Amelia took a step back, trembling at Raphael’s stern face and fierce eyes she had never seen before. All she could think about was escaping this place. She didn’t realize that this action only provoked Raphael further.

“I mean….”

But her back was blocked by something, preventing her from moving any further. There was no way to escape as he approached.

“Go ahead, explain.”

Make me understand.
He spoke as if he was generously giving her a chance. His voice was tender, contrasting with his harsh tone, making it even more frightening. She wanted to say something, but no words came out, and she could only move her lips silently.

“Ah…!”

The hand that had been gently stroking her wrist as if caressing something precious suddenly tightened, gripping her so hard it felt like it would crush her. She groaned in pain, but Raphael’s expression didn’t change at all. His gaze, still as if he would devour her, made her body tremble.

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Ra, Raphael….”

His expression remained rigid despite her painful groan, making her both scared and resentful. She wanted to escape, but his other hand was already caressing the nape of her neck. She was completely captured in his grasp. The long fingers circling her neck gave her goosebumps. Was he going to strangle her like he did with her arm?

Raphael Lloyd Siegfried was fully capable of that. Every time his cold hand, different from usual, brushed her skin, a chilling sensation washed over her. In fear, Amelia tightly closed her eyes.

“Open your eyes.”

Like a robot responding to a command, she opened her eyes as soon as he spoke. Her arm was still in his grip, and his fingers were still near her neck. The hand caressing the back of her neck made her want to cry.

As if sensing her feelings, his fingers left her neck. But then Raphael grabbed her chin and pulled her face up, forcing her to look straight at him.

“Your stroll outside the cage ends here.”

His golden eyes, more fiercely concentrated than usual, were chilling to look at.

***

“Mother!”

When Raphael was about to take her back, Leonel rushed over. He was covered in foliage, as if he had been pushed far away.

“Where are you taking my mother?”

It was brave of him to stand up to Raphael, but the situation was dire. Amelia shook her head, signaling him to stop. She didn’t know what Raphael might do in his current state.

“Leonel Lloyd Siegfried.”

His tone was so cold it could freeze one’s entire body. But the way he called Leonel’s name felt odd. Lloyd? Hadn’t they decided not to give Leonel a middle name? Why was he calling Leonel ‘Leonel Lloyd Siegfried’?

“You must know your sins.”

“……”

“I will decide your punishment at the castle.”

She wanted to ask what was going on but couldn’t. She had no choice but to stay quietly in his arms as they returned to the castle. Leonel followed without saying a word.

Punishment. It wasn’t limited to Leonel. It applied to her as well.

“It would be best if you didn’t glare like that.”

“If you hurt Mother, I won’t stand by.”

It seemed the servants were unaware of their escape attempt, perhaps because it was dark. The castle was quiet when they arrived. Raphael told Leonel to go to his room, but Leonel didn’t. He just stared at Raphael with burning eyes.

“Me? You know I wouldn’t do that.”

“You’re despicable.”

“You will be too.”

Was this really a conversation between father and son? They growled at each other, showing hostility. She couldn’t even understand what they were talking about.

“I’ll be watching.”

“If you have the skill.”

She wanted to mediate, but she could only move her lips, feeling guilty.

“Leonel… I’m fine, so go to your room.”

All she could do was squeeze out a reassuring voice to send her child away. If Leonel left, she would be the one in trouble.

She would be alone with Raphael.

“Yes…”

Leonel still looked reluctant, but he had no choice but to go to his room. She wanted to cling to him and beg him not to leave. She was scared to be alone with Raphael.

“……”

Raphael’s tense and dangerous atmosphere was new to her. If Leonel hadn’t been nearby, anything could have happened right then and there.

“Why are you trembling now after boldly trying to escape?”

“Well…”

Thud.

The door closed completely, leaving only Raphael and her. If she could, she would turn back time. Why hadn’t she realized from the start that it was impossible?

“Wife.”

“…Yes.”

She hoped his mood had improved, but it hadn’t. His eyes, as if they would devour her, made her eyes tremble again.

“I trusted you.”

Even if she had ten mouths, she had nothing to say. She had done everything to reassure him. And it was true that she attempted to escape as soon as he left.

“Where were you planning to go in the dead of night?”

“Well…”

She couldn’t think of a good excuse. There was no room for excuses. Amelia bit her lip in anxiety.

“Didn’t I tell you last time?”

“Ugh…”

Suddenly, she was pushed onto the bed. She was startled by Raphael’s figure above her, and then he grabbed her chin. With her face forcibly held, she couldn’t avoid his gaze.

“What, what did you say…?”

He had said many things to her.

“I told you not to bite your lips unless you want to drive me crazy.”

“Ah…”

Come to think of it, he had said something like that. Normally, she would have ignored it, but now she couldn’t. She suddenly remembered that day. The day a large full moon had risen, just like today. Raphael had lost his mind and tried to attack her.

He hadn’t lost his mind like that now, but she couldn’t hide her rising anxiety.

“It seems my wife doesn’t know much.”

“I must have forgotten…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you so you won’t forget.”

There was no need to ask what he meant by teaching. His tongue covered her lips, cutting off her breath. At the same time, she felt the mattress beneath her back.

“Mm…”

It was evident that his normal appearance was just a façade. Amelia struggled as she sensed the lust subtly glowing in his golden eyes. This was more of a punishment than a kiss. His tongue invaded her mouth, rough and forceful.

“Ah…”

Every time he sucked on her lips, the room echoed with wet sounds and her moans. Everything about this man was bigger than her. His tongue was no exception. It filled her mouth, pushing into the narrow space. Their tongues entwined tightly.

Whenever she ran out of breath, he would supply her with oxygen, making her cling to him. Her jaw ached from having her lips stretched to their limit.

“Sto…p.”

As someone who had never properly experienced a man, she couldn’t handle what was happening. Before she knew it, she was gasping and begging him. Her vision blurred, either from the lack of oxygen or the tears welling up in her eyes.

She didn’t even notice that her robe was being removed by his hands. She had made the mistake of thinking she could avoid this man’s gaze.

“I was… wrong…”

She was about to say she wouldn’t run away anymore because she was wrong. At that moment, the robe that had been covering her fell away.

“Didn’t I tell you before? After becoming an adult, it’s not that my power weakens, but it goes berserk.”

Of course, she had naturally thought his power went berserk, but she hadn’t imagined it would be this kind.

“Various desires increase.”

They were no longer in a state where they could have a conversation.