Chapter 4

Erelia leaned against the wall absentmindedly.

It had already been three days since she couldn’t see the Duke. It wasn’t out of guilt or shame, just that her schedule was inconveniently packed, leaving no time to watch the training.

Why did I make so many tea party appointments? 

Erelia lamented her foolish past self. She finally got an opportunity, but she couldn’t approach the Duke properly. She sighed softly and then looked around. The long time – only three days, but it felt endlessly long to her – was now over.

This was the Imperial Banquet Hall.

The Founding Festival. An official event that all nobles must attend. With so many eyes watching, it would be difficult to approach and talk openly, but she was sure to see the Duke. Although they hadn’t met yet.

“My lady?”

At the voice calling her, Erelia snapped back to reality. She had been smiling to herself unknowingly. Indeed, unrequited love makes a person foolish.

Before her stood a familiar man. Someone always present at the training grounds when she went to see the Duke. A man she hadn’t yet laid her hands on.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I must have been lost in thought.”

She smiled brightly at the man. 

Did he see my strange expression? 

She always thought it fortunate that her lewd thoughts didn’t easily show on her face.

Fortunately, the man smiled broadly.

“I thought I was being ignored.”

“No way. Do I seem like such a mean person?”

“I’m joking.”

She glanced around the banquet hall. She saw Carlisle entering over there. She wanted to go near and watch, but people surrounded him, making it difficult.

“By the way, what brings you to me…?”

“Oh, I just thought you seemed alone without a partner. I apologize if I startled you.”

“No, it’s fine. I came with my brother, but he disappeared after the first dance.”

“Oh dear, leaving such a beautiful sister alone.”

The man’s intention was obvious. The reason for approaching the opposite s*x at a ball was always the same. 

Since the Duke would be with others for a while, should I entertain him for a bit? It would be odd not to dance at all after the first song at a ball.

“If it’s not too forward, may I have a dance…?”

“Lady Sionel.”

At that voice, both turned in surprise.

“…Duke?”

Before them stood Carlisle Proxian.

“What brings you here, Commander…?”

Ignoring the surprised man’s gaze, Carlisle fixed his eyes on Erelia. She looked puzzled.

“I have something to discuss.”

The surrounding people discreetly glanced over at the three. A Duke addressing a lady, especially one like Erelia Sionel, at such an official event was enough to draw attention.

“Do you have a moment?”

The Duke, who never responded to even marriage proposals between families, addressing a count’s daughter was enough to pique curiosity. People’s speculative and scrutinizing gazes swept over the two.

Yet Erelia couldn’t care less. Carlisle extended his hand to her as if escorting her.

She took his hand as if entranced, following him to the balcony. The sound of the door closing and curtains being drawn reached her ears. Even the cold wind outside couldn’t clear her dazed mind.

“Erelia.”

“Yes!”

However, she responded loudly to that call reflexively. He called her by name again. Erelia, forgetting her embarrassment, looked up at him with sparkling eyes. Something was suddenly thrust in front of her.

“A handkerchief?”

“It was dropped in the lounge.”

A white silk handkerchief decorated with lace. It was the one she lost a few days ago. She wondered where it went, and the Duke had picked it up for her. Suddenly feeling like luck was on her side, Erelia was elated.

“Why aren’t you taking it?”

“Oh, thank you!”

She quickly took the handkerchief. She’d have to smell it later. Since the Duke had it, his scent might be left on it. Erelia resisted the urge to immediately bury her face in the handkerchief. But….

“…Huh?”

Looking closely, it was a bit different. The lace pattern was subtly different, and it somehow felt new. She had owned that handkerchief for quite a while.

Could it be….

“I accidentally soiled it, so I got a new one that looked similar.”

Carlisle’s ears turned red as he said that. He turned his head to avoid Erelia’s gaze, like someone who had done something wrong.

“Duke.”

Erelia finally understood his intention. The handkerchief could have been returned at the banquet, but he made a point to bring her out alone, drawing attention.

“What did you do with my handkerchief?”

Her gaze as she looked him over was intense. He seemed somewhat tense. In an instant, Erelia took control of the atmosphere.

“…You were flirting with the knights again.”

An answer different from her question. He surely knew it was just a simple dance request but the hidden intention was obvious. Erelia’s eyes glinted slyly.

“Then….”

