Chapter 9

As he found himself pondering it, a short laugh escaped him before he knew it. Judging by the fact that he was already thinking of what to give her, it seemed he had become quite thoroughly entertained by Chloe.

Still, what of it. Since he had already stepped into this, he should do it properly. Was that not how he had always done everything? Since things had come to this anyway, part of him thought he might as well see it through to the bitter end. In other words, become exactly the sort of fool who showered a mistress with everything she wanted.

The stars in the faraway night sky were still beyond him, of course.

“That’s unnecessary……”

“Why, do you want something more expensive? Something that could be turned into money?”

“No, it’s not that……”

Chloe let the end of her sentence trail away. She had already said everything before, so if she refused now, would it seem coy? Ah, it probably would. Judging by the mischievous smile on Aaron’s face.

This time she became embarrassed in a different way, and Chloe lowered her head. It felt as though the heat that had just calmed had risen again, her face growing hot enough that she could tell it had turned red.

“I just don’t think I’m at the level to be receiving things yet.”

Even today alone had proved it. There had been nothing she could do except leave everything to Aaron and pant helplessly.

She had confidently said that if he taught her, she would learn anything quickly, but Chloe had absolutely no experience or knowledge in that sort of thing. She was not even particularly athletic, which worried her. S*x was, after all, something done with the body.

“So you do have a conscience. Good girl.”

He stroked Chloe’s hair.

See, just as expected. He was still treating me like a child. 

Growing a little sullen, Chloe silently accepted his touch.

What should she do to learn enough to please him? Faced with that difficult question, Chloe was filled with a helpless sort of anxiety.

“Now then, get out.”

“What?”

When Aaron lifted the curtain, they were already in front of the Everdeen estate. This was the destination? Startled, Chloe looked at Aaron, and he opened the carriage door.

“That’s enough running away for today. A lady shouldn’t be wandering around late at night.”

“Ah…… yes.”

Why am I disappointed? 

Finding herself strange, Chloe accepted his escort and stepped down from the carriage.

As before, he stepped down after her and, just like last time, touched his lips to the back of her hand in farewell.

“Then, Chloe. I’ll see you later.”

“Are you going back to the ducal residence?”

“No. To the Brandon Marquisate. I have to show my face there.”

Ah. Was he perhaps pushing himself because of me? 

She looked at him with a strange feeling, and he smiled softly.

“Go inside. I’m sorry I can’t escort you all the way in.”

It would be troublesome if we were found out. Right? 

At his playful glance asking for her agreement, Chloe nodded blankly.

He was right. If she were already his mistress, that would be one thing, but as she was still only an apprentice, if they were discovered, it would all come to nothing. Raising a hand to the obediently agreeing Chloe, Aaron climbed back into the carriage.

He had meant to watch until Chloe went inside, but because she firmly refused, he decided to set a gentleman’s duty aside for the moment.

“Then I’m off.”

Only after watching the retreating carriage until the very end did Chloe turn and enter through the front gate. Fortunately, the still-cool night breeze slowly cooled the face heated by pleasure.

So, slowly calming her warmed body, Chloe entered the mansion, barely responding to the butler’s greeting before quickly returning to her room. The moment she shut the door, the tension left her, and she leaned her back against it with a slow slide.

Good heavens, what have I done. 

As what she had done alone with that man came back to her, the loud pounding of her heart shook through the quiet room.

“Ah.”

She had not meant to think of it, but the scene from then, from that moment, spread unbidden through her mind and made her face burn. No matter how hard she tried not to think about it out of embarrassment, the sensuous feelings she had experienced for the first time in her life wrapped around her like drifting mist and would not leave.

How had Senior done it again? 

He had kissed her, touched her br*ast, sucked on it. The sensation of her n*pple growing warm and being tossed about inside his damp mouth had been sharp enough to make her shiver. Without realizing it, her hand moved to her chest. She grabbed and kneaded clumsily, but perhaps because the sensation still lingered, it felt strange.

“Mmh……”

The space between her legs was starting to tingle. It felt as though she might be getting wet. No, she already was.

With her other hand, she rubbed the secret place hidden beneath her dress.

Had he done it like this? 

Slowly replaying it, she parted the folds and pressed down, trying to recreate the stimulation. She was slow, yet the moisture steadily gathered, but something was different. When Aaron had done it, it had felt more, intense, enough to make every fine hair stand on end.

Ah, he had inserted his fingers. 

Since she had never done such a thing, she felt a little frightened, but remembering his touch, she gathered her courage and pushed a finger inside.

But it was not enough. His fingers had been thick and long, scratching farther in, much deeper, and that was why it had felt so overwhelming, but Chloe’s finger fell far short. 

Ah, please. Just a little more. 

Not knowing what to do, she moved it inside herself for a while, but eventually Chloe pulled her finger back out.

It was nowhere near enough. It felt as though it had not even reached a quarter of what it had when Aaron had done it.

“What am I even doing.”

Chloe covered her eyes with her dry hand. No one was there, and yet she felt ashamed.

Just as Aunt said, maybe I really can’t become a proper lady. 

Considering how she kept recalling that feeling, that act, trying to do it even by herself, then feeling disappointed when it did not work.

Then again, what was the point of talking about being proper when she had declared that she wanted to become a mistress? Once the apprentice label came off, she would officially be far removed from a proper lady anyway.

She trudged to the bed and collapsed onto it. She thought she should just hurry and sleep.