Chapter 54. Something That Shakes the Heart More Than Saying ‘I Love You’

Camilla smiled broadly and praised Aster.

“Your way of provoking was quite top-notch, wasn’t it?”

“You’re too kind.”

“So? Does the Duchess truly believe there’s a traitor in Blanche Castle?”

“Yes. She’s burning with a desire to root them out immediately.”

“Hoho, it seems only innocent loyalists will end up crying.”

Camilla was pleased that things were going her way. From the start, Isabelle’s maids were so loyal that it was difficult to bribe them.

Most of them were practically trained by her, so it was natural. Isabelle’s method was to not just connect to their families, but to make them mentally obedient to prevent easy betrayal.

If the internal structure was solid, there was only one method left. Make them unable to trust each other.

From the beginning, there were no maids helping Camilla to steal letters. This was because no letters had come from the elders.

Currently, the elders on Isabelle’s side were too preoccupied with the issue of approving Aster’s succession. A massive inspection order had been issued to them a few weeks ago, leaving them too busy to attend the approval meeting.

Most of them were too occupied with protecting their own interests to attend the approval meeting. They must have assumed that there would naturally be more opposing votes due to its routine nature.

Thanks to that, Aster was able to complete the approval process without any noise.

“I must thank my father-in-law. He played a significant role in resolving the matter smoothly.”

“My father? He just went to collect taxes. If they had been diligent taxpayers from the start, they wouldn’t have been so panicked.”

“Still, it’s true that his timely actions made things easier.”

“If you’re that grateful, spend some time with him later. He doesn’t show it, but he seems quite eager to hang out with you.”

“I feel awkward saying this, but the more I see him, the cuter he seems.”

“That’s a fact, so I have no rebuttal. Actually, he’s the most delicate person in our family.”

“Hahaha!”

Aster burst out laughing at the sly response. It reminded him of the night before their marriage when his father-in-law offered him a drink.

Francis Castle was cozy and comfortable. Unlike Blanche, where everyone wore masks, everyone here showed their true selves. With a face immersed in nostalgia, Aster began.

“If everything is over.”

Camilla blinked and looked at Aster. His sudden meaningful words caught her off guard.

‘Everything being over’ probably meant after getting revenge on Blanche. After a moment of silence, Aster continued.

“I was thinking of staying at Francis Castle.”

“Are you serious?”

Camilla’s eyes widened in surprise. Though the concept of a live-in son-in-law wasn’t entirely unheard of, it was unusual for the heir of one family to join another.

It was tantamount to being absorbed into that family. While it sometimes happened with nobles on the brink of ruin joining larger families, Blanche was too big for that.

Even though they aimed to bring down Blanche, she never considered absorbing it. When Camilla was too shocked to speak, Aster said.

“Didn’t we agree to destroy it anyway?”

“Still, I intended to hand the family over to you. I never intended to leave my collaborator empty-handed.”

“Why would I be empty-handed? I have you by my side.”

“……”

“I’ve already bet everything on you.”

Aster smiled broadly and closed the distance between them. He murmured while cupping her cheek.

“You know my heart.”

Camilla’s lips parted slightly at Aster’s confession. His sincere confession was more than just an emotion. And it felt strange to feel herself swayed by it.

If she stayed like this, she might say something she shouldn’t. It would be troublesome if she impulsively agreed. Camilla took a step back and said.

“Did you forget? We said it was a loveless marriage.”

“I never said I don’t love you.”

“……”

“I’ve already shown it through my actions. How long will you keep pretending not to notice?”

“Aster.”

Camilla frowned and looked up at him. He pressed his thumb firmly on her lips and said.

“I don’t intend to force your feelings. I accepted those terms from the start. But don’t force my love either, Camilla.”

“……”

“Feel free to use me as you wish, and don’t feel any unnecessary guilt.”

Aster gently stroked her cheek with a faint smile. His touch was so warm it felt like it would burn, and his melancholy eyes made her heart stop.

It was a strange feeling. It was unfamiliar to see a man with no flaws offering himself to be used by her.

The weight of his pure love was heavier than she thought, and it scared Camilla.

How long could she push him away? It was already hard to be certain as she was already wavering.

“What on earth do you like about me so much?”

“Can you handle it?”

“……”

“You’re already so shaken even without a proper confession.”

Aster tilted his head, touching her ear with his hand. His hot breath entwined with her lips, making her nose itch and her heart shrink.

He was right. She was shaken. By the charming man in front of her, to the point of wanting to retract her words. The moment Camilla couldn’t overcome her tension and turned her head,

“That’s why I have no choice but to express it through actions.”

With those words, Aster swallowed Camilla’s lips. Like a deer cornered, she stepped back but was quickly caught by Aster.

