Chapter 73

When Karan opened the door, Lennox entered, his hair neatly swept back, his eyes gloomy as he looked at Richel. Richel smiled, seeming pleased with that gaze.

“You’ve become impressive these past few years. That’s a fine look in your eyes, Lennox.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Lennox placed his clenched fist over his left chest and bowed deeply in the Aryan Empire’s fashion, making Richel’s eyes curve in satisfaction.

“You can greet me in the Kursh Kingdom way if you prefer. Aren’t you a knight of the Kursh Kingdom?”

“…….”

Lennox did not answer. Richel spoke again.

“Go ahead. I permit you to show courtesy in the Kursh Kingdom way, Lennox Lennon.”

Secretly, like a snake’s tongue, Richel’s voice slid into Lennox’s ear. Lennox, expressionless, drew his sword toward Richel. Karan moved to block Richel, but Richel pushed him aside, folded his arms, and stared at Lennox. Lennox, without hesitation, gripped the hilt with both hands and held his sword straight. Then, kneeling on one knee and bowing his head, he spoke slowly and clearly.

“Let any who stand against the glory of the Aryan Empire be stained by this sword’s blood. At the tip of this sword, I pledge loyalty to the Aryan Empire. At the tip of this sword, I swear loyalty to you, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Aryan Empire knight’s oath echoed through Richel’s study. Karan’s face turned to stone. Richel listened to Lennox’s oath as if enjoying beautiful music, eyes closed in delight. When the knight’s vow faded into the carpet, Richel opened his eyes and, with a proud look, spoke in a voice devoid of laughter.

“Are you ready to become the captain of my Pamphilenet Order, Lennox Lennon?”

“Your Highness!”

“I gladly dedicate my sword to you, Your Highness.”

Lennox’s sword was angled toward Richel. Richel placed his finger on the pommel, accepting him as his knight. Thus, Lennox became a knight of the Aryan Empire.

* * *

The room, once cold with all the furniture removed, was now filled with heat.

“Ah… please… enough… Lennox… ugh!”

Ellen pleaded for mercy, her breath ragged. She’d lost count of how many times. After spending time with Innis during the hours Lennox allowed, Ellen had come to the room at his call for bed. As soon as she entered, he devoured her lips, ignoring her wishes and pulling her close.

Ellen stopped trying to count the hours that had passed. Her mind was foggy, making rational thought difficult.

Pleasure struck her body like a lightning bolt, sharp enough to hurt. As Ellen trembled in ecstasy, collapsing onto the bed, Lennox kissed her shoulder and pulled her close again.

“Ah… enough… Lennox… enough…”

Ellen rubbed her cheek against the pillow, pleading in agony, but Lennox ignored her. Soon, Ellen surrendered herself completely to him. The more he craved her, the more she craved him in return.

Pleasure struck down her spine. When Lennox withdrew, Ellen collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. She clutched the pillowcase, panting, too tired to move a finger. Her nerves, tangled and messy, seemed to settle lazily back into place. Then, she heard the gentle sound of water at her ear.

As Lennox wiped her body with a wet towel, Ellen shivered and bit her lip, letting out a soft m*an. Lennox silently dried her with a towel and spoke.

“Tomorrow, we’ll leave this place.”

Ellen blinked sleepily and answered in a small voice.

“Mm.”

“Your comfortable life ends here. I’ll act as I always have.”

“Mm.”

“You’ve never traveled far before. It’ll be hard for you.”

“…….”

“Still not thinking of giving up?”

“No.”

Ellen answered, closing her eyes. She was tired. She wanted to sleep. But Lennox kept talking to her.

“It won’t be the easy path you imagine.”

“I know.”

“I don’t intend to be considerate.”

“Mm.”

“Don’t be stubborn.”

“You’re the one who suggested the bet first, Lennox.”

“If you just say you want to go back, you won’t have to suffer.”

“…….”

Lennox didn’t get an answer because Ellen had fallen asleep. He looked down at her, then gently laid her straight on the bed. Desire flickered for a moment, but Lennox quietly covered her with a blanket. Dressed, Lennox sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the room.

It was originally Baron Dermann’s room. He’d cleared out all the Baron’s belongings and destroyed the memories of Ellen and the Baron, then filled the room with new memories of himself and Ellen. After a week in Baron Dermann’s room, Lennox finally liked it. Now he could leave with a light heart.

The next day, Ellen woke up close to noon. She shivered at the chill and opened her eyes.

“Lennox…?”

She reached for the empty space beside her, but only found a cold spot. Ellen wrapped herself in the blanket and sat up. The room, stripped of furniture, felt empty. With Lennox gone too, it felt even lonelier. Ellen looked around the room with fresh eyes. For five years, she’d driven Lennox out, lived in this mansion, and given birth to a daughter. It was the place she could never get attached to, the place she hated most, yet for nearly a week she’d made love and slept here.

‘I hated this room…’

It was the room where she’d spent her first night after marrying Baron Dermann, the most awful, nightmarish place. That long night felt like being in a pit writhing with hundreds of snakes. On their wedding night, Baron Dermann hadn’t touched Ellen. He’d snored loudly, and Ellen endured the hated hours in a corner all night.

Baron Dermann was, in some ways, just like her father. At least in front of the staff, he acted the kind husband, but on their wedding night, he revealed his true nature.

—Listen carefully. As you know, I’m from a lowly merchant background. That’s why the nobility looks down on me.

He growled.

—Your father’s the same. He looked at me with those d*mn eyes, like I was some ignorant fool. You can’t imagine how I felt.

He laughed loudly. Ellen could only watch his changing expressions in silence.

—Still. Do you know why I proposed to you, even at the cost of my pride? Because you’re from a poor but old family, and you’ll raise my standing.

Baron Dermann grinned and kept speaking cruelly to his bride.

—So, Baroness Dermann. Do your job well in this position. So the nobles won’t look down on me. I spent time, effort, and money to buy you, so don’t let it be a waste.

Ellen felt relief even as she endured the humiliating, mocking words.

‘Ah. At least he wouldn’t touch me.’

Ellen replied that she understood. Not long after, she learned Baron Dermann’s secret—purely by chance. One day, suffocating in her room, she sat behind a tree in the garden, away from prying eyes, and overheard the butler Karl and the physician talking. Many words were exchanged, but one thing stuck in Ellen’s mind.

Baron Dermann couldn’t have children. He hid it from Ellen, not wanting her to have leverage over him. Ellen felt relief again. At least she’d never have to bear his child.

Some time later, Ellen became pregnant.

That’s when things rapidly deteriorated between her and Baron Dermann, and she lost all authority in the mansion, becoming Baroness only in name. When Baron Dermann learned of Ellen’s pregnancy, he flew into a rage and later even raised his hand against her. Ironically, Ellen felt joy at the situation—she hoped he might divorce her. But instead, he cheated. Baron Dermann’s reputation in society suffered, and Ellen had to clean up after him, but she preferred that. As long as he hated her and stayed away, she could endure worse.

As her belly grew, Baron Dermann’s curses and violence didn’t stop. He couldn’t stand the sight of her pregnant. Ellen avoided him as much as possible to protect the baby. After a tense pregnancy, Ellen gave birth to Innis. She learned that during her labor, Baron Dermann was flirting with another woman, but Ellen didn’t care. She simply held the red, newborn Innis close, crying endlessly with a heavy heart.

‘My precious, precious child. My poor child.’

Because her relationship with Baron Dermann was bad, Innis might never know a father’s love, but Ellen loved Innis deeply. That was enough. Holding her child and crying, Ellen made a vow.

She would never let her child be lonely. She would never let her walk the same path.