CHAPTER 4: BURNT AND TWISTED

Richt stayed here as he said he would. Isabelle offered to give up her room for him, citing discomfort in sharing the same room, but he refused. He insisted on sharing the room together, unable to comprehend why a married couple should use separate rooms.

She was afraid of the nights ahead, but in the end, she gave in to Richt’s wishes. Since his business dealings were taking place in Pandora, the neighboring area to Dranselle, traveling back and forth was not a problem.

Richt returned home every evening, and they were seeing each other more often than they had when she was at Calitheon. It was something she once desired—to see him every day, to go to bed with him, and to live an ordinary and simple life like everyone else. But now, it was all for naught.

Their conversations were always rowdy. Isabelle wanting a divorce, and Richt saying he couldn’t do it. What’s the problem, exactly? He just wants it, he says. They’d argue, each stating their position, each giving up nothing.

Afterward, Richt would embrace Isabelle roughly. It was like he was taking out his frustration on her for not giving in to his wishes, but it was also like he was soothing a terrible longing. Until the pitch-black night turned bright white, throughout the entire night.

At some point, whenever Isabelle mentioned divorce, he’d strip her n*ked and press himself against her. If she asked when he would return, he would take his p*nis in her mouth, and if she asked him to stop this carnal affair, he would bend her down until her whole-body ache.

As a result, Isabelle had to get up with a heavy body every morning. Her body felt sore and throbbing as if she had been beaten.

Their intimate moments were a mixture of pain and pl*asure. With each passing day, Richt pushed Isabelle harder and harder, giving her more and more pl*asure.

Isabelle thought the reason he didn’t want a divorce was because of her body. He needed a female to satisfy his desires. The problem was, she couldn’t see why it had to be her to fulfill that role.

They would engage in intercourse all night, worked during the day, and made love again upon returning home. When Richt moved atop Isabelle, he seemed not tired but filled with energy, displaying an inexhaustible stamina.

Thoughts of sending him away or getting a clear answer about the divorce crumbled mercilessly in the face of Richt’s persistent intrusion.

The body that betrayed reason always submitted to pl*asure. Richt reveled in that submission, behaving like a person obsessed with s*x. It seemed like a kind of addiction or fixation.

Moreover, there was also a strange wall of control. He would pry into Isabelle’s daily routine, asking questions he hadn’t asked before, checking to see if she had seen Eden. This wasn’t out of curiosity, but out of dislike for Eden.

Eden, too, was staying in the Blanchette household due to business with Timogere, and he couldn’t live without seeing her.

Richt wanted to know what conversations she had with Eden and how long they spent together. At such times, he seemed like a vigilant predator, fearing his prey would be taken away.

Richt was hostile towards Eden without any apparent reason. It was incomprehensible to Isabelle how Richt could show contempt to Eden but not to Timogere.

When Isabelle tried to defend Eden, wondering if there was some misunderstanding between them that Isabelle didn’t know about, Richt’s face contorted ferociously as he climbed on top of her and rammed his p*nis into her.

Biting, sucking, licking all over her body. He rocked his hips countless times, spurting c*m again and again, as if s*x was the only reason he wanted to be with Isabelle.

He was relentless and tireless. He was like a lust-crazed man. A nauseating, foul, and lewd smell always lingered in the room.

Such days repeated.

***

After several days of continuous rain since returning to Dranselle, the weather became sunny. The daytime landscape, like light blue watercolor, was beautiful, but when the sun moved westward and bathed the world in red, it was spectacular.

The sun tended to set later in Dranselle than in other areas and was known for its beautiful sunsets. Isabelle was sitting on a bench in a corner of the garden, enjoying the sunset. It was summer, but the occasional breeze made it not too hot.

As she stared off into the distance at the edge of the horizon, she heard the sound of people talking. Isabelle leaned forward and turned her head slightly toward the source.

“Are they really getting a divorce?”

“I can’t believe that. If that’s the case, would the Duke of Calitheon come all the way here?”

One voice was youthful, and the other was elderly. After Isabelle got married and left Dranselle, most of the servants had changed. She had no idea who the voices belonged to, but the conversation was about her and Richt.

The bench was located in a bushy area, so the servants couldn’t see Isabelle. Instead of getting up, she eavesdropped on their conversation.

“And Count Blanchette wouldn’t probably allow it.”

“Well, now that I think of it, the Duke of Calitheon must be very rich indeed, for every time the Count pleads his hand, the duke apparently easily hands over a large sum of money.”

