Chapter 5

Lurua flopped onto her bed, exhausted. The sound of her body hitting the mattress was hardly dignified, but she was never much of a proper lady to begin with.

It was a tiring day. Just two weeks apart, and there was so much to talk about—she felt like she’d answered more questions today than in her entire life.

Of course, the trouble was that those two weeks were the week before her marriage and the week after.

“Chloe.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“I didn’t realize people were so interested in my marriage.”

Lurua buried her face in the soft pillow. Even though her posture made it difficult to move, she could feel Chloe’s hands helping her change clothes. Chloe let out a soft laugh.

“Of course. It’s not just anyone—it’s you, My Lady. Everyone’s been waiting to see you.”

“Weren’t you supposed to call me Madam now?”

“Oh, sorry. It’s a habit.”

Lurua, still sprawled on the bed, let out a weak laugh. She was tired, but at least she’d gained something today.

She suddenly sat up in bed. At some point, Chloe had already changed her into comfortable pajamas.

Lurua beckoned Chloe closer, then whispered something into her ear.

“What do you need that for…?”

“To do something good.”

“Hmm…”

Chloe looked a bit suspicious but soon nodded obediently. Lurua smiled with satisfaction.

“Oh, and the Marquis will come tonight.”

“What? Why?”

“Why are you so surprised? We changed our conjugal night to once a week.”

“Oh my, what’s gotten into you…?”

Chloe kept muttering in disbelief, clearly finding this unexpected.

“How did that happen?”

“Maybe he likes me.”

“You didn’t threaten His Lordship, did you?”

“You’re getting cheeky. Do you want to be scolded?”

Well, she had kind of threatened him.

Chloe immediately backed down and laughed playfully. Anyway, Lurua knew Chloe was looking out for her.

“Hehe. But shouldn’t you prepare then?”

“It’s fine. I just need a bath. Just bring me what I asked for before the Marquis arrives.”

Lurua giggled, her laughter a bit mischievous. Seeing this, Chloe suddenly started to worry about the Marquis.

“You’re really not threatening him, right?”

“How could I threaten my own husband?”

“Waving a whip around every night, maybe…?”

That didn’t sound so bad.

“No, no. I’m not doing anything like that.”

Lurua shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She’d never thought about such things before, but recalling Dandel’s teary face made it seem almost fun… No, absolutely not!

She shook her head even harder. Chloe just watched her, used to her antics.

“Anyway, I’ll look for what you asked.”

“Thanks, I’m counting on you.”

A little later, after her bath, Lurua sat on the bed, her skin soft and fresh. Chloe, having handed over the requested items, left the room, knowing the Marquis would be coming.

‘He wouldn’t skip tonight, would he?’

Lurua stared at the closed door. Surely, after what happened, he wouldn’t avoid her. Of course, if he came, he’d go through the same thing again.

Well, if he didn’t come, she’d just go find him herself.

She gathered all her patience and waited for him. Soon, there was a gentle knock at the door.

“…Madame, may I come in?”

“Come in.”

Even through the door, his nervousness was obvious. Lurua suppressed her laughter and tried to put on the calmest, most serious face she could.

The door opened, and Dandel entered, walking awkwardly. He couldn’t even meet her eyes, his gaze fixed on the floor. The hint of embarrassment mixed with his tension was oddly endearing.

Lurua shifted on the bed and patted the sheet beside her, inviting him to sit. She watched as he hesitated, his movements betraying his doubts and worries.

‘It’s like taming a stray cat.’

Finally, he sat beside her, and Lurua cheered inwardly. This was enough. For the first time since he entered the room, she spoke.

“Marquis.”

“…Yes.”

“Why are you so nervous?”

Lurua tilted her head, feigning innocence. Anyone who knew her well would shudder at the insincerity of that face. But Dandel, seemingly touched, let some of his wariness fade from his eyes.

“I even prepared to help you, Marquis.”

“What is it?”

But that didn’t last long. As soon as Lurua continued, Dandel’s guard went right back up. Maybe last week was too much for him. Lurua shrugged inwardly. His intimidation didn’t really work on her anyway.

Unfazed, Lurua spoke as if everything she did was for his benefit.

“You agreed to keep up the treatment with me, didn’t you? If you cooperate, it’ll be over sooner.”

‘You get what I mean, right? Hurry up and undress.’

Her gaze swept over his body, saying just that. Dandel shivered at the chill that ran through him. He felt like he was being offered up to an impure desire.

“And besides, it’s our conjugal night, isn’t it?”

Lurua shamelessly pressed him. Dandel glanced at her with a slightly resentful look, then began to undress.

Layer after layer of his top fell away, leaving only a thin shirt and trousers. Lurua leisurely took in the sight.

His large, pale hands undid his shirt buttons one by one. The slow reveal of his firm body was more sensual than stripping boldly.

When he finally undid his belt, he trembled with embarrassment, as if she’d forced him. Anyone watching might think she was threatening him, but he was cooperating because he wanted to fix himself.

Eventually, his trousers fell to the floor, and just before he removed his underwear, Dandel suddenly stopped and asked her:

“You haven’t answered yet.”

“Hmm?”

“What is it you prepared?”

Only then did Lurua realize what he meant. She’d said she’d prepared something to help him, and now he was asking what it was. She found his suspicion cute and hadn’t planned to answer.

“Remember what we talked about last time?”

“……”

Dandel quietly nodded. The memory of that day made his ears flush red. At least his face wasn’t falling apart.

That day, she’d told him his problem was being too sensitive, and that to fix it, he needed to get used to pleasure. Before he could protest, she’d grabbed his member and teased him relentlessly. He’d been overwhelmed and unable to resist.

The shameful memory made his face burn. D*mn. Dandel cursed inwardly.

He’d gone along with her promise to “fix” his s*xual issue, but he still had his pride. Being controlled and made to moan by a much smaller woman wasn’t exactly pleasant.

Still, the reason he’d come to her room tonight…

“You said I needed to get used to pleasure.”

…was because it hadn’t felt entirely bad.

His complex had made him avoid intimacy, and he’d barely even touched himself. But the pleasure she’d given him left a strong impression.

Electricity had sparked in his mind, and every trivial thought vanished. The addictive sensation had left him powerless from head to toe. Even the next day, the memory lingered, and he’d avoided her all week.

Yet, as if hypnotized, he’d come to her room, repeating to himself that it was just for treatment.

“So I brought something to make you feel even better.”

At her words, Dandel snapped to attention. The timing was perfect. He felt as if she’d caught him thinking something strange, and his already flushed face grew even hotter.

“Are you looking forward to it?”

“What…!”

Dandel was so flustered, he raised his voice.

She thought he might start steaming from the head. Lurua watched his heated face.

She slowly approached the bewildered man. He tried to back away, but soon found himself pinned against the headboard, half lying down.

Lurua smiled with satisfaction and swiftly pulled down his remaining underwear. His er*ect member sprang out. Pretending not to be excited, huh? As she lightly stroked it, his legs drew together and a soft moan escaped.

His anxious eyes stared at her. Just moments ago, he’d been so defiant, but now he was quiet and yielding. She couldn’t help but smile.

So he liked it, but pretended otherwise.

At last, Lurua produced the item she’d prepared.

“…What’s that?”

In her hand was a cloth about the size of a handkerchief and a bottle of scented oil.

“A cloth and some oil.”

“I can see that.”

Dandel frowned. He wasn’t asking what those items were, but what she intended to do with them.

A white cloth with a slightly rough lace texture. The oil was understandable, but he couldn’t see how these related to “pleasure.” In fact, the simplicity of the items made him relax a bit. He’d worried she might bring something bizarre.