Chapter 4.1

In fact, today was the day she was scheduled to meet the son of Duke Ephelmar. 

So Erta had headed to Bondridge Cathedral in the morning before her meeting with the Duke’s son. 

She wanted to make the most of her remaining time before marriage. 

That was the mindset with which she had gone to confession. 

But the priest’s reaction was different from usual. Suggesting they finish if she had nothing more to say. 

‘It was practically asking me to leave.’

Even as she prepared to go out after returning to the mansion, Erta couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling. 

‘This is the first time confession ended so quickly… Huh? What’s that?’ 

A gift box she’d never seen before was placed on the table. Distracted by the box, Erta asked her maid Maril. 

“Maril, what is that?” 

“It just arrived addressed to you, Miss. It didn’t seem dangerous, so I left it there.” 

Maril answered while arranging Erta’s hair. 

“…I see.” 

The gift box didn’t look particularly special. She thought she would check it after finishing her afternoon schedule—that’s how casually she dismissed it.

“It’s done, Miss. And by the way, today too….”

The maid Maril hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

Erta knew why Maril was acting this way. 

It was because Erta had been refusing assistance when changing clothes lately.

“It’s fine, I’ll change by myself.”

Today was no exception.

Erta gestured for Maril to leave, indicating she didn’t need help, and once Maril was gone, she slowly removed her indoor dress. 

Left in just her undergarments, Erta examined her body in the mirror. 

Her wrists still showed clear marks from chafing, and her neck, tormented by the collar, was covered in purplish bruises. 

When she turned her waist, her b*ttocks, thoroughly spanked, showed small abrasions on the skin’s surface. 

For Erta, these were evidence of pleasurable times, but it would be disastrous if the maids saw her in this condition. 

Erta took out her outdoor dress and began to move. 

However, the gift box suddenly caught her eye again. 

‘I wonder what’s inside?’ 

It wouldn’t take long to check the contents, just a moment, so Erta decided to satisfy her curiosity first. 

Placing the dress she was holding on the table, Erta reached for the ribbon on the box. 

Rustle— As the ribbon came undone and she opened the small box lid, inside was… 

‘Un-underwear?’ 

A set of pure white underwear was inside. This was certainly unexpected. 

Who would send underwear? 

Erta looked back into the box and found a message card. 

[This will be helpful to you.]

The card, without any sender information, contained only this brief message. 

This underwear didn’t seem special in any way, yet it would be helpful? 

Erta examined the underwear again. But there couldn’t be anything unusual about plain white lace underwear. 

Looking at both the top and bottom pieces, she had no idea why they would be helpful. 

‘They are pretty though. Should I try them on?’ 

Since Erta was already in her undergarments, it would be easy to change. 

The message saying they would be helpful also piqued her curiosity. 

There was a slight unease about wearing underwear from an unknown sender, but in the end, curiosity won out. 

‘Strange things have been happening lately, so who knows?’ 

Bondridge Cathedral, and the man who visits at night. 

With magical things happening to Erta these days, she quickly concluded there was no harm in trying this as well. 

“It fits perfectly?” 

Surprisingly, the underwear fit as if it had been measured precisely. 

It was a mystery how the sender knew Erta’s underwear size. 

The perfect fit made her feel uneasy again. She was beginning to wonder if she should take them off.

“Miss!” 

But then Maril’s voice came from outside. 

“It’s almost time to leave, I think you need to come out soon.” 

Though she couldn’t enter without Erta’s permission, her voice sounded anxious. 

‘It’s time already.’ 

She had only meant to examine the box briefly. 

It seemed she had been so distracted by the underwear that she hadn’t noticed how quickly time was passing. 

In a hurry, Erta quickly put on her outdoor dress and left the room.

“I’m coming out now, Maril.”

Of course, she had no idea what would happen with these undergarments.

***

“We have arrived, Miss.” 

After stepping out of the carriage, Erta surveyed the meeting place with her eyes.

The venue was a theater located in the center of the capital.

There was no better place for a man and woman with little to talk about to spend time during their first meeting. 

