Chapter 69

Ellen grabbed Lennox’s shoulder with her hand.

“Lennox… Lennox…”

She called his name endlessly, running her fingers through his black hair, her body trembling all over. Her nerves, heightened, surged through her veins like a gentle current of electricity.

Ellen felt like she was losing her mind. Her thoughts were a mess. The stimulation and pleasure piercing her entire body made her muscles ache in a strangely pleasant way. Without realizing it, Ellen hugged Lennox’s head closer, wanting him to kiss her even deeper. His hot breath was thrillingly painful. Her mind grew foggy.

Ellen trembled, looking down at Lennox with blurry eyes.

“Len…nox.”

Suddenly, Lennox raised his head. With unfocused, dark eyes, he looked up at Ellen, finding her alluring. Lennox bit his molars hard and sat up.

“I’ll go drink the contraceptive. There should be some left.”

He spoke with a voice strained by self-control, but Ellen shook her head.

“Lennox. It’s fine. Just do it.”

“Ellen.”

“I just want you.”

Lennox’s strong arms pulled Ellen’s slender waist toward him. The bathwater rippled, sometimes gently, sometimes violently. A smile bloomed on Ellen’s lips.

Their second climax came at the same time as he released inside her. Ellen’s body went limp. She felt his strong arm holding her waist, keeping her from slipping under the water. Suddenly, a chill swept over her. Her pale body was wrapped in a soft towel and held in his large arms. Ellen leaned into his chest, feeling happy—even if that happiness would soon end.

“…Lennox.”

Ellen turned her head and kissed his firm chest lightly. Lennox’s arm tightened around her. His steps quickened, filled with desire and longing, heat rising through his body. Lennox laid Ellen on the bed, showering kisses on her white skin, imprinting his love. The lovers whispered their desires all night, as if they never wanted this moment to end.

* * *

Through the half-open window, the spring breeze shyly scattered pink petals for the loving couple before fleeing. Ellen struggled to open her eyes against the teasing spring sunlight poking her eyelashes. The first thing she saw was a strong male chest. Rolling her dark eyes upward, she saw the throat that had whispered sweetly all night, and the lips that had kissed her body throughout the night.

“…….”

Ellen carefully stroked the most comfortable chest in the world. In his sleep, he shifted his strong body, pulling her slender form into a gentle embrace. Ellen closed her eyes again.

‘It wasn’t a dream.’

After spending the night entwined with him, Ellen thought it was all a dream—a cruel illusion born of desperate longing. Fearing that he wouldn’t be there when she woke, she clung to his neck, holding and being held.

Thump, thump. The healthy sound of his heartbeat was comforting. She wished she could stay in his arms for a thousand years.

Suddenly, her father’s threat to kill Lennox if she defied him flashed through her mind. Ellen, who had buried her face in his chest, snapped her eyes open. The nightmare-like memories raced through her head. She clenched her hands and looked up at Lennox, who slept peacefully—the most comfortable face in the world. A faint smile appeared on Ellen’s lips, then tightened. She sat up. Her body, wrapped in a thin nightgown, shone dazzlingly in the morning sunlight.

“Ellen.”

Lennox called softly, wrapping his arm around her waist. Ellen smiled.

“How long have you been awake?”

The only friend who had always been by her side since childhood.

“Long before you woke up.”

The lover she wanted to protect, even at the cost of her own life. Her knight.

“You could have said something.”

Even if her selfish choice tore her apart,

“When I close my eyes, I can feel you even more. I just wanted to focus on the fact that you’re here.”

Even if he cursed and hated her,

“Lennox.”

She would gladly accept it with a smile, as long as he was safe. As long as he lived.

“Mm.”

But if this selfish decision left him with an irreparable wound,

“Let’s stop now.”

She would carry that pain for the rest of her life.

“What?”

‘So please live. Live and be happy. Live and smile. Live.’

“Let’s end our childhood games now.”

‘Live for yourself, not for me.’

