Sveta lifted her trembling hand. Beth readily took it, clasping it tight.

The grip around her wrist tightened.

“…Ah, it hurts.”

“But not now, right?”

“……”

“Just think of your body for now. You need to get well quickly, Sveta. All right?”

“…No…”

It was too sweet to be a dream, and too perilous to be reality.

But she was far too weary to decide anything now.

Closing her heavy eyes, Sveta sank once more into deep sleep.

“I’ll come again tomorrow.”

It was as if Beth whispered it.

‘It’s dangerous. You mustn’t…’

Sveta’s mind drifted like a frail vessel on a black sea of unease.

During that time, maids came and went several times to change her clothes.

‘Will Beth be beside me?’

Once again, waves of dark fear surged through her and consumed her.

Occasionally, someone would run a hand through her hair or brush a finger across her cheek.

Whenever that happened, she felt a wave of relief, only for it to subside again.

◯◯◯

Several days later, Ivan made his declaration.

“It seems she’s practically recovered. Still, let’s observe her for another three days.”

The Duke was pleased with the physician’s words.

Having regained some strength, Sveta faithfully ate her meals and took her medicine. Whenever she struggled to swallow the oddly flavoured concoction, he looked deeply satisfied.

Her fever had broken completely and the endless sweating, like ice melting in the sun, had finally ceased.

Thanks to this, the maids who had once worn down the threshold with their constant comings and goings now only visited the Duke’s bedchamber once a day.

When the time came, they filed in. One opened the window to let in some fresh air, while two others skilfully removed the bedding.

Watching them, Sveta whispered softly.

“Duke, I can stand on my own now.”

“You may not.”

Aiden’s reply was firm. He sought to control even her slightest movements as though they were his own.

Held tightly in his arms, Sveta’s cheeks flushed hot.

For the past several days, Aiden had scarcely left her side. Sometimes he would stroke her cheek or the nape of her neck, breathing warm air against her skin.

Had she not been unwell, things would surely have unfolded differently.

‘Do other men with mistresses behave like this? Is this what it’s supposed to be like? Just because we had s*x once, does that mean we have to display it so openly…?’

He didn’t seem to mind the servants watching them, but Sveta found it unbearably uncomfortable.

She lifted her gaze and studied him quietly. Her eyes traced the strong line of his jaw and the well-angled cheekbone until they met his gaze.

Like a green sea, his eyes were deep.

Yet, as he gazed idly at the maids, he appeared almost bored.

Through that indifference, she tried to guess his intentions.

‘Was he parading us again—me, us—just to spark a scandal and seize what he wanted? And when I am no longer of use, is death the only fate that awaits me?’

Perhaps it was a foolish thought. Yet wasn’t that the very nature of this relationship?

At the sudden realization, Sveta gave a faint shudder.

He leaned back slightly, guiding her head to rest against his broad chest.

“Are you cold?”

“…No.”

At Aiden’s glance, the maid wiping the windowsill with a damp cloth hurried to shut the window.

The maids who had collected the bedding soon left, and two others entered with freshly laundered sheets.

Suddenly, Sveta’s gaze fell upon the black-haired maid. She was lifting the corner of the mattress and quickly tucking in the sheet. These nimble movements struck Sveta as familiar.

‘It can’t be…’

Drawing in a sharp breath, Sveta quickly buried her face against Aiden’s chest.

‘Don’t move.’

She could not afford to draw his attention now. She held her breath carefully as she stole a glance at the black-haired maid.

Her face was not fully visible, but Sveta was certain that it was Beth.

From the way her chin tilted up out of habit, to her stiff, straight posture and her quick, lupine movements, it was all hers.

‘It wasn’t a dream.’

Her heart thudded wildly, betraying her. Tension seized every muscle in her body. Sweat prickled her forehead.

As she fidgeted unconsciously, his burning gaze bore down on her.

Burying her face deeper into his broad chest, Sveta forced herself not to look at the black-haired maid again.

“Beca, stop looking around and focus.”

“…Forgive me.”

At the head maid’s scolding, Beth lowered her chin all the way to her chest.

“My apologies, my lord. She is new, and not yet accustomed to her tasks. I will make sure she pays better attention in the future.”

At those words, Aiden’s gaze shifted toward Beth. Sveta’s heart plummeted.

‘No.’

In response to the head maid’s polite apology, he nodded and looked at the flustered maid with the black hair.

But before he could respond, Sveta’s sudden action cut him off.

Her trembling hand slipped inside his robe. He tilted his head slightly and looked down at her.

Her apricot lips were pressed between her teeth and had gone pale. Unable to meet his gaze, she seemed shy.

Her hand trailed down his collarbone and fumbled over the centre of his chest like a winter bird’s feather.

