But Iren couldn’t open her mouth hastily. It was because she couldn’t gauge Lahart’s reaction to that flower.

Will he understand if I say I obtained it for the antidote research? Or will he get angry or mock me for not letting go of the antidote?

“You have no evidence? Or are you unwilling to speak?”

“I have it. It’s contained in the pouch the hunter had.”

Lahart stepped away from Iren and motioned to the servants outside the room to bring the pouch. Soon, a butler who received his command placed the pouch on the bed and left.

When the pouch was turned over, violet flowers piled up in abundance. Iren tidied up her disheveled appearance and picked up one flower.

“It is a wild flower that blooms only in the snow. I went into the forest since it’s the only place where this flower blooms at this time of year.”

Iren intentionally didn’t mention the name of the flower. Lahart had no good memories associated with it, as it reminded him of the past. His smile that was as warm as sunlight, and his words that made her heart flutter were memories that only shone for her.

“Why did you go into the forest while I was away?”

“Because I thought… you would get angry.”

“Why?”

Iren tilted her head slightly. Today, Lahart was a little, no, he’s very strange. From the beginning, it was strange that he returned so early…

She answered honestly while feeling puzzled.

“Because you told me to give up on the antidote.”

“Ah, right.”

Lahart smirked, then returned with an expressionless face and tightly squeezed the flower in his hand. In his firm hand, the flower crumbled into nothingness. Iren gazed sorrowfully at the precious flower that turned into dust and scattered.

“Iren.”

Lahart, who casually let go of the broken flower, brushed Iren’s tear-stained cheek.

“No matter how much you want it, we can’t go back to the past.”

“……”

“Since the moment you poisoned me.”

Focus disappeared from Iren’s eyes. Lahart looked at her eyes, where guilt and despair were streaming down like her tears, and smiled as though he was delighted beyond measure.

He took Iren’s trembling hand and slowly swept her lips and neck.

“Even after ten years, I still remember. How could I forget? The moment you betrayed me.”

“La…hart….”

“If it was poison, I would have drunk it to the last drop, but that kind of poison was new to me. It was truly unbearable.”

His tongue felt like it was melting and his throat was burning. He wanted to tear his own throat apart, but he couldn’t even lift a finger. Even though the poisoned blood made his veins rot and pulsate, his heart didn’t stop.

But what tormented Lahart more than the poison devouring his body was,

“You, who poisoned me, was crying just like this.”

It was the fact that it was Irelaide who poisoned him.

Iren didn’t realize she was shedding tears until Lahart told her. Lahart squeezed Iren’s hand that was resting on her chest so hard that it felt like he would break it.

“I won’t ask why you did it. I don’t need an answer. Don’t make excuses.”

“Lahart, I…”

“You couldn’t save me, Iren.”

Iren’s hand lost strength. Lahart didn’t let go of her hand and pressed it closer to his chest. She could clearly feel his heart beating vigorously.

“But if you can’t give up, struggle till the end. Seeing you uselessly try and cling to something makes me feel better.”

Lahart hugged Iren tightly, ending his words with a sense of fear. He laid her on the bed and gently held her thin wrist.

His gaze turned dark.

Her white skin, which was as soft as snow, melted beneath his hand. Lahart lowered his head onto her neck.

“Ah….”

There was a bitter herbal scent in Iren’s fragrance. The smell that reminded him of the poison that devoured his body and life.

And yet, as soon as he smelled her scent, a thirst rushed over him.

He wanted to destroy Iren. Just as she had done.

He wanted to make Iren despair. Just as she had done.

He wanted Iren to never forget herself. Just as she had done.

Lahart’s desire swelled. It was as if flames, not blood, were flowing through his veins, blazing hot.

He knew that even if he desires her, this insatiable thirst would not be quenched. Just like rain pouring on a spreading wildfire won’t extinguish the flames. He twisted his lips in self-deprecation.

Even thought he knew it was useless, his greed and resentment still persist. Yeah. This is not love. Nor affection. It was both a desire for revenge and a sense of hatred, and a desire for domination and possessiveness at the same time.

“Undress.”

Iren doubted her ears. Lahart let go of her wrist that he held with an expressionless face. His gray eyes were cold like ice, yet filled with intense desire.

“Take off your clothes and come on top of me.”

“Why are you suddenly saying such things…”

Iren untied her clothes, feeling a sense of shame beyond embarrassment.

It was currently midday with the sun high above. Although it was not shameful to engage in such acts during the night, it was an entirely different issue in the daylight.

