Chapter 26

“Yes, if that’s what you want.”

Kaiden took off his clothes and pressed his bare skin against Astrid’s. As he held her close, her white arms reached out and wrapped around his neck. With their chests pressed tightly together and rubbing against each other, the strength in her arms gradually increased.

Kaiden’s fully aroused manhood poked at Astrid’s hips. Soon, as he grabbed his shaft and rubbed it against her entrance, the wet sounds echoed loudly. Kaiden found it hard to endure any longer, his mouth going dry.

“Ahh, hurry…”

As Astrid panted and pleaded, his hard, threatening member slowly slid between her parted folds. Soon, the thick, firm tip pushed deep inside her.

“Ah.”

Kaiden let out a long breath. Overwhelmed by the pleasure her body gave, any initial restraint had long since vanished.

It seemed Astrid’s body had grown accustomed to being with him, as he was able to enter her more easily than before.

He lifted her chin and kissed her. As his tongue slipped deeply inside and brushed her delicate inner mouth, Astrid let out a faint m*an.

Continuing the deep kiss, Kaiden began to move his hips. He pulled out halfway slowly, then thr*st in hard enough to make a sharp sound.

“Mm, ah!”

Her head tilted back and her body trembled. At the same time, her damp inner walls tightened around him, and Kaiden felt a wave of release building.

He bit back the urge, gritting his teeth, and pulled out until only the tip remained.

Impatient, Astrid lifted her hips. Frustrated by his slow movements, she pressed her body closer, urging him on. As her sweat-soaked, slippery body clung to him, Kaiden felt his mind melting away.

“Do you want it rough?”

“Ah!”

“Haa, As!”

Pulling back, Kaiden slammed into her with force. Astrid, unable to help herself, scratched his neck and clung to his shoulders.

Calling Astrid’s name, Kaiden thr*st into her without pause. He relentlessly pressed and rubbed the most sensitive spots inside her, pushing her to the very edge.

Wet, lewd sounds filled the room as he moved without rest, twisting his hips and plunging into her.

“Kaiden!”

“Don’t forget. Even today, you had me.”

Kaiden desperately wanted to be imprinted in her memory.

He didn’t want it to be just a l*st-filled dream, but something she would remember as something they both wanted.

So next time, he hoped Astrid would call for him.

Like that winter night at the Academy’s graduation, he wanted to look into those clear green eyes and become one with her again. He wanted her to enjoy the process of becoming one.

“Do you like it?”

“Ahh! Aaah!”

“Please, say it. Tell me to keep going.”

Kaiden pleaded in a voice trembling with excitement, roughly swirling inside her. Like a wild beast, he drove into her. That relentless pace continued until Astrid lost consciousness.

When her sweat-soaked white body finally went limp, Kaiden released deeply inside her.

He kissed her reddened earlobe and held her tightly.

Wishing her a peaceful sleep.

* * *

The Queen’s tea party was as splendid as its reputation. Even though it was still winter, the tables were beautifully decorated with fresh flowers.

Astrid walked forward, taking in the scene that looked like a finely crafted sculpture.

Even though the noble ladies attending the party had prepared to criticize Brielle, the backdrop was dazzlingly beautiful.

When she arrived beneath the smooth marble arch, the Queen greeted her with a bright smile.

“Dowager Duchess Raselles, it’s been a while.”

“Your Majesty the Queen, thank you for inviting us. This is Miss Brielle Selinger, whom I mentioned before.”

“It’s an honor to be invited.”

When Astrid gracefully held her skirt and bowed according to royal etiquette, the Queen’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Her poise was not something one could imitate simply by learning from an etiquette teacher. Even before the imposing Queen, she stood straight and held her chin high, exuding a natural dignity.

Unlike the other noble ladies, she did not cinch her waist tightly with a corset or powder her skin white. Yet her beauty shone, and the Queen watched Brielle with interest.

Sophia had gnashed her teeth, saying Brielle Selinger was shamelessly flirting with Kaiden, so the Queen had been curious to see just how vulgar she might be. But the reality was different.

“You are very beautiful. Do you have a secret?”

“You flatter me. I simply followed the advice of a merchant guild I’ve worked with for a long time on how to keep my body healthy.”

“Healthy?”

As the Queen tilted her head, Astrid gave a gentle smile.

“I recently suffered after a train accident, so I have lingering aftereffects. It’s hard for me to wear tight clothing, so I ordered a dress from the Mason Merchant Guild that follows etiquette but emphasizes comfort.”

“Oh dear, it must still be difficult for you. Since you came with such effort, please enjoy yourself.”

Astrid could have criticized the corsets worn by other noble ladies and praised herself instead, but she didn’t. Instead, she used her health as an excuse and even drew sympathy from the ladies.

Hmm. The Queen smiled in satisfaction and showed her interest, and attention turned to Astrid. Though the noble ladies’ sharp gazes might have made anyone nervous, she greeted everyone politely without a single mistake.

While chatting amicably with the other ladies, the Queen’s eyes lingered on Astrid as she moved away.

That woman… if handled well, she could be quite useful. Even if something went wrong, as a fallen noble, she could be dealt with discreetly, with no consequences.

Having organized her thoughts, the Queen ordered a lady-in-waiting to bring Princess Sophia.

A while later, Sophia entered with a lively step. Her red hair was curled thickly and she wore a peach-colored dress, making her look even more cheerful.

Thinking she might meet Kaiden, the Queen had taken a precious diamond necklace from the treasury and put it on her daughter. Perhaps because of that, the princess looked even more radiant today.

Pleased, the Queen signaled toward Astrid.

“Go and talk with Miss Selinger. She’s polite and clever, so if you make good use of her, she’ll be helpful to you.”

“Mother, I don’t want to be with such a lowborn. I’d rather send her away right now!”

“Sophia, as a princess of a nation, you should know what you must and must not do. For the sake of the Raselles Duchy, you must not touch Miss Selinger. Do you understand?”

When the Queen warned her, Sophia’s eyebrows furrowed. But as the Queen did not relax her stern expression, Sophia reluctantly nodded.

Fine, I’ll just use this chance to teach her a lesson.

Princess Sophia approached Astrid with Lady Vivian Douglas, daughter of the Marchioness Douglas. She then warmly greeted the Dowager Duchess.

“Dowager Duchess Raselles, it’s nice to see you at the palace.”

“Your Highness Princess, you are beautiful as always.”

“Thank you for your kind words. Miss Selinger, would you like to greet my friends? They’re all about your age.”

The Dowager Duchess accepted the princess’s suggestion as if she were happily getting rid of a troublesome burden.

Astrid showed no particular reaction and quietly followed the princess.

She sat down and examined the centerpiece decorated with blue hydrangeas and silk, and the tableware painted with floral patterns.

If the silk was removed, the flowers would stand out more, but it seemed the Queen liked elaborate decorations.

She’s different from Princess Sophia.

Sophia always wore snow-white coats or dresses and let down her red hair to emphasize her innocence whenever she came to the Academy. Kaiden, however, had always disliked that sort of princess.

Not long after they started drinking tea, Lady Vivian Douglas looked at Astrid with a predatory glint in her eyes.

“You’re the one who captivated the late Young Duke with your beauty, but you can’t even dress up because you’re sick. How unfortunate.”

“The Dowager Duchess Raselles is taking care of me, so I’m recovering. Thank you for your concern.”

At those words, Vivian scoffed and looked Astrid up and down before speaking.

“The Dowager Duchess must have it tough…”

Sophia’s eyebrows drooped as if she were truly sorry.

“The Duke really needs to make a decision soon.”