She approached him with slow steps, like a predator eyeing its prey. Until her body touched his, leaning against the railing, Carlisle merely avoided her gaze with a reddened face.

“Can you really take full responsibility, Duke?”

“…….”

Her small hand subtly caressed his body. The balcony, with its thick curtains drawn, was often used as a place for secret meetings between men and women at banquets. Carlisle must have brought her here with such intentions. Having gained confidence from their previous encounter, Erelia began to explore his body more actively.

“Wait, my lady.”

When her hand slipped inside his clothes, Carlisle gently pressed down on her shoulder.

“That… I want to do it in bed….”

“Yes….”

Erelia responded as if entranced by his seemingly shy voice. Going all the way to the bed must mean he wanted to do it properly. It was a good thing she brought the supplies hidden under her petticoat—a fake phallus—just in case. 

Oh, right. I forgot the oil!

“Since we’ve enjoyed the banquet enough, let’s head to the estate.”

He led the dazed Erelia out of the banquet hall, lost in other thoughts. It was obvious how two people leaving together with reddened faces would appear to others.

***

“Huff…!”

As soon as the carriage door closed, Erelia lunged at Carlisle, pressing her lips against his. He should be able to endure this much, but he fell helplessly onto the seat as if crushed by something strong. The sound of his body collapsing onto the soft cushion was heard. In an instant, Erelia was straddling him.

As she nibbled on his lips, he opened his mouth. The sound of their shared breath echoed wetly inside the carriage. Despite his clumsy actions, her surprisingly skilled kisses left Carlisle breathless and dizzy.

“Mm, huh….”

Her hot tongue swept over the tender flesh inside his mouth. The movement scraping his sensitive palate tickled. His breath quickened, and just as he was about to push her away, she gave him a bit of space to breathe. In the end, he had to endure her kiss for quite a while without regaining his senses.

“Huff, huff, ugh….”

His vision blurred from the lack of oxygen. He had unknowingly gripped her arm tightly. Just from a kiss, his thighs trembled. His half-*rect member was already straining against his pants. Despite bringing her for that purpose, he felt embarrassed and turned his head.

“You’re quite skilled at kissing.”

Erelia smiled foolishly at his somewhat grumbling voice. She wanted to lie and say it was her first kiss, but she had already been caught preying on men.

“Um, Duke….”

The topic was too disadvantageous for her. Erelia pressed down on his firm thigh, rubbing her leg against the outline of his member through his clothes. She needed to change the subject.

“Can you go out like this?”

“Ugh….”

Carlisle let out a low groan at the sudden stimulation. His face flushed red with embarrassment. At the same time, he felt his heart pounding fiercely.

“I can help you.”

“…Do as you wish, my lady.”

Erelia, smiling angelically despite the situation, pulled down his pants and underwear, revealing his member. A drop of clear liquid glistened at the tip. There might be a wet mark on his underwear. She wanted to tease him by showing it and saying it was the Duke’s lewd fluid.

She suppressed her vulgar desire tightly.

“Ugh, hoo….”

A low growl escaped his throat at the gentle touch on his member. As she moved her hand up and down, pr*c*m trickled out, making a wet sound. His breathing, which had barely steadied, began to quicken again.

“Ah…! Huff, ugh….”

When she rubbed the gl*ns, tickling the urethral opening, he let out a surprised high-pitched sound. Even biting his lip couldn’t stop the crying sound from escaping as her hand moved faster.

“Ugh, hngh, I’m about to… hic!”

It didn’t take long before he shuddered, climaxing into Erelia’s hand. His face turned endlessly red from the premature climax. It seemed that his sensitivity was excessively heightened whenever she touched him.

Erelia looked at the thick s*men on her hand. He must have relieved himself at least once after what happened that day. Judging by the still thick consistency, he must not touch himself often.

Thinking that made her heart race as if she had claimed his purity. Erelia cleaned the liquid off her wrist by licking it.

“Ugh… why did you…!”

Carlisle looked at her unconscious act in shock. 

Oops. 

She belatedly realized how perverted she must have looked. But thinking it was the Duke’s made it seem so sweet for a moment….

Fortunately, he didn’t have a chance to say more. At that moment, the carriage screeched to a halt.

As soon as they heard the knock on the carriage door, Carlisle hurriedly tidied his clothes. Erelia slightly lifted the curtain covering the window. Outside, under the dark sky, stood a grand mansion.

They had arrived at the Proxian mansion.