Chapter 13

Raven didn’t stop there. The Grand Madam’s family had received a minor noble title solely thanks to the Kreuten Duchy’s influence. Now that he knew they had also supported the misdeeds of Rachel and the Grand Madam, he couldn’t leave them alone.

An article about a ruined family took up a corner of the newspaper overnight. Raven, satisfied, set the paper down. The lawyer who had previously visited the mansion for Raven and Liliana’s divorce had brought the paper.

“Well done.”

“I did my best to fulfill your wishes.”

“I’m glad to know someone as capable as you.”

“The divorce…”

“As I said before, it was just a passing wind, so tear up those papers.”

Raven spoke firmly, a smile on his stoic face. He was probably thinking of Liliana. The lawyer saw Raven’s expression and gathered the documents. Raven had changed a lot since returning to the mansion.

On the first day, he’d been like an untamed beast; now, he seemed a tamed predator. But the wildness remained, ready to pounce and tear at any moment. And that predator had torn apart the Grand Madam, Rachel, and their maternal family.

“What happened to Damon?”

“Ah.”

The lawyer nodded. Damon, who had been at the academy, lost the Kreuten name and was expelled. Having lost everything, Damon tried to return to Kreuten, but Raven’s knights were faster. They informed Damon that Kreuten was no longer his home.

In the end, Damon went to his maternal family—the nest of those who had helped Rachel and the Grand Madam’s crimes! They lost what they had enjoyed and returned to their proper place. The Grand Madam had gone back to her life before marrying the previous Duke. A leaky roof and an empty rice jar. Such a life. Having lost what they once had, it was clear how miserable and painful they must be.

“He went back there. He found his rightful place.”

“Damon seems unable to adjust. Even now, he goes around claiming he’s the Young Master Kreuten. He acts like a king there.”

“So?”

The lawyer shook his head, clicking his tongue. The commoner children were certainly tough.

“He was beaten badly by kids his own age.”

Raven chuckled quietly. Unlike the Kreutens who wielded swords, Damon was extremely weak. He’d never properly held a sword. Instead, Damon held a pen. So, could he withstand the strength of rough commoner children? One could imagine what happened.

“Everything has been handled clearly. What about the relationship between that woman and my father?”

“It was annulled. She’ll remain a mistress forever.”

“You did well.”

Everything had been neatly resolved, just as Liliana had asked Raven. He’d removed those devils from Liliana’s sight. Raven licked his lips. Now that he’d done what she wanted, it was time for his promised reward.

Raven rose lightly.

“You won’t need to come for a while.”

“Then…”

“Come on the day the divorce mediation period ends.”

“Pardon?”

“We should keep up appearances. Liliana might like that sort of thing.”

Raven smiled softly. Liliana seemed content with her life now. So there was no way Liliana would choose divorce. From now on, Raven intended to make Liliana feel as sweet as honey.

“……Do you love her?”

The lawyer asked with a peculiar expression. Raven, about to leave the room, stopped and turned to look at him.

“Do you love the Duchess?”

It was hard to believe Raven could love anyone. For someone to change so much, it must be love. Raven tilted his head and curled his lips.

“I don’t know what love is. But I want to keep her in my arms. I want to kiss her, cherish her, and protect her from anything that bothers her. I want to see her cry, keep her in bed all day, and her smile looks beautiful.”

Raven endlessly listed what he felt. The lawyer’s expression turned blank. His words were thick with obsession and possessiveness.

Then Raven added,

“If this is love, then I suppose it is.”

“Ah… yes.”

The lawyer nodded. It seemed dangerous, but it was certainly love. This time, Raven finally left the office. He was off to find Liliana, who would give him his well-deserved reward!

***

There was no Everset to treat her like a nuisance, nor Rachel and the Grand Madam to torment her like demons. Liliana smiled brightly. She didn’t have to give up anything she’d enjoyed! Liliana could keep living as she had and finally gained the safe haven she’d longed for.

But there was something nagging at her.

‘Divorce.’

Liliana’s smile faded in an instant. If she’d known Raven would take her side like this, she would never have mentioned divorce. But she couldn’t take back words already spoken.

Liliana felt she might love Raven.

She loved the peace and safe sleep he provided. She loved the protection and kindness he showed her. She felt she could stay by his side forever. That was all Liliana wanted, so loving him was easy. If she lost Raven and the sense of security he gave, that would be true misfortune.

‘What should I do?’

Liliana touched a flower petal with a worried face. Before, she couldn’t even come outside alone, but now she could roam the garden as she pleased. She could touch the flowers blooming in the garden and breathe clean air. The servants working at the newly built stable didn’t even make eye contact with her.

This place was nothing short of heaven for Liliana.

“You seem troubled, Madam.”

The newly assigned head maid asked worriedly. Liliana’s happiness and safety were directly tied to their lives. Everyone here had witnessed the red blood that stained the garden. Liliana shook her head slightly.

“Hmm… I want to take back what I said to Raven, but I don’t know how.”

The maids here had lived longer than Liliana, so they might be able to give good advice. Liliana looked at them with hopeful eyes. But the maids had only one thing to say.

“Just be honest. His Grace will listen to anything you say.”