“Ellen. What are you…”

The bed shook as Lennox sat up, his expression twisted. Ellen smiled sweetly and picked up the bell. His trembling red eyes made her heart ache. It felt as if her heart was being torn into thousands, tens of thousands of pieces. With a sad smile, Ellen said the words she could never say to him for a lifetime.

“Thank you for everything. Goodbye, Lennox.”

‘I love you, Lennox.’

Today is the day she kills the most precious time of her life.

* * *

“You locked Sir Lennon in the basement?”

Viscount Valère clicked his tongue at Ellen, who stood before him with a haggard face after just one night.

“Yes.”

“Good. Well done.”

“Well… done?”

“If he’s locked up, the wedding preparations won’t be disrupted. If you can get rid of your lingering feelings for Sir Lennon this way, all the better.”

“Lingering feelings…”

“Enough about that. Are the wedding preparations going well?”

Viscount Valère, unconcerned with Ellen’s emotions, asked, and Ellen nodded like a broken doll. She didn’t have the strength to argue anymore. Her mind was blank.

“Father. You must keep your promise.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t send Sir Lennon to any more dangerous places. Don’t torment him.”

“I never break a promise once made.”

“You’d better. If you don’t, I won’t live as Baroness Dermann.”

“Are you threatening your father?”

“No. I’m just asking you not to forget your promise.”

Viscount Valère looked at Ellen with disapproval. Her voice was completely devoid of emotion, as if she were talking to a wall.

“By the way, what crime will you use to justify locking up Sir Lennon?”

“I’m about to decide.”

Ellen moved her dry lips and spoke flatly.

Although Lennox could easily overpower the servants, he was dragged away by them, looking incredulous. Ellen never looked away, not even at the end. His desperate gaze stabbed painfully into her heart. So she didn’t look away—she wanted him to leave an unforgettable wound in her heart.

Ignoring Viscount Valère’s gaze behind her, Ellen staggered back to her room. The room, swept clean by the morning’s commotion, was quiet. A small bird fluttered onto the window sill. It cocked its little head, looked around, then flew off with another bird that landed on a branch. Watching this, a weak smile flickered on Ellen’s lips, then vanished. She shook the bell cord, and soon Emma entered.

“My Lady. Did you call?”

“Find out how Sir Lennon returned from the border to here.”

“My Lady…”

“And burn these bed sheets, blankets, and pillows.”

“…….”

“Replace everything in the bathroom.”

“My Lady.”

“And… and…”

What else was there? Her mind was in chaos. The memories with him were so long, she couldn’t think of what else to do. Should she erase her whole body that touched him? Would that make everything disappear completely? Her chest ached, as if she had indigestion. Her fingertips grew cold. She tried to think rationally, but everything was foggy, and she couldn’t remember anything. A headache came. Ellen frowned and pressed her forehead.

“Hurry.”

“My Lady. But!”

“Emma.”

“…Yes.”

At Ellen’s firm voice, Emma bowed her head and answered quietly. Ellen sat in the soft chair and tried to breathe. She sensed Emma bustling nearby, but it felt like something happening far away. Whether it was the pain in her head or the reality of erasing all traces, Ellen couldn’t tell.

After some time, Lennox’s crime for being locked in the basement was decided. He had left without receiving orders to return, tarnishing the Valère family’s name. Viscount Valère was furious, but Ellen calmed him and asked to handle Lennox’s punishment herself. For some reason, Viscount Valère agreed, and Ellen sentenced Lennox to one month of confinement.

“My Lady. Sir Lennon says he wants to see you…”

“…….”

Ellen sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand, staring outside, not answering. Emma, glancing at the steaming teacup, spoke anxiously.

“Sir Lennon hasn’t eaten properly for two days now.”

“…….”

“My Lady…”

“My Lady!”

Suddenly, a servant knocked urgently on the door. Ellen gestured for them to open it. The servant rushed in, panting, and said,

“Sir Lennon is breaking down the basement door! The servants are trying to stop him, but they’re all getting knocked aside.”

Despite the urgent report, Ellen didn’t blink. Instead, cold words flowed from her dry lips.