* * *

“Pl-Please… stop…”

“Rosie, Rosie…”

Rosaline deeply regretted provoking him without understanding the consequences. She thought Lucas was impressive, but she didn’t anticipate this level.

He was truly extraordinary. His stamina, strength, and above all, his s*xual prowess. He didn’t let go of her, soothing and coaxing her as she struggled. Their first night, which started late in the evening, showed no sign of ending even after the rooster crowed at dawn. To be precise, Lucas had no intention of stopping.

Rosaline, completely drained and exhausted, glanced at the area between her legs, filled with a sensation of discomfort. It was covered in various fl*ids.

At this rate, she might end up with three children. With a weary expression, Rosaline shook her head and looked sternly at the still-energetic man. Lucas smiled as gently as he could, though his expression was desperate.

“Lucas… enough, please.”

“But… Rosie…”

“It’s enough. It’s already morning… don’t forget we have to go greet everyone.”

“Yes…”

Lucas, looking utterly dejected, resembled a large puppy. A puppy sad from being scolded by its owner but still so happy to be with them that it didn’t know what to do.

Rosaline felt that her heart had become quite generous toward him in just one night and smiled softly. But it couldn’t be helped.

This wasn’t simply s*x. It was entirely different from what she had experienced before. This night was a deep understanding of each other and a desperate yearning. How could she not develop feelings after such an intense act?

She had cried out in org*sm, lost her mind, and wept several times. The man, while considering her limited stamina, changed positions rapidly, reaching deep inside her. Each time, his whispered name and affectionate words were so sweet. It made her want to trust and love her ‘husband’ again.

“Tonight isn’t the only night.”

“Rosie, does that mean…”

The man’s previously dejected face lit up with surprise and excitement. Rosaline was puzzled. Did she say something important? Then her expression hardened. The man, who had exhausted her so much, seemed surprised at the prospect of not having s*x again. That must be why he was so surprised when she mentioned next time.

Rosaline felt she didn’t understand him at all. He seemed to love, or at least cherish and respect her, but she couldn’t comprehend him.

“Why? Did you plan to stop after the first night?”

“No, that’s not it. I just wanted to respect Rosie’s wishes absolutely.”

“So, if I said I never wanted to have s*x again, you would really not do it?”

The man’s face turned dejected again, as if he really would do that but found the thought horrifying.

Rosaline couldn’t understand him at all. He was now her husband and the head of the family she belonged to. The most important duty in their formal marital relationship was to produce an heir. If she couldn’t bear children, he could rightfully annul the marriage or demand she adopt a child from another branch or even a bastard.

But Lucas said he would accept it if she refused to have s*x. She felt she almost understood his heart.

“Lucas. We are a married couple. A relationship where one person unilaterally respects the other is not healthy.”

“Respecting you is also respecting myself.”

“No. Please don’t do that. Let me respect you too.”

“Rosie…”

“And about the matter of s*x, since we are married, it’s both a right and a duty. We need to have an heir.”

“An heir…”

Rosaline thought she saw a glint in Lucas’s eyes. And usually, such thoughts were not wrong. Still, she closed her eyes in Lucas’s arms as he held her tightly and kissed her. She felt he understood her idea of mutual respect in their s*xual relationship and was motivated by it. She thought that was enough. She was too sleepy and tired to think more deeply.

04.

The Grand Duchess of Bryant began her official social activities. Even during her time as Lady Marte, her position in the social circles was solid. As the beautiful lady of a wealthy count family and a major force of the Emperor’s faction, and soon to be the Marchioness of Addis, Rosaline was one of the prominent figures in society. If she had been just a bit more sociable or proactive, the title of the flower of the social scene would have undoubtedly been hers.

However, Rosaline preferred quieter, smaller gatherings over noisy ones. She also favored a few close confidants over mingling with many people. Those who envied her position or wanted something from her gossiped that she was dull and aloof. This was fortunate for Evienne, the current flower of the social scene.

Thus, everyone expected that Rosaline’s first gathering after marriage would be a small tea party or perhaps a small hobby salon.

“Have you received an invitation from Lady Marte, I mean, the Grand Duchess?”

“Yes. I checked multiple times to make sure it was really for me.”

“Oh my, me too.”

But contrary to everyone’s expectations, the invitation sent by the Grand Duchess of Bryant was for a grand banquet at the Grand Duke’s residence, encompassing both the neutral and noble factions.

While everyone was surprised, Rosaline thought it was only natural. She was no longer just a m*mber of the Emperor’s faction but the wife of its leader. Regardless of her personal preferences, she had to work with her husband to unite the Emperor’s faction, check the noble faction, and persuade the neutral faction. Moreover, she had no intention of living quietly as before.

Before her marriage, her friends were elegant and quiet ladies like herself. They preferred quiet company and were unaware of Kallen’s dirty rumors. Kallen had been careful not to touch those close to her.

‘My friends and I never attended gatherings with much gossip. Even if we heard something, we didn’t believe it.’

Furthermore, her deeply aristocratic friends considered the gossip of maids and servants to be vulgar and sensational, clicking their tongues in disapproval. Thus, Kallen managed his reputation in front of them while behaving disgracefully behind their backs, unbeknownst to Rosaline and her friends.

‘I won’t repeat the same foolishness, even if I know it.’

So, it was only natural that Rosaline, despite cherishing her friends, actively engaged in social activities. She did not want to be a fool again, unaware of her husband’s infidelity while everyone else knew. One such terrible experience was enough.

The fact that her current husband was Lucas Bryant, not Kallen Addis, didn’t matter. She didn’t think Lucas would necessarily betray her. But the fact that even the maids of the Count of Marte knew something she didn’t, while she trusted her husband, was unbearably shameful and horrifying. Thus, she resolved never to be in such a ridiculous situation again. That was Rosaline’s goal.

* * *

Preparing for a banquet at the Grand Duke’s residence was not difficult. Everything was already in place. The grand and splendid hall had been refurbished for their wedding. At that time, it was decorated with green fabrics and jewels to match Rosaline’s eyes, but this time, she decided to decorate it entirely with fresh flowers.

Nobles generally considered halls decorated with fresh flowers to be more luxurious than those adorned with jewels. Fabrics and jewels could be reused or given as wages to workers, but fresh flowers were used and discarded.