Chapter 81. The Tragic Heroine

“It’s not normal for my head to feel like it’s going to explode just by looking at you.”

He growled fiercely and sank his teeth into my nape.

“Ah!”

I let out a scream-like moan, my body flinching. I could feel all the muscles in my body tightening. At that moment, Enoch cursed in a low voice.

“Do you really have to provoke me that much? Hm?”

“What did I, hng, do…….”

The increasing heat felt like it was melting my brain. Enoch roughly grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me. I couldn’t think straight, trying to receive his eager tongue.

I was enduring him with my whole body. I should have gotten used to it by now, but he was still overwhelming, as merciless as a raging storm.

He spoke kindly and considerately, but his actions were never gentle.

Tears that had gathered in my heated eyes streamed down my cheeks. I learned for the first time through his experience that intense stimulation could make tear ducts overly sensitive.

How much time had passed as I moaned in my hazy consciousness?

Finally, he hugged me tightly and let out a loud groan in my ear. At the same time, his c*ck, which had pierced deeply, poured a large amount of s*men inside, as always. I felt my body convulse involuntarily and leaned against his torso.

In the now still and quiet carriage, the sound of our heavy breathing seemed unusually loud.

“……It feels so good, it’s driving me crazy.”

“……”

“You think I’m a beastly b*stard too, don’t you? If I’m going to be condemned anyway, I might as well do it once more……”

“No, you can’t.”

I pushed him away and firmly refused, then quickly got up and escaped his embrace. As I picked up my clothes and put them on while sitting in the front seat, he looked at me with an expression like a raccoon that had lost its precious snack.

“……Don’t make any plans for tomorrow, Ellen.”

He spoke in a voice that sounded like it was scratching his throat. I quickly realized that it was practically a warning. The heat in his eyes had not yet subsided.

“……Alright.”

I couldn’t bring myself to ask what he planned for tomorrow, so I just answered that way. Tomorrow…… I was planning to study Katarian, write letters to the royal elders, and plan a charity event as the Grand Duchess.

Thanks to a certain beastly someone, another day would go to waste. I sighed deeply and stood up, adjusting the waist ribbon of my dress.

As I checked my hair in a mirror, Enoch approached from behind and loosely wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing my nape.

His whisper softly reached my ear.

“When do you plan to return today?”

“Well……. It’s my first time at a department store……. I’m not sure, but it might take at least two hours to look around.”

“You don’t need to look around. Just sit in the VIP lounge, and the manager will bring the items to you.”

“Then there’s no point in going to a department store……? I’m going to look around……”

“Department stores are places to flaunt how much money you have, Ellen.”

I couldn’t understand his explanation, but I nodded. Of course, I didn’t plan to follow his advice……. I wanted to take in the department store properly since it was my first visit.

“Come back early. If you’re late, I’ll storm the department store.”

Before I got off the carriage, Enoch kissed my cheek lightly and made his request. It was hard to tell if it was a request or a threat……. Anyway, I obediently answered yes. After a moment of hesitation…… I impulsively kissed his cheek.

“……!”

Enoch widened his eyes and stared at me. As I shyly stepped back, his eyes suddenly lit up with sparks. Literally, his eyes gleamed like those of a predator in the dark.

“……Ellen.”

The moment he called my name in a low voice, I instinctively sensed danger. Just before his hand could reach me, I quickly moved like a nimble squirrel and distanced myself from him.

I hid behind Jasmine and Haley, just in case, and Enoch glared at me with a murderous look. He looked like he was about to devour me, not like I was his wife but his nemesis.

“……You ambushed me like that?”

“It wasn’t an ambush……”

I couldn’t understand why he reacted so strongly to a simple cheek kiss. I hesitated, then gently pulled Jasmine and Haley along. I needed to get inside the department store and hide.

“Hurry back, Ellen. As soon as possible.”

“I’ll try.”

I couldn’t believe we were doing this on a busy street. People who recognized us had already started to stop and stare, so I quickly led my party into the department store before the street became more chaotic.

The department store I stepped into was…… more splendid than I had imagined, to the point where I didn’t know where to start looking.

I had been to new product shops in bustling areas a few times with my stepmother or Helene―mainly to act as a porter―but those small shops were nothing compared to this place.

So many luxurious items and dizzyingly colorful fabrics. It was no exaggeration to say that the appearance of department stores had significantly boosted Freuden’s dyeing industry. Now, department stores even led the trends of the season.

“Your Highness, where would you like to start? I recommend……”

Jasmine, who’s more excited than I was, chattered on, while Haley awkwardly smiled and looked around, seemingly uncomfortable in such a place.

An attendant approached us, but Jasmine waved them off, saying she could guide us. I respected her wishes and dismissed the attendant.