This was neither playful nor seductive.

“Duke…”

When her voice, wet with hesitation, called to him, Aiden could not resist.

He found this awkward attempt at temptation rather amusing.

Fixing his gaze on his mistress, the Duke spoke to the head maid.

“It’s okay.”

“…Thank you for your understanding.”

Finally, after receiving the Duke’s order to leave, Meriette gathered the maids and left the room.

As the great oak door closed, Sveta’s hand slipped free. Blushing to the tips of her ears, she stammered.

“I can stand now. At least… in front of the servants, I want to be on my feet.”

“……”

“I truly am fine, my lord.”

Clutching tight at the collar of his gray robe, she sounded unusually firm. Her tone, stubborn even, suggested she meant it.

“If you insist.”

Aiden put her down without protesting.

Startled by the cold floor, she curled her feet inwards. Aiden pressed lightly on her toes as she shifted them.

When he lifted her chin with a finger, her head tilted back.

His gaze lingered on her slightly parted lips before he slowly lowered his own over them.

During the long, unbroken kiss, her breath came in faint pants.

“…Sir Bartley clearly said—”

The moment he pulled away just enough for her to catch her breath, she rushed to speak. Aiden pulled her close by the waist and pressed their bodies together.

“Three more days. He said to watch for three more…”

Her words tumbled out in fragments, falling between kisses.

Yet his large tongue ravaged her mouth mercilessly, unwilling to pause.

“You were the one who said you were fine.”

“That may be, but…”

Sveta faltered and took a step back. But each time she moved, he moved closer, leaving her no space.

Fleeing, she continued to retreat until her thigh hit the bed frame, pitching her body backwards suddenly.

“Ah…!”

She flailed around and, purely by accident, managed to grab the curtain.

Riiiip.

The translucent curtain tore mercilessly. The two of them tumbled onto the soft bed.

In that fleeting instant, a large palm cradled the back of her head.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m not.”

“…You seem fine to me.”

Supporting his weight on strong arms, he lowered his hips.

“I said I’m not—”

Something hard was pressed between her legs. The thin negligee did little to conceal its size or warmth.

His lips curved upwards in a slanted smile. With hurried hands, Aiden tore off his robe.

In the afternoon light, his sculpted body was revealed, as though painstakingly carved.

A deep line ran from beneath his straight collarbone down to his navel, framed on either side by powerful muscles.

“……”

Almost without realizing it, Sveta’s gaze slipped down to his abdomen. Heat rushed to her cheeks and she hastily raised her gaze. Desperate to look away, she focused on the torn curtain, its frayed threads like fragile cracks.

“When the curtain is replaced, you may stand if you wish.”

As he teased her ear, his fingers toyed with the shell insistently.

“Ah…”

His red lips pressed against the fine muslin fabric, repeatedly pulling away and returning again. Meanwhile, her slender calves kicked helplessly above the edge of the bed.

He tilted her chin upwards, sweeping back the golden locks that had fallen over her forehead.

His Adam’s apple bobbed hard at the centre of his thick neck. Beneath his shoulders, his muscles shifted and rippled slowly with every movement.

Entranced, Sveta bit the inside of her cheek.

If fire could turn to ice, it would feel like this.

He was always cold, yet here in bed he burned.

He was so hot that it was unbearable; her heart felt as though it had been scorched by a flame.

“That does not matter.”

The merciless voice that had once told her that her innocence meant nothing buzzed in her ears.

She hated him for it — for showing no care for her heart whatsoever. And she should still hate him.

‘Then why is my chest racing like this?’

Sveta lifted her gaze and glared helplessly at the ceiling above her.

The Duke raised himself up and looked down at her. She turned her head sharply to the side, refusing to acknowledge the figure she could see out of the corner of her eye.

“Sveta.”

“…What is it.”

“Are you still angry?”

His voice carried heat as he asked. She did not know what he meant.

Was it because he had called her filthy? Because he had dismissed Pablo? Because he had told her she was no different from a wh*re? Or… something else?

Countless memories rose to the surface all at once, each one a wound. She couldn’t tell which one he was asking about.

When no answer came, Aiden pressed his thumb against her lower lip, rubbing it gently.

“You’ll say no again, won’t you.”

“…I am angry.”

“That was not the answer I expected.”

“……”

“Look at me.”

He grabbed her small chin, turned her face back towards him and pressed his swollen body closer.

Desperate to avoid the obscene sight before her, Sveta rolled her eyes around.

In broad daylight, the man’s body was simply too large and exposed.

Aiden took her wrist and guided it towards his heated skin.

As her hand moved where he led it, stroking his flesh, Sveta squeezed her eyes tightly shut.