Chapter 1.3

Interpreting her hesitation in her own way, the Marchioness quickly added,

“My dear, as you know, your father and I aren’t narrow-minded people.”

Please feel free to speak openly.

The Marchioness continued by mentioning that she’d recently heard from her close friend, the Countess Feraton, about her daughter’s brief runaway incident.

“Although she eventually returned home, the Countess Feraton’s strong opposition had caused it.”

The reason the Countess Feraton’s daughter had rebelled and left home was because her parents had arranged her marriage to a man she didn’t love.

Eventually, the Countess Feraton’s daughter succeeded in marrying the man she loved, and now she was happy.

After finishing the story, the Marchioness glanced carefully at Erta. Yet, Erta didn’t seem particularly moved or affected.

If that was the case…

“Or perhaps, is it an issue of social status?”

The Marchioness posed another question.

She had occasionally heard of noble young ladies who fell in love with knights or commoners.

Perhaps her daughter was in such a situation?

“No, Mother. I think I’ve just been a bit tired lately. Really, nothing special is happening, and there’s no man involved.”

Erta shook her head, having never even properly conversed with a man. In truth, she felt quite frustrated herself.

‘I know my parents aren’t narrow-minded. But still…’

No matter how open-minded her parents might be, telling them she desired to be leashed and forcefully dominated like an animal—

‘Of course, they wouldn’t understand.’

Among noble ladies, there surely existed others who possessed secret preferences like Erta.

She had even tried to find out how such people satisfied their desires.

Some secretly treated their servants like bedroom slaves, or brought in men from brothels.

But eventually, rumors always spread.

Even Erta, who wasn’t quick to hear gossip, had heard whispers about who was involved in such activities.

Considering Erta was even more prominent in social circles than those people, it was impossible for her to do such a thing.

Her position simply did not allow her to reveal any secret preferences.

Erta was well aware of her image within noble society. She had absolutely no intention of tarnishing her parents’ reputation with careless actions.

Her rational judgment always came before her inner desires.

“Are you really sure there’s no one, dear? With your beauty, I would think young lords would line up for you. Perhaps your standards are too high?”

At her mother’s playful question, Erta inwardly sighed.

As the Marchioness said, love marriages were not uncommon among the empire’s nobility, but Erta was an exception.

“No one’s lining up, Mother. You only think I’m pretty because I’m your daughter.”

‘In reality, I don’t even have opportunities to meet men.’

She saw other young ladies secretly dating behind their parents’ backs, enjoying relationships regardless of social status.

Yes, if only someone approached her first, Erta might cautiously open up and even share her preferences!

But nobody dared approach Erta.

Even when she tried approaching men first, hoping to befriend someone, they either fled before having a proper conversation or froze without uttering a single word.

‘Am I really that intimidating? If I can’t even have a normal conversation, how could I possibly discuss something so private?’

Now that she clearly understood people found her unapproachable, Erta had given up on the idea of sharing her inner thoughts with anyone.

“In that case, I’ll look into suitable young lords. It’s time you got married, after all.”

After Erta repeatedly denied having any man in mind, the Marquis finally spoke of arranging a marriage for her.

“We can’t delay this any longer.”

Her father was right. Erta also knew that her parents had never pressured her about marriage until now.

They had surely waited patiently for Erta to make her own decision.

However, it seemed Erta’s age was beginning to worry them.

She herself knew it couldn’t be delayed any further.

Within the empire, noblewomen typically married in their early twenties.

Erta was already twenty-three. It would not be strange at all for her to marry immediately.

‘Would marriage make things better?’

Erta briefly imagined it on her own.

If I married, would I finally have someone to whom I could reveal my secret preferences?

She doubted it. Erta’s answer was ‘no.’

Among conservative noblemen, how many would understand and accept her preferences?

Even if such a man existed, she couldn’t know before marriage. And if she revealed her desires afterward, it might cause unnecessary conflict and distance between them.

Erta laughed bitterly to herself.

Nevertheless, marriage was inevitable.

Born as the daughter of Marquis Geranion, marriage was ultimately the path destined for her.

“Yes, I understand, Father.”

She had no choice but to accept. With no man of her own to introduce, she had no reason to object to her father’s intention to find a suitable fiancé.

