Chapter 3.5

Robert returned from an outing, holding a bottle in his hand. He had promised good news, but Violet initially thought it was just another new oil. However, the bottle’s color was different from the usual dark ones used for oils. This one was transparent, resembling the fake magical potions sold by scammer street vendors on Avenue No. 5. Only the contents’ color was different.  

“What’s this?”  

“I procured a remedy.”  

“What?”  

Violet’s eyes widened in shock.  

“I told you, didn’t I? That I would make sure to cure you.”  

“Where did you get this?”  

“I secretly contacted an exiled mage who had committed a crime. He seemed quite skilled; when I showed him the potion you drank, he quickly created a remedy. I even had several doses made and tested it on someone else suffering the same side effects. It’s safe, so you can take it without worry.”  

“If I drink this, will my milk stop flowing tomorrow?”  

“It won’t stop immediately. The milk production will gradually decrease, and within about a week, it will dry up completely.”  

Violet stared blankly at the bottle in her hand, not showing any joy. Her trembling eyes seemed both flustered and disappointed.  

“Aren’t you happy?”  

“No, I am. I knew you’d solve it, Robert.”  

“I paid the mage a hefty sum and ensured his silence. It’s as if none of this ever happened to you. You won’t suffer from the milk anymore, nor will you have to go through the hassle of expressing it.”  

“…Stop expressing it?”  

“Once the milk stops, there won’t be any need to.”  

Violet’s mouth hung open in disbelief. The unexpected statement left her at a loss for words.  

“What’s wrong? Are you disappointed that I won’t be able to nurse on you anymore?”  

“….”  

“It seems you are. How indecent.”  

Robert’s sly smile stretched across his face as his eyes curved teasingly. His expression contrasted sharply with Violet’s stiffened demeanor.  

“I had already been thinking it was time to stop.”  

“Why?”  

“Won’t you get married someday?”  

That was true, but…  

“Were you planning to continue doing indecent things with me even after marriage?”  

Violet felt as though she had been struck over the head.  

She loved being touched by Robert, loved the way he caressed her with his lips and hands, loved the way he filled her between her legs.  

When his movements were full of affection, she felt cherished. Simply holding his large member inside her made her feel complete.  

Her body, already awakened to pleasure, couldn’t go a single day without craving his touch. She spent her days yearning for him, waiting for the moments they could be together.  

Feeling utterly spent and reaching the peak of ecstasy with him had become her sole joy in life. She was so addicted that it had become second nature to her.  

But now, she was being told to stop? How could that be?  

Of course, his words weren’t wrong. Once she married Duke Antoine, Violet would have to do everything with him that she had done with Robert. After all, he would become her husband. And they would eventually have children together.  

It was only natural, so why did her heart feel so empty and clouded?  

Who exactly was Duke Antoine to her?  

The fiancé chosen by her family. A groom-to-be envied by all. And someday, the man who would become her husband.  

He wasn’t an extraordinary beauty, but his appearance was decent. He had adequate conversational skills and abilities.  

While having him by her side might earn her envious glances, merely thinking of him didn’t make her heart race or leave her feeling a warm flutter in her chest.  

She didn’t long to see him, didn’t want to share emotions with him, nor did she desire any physical intimacy with him.  

His merits were simply conditions on paper; they didn’t capture Violet’s heart.  

But what if she couldn’t marry Duke Antoine?  

The social circles would gossip about her for a while, but nothing significant would change. Violet would continue living her life as usual, and if he married another young lady from a noble family, she doubted she’d care at all.  

On the other hand, Robert…  

The mere thought of Robert not being there made her heart sink. An indescribable pain spread through her chest, making it hard to breathe.  

Looking up at his ever-shining golden hair and kind hazel eyes, she suddenly recalled a conversation she had with Robert when they were younger.  

‘Choose just one.’  

‘I don’t know what to choose. I like them all.’ 

‘They can’t all be the same. Surely, there’s one you’re more drawn to. Choose the one you truly love.’  

‘How do I know which one I truly love?’  

‘Well, try throwing it away.’  

‘Throw it away?’ 

‘You’ll know once it’s gone.’  

It was something Robert had said to her when she couldn’t decide which doll to hug to sleep. Back then, she hadn’t understood what he meant, but now she did.  

As long as her engagement to Duke Antoine remained intact, her relationship with Robert was on borrowed time. So why had she thought it could continue?  

Because she wanted it to.  

The sweet whispers, the gentle laughter, the comforting pats, the tender caresses, the satisfying intimacy—she didn’t want to give up any of it.  

A deep desire to stay with Robert forever filled her chest and wrapped around her entire being.  

Robert, standing upright by the bedside table after placing the glass bottle down, filled her vision. Violet’s heart pounded rapidly.  

Realization struck her abruptly.  

It was undoubtedly love.