“The Calitheon family made a significant contribution during the founding of the Empire and were knighted as dukes, so it’s no wonder they have so much wealth.”

“The Count Blanchette seems to be lucky, because now he is related to the Calitheon family, and that’s what’s keeping him afloat. If it weren’t for the Duke, the Blanchette family would have fallen long ago.”

Isabelle looked devastated. She couldn’t believe her brother extorted money from Richt again. No wonder he seemed so pleased lately; he had likely gained some profit in the meantime.

It hadn’t even been that long since Richt had been here.

When did all this happen?

Even the servants knew about it, and Isabelle remained completely unaware.

“Be careful with your words.”

“But it’s true. I’ve worked as a maid for many families, and I’ve never met anyone as debauched as Count Blanchette.”

“If the Count overhears, he’ll throw you out at once.”

“No one is listening, though.”

“Enough with the nonsense. Let’s go inside quickly. There’s a mountain of work to be done.”

The two maids moved along the path with blooming roses, gradually becoming distant. Understanding the situation, Isabelle was infuriated by Timogere’s audacity and shamelessness.

Rising from the bench, Isabelle entered the mansion and, after inquiring about Timogere’s whereabouts from the butler, she headed straight for the study. She pushed the door open with a cold and determined expression.

“Is it true?”

“What? You didn’t even knock.”

Timogere, writing something with a pen adorned with golden feathers, scowled. Isabelle barging in without any courtesy displeased him. But, Isabelle was in no mood to consider his feelings.

“Answer me, is it true? Did you ask him for money again?”

“Is that what you came to discuss?”

“Yes! Tell me quickly.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“How can you say it’s not my business? What were you thinking, you can’t even pay him back, how do you plan to resolve it?”

“It’s a matter between men and the affairs of the Calitheon and the Blanchette families. It’s none of your meddling!”

“You have no intention of paying, do you? How can a person become so shameless?”

How much more did he have to torment his younger sister before his conscience was appeased?

“Choose your words carefully. I am your older brother and the head of the Blanchette family! I can handle this. So, don’t interfere in every little thing!”

“And you expect me to believe that? What have you done to repay your debt, to honor the family, to earn your keep? You’re only going in and out of gambling establishments full of bums or spending the night drinking or, perhaps, indulging in vulgar activities with the pr*stitutes in the brothels.”

Spewing out every word she been holding back, Isabelle’s heart pounded due to memories of years of enduring violence. She didn’t want to silently endure any longer, so she deliberately concealed her fearful expression. Staying quiet always led to a worsening situation.

“Don’t make me angry, Isabelle.”

Timogere pushed away from his desk and stepped forward. His sinister touch grabbed Isabelle’s collar. Though it was just a grip on her clothes, it felt suffocating, as if her throat was constricted. Her voice didn’t come out properly, and her face flushed.

“Don’t interfere with my actions, Isabelle. I’ve only tolerated your reckless behavior because you seem capable of coaxing that bastard for the sake of our family.”

“….”

“Since that bastard seems to fancy you, continue doing so. That’s all you can do for the Blanchette family, Isabelle.”

“….”

“Understood? Now leave!”

Due to Timogere’s push on Isabelle’s chest, her body staggered backward. He returned to his chair and resumed his work. Isabelle breathed heavily.

It was disheartening. What answer was she hoping for? Even though she knew that Timogere would never come to his senses, she had harbored a glimmer of hope in the corner of her heart. He was undoubtedly an irredeemable human being.

Without withdrawing her gaze that had been fixed on Timogere, Isabelle continued to spoke.

“Our father worried about the family until he passed away. He said that if you became the head, the Blanchette family would soon disappear. He wasn’t wrong.”

“Stop it!”

“Why? Does it sting?”

“I’ll tear that mouth of yours if you say one more word!”

“Do you have any idea what the people are talking about?”

“This is your last warning, Isabelle!”

“Never again, do not ask from him again, you are a disgrace to the family!”

“Get the hell out of here before I strangle you!”

Timogere slammed his fist down on the brown desk forcefully. The sound echoed loudly in the space. The muscles in his face twitched as his anger rose to the top of his head. Isabelle whirled around and left his study.

She could feel the stares of the servants as she made her way out of the hall, but she didn’t care. Returning to the bench she had sat on earlier, Isabelle sat alone, suppressing her emotions.

Timogere, despite his age, had not regained his senses. He was despicable, tarnishing the family’s name and clinging to Richt. His constant borrowing of money was annoying and was weighing down on Isabelle. Whenever she thought of her older brother’s deeds, she felt like a sinner.