Even so, we couldn’t avoid the many gazes following us wherever we went.

“Your Highness, would you like to rest for a bit if your legs are tired? There’s a lounge for female customers over there.”

“No, I’m fine. Not yet.”

The department store was filled with beautiful, diverse, overly flashy, or elegantly dignified items.

This department store had four floors, and we were now exploring the third floor, so we were moving faster than expected.

The fourth floor of the department store housed high-end restaurants and tea rooms, not shops.

The third floor mainly dealt with jewelry, perfumes, and other accessories, so the air was more fragrant than the other floors.

Although the thick scent made me slightly dizzy, it wasn’t unbearable.

I finished looking around the third floor with Haley and Jasmine. So far, I had bought gifts for Haley, Jasmine, and my dedicated maids, as well as a few items for myself, but I didn’t feel much desire for material things.

But when it came to gifts for Enoch…… I wanted to buy everything that caught my eye.

These days, I kept wanting to do something for him. That’s why I couldn’t refuse him even when he pounced on me all the time.

……I know now. Long before things turned out this way, that I was already attracted to him.

At first, it was just a vague admiration.

But my feelings for him grew uncontrollably, like a small flame on dry hay quickly turning into a big fire.

“……Oh my? Your Highness the Grand Duchess?”

A familiar voice broke through my thoughts. I looked in the direction of the voice.

There, unexpectedly…… stood Angela Besnard.

“Fancy meeting you here, were you shopping?”

She approached me with a friendly smile, like she was meeting an old friend. Her angelic mask showed no negative emotions, but I naturally became wary of her.

“……Just leisurely looking around. It seems like I haven’t seen you since the Victory Day ceremony. How have you been, Lady Besnard?”

“Of course, I’ve been well……. Oh, how is Enoch doing? He gets especially sensitive during the changing seasons. Particularly in June, with the drastic temperature changes between day and night…… You need to take special care of him during those times.”

“……”

Was it purely personal feelings that made me feel displeased when Angela spoke as if she knew Enoch well?

Well, she was acting as if she was very close to Enoch, even in front of his wife, me.

I put on a relaxed smile. Then I spoke with deliberate intent.

“I’m not sure if Enoch is particularly sensitive…… He’s always kind to me.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

When I answered brightly, boasting, Angela’s smile became awkward. Now that I noticed, this woman’s eyes weren’t smiling.

“……What did you buy at the department store? If you’re picking a gift for Enoch, may I join you? I was planning to give him a gift as well.”

I thought her behavior was out of line, but I hesitated whether it was okay to bluntly refuse.

After all, Angela Besnard was Enoch’s childhood friend―though Enoch didn’t seem to think so―and it wasn’t strange for her to want to give him a gift. Moreover, Angela was the granddaughter of the Royal Librarian, so I couldn’t treat her carelessly.

In my heart, I wanted to ask why she needed to give Enoch a gift for no special reason, but I was worried it might turn into a melodramatic scene, so I politely declined.

“Sorry, but I feel a bit awkward shopping with someone else. I’m sure someone as angelic as Lady Besnard will understand.”

The question I added at the end was slightly sarcastic. Whether Angela Besnard understood or not didn’t matter. We could never be friends anyway.

……The problem was, Angela’s reaction was unexpected.

“……So you don’t like me after all……”

“……?”

“Roelyn must have told you about me and Enoch, right? That I’ve loved him for a long time……. But I know. It’s a hopeless feeling……. So there was no need to express your hatred for me like this―”

……What was this? I blinked blankly at the unexpected turn of events. Why was she suddenly acting like a tragic heroine?

Angela even started to cry. A few onlookers began to gather around us, and noble ladies who seemed to be her acquaintances rushed over to comfort her.

Yet Angela didn’t stop crying.

I stood there, dumbfounded.

“Your Highness……”

Jasmine called me anxiously. Her voice had a hint of anger, and when I glanced at her, Jasmine and Haley looked as bewildered as I felt.

Hmm, how should I handle this situation?

If I comforted Angela, it would be like playing into her hands……

If I ignored her and walked away, I’d worry about my reputation.

……No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t find an answer. As I stood there contemplating, a familiar voice cut through the commotion.

“Huh? What’s going on here? Your Highness the Grand Duchess?”

Her voice was lively, not fitting the serious atmosphere, making it stand out. Her light, charming steps also stood out.

Penelope Ashwood, wearing quite high heels, approached me like a reliable support. Even though there was no wind indoors, her silky silver hair fluttered gently.

“Oh, this situation…….”

Penelope looked between me and Angela, then raised one eyebrow and spoke cynically.

“Why the drama again? Lady Besnard, you should go to a hospital, not a department store.”

It was downright rude. A shocking statement.

A wave of shock spread through the crowd.