‘Not a bad choice.’ 

Erta nodded and stepped inside. 

“Welcome, Lady Erta Geranion. We’ve been expecting you.” 

Following the staff’s guidance further inside, she noticed the entrance to a box seat at the highest level of the theater.

It was clearly the most expensive seat in the theater. 

‘Oh, he’s put in quite some effort.’ 

Well, this much was probably expected from the Duke of Ephelmar’s family.

As she stepped inside, Erta shifted her gaze. 

The box seat provided complete privacy. The interior couldn’t be seen from the outside, making it virtually impossible to notice even if someone were to engage in an affair.

Of course, Erta and Reitan were not that kind of relationship. 

Inside the private seating area, Reitan Ephelmar was already waiting for her.

When their eyes met, Erta cleared her throat softly and greeted him. 

“Hello, Young Master. We meet again.”

Unlike her usual self, her voice trembled slightly at the end of her sentence. She couldn’t help but be conscious of her disgraceful behavior that day.

‘Will he respond coldly?’ 

Even though marriage talks had begun between them, his attitude toward Erta was a separate matter.

The moment of waiting for Reitan Ephelmar’s reaction was tense. 

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Lady.” 

However, contrary to her worries, Reitan responded with a bright smile.

That was fortunate. Yet Erta still felt somewhat uneasy. 

Unable to shake off this inexplicable discomfort, Erta took a seat beside Reitan. 

“Excuse me, Young Master.” 

Reitan and Erta’s seats were separate individual sofas. They were placed side by side facing the stage.

However, the seats were close enough to allow for intimate conversation. 

Perhaps because of this, his face came into clearer view as soon as she sat down.

Reitan Ephelmar, as her first impression had suggested, was a man of striking appearance. 

He wore a clean aristocratic formal attire without any special adornment, yet his appearance was simply magnificent.

His distinct facial features were strong and assertive, and his noticeable blonde hair might have added to that impression. 

‘He is handsome indeed.’ 

Erta made a brief assessment to herself. In fact, when he smiled at her earlier, she momentarily thought there was light shining behind him.

It was a rare experience to have in this dark theater. 

“This is our first formal meeting. I’ve been anticipating seeing you again today.” 

What anticipation? He certainly speaks well.

Inwardly expressing brief cynicism, Erta brought her hands to her mouth, appearing flustered. 

“The honor is mine. I’m truly sorry about that time, Young Master. I was particularly unwell that day.” 

“Not at all. If anything, I made the mistake of soiling your gloves.” 

Appropriate apologies and polite reassurances were exchanged between the two.

They would probably continue with such formal conversation until the play began. 

‘At least I’m glad that incident from that day hasn’t been brought up much.’ 

Erta felt relieved. Looking back, perhaps she had been overthinking what was actually a minor issue. 

“By the way, Lady, is your seat comfortable?” 

“My seat?” 

Erta’s expression clearly showed her confusion. It was difficult to understand the intent behind his question. 

“I requested the softest sofa possible, and I was wondering if it’s to your liking.” 

Fortunately, the sofa Erta sat on was indeed very soft. It seemed to be thanks to his thoughtfulness.

Perhaps because of this, her b*ttocks, which had been spanked by that man the night before, hurt less than they had in the carriage. 

Throughout the carriage ride to the theater, her bottom had ached with every bump, but with this level of softness, she wouldn’t be uncomfortable while watching the play. 

“Thank you for your consideration. The seat is quite comfortable.”

As soon as Erta finished her response, an announcer in the center of the stage informed them of the play’s beginning. 

“Thank you for waiting. The play will begin shortly, so we ask all audience members to direct your attention to the stage!” 

All the lights in the theater dimmed. The lighting in the box seat where Erta and Reitan were seated was no exception. 

“Now, please give a round of applause for the performance that’s about to begin!” 

Clap, clap, clap- 

The sound of the audience’s applause resonated loudly throughout the theater.

Because of this, Erta failed to hear Reitan’s muttered words. 

“In that case…I’m very glad.”