Chapter 1 – Windberg (Part 1)

Evelyn Dale’s dream was shattered on an unusually sunny autumn day.

That day, she was at Evergreen Court, a three-story stone mansion located away from the town center. Nestled in the middle of an evergreen forest, the venerable place was built around 300 years ago and was one of the almost forgotten villas owned by the Duke of Windberg.

It was a place tended by only an elderly caretaker couple. Jared Glenn had chosen this place for secret meetings with his fiancée because it was not proper for an unmarried couple to share a bedroom.

White sunlight and clear birdsong seeped through the half-open curtains. Windberg, the capital of the north, was a region where snow fell for more than half the year, but for several days, there had been an unusual spell of sunny weather.

Evelyn, waking up late, stared at the ceiling and counted the days. A week. It had already been a week since she first opened her eyes in this bedroom.

‘Time flies so fast.’

She sighed lightly and closed her eyes. The bedding, filled with soft feathers, smelled of sunshine. Everything in this villa was of high quality and meticulously maintained.

Jared had said he didn’t know much about the history of this building made of gray sandstone. It was one of the family’s long-standing legacies scattered across the north, and it became the property of his eldest brother, who inherited the dukedom six months ago. Being a man who was never interested in the family’s wealth, he couldn’t be expected to know the history of an old villa.

But a building that has stood for 300 years! How many stories it must have held over time! Thanks to Jared’s indifference and ignorance, she could let her imagination run wild.

Evelyn Dale had always been drawn to old objects since she was young. She was fascinated by the years and stories they held.

When she quietly observed them, she would fall into a distant reverie, and characters of unknown origin would begin to speak one by one, prompting her to hurriedly grasp a pen and write something down.

She completed a novel by compiling the manuscripts she had written in such moments when she was nineteen.

Now, she found it embarrassing to even look at those writings, so she couldn’t believe she had published three novels and even earned money from them. When one takes the first step, it’s impossible to know where that step will lead.

“Don’t forget what you promised.”

At the sound of a low voice, Evelyn opened her eyes. She turned her head to look at the man lying next to her. Although he was pretending to be asleep with his eyes closed, a faint smile lingered on his lips. She slowly traced the beloved face of her fiancé with her eyes.

Jared had ink-black curly hair. It was a color that contrasted sharply with the pale skin typical of northerners. Despite his thick eyebrows and angular jaw, Evelyn thought his expression wasn’t cold because of his eyes and demeanor. The playfulness and smile in his light green eyes.

It was that brightness that had captivated her. And the confidence. The unique stability of someone belonging to a peaceful world. Things Evelyn didn’t possess.

“You promised. No going to the writing room today.”

Jared said, still with his eyes closed. The end of his voice, slightly hoarse, carried a hint of sleep. Evelyn silently laughed and reached out with one hand to gently brush back the hair scattered across his forehead.

“The weather is really nice today.”

“Answer me first.”

Jared urged, opening his eyes. He squinted slightly as if the sunlight was too bright. Evelyn thought his green eyes were just like emeralds.

“No going to the writing room. You promised.”

He looked at his fiancée pleadingly, his face buried in a white feather pillow. He was no different from a child begging for a toy or a cookie. Thinking this, Evelyn let out a small chuckle.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because you’re like a child.”

“A child?”

“You seem just like a seven-year-old. Not twenty-seven.”

“In that case, you’re a very heartless person, always leaving a seven-year-old alone.”

“You were the one who set up a writing room here.”

“And I regret it. I shouldn’t have done such a thing.”

Jared pretended to make a despairing face and squeezed his eyes shut. Evelyn laughed again.

“Alright. I won’t go.”

“Thank you. I’ve gained a day.”

“I won’t go until we leave.”

“Please don’t make promises you can’t keep, Eve. We still have three days until we leave.”

“I promise.”

No going to the writing room until we leave. 

Evelyn whispered, imitating his tone.

“Stay with me. For three days. Always.”

She knew how Jared would react to those words. So it wouldn’t be wrong to say she somewhat prompted such a reaction.

She knew her fiancé, the perfect gentleman, would no longer exercise patience.

“Honestly, is there anyone as lucky as I am?”