If one of the servants or Lahart’s subordinates were to overhear…

Iren’s cheeks turned red.

“If you satisfy me by your own will, I’ll release them.”

Iren finally looked up at Lahart, embarrassed. Although she was confused, her eyes were filled with determination.

Lahart found Iren’s reaction quite amusing. Five years had passed since she was rescued from the gallows and became his wife, yet she was still a woman who didn’t know what to do in bed. Wasn’t she the woman who used to tremble even when he undressed so she could apply the medicine? Even if she managed to undress him somehow, she would never be able to do more than that.

“…Can you promise me?”

Lahart was momentarily surprised when he heard Iren’s question. But he quickly regained his composure and lifted Iren’s chin.

“It depends on you.”

Perhaps. If you behave in a way that pleases me, I might forgive both them and you.

That was impossible. Both Lahart, who was speaking, and Iren, who was listening, knew that Lahart forgiving Iren was never going to happen, no matter if she created an antidote or not.

“…Yes.”

Iren straightened her upper body and quietly began to undress. Lahart gripped the bed and sat crookedly, watching her every move.

Her hands kept slipping as she felt Lahart’s persistent gaze. Iren bit her lip. Her trembling hands took a long time just to unbutton a single button.

Layer by layer, her outerwear and her going-out dress fell to the floor. Now, all that remained on Iren’s body was a fluttering chemise.

This too… should be taken off. The moment when Iren tightly closed her eyes and held the ribbon that tied the chemise,

“Do it slowly.”

Lahart muttered softly and grabbed her waist. He immediately lifted Iren and sat her on his own abdomen.

Startled, Iren tried to escape, twisting her body. Separated only by the thin chemise, her round b*ttocks lightly grazed against firm abs. Lahart furrowed his eyebrows at the soft sensation.

His uncharacteristically beautiful but large hand grabbed Iren’s slender waist tightly. Her soft flesh pressed against his firm muscles. He furrowed his eyebrows slightly.

“Hmm…!”

“Get undressed properly.”

Iren lowered her head.

I have wronged him, I must ask for forgiveness. I have to do as he wishes, even if it means removing my clothes.

It was embarrassing, but there was no other way. In Lahart’s eyes, she was an unforgivable sinner, and she had to save the three people who helped her.

Iren pulled the strings and untied the knot. As the tied strings came loose, her chest wrapped in the fabric was revealed. Feeling the cool air against her skin, Iren shivered slightly. Her white hair flowed down, skillfully covering her chest.

“More.”

Lahart’s command was unyielding, as if he couldn’t tolerate anything less than perfect.

Iren took off her shoes and placed them on the floor. Now, the only thing covering her body was her hair, which was similar in color to Lahart’s.

Lahart stared at Iren, who sat on top of him, with a gaze that seemed surprised.

It was the first time he’d seen her in such bright sunlight. Although it wasn’t that much, there were large and small purple spots all over her pure white skin. He had never noticed those spots at night.

Why are the traces of poison still there? She shouldn’t be as addicted as before.

Lahart, with narrow eyes, lightly gripped the area on her left chest, which was tinged with a light shade of purple.

“Ah…”

“Does it hurt?”

“No…”

“I guess that’s good.”

Iren turned her head without responding. The blush that started from her neck quickly spread to her chest. Lahart chuckled and let go of her chest.

“From now on, you’ll have to figure it out yourself. I won’t tell you anything anymore.”

Today, he was particularly irritable. In the past five years, Lahart had never made such a demand. While he had rough and persistent sides, he had never hurt Iren.

No, Iren was happy as long as she was in Lahart’s embrace. She could feel his body heat and a sense of connection. Sometimes, she even felt loved. All she had to do was spend the night in Lahart’s arms.

And now he’s angry. Not only did she dress up as a maid and leave the castle, but she also stepped foot into the restricted area. She had tarnished the honor and authority of Duke Cardius.

She couldn’t understand why he was angry like this… From his cold and cruel nature, she could infer that this was her first and last chance. So Iren had to satisfy him, no matter how she felt.

Iren leaned down and pressed her lips to Lahart’s. She cautiously licked his lips, mimicking the kiss he had given her. Lahart’s eyebrows furrowed as his eyes widened.

After a moment, their lips parted, and Iren’s tongue became entangled with Lahart’s.

“Mmm…”

Iren initiated the kiss, but Lahart took the lead afterward. His tongue explored Iren’s mouth eagerly. The sensation of his warm breath and his unique scent left Iren feeling lightheaded.