That was all. Given what Raven had done lately, if Liliana wished, he’d probably dig a huge lake in the mansion. Why worry and startle people over nothing? The head maid gently comforted Liliana and whispered.

“The weather is so nice, Madam. Why not let go of your worries? If you go a bit further, there’s a small pond with flowers in full bloom. The gardener worked hard to grow them.”

“A pond…?”

Liliana’s face instantly brightened.

“Yes, a pond.”

“I didn’t know there was one!”

“Since it’s warm now, you could even dip your feet in.”

The head maid smiled. Liliana regained her happiness. The maids, relieved, followed her as she walked. Then something caught their eye.

“Oh. What’s that?”

Liliana fluttered her eyelashes. Something was being dragged toward the annex. It looked like a person? Limp and in bad shape. Judging by the dress, it seemed to be a woman, and the maids were moving her.

“Ah.”

The head maid frowned. They had tried so hard not to cross paths. The stablekeeper sent into the Grand Madam’s bedroom had completed his final task and met his end. Now the Grand Madam herself was being dragged to a place befitting her situation.

Where Rachel was. Liliana didn’t seem to recognize the Grand Madam’s miserable state, but the head maid quickly soothed Liliana and changed the subject.

“When maids commit crimes, there’s nothing to be done. It’s alright, Madam. It’s nothing you need to see.”

The head maid smiled and signaled to the maids behind her. They all began to chatter noisily. To distract Liliana, they talked about society gossip and dinner plans.

“Oh my! Is that why that young lady wore such a dress?”

“Yes. I heard it was quite revealing!”

“Heavens! So that’s why the other young ladies envied her?”

“That’s right. All the gentlemen were looking only at her. But I heard it wasn’t the dress that was revealing, but that she was just naturally beautiful.”

“Really? That makes sense. Ladies love attention.”

“Yes, Madam! Their biggest concern is getting a good marriage.”

Liliana melted into their chatter. It had been ages since she’d gone to a social event, pushed aside by the Grand Madam and Rachel, and lately she’d been recovering her health. So their gossip was very intriguing. The head maid signaled to the others as if to say, “Well done.”

Thanks to this, they reached the pond safely with Liliana. It was shallow enough to dip her feet in. The head maid helped Liliana take off her shoes and stockings. Their job was to do anything that made Liliana happy.

Liliana dipped her feet and laughed brightly.

“It’s so refreshing!”

“Isn’t it? Next time, ask for a boat on the lake.”

“A lake?”

“Yes. There’s a big lake in the Kreuten territory. Sailing on it under the moon is so romantic.”

Liliana blushed at the head maid’s words.

“Just me and Raven?”

“Yes!”

“Maybe, I’ll try.”

“That’s not hard at all.”

A voice she shouldn’t have heard came from nearby. Liliana turned toward Raven. Smiling brightly, she called his name. Raven lifted Liliana out of the pond and held her in his arms.

“But for now, I have something to do with you.”

“What is it?”

Raven leaned in close to Liliana’s ear. Then he languidly licked her earlobe and whispered,

“I did what you asked, so you have to give me a reward, right?”

As Liliana blinked, trying to understand, her face turned bright red. She realized what Raven meant.

‘I’ll let you suck wherever you want.’

Liliana’s lips trembled.

Raven rubbed his lips against her cheek and strode into the mansion with her in his arms. He opened the newly decorated bedroom for Liliana and tumbled onto the bed with her. Liliana let out a small scream.

Raven immediately lifted her skirt for the purpose he’d intended. Her white legs kicked and moved. Since she’d taken off her stockings to dip her feet in the pond, it was easier. Raven slid his large frame under her skirt and pulled down her underwear.

“Ha.”

Raven let out a sigh between Liliana’s thighs. Fortunately, Liliana couldn’t see his eyes burning with desire. Raven stuck out his tongue and licked between her thighs.

“Ah! Ra—Raven!”

Was this really happening? Liliana tried to push Raven away with her legs, but it was impossible. Her fragile legs were no match for Raven’s strong body. Raven wrapped his arms around Liliana’s thighs and lowered his head.

He parted her folds and sucked at the small bud hidden within. Licking wasn’t enough. He strongly sucked the small, round part and rubbed it with his tongue. Liliana collapsed backwards, letting out endless cat-like moans.

Several short climaxes swept over Liliana. Raven moved his tongue, feeling it with his whole body.

After teasing her for a long time, Raven slipped his tongue into the opening. The warm liquid flowing out showed she was ready. Raven loosened his trousers and took out his swollen member. He stroked its large head and made it stand tall.

Raven lifted his head when his lips were wet and messy. He licked Liliana’s cheek and slowly pushed himself inside her.

Meeting Liliana’s widened pupils, Raven smiled faintly.

“Haa… This is… this is… the promise… ah!”

Liliana gripped Raven’s shoulders. Raven whispered in her ear.

“Lily…….”

Just her name, yet Liliana shuddered. As if something in her name bound her soul. When she didn’t resist, Raven grabbed her hips and pushed in to the base. His body pressed against her skin.

Raven smiled with a beast-like expression.

He kissed, caressed, and embraced Liliana to his heart’s content, fulfilling all his desires—just as he’d longed for on the battlefield.

Their divorce mediation was still ongoing.

-The End-