Chapter 1 (Part 5)

Starting with that, the two of them received various lessons from Madame Rozes.  

During the lessons, Rasilia seemed incredibly mature. While Cecilia blushed every time she learned something new, Rasilia remained completely composed.  

Although Cecilia tried her best not to fall behind, her skills were lacking despite her determination, and she struggled to keep up with that day’s lesson. Every time she tried to put the d*ldo in her mouth, she gagged multiple times.  

However, after about a week, she started to get used to it. The embarrassment she initially felt gradually disappeared thanks to repeated practice. She even became so accustomed that she could hold the d*ldo during meals without feeling disgusted.  

But getting used to something and being good at it are two different things.  

Rasilia was an excellent student, while Cecilia was a failing one. She was so bad that Madame Rozes would click her tongue every time Cecilia tried to put the d*ldo in her mouth.  

“When will I ever get good at this?”  

“If you want to be like Miss Rasilia, you’ll need to put in twice the effort you’re putting in now.”  

Knowing how lacking she was, Cecilia practiced handling the d*ldo whenever she had the chance.  

She trained her fingers to control their grip strength and sucked on candy to make her tongue more flexible. She practiced so much that the d*ldo began to wear out.  

“You’ve done enough now. You’ve reached a level where just your touch will make men feel like they’re in heaven.”  

After about two months, Cecilia reached a level where she could satisfy any man. Given that she had been putting the d*ldo in her mouth and handling it daily, it would have been stranger if she hadn’t improved.  

“Exactly. Do you know how much Dein loves it? Ever since I started taking these lessons, Dein and I have grown even closer.”  

Although Rasilia shared her real-life experiences, Cecilia wasn’t interested at all. Now brimming with confidence, she was only curious whether her hard-earned skills would work in real situations.  

Thus, she became eager to verify whether her efforts had paid off.  

“Sister, the time has finally come to show off what you’ve practiced! The Earl will be visiting in a week! Can you do it?”  

Not long after, Rasilia delivered the exciting news.  

“Of course!”  

With a determined look in her eyes, Cecilia nodded. The moment of reckoning had finally arrived.  

***

The Earl of Beaufort arrived at the Viscount’s estate exactly one week later, as promised.  

Since Viscount Bucklew excluded Cecilia from the occasion where he introduced his family, she had to stand hidden on the second-floor staircase, observing the Earl and his entourage.  

“Earl Beaufort, welcome. Thank you for visiting our humble estate. This is my wife and daughter, Rasilia.”  

The Viscount greeted the Earl with a bright smile and introduced the Viscountess and Rasilia in a polite manner.  

“Greetings. I am Earl Beaufort. It is an honor to meet you.”  

With restrained movements, he greeted them. His perfect, impeccable demeanor made Cecilia realize that he was a man whose presence exceeded the rumors about him.  

His appearance suited his commanding aura. His strong facial features, chiseled jawline, and broad shoulders harmonized perfectly with the overwhelming sense of authority he exuded.  

He seems even better than the rumors suggested.  

Seeing his upright manners and graceful, dignified gestures, Cecilia wished he could become Rasilia’s partner.  

Compared to her lover, he seemed far superior, enough to make her understand why her father was so insistent on forcing this marriage.  

Is there no way to change Rasilia’s mind?  

Knowing how stubborn Rasilia could be once she set her mind on something, Cecilia felt regretful.  

Her gaze, which had been fixed on the Earl, shifted to the people accompanying him.  

Earl Beaufort had brought along a priest, a knight escort, and two attendants. However, when Cecilia saw the priest’s face, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.  

The priest was far more handsome than the Earl, to the point where the Earl, whom she had just thought was good-looking, now seemed ordinary in comparison.  

Perhaps because he was a priest, his gaze as he looked at people appeared gentle and peaceful. Yet, the aura he exuded was unlike that of other priests—it felt somewhat decadent.  

As Cecilia stared at the priest with a questioning look, she suddenly recalled a rumor Rasilia had mentioned before. She had heard about a priest at the Atheon Temple who was not only exceptionally skilled in divine power but also strikingly handsome.  

I think I know who he is! Could that priest be the one Rasilia was talking about?

It felt as if a flower had been reincarnated, such was the radiance of the man’s face. Cecilia continued to stare at him, realizing that he must be the famous Priest Ian. The rumors about him had even reached this rural village.  

Even as she was lost in thought, staring at the priest, the conversation between the Viscount and the Earl continued.  

“Why has the priest accompanied you?”  

Usually, a priest’s presence wasn’t necessary during discussions about marriage proposals. Finding it odd, the Viscount asked the Earl.  

“Ah, it’s understandable that you’d find it strange. He’s actually my younger brother. He has personal circumstances, so I brought him along. You don’t need to pay him much mind.”  

“I am Ian Beaufort.”  

As expected. It’s him.  

Watching Ian politely introduce himself, Cecilia nodded in agreement.  

