Chapter 9: Fading Pleasure

At the familiar sensation, Leilia’s lashes fell weakly shut.

She remembered all too well the night she first shared a bed with Carlisle Liston—how it had been nothing but a purpose-driven act.

‘Spread your legs.’

There had been no care, no affection—only the act of breeding.

She had trembled like a trapped animal, terrified that his massive body might swallow her whole, or that the beast of a man might break her apart.

Still, without a word of protest, she endured.

‘The first time will hurt quite a lot.’

‘Focus as much as you can. Maybe then the pain will dull.’

It had been blatant mockery, and yet, why had it sounded so sweet back then?

Now that she knew the darkness inside him, everything was clear.

The naïve young lady who once clung to the vain hope—‘perhaps he might truly love me’—had long since died.

From the very start, demanding Gridana had been a mistake, just as the Duke of Liston said.

A foolish reveal of her hand, one that only ruined her plans.

Meanwhile, the beast, now fully aroused, loosened his tie.

His massive shadow fell naturally over Leilia.

The wide two-seater sofa was spacious enough to serve as a bed, but it was anything but romantic.

It was no place for a first night.

Still, to her, such things no longer mattered.

Once, twice, dozens, hundreds of times—it was an act repeated endlessly.

She knew by now what pleased him, what made him react.

She no longer needed to experience it to understand.

So long as I avoid conceiving a child, nothing else matters.

I’ll play along just enough, until I find a way.

Leilia lifted her chin, her golden eyes meeting Carlisle’s.

His blood-red gaze flared with triumph, certain of his victory.

Thanks to that, the faded memories of the past came flooding back with sharper, harsher colors.

In the past, whenever Carlisle took her, he wore the same expression—gentle on the surface, yet tainted with filth beneath.

How much pleasure had he drawn from watching her crumble at his feet?

Leilia met his eyes with a cold smile.

“Strange, isn’t it? I seem to be yielding, and yet… there’s no fear in me.”

Her voice, soft as falling petals, was chillingly calm.

Carlisle tilted his head with a faint smile, shifting his posture.

Velvet brushed her back as her view changed.

Above her, the chandelier glittered like a spray of stars.

Beneath it, the face of the perfect husband loomed close.

Carlisle lowered his head, lips brushing against her delicate skin.

“How long will my lady endure?”

Sharp teeth grazed her earlobe as his breath spilled inside.

The tingling sensation made revulsion crawl up her spine, but Leilia endured.

After all, this was nothing but a soulless act.

Just as Liston had always done—dry, obligatory—she only had to comply.

It’s fine, Leilia. Just a fleeting pleasure that will vanish.

In truth, the act itself had not always been unbearable.

Painful and dreadful at first, yes—but once she grew accustomed, there had been moments when she almost welcomed it.

A hot tongue traced a curve, sliding down her throat.

Leilia slowly closed her eyes, focusing on the sensation.

Carlisle’s lips dragged languidly, sucking at her tender flesh.

He had always been obsessed with leaving marks.

After a night with him, her neck and chest would be bruised so badly she could barely face her servants.

A dizzying tremor seized her.

“Mm.”

A breathy m*an slipped free, and snake-like eyes snapped toward her.

Though her shoulders and neck flushed red, the small woman beneath him did not flinch.

Instead, she seemed almost to indulge in the act.

The sight stirred something strange in Carlisle.

“Bold? Or simply… used to it?”

Her lashes lifted, golden eyes glimmering like spilled cider beneath the chandelier.

Meeting his gaze, Leilia smiled faintly.

“I’m just trying to focus. Like someone once told me.”

“I’ve heard some young ladies enjoy indulgent parties.”

Carlisle sneered, lifting himself slightly.

His hand slid up her dress, gripping her chin to hold her still.

His thick fingers brushed teasingly over her lips.

Her heart should have raced from such intimacy, but it remained calm as ice.

Though her body flushed at his touch, her heart only grew colder.

Carlisle, staring down at her, felt an unfamiliar hunger.

Her parted lips tempted him, but her gaze—so vacant, so unfathomable—unnerved him.

In an instant, his blood-red eyes burned with desire.

His lips crashed down onto hers, swallowing her breath whole.

“Mm!”

A muffled sound escaped between her teeth.

It was no kiss—it was a beast’s ravaging bite.

His tongue swept through her mouth, forcing her jaw open, coiling against hers like a serpent.

When she resisted, his large hand caught her nape, holding her in place.

The slick heat clung to her, devouring her without pause.

As his *ssault deepened, a new heat flared below.

Through the thin fabric, the hard press of his body ground against her thigh.

This was what I expected from the beginning.

Her whole body sparked with dizzying light.

Tears pricked her lashes as she staggered beneath the force of it.