“Mm.”

She panted. It was as if he was swallowing all her breath. Her chest, exposed above her dress, heaved up and down, disturbing his view.

Before they knew it, they had reached the makeshift bed in the room, their eyes meeting.

Aster’s red eyes meticulously scanned Camilla, piercing through her. Her blue eyes, filled with desire for him, held a faint fear.

Even without knowing the full truth, she was already so scared. If she knew all the truth of that day, would she still keep him by her side?

Thinking of that moment, Aster felt a sudden urgency and anxiety. He gently cupped Camilla’s cheek with his large hand.

“Watch closely from now on.”

“……”

“Gauge how much my heart is. Understand it.”

Camilla’s lips parted at Aster’s intense warning, then he came over her. Their deeply interlocking lips, tongues, and breaths all seemed to rush over Camilla like waves.

It was an indescribable feeling. Every spot on her skin, as though they were bitten and bruised, seemed to convey a silent confession.

Aster slipped his hand between Camilla’s dress, stroking her thigh. At the same time, he kissed her from her knee up to the hidden grove.

“Hah.”

Camilla moaned, trembling at the hot and fierce confession. Her legs, drawn together, were spread open by his strength. His persistent hand on her inner thigh was unbearably hot.

It was a strange feeling. Could there ever be such a desperate silent confession?

“Aster.”

Camilla felt frustrated, unable to understand the source of Aster’s endless affection. But she couldn’t ask what it was. Asking would make all her efforts in vain.

So she had no choice but to accept his silent confession.

What he was doing now wasn’t just a s*xual act. It was a bodily expression of love, more stirring than saying ‘I love you.’

So Camilla couldn’t push Aster away, knowing the walls inside her were crumbling.

She had no choice but to accept it. It was already growing between them, making it hard for Camilla to acknowledge it as a loveless marriage. She coldly said.

“Come to me.”

Though her response to his suffocating confession was cold, Aster didn’t mind. Just being by her side was enough for him.

“As you wish.”

Aster pushed himself into Camilla as she desired. Deeply, as he always did. He threw his heart into her with all his might, hoping to reach her heart one day.

* * *

“I’m late in greeting. Was your journey comfortable?”

At the Duke of Blanche’s greeting, Alyssa smiled and introduced herself.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t visit sooner. Thanks to your care, I came comfortably. I’m Alyssa Brilly.”

“Please, have a seat.”

As Duke Blanche sat down, the chairs were filled in order. Though they seemed amicable on the surface, their minds were likely filled with different schemes.

Camilla noticed Helen’s empty seat and tilted her head.

‘She was here just a moment ago.’

It seemed she wasn’t the only one who noticed, as Duke Blanche spoke up.

“Where did Helen go?”

“She said something important came up.”

“What could be more important than this?”

The Duke clicked his tongue in annoyance but didn’t ask further, as Helen was always capricious.

However, the absence of one noisy person made the empty seat more noticeable. Even the sound of cutlery clinking felt suffocating despite the appetizer being served.

No one was speaking first, indicating that everyone was equally uncomfortable with the unfamiliar guest.

“It feels like something is missing. Music.”

At that moment, Isabelle lightly clapped her hands, and an orchestra began to play from the hall stage. Usually, such formal dinners included an orchestra to enhance the atmosphere.

The curtain was not drawn to avoid disturbing the meal. The curtain had a special magic spell that prevented outside noise from being heard unless it was drawn.

Before the development of magical tools, a band of deaf musicians was used to ensure they couldn’t hear conversations, but now drawing the curtain easily blocked the sound.

The curtain would only be drawn when they enjoyed a performance after dessert. As the music began, the stifling silence disappeared. The Duke spoke to Alyssa.

“So you’re staying at Letia Castle?”

“I was until recently, but now I’m staying at the Francis Hotel. I’ll be staying in the capital for quite a while.”

“Daughter-in-law, you’ve been working hard.”

“It’s only natural to help my mother-in-law’s only family.”

“Only?”

The Duke looked puzzled, and Alyssa quickly replied.

“Our parents died in an accident.”

“Oh my. Why didn’t you tell me?”

It was a shameless question, given that he had no intention of attending the funeral even if he had known. Isabelle kept drinking water repeatedly, anxious that Alyssa might say something foolish. Alyssa spoke with a sad expression.

“I wasn’t in the right state of mind. It was such a sudden accident, and it took quite a bit of effort to handle everything.”

“You must have missed your sister a lot.”

“I did. Very much.”

Alyssa smiled sweetly at Isabelle, knowing that the reason for her longing wasn’t as sweet as it sounded. Isabelle’s expression soured.