful! The main stones look just like Your Highness’s eye color! How about wearing it to the Victory Day ceremony?”

Jasmine suggested excitedly. I nodded calmly, agreeing, and Jasmine looked even happier.

After preparing for the Victory Day ceremony, I went downstairs alone and coincidentally ran into Enoch.

He was also impeccably dressed.

Feeling a bit shy, I approached him. As always, but especially today, he looked stunning. The fact that I had married this man…… still felt surreal.

“Ellen.”

He smiled with golden eyes and extended his hand to me. I held his hand lightly, and he gripped mine much more firmly.

“Do you like my gift?”

“……Yes, thank you.”

I completely forgot about complaining about the knife. From the moment our eyes met, all thoughts vanished.

Enoch kissed the back of my hand and whispered.

“I’m glad you like it.”

He had indeed changed.

The love spell had transformed him. Even if it was just an illusion that would eventually dissipate like bubbles……

“Today, you are dazzlingly beautiful, my wife.”

Enoch Bayern loved me.

In the fairy tale created by the magic of a wicked witch.

And as always, fairy tales end with the witch being condemned.