When she faltered, Carlisle dragged her closer, intensifying the act.

There was no escape.

Leilia closed her eyes and yielded to the monster’s grip.

Droplets she could not swallow spilled down her chin, and the once-dry room grew thick with damp heat.

Chuckling softly, he pulled away from her lips, trailing lower.

As she steadied her breath, his sharp nose brushed her chest.

He blew a hot breath against her gathered flesh, and her slender fingers knotted in his dark hair.

“How dull, to surrender so easily.”

Suddenly, the heat drained away as if doused in ice water.

Carlisle looked down at her with a mocking smile, rising smoothly to his feet.

As if nothing had happened, he straightened his loosened tie.

“You really thought we’d go that far? Judging by that face, you must have been hoping for it.”

Humiliation after humiliation.

Leilia bit her lip hard, nails digging into her palms without even feeling the pain.

What words might fall from his lips next? Even that she almost longed to hear.

“I like things quick and certain. I’ve no taste for drawn-out games.”

“Stop circling around and get to the point.”

“This week, a physician will come. We need to confirm your ovulation days, so cooperate.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then I suppose you don’t need the minimum courtesy I was offering. If you’d rather spend your energy and patience on doing this every single day, that can be arranged…”

Carlisle idly stroked his smooth jaw, tongue clicking in thought.

The image was almost picturesque, detached from reality.

After a pause, he bent down to meet Leilia’s eyes.

“You’ll comply, won’t you? Even if it’s humiliating.”

***

After the duke left, Leilia didn’t move an inch.

Timo, unable to bear watching any longer, tried to speak.

“It’s late, my lady. You should rest.”

No reply.

Was the shock of failing to consummate their first night really so great?

Her waxen figure sat staring at a cooled teacup, tapping the table softly with her fingertip.

She had no idea how unsettling it was—though anyone watching could hardly breathe from the tension.

“Please, don’t be like this. Try to get some sleep, at least change out of those clothes. You must be uncomfortable.”

“…What should I do? I’ve made such a huge mistake.”

“Let’s talk about it tomorrow. You look exhausted, and you haven’t eaten all day.”

“There must be a way…”

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Yes. I’m listening.”

“Tch. Well… are you hurt anywhere? There was a lot of glass; you might have been cut. At least let me tend—”

Timo trailed off mid-sentence, eyes widening as she noticed something.

Leilia stopped her wandering thoughts and looked back at her.

Following her gaze, she saw the handkerchief tied around her wrist.

“Isn’t this the one the Duke was wearing earlier? Oh! So that’s why he came here—he dressed your wound before leaving? He’s more thoughtful than I—”

“It’s not like that.”

Leilia quickly hid her left hand behind her back, cutting the conversation short.

She tugged irritably at the shawl over her shoulders.

Timo let out a sharp gasp, covering her mouth with both hands as her eyes darted slyly.

Her flushed skin made her look like a freshly steamed sweet potato.

Leilia frowned at her inexplicable reaction until Timo pursed her lips and pointed at her bare shoulder.

A sharp breath slipped from Leilia’s lips.

She cursed herself for not noticing sooner while preoccupied with other matters.

Acting as if it were nothing, she scratched at her dry throat and ignored the mess of marks along her neck and shoulder.

“My goodness… What on earth happened between you two while I was gone?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t concern yourself with it.”

“Nothing? You’re the precious daughter of a marquis, and now your body’s covered in marks. If the other servants see this, rumors will spread. I’ll fetch something for you to wear over it—just wait here.”

“Forget it. I have something else I need you to do.”

“M-me?”

Startled, Timo’s round eyes blinked rapidly.

“This time, there must not be a single mistake.”

At the weight in her voice, Timo cleared her throat and fiddled with her knee.

“What do you need me to do? I still feel guilty about the Night Rabbit matter… I’m worried I might cause trouble again.”

“Then don’t cause trouble.”

The sharp answer made Timo lower her gaze, lips jutting in a pout.

Watching her sulk only left Leilia feeling suffocated—it was too much like watching a certain someone from her past.

“Ugh… Catching someone who’s determined to run is impossible. I’ll handle that. Just focus on doing this job well.”

“Leave it to me. I won’t disappoint you.”

“You went to school in my place a few years ago, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I pretended to be you and attended for about half a year… until I was found out and expelled.”

“You met quite a few people there, didn’t you?”

“Of course. I even learned about the Night Rabbit thanks to people I met at school. It attracts all sorts—commoners, nobles, everyone. But… why do you ask?”

At the question, Leilia’s lips curved into a sharp, knowing smile.

Timo knew from experience that whenever she wore that expression, trouble was sure to follow, and an uneasy feeling took root in her chest.

Leilia spoke.

“Find me a lover.”