Jared no longer acted upright and dignified in front of Evelyn. Evelyn also didn’t pretend to be modest and demure. There were no longer strict manners or taboos between them. When they were alone, they became surprisingly free.

Since the first night they spent together here a week ago.

“Then I’ll have to ask for meals to be brought to the bedroom now.”

Jared said, extending his arm to pull Evelyn closer. Rubbing his nose against her exposed white shoulder,

“Because you’ll be too tired. Too tired to even go downstairs.”

He whispered softly, his lips brushing against her neck. His large hand clung to the bare skin of her waist. Beneath the blanket, they were both already n*ked. Bodies dried with sweat and fluids from the night. Bodies full of invisible stains.

“Mrs. Hinsley will be shocked.”

His low voice and warm breath flowed over her skin. It passed her prominent collarbone and grazed the round end of her shoulder. Evelyn closed her eyes and surrendered herself quietly.

“If she knew how pretty your sounds are.”

He said, touching a sensitive spot with his fingertips. Evelyn stifled a moan, drawing in a breath. She tried her best to keep her lips tightly sealed, as if Mrs. Hinsley, the caretaker’s wife, were eavesdropping outside the door.

“Even as a joke, please don’t say such things.”

“Why not?”

“Do you really not know?”

“Hmm.”

Jared feigned ignorance and brushed back the hair covering her shoulder. 

Asking for meals to be brought to the bedroom. Such nonsense. 

Evelyn sighed lightly.

The villa’s staff had prepared two bedrooms for the unmarried gentleman and lady. It was perfectly natural for Jared to be shown to the master suite and Evelyn to the largest guest room.

However, Mrs. Hinsley couldn’t possibly not know that the bed in the suite had never been disturbed.

Unless she was a fool, it was an obvious fact. She would know exactly what the two of them were doing when the staff was away, what was happening on the large bed in the guest room.

So it was embarrassing. Incredibly so. Evelyn curled up anew.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Eve.”

Jared said as if reading her mind. His hand soothingly caressing her.

“We’re getting married soon, and your husband loves those sounds.”

He pulled her closer by the waist. Bowing his head, he buried his face in her chest. His lips brushed against her bare skin.

Evelyn inhaled again, swallowing her sounds. Then, his tongue touched her more sensitive skin. She let out a suppressed moan and thought.

‘Is this truly something to be ashamed of?’

For an unmarried woman to undress in front of a man is undoubtedly a daunting thing. It is breaking the most definitive proof of a virtuous woman and giving up her honor as a maiden.

Allowing Jared for the first time a week ago was, for Evelyn, a decision that was tantamount to staking her life.

In other words, it was Evelyn’s way of proving her love. Just as Jared had given her a precious jewel as a token and promised the name of Glenn, Evelyn also wanted to give him something.

Just as he, a nobleman, had given up a certain honor for her, a commoner, she also wanted to show him a certain determination.

Evelyn trusted Jared. She believed in the time and persistence he had shown in courting her, which eventually persuaded her despite her hesitation about his noble background. She believed in the eternity of the diamond ring on her finger.

Above all, she believed that he loved her, that they loved each other firmly.

So this was not something to be ashamed of. Not at all.

“My fiancée makes such pretty sounds.”

Jared whispered, his face buried in her chest. Evelyn, while taking shallow breaths, stubbornly kept her mouth shut. A low laugh accompanied the large hand that reached between her legs. Eventually, a small cry escaped, and the man’s fingers didn’t miss that gap.

“You sing so prettily like a bird.”

Her closed lips finally parted. The quickening stimulation blurred her mind. It didn’t take long for reason and thoughts to melt away. Evelyn soon became just as Jared wanted.

“Good Eve. You’re no different from a female cat.”

Panting beneath the man’s body heat, Evelyn opened her eyes. The bright sunlight was thick over the evergreen forest outside the window. The venerable noble’s villa was silent.

Entangled n*ked with a man in a room built 300 years ago, she made sounds to her heart’s content. She cried out in thin, high tones. Like a bird. Like a female cat. Like a beast, without shame.

“Ahh.”

Is this something to be ashamed of? 

Evelyn could no longer think.