“Good. The thought of our Erta finally getting married pleases me greatly.”

Breakfast concluded with her father’s delighted laughter.

Walking down the empty hallway, unseen by anyone, Erta’s expression darkened as she returned to her room.

‘Will I really be able to endure it?’

It was obvious she would spend her entire life unsatisfied, entering her wedding night without even knowing her future husband’s preferences.

It felt like a heavy stone rested within her chest.

Erta knew herself very well. Ordinary things could never satisfy her.

A gentle voice. Soft touches. Warm consideration.

The romantic atmosphere that other young ladies described as thrilling—just imagining it made her uncomfortable.

She had realized this several years ago.

It had happened at a social gathering one night among noble young ladies, soon after she had come of age at eighteen.

As girls who had just become adults, they were naturally filled with curiosity about romance, and thus began to share their fantasies.

“If he embraces me gently with those soft hands, wouldn’t that be so exciting?”

“Oh my, exactly! And how about a warm kiss?”

“My heart is already fluttering. Surely we’ll experience that kind of romance someday, right?”

Listening to their chatter, Erta felt indifferent.

‘Why would anyone find that appealing? Rather than gentle treatment, isn’t it more exciting if it’s a bit rougher?’

Just as Erta was half-heartedly tuning out their squeals and conversations, one young lady cautiously changed the subject.

“By the way, have you heard?”

Erta’s ears immediately perked up. Her previously uninterested eyes opened wide.

“There are people who find excitement in being struck or hit.”

‘What?’ 

This immediately caught Erta’s attention. The dull moment suddenly became interesting.

“They even become excited when they’re tied up, gagged, and treated forcefully.”

It was precisely Erta’s story. The boring evening was about to transform into an intriguing one.

‘So, I’m not the only one who enjoys that kind of thing after all.’

Just as Erta was about to join the conversation with a growing sense of excitement, the other young ladies spoke up again.

“That’s disgusting.”

“I agree. How could such strange people exist?”

“It’s barbaric. I wouldn’t want to associate with that sort.”

Their expressions turned icy cold, completely unlike their shy smiles from moments before.

“You think so too, don’t you, Lady Geranion?”

“…Of course. I can’t understand it at all.”

That day, Erta learned clearly that no one in this noble society would understand her preferences.

The fact that she couldn’t even speak to anyone about it was a great misfortune for her.

‘Anyone would do. How wonderful it would be if I could at least talk about it.’

Tonight, too, she would dream vividly of being tormented and dominated, but such dreams only made her feel lonelier, unable to relieve her pent-up desires.

Erta Geranion, the red rose of high society, was silently withering away alone.

***

Then, one day.

It was a day when even the gentle breeze brushing against her skin felt pleasant for no particular reason.

Beautiful clouds adorned the blue sky, enough to momentarily wash away her gloom.

Erta’s day wasn’t particularly special.

As usual, she had invited noble young ladies around her age to the Marquis Geranion’s residence for a tea party.

“As expected, the gardener of Geranion is truly top-notch. How can the landscaping be this wonderful?”

“Indeed. The Marchioness has an exceptional talent for recognizing skilled people.”

“You flatter us. Still, my mother will be happy to hear that.”

The topics of conversation were no different from usual. As was typical among noble young ladies, empty compliments were exchanged.

If there was any difference, it was perhaps that today’s praise was slightly more exaggerated than usual.

Since Erta rarely held tea parties at the Marquis’s estate, the invited young ladies eagerly competed to offer flattering remarks.

“Thank you all very much, but…”

However, given Erta’s personality, such words didn’t particularly please her.

“Rather than discussing my family, I’d much prefer hearing about you ladies.”

She gracefully lifted her teacup with an elegant gesture and took a small sip.

There was no one present who failed to grasp the hidden meaning behind her words.

To avoid irritating Erta, who clearly disliked excessive flattery, the young ladies quickly needed to change the topic.

Was there any fresh, new story lately? 

The minds of those attending today raced quickly.

Clink—

A brief silence lingered until Erta placed her teacup down.

At that moment, the young Lady of Viscount Roelbe, seated at the corner of the table, spoke up first.

“Oh my, come to think of it, has anyone here tried a confession?”