“Ah, I’ve heard about a priest with remarkable looks, and now I see you in person. It’s a pleasure to meet you. You truly live up to your reputation for extraordinary beauty.”  

The Viscount, realizing belatedly that Ian was the priest from the rumors, offered words of praise.  

“You flatter me.”  

Every movement Ian made as he greeted them was full of elegance and grace, leaving Cecilia staring blankly at him, forgetting that she was supposed to remain hidden.  

It was at that moment.  

“Who is that young lady?”  

Had Earl Beaufort seen me? 

He suddenly raised a question. It was only natural for him to be curious about a woman not introduced as part of the family, dressed in an elegant gown rather than a maid’s uniform.  

At the Earl’s words, Cecilia hastily hid herself, but it was already too late. Her sudden, panicked movement probably made her seem even more suspicious.  

“Who are you referring to?”  

“The young lady on the staircase.”  

Although the Viscount pretended not to know, Earl Beaufort pointed toward Cecilia’s direction. Feeling the Earl’s gaze even through the wall, Cecilia’s heart raced.  

She couldn’t move, fearing that even the slightest step might give away her presence. Frozen in place, she remained where she was.  

“Ah, please don’t mind her. Refreshments have been prepared; let me escort you to the parlor. Butler, come and guide our guests!”  

“Understood.”  

To divert the Earl’s attention, the Viscount urgently called out, and soon, the Earl and his entourage moved to the parlor.  

Once their footsteps were no longer audible, Cecilia cautiously peeked out to check if the Earl’s group had left. Fortunately, they had gone to the parlor, but the Viscount remained, standing in the same spot.  

His gaze seemed to say, “Don’t linger around here,” prompting Cecilia to quickly retreat to her room.  

Quietly closing the door, Cecilia thought about the Earl she had just seen. His dignified demeanor, polite attitude, and restrained movements…  

Could I really seduce him? I don’t think I can…  

No matter how she looked at it, Earl Beaufort seemed like the perfect match for Rasilia. Because of this, Cecilia felt an increasing reluctance to interfere with the marriage proposal. She had no desire to seduce him.  

It would be better to somehow convince Rasilia to marry Earl Beaufort.

Cecilia thought. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Rasilia peeked her face in with a bright smile.  

“Sister! Did you happen to leave your room briefly when the Earl arrived?”  

“Yes. I thought it would be good to familiarize myself with his face.”  

“What did you think of the Earl after seeing him in person? Do you like him?”  

Rasilia’s eyes were filled with anticipation. Unable to meet her gaze, Cecilia turned her head slightly to the side.  

“He seems as good as what we’ve researched. He’s more suitable as your partner than mine.”  

“I didn’t really think much of him…”  

Hearing that he would suit her as a partner, Rasilia’s face showed clear disappointment. Her voice, which had been full of excitement, also dropped.  

“Don’t you want to meet him more?”  

“No.”  

“He’s handsome, has a good personality, and comes from a great family… He seems to lack nothing.”  

Hoping Rasilia might change her mind, Cecilia carefully praised Earl Beaufort while gauging her reaction.  

“I’ve heard all that too. But no matter how much I think about it, he’s not my type.”  

However, Rasilia wasn’t swayed. Instead, realizing Cecilia’s intentions, she quickly changed the subject.  

“Don’t forget that you have to carry out the plan tonight. You’ve worked so hard for this moment.”  

Cecilia looked down at her hands, worn from the relentless practice.  

She wished all her effort could go to waste if it meant the plan would be canceled, but since Rasilia had no intention of changing her mind, there was no other choice.  

Suppressing her regret, Cecilia could only nod.  

“That’s true…”  

“What? Are you not confident?”  

“…No.”  

Hearing Cecilia’s weak response, Rasilia grinned.  

“Don’t worry. You’ll do great! You’ve prepared so much for this.”  

“Maybe…”  

“Of course!”  

Rasilia never said the words Cecilia wanted to hear. In this situation, all Cecilia could do was hope that the plan she had prepared wouldn’t fail.  

***

No matter how hard you try, some things just don’t work out.  

Cecilia was feeling this truth deeply today. The reason was that she barely had any opportunity to see Earl Beaufort’s face.  

Viscount Bucklew had cleared his entire schedule for today and tomorrow to host Earl Beaufort. Since he stayed by the Earl’s side the entire time, it was impossible to create a private moment with him.  

How could she seduce someone she couldn’t meet?  

Without any alone time with the Earl, using her looks, refined speech, or alluring gestures to seduce him was bound to fail.  

In this situation, Cecilia had only one method left to seduce the Earl: Physical Seduction…  

Do I really have to seduce him with my body?  

Until yesterday, Cecilia hadn’t let go of the d*ldo, practicing until the very end. But now that she thought about doing something so embarrassing with Earl Beaufort, the forgotten shame rushed back all at once.  

What do I do?!  

As she paced around her room, night began to fall.