1.5

It was a refreshing morning, as if he hadn’t woken up feeling this good in a long time. There was nothing more pleasant than the day after a satisfying night. Indeed, sleeping with a woman…

Julian smiled contentedly and reached for the spot next to him, but there was nothing to touch. The blonde beauty who had occupied his side all night was nowhere to be found.

Where did she go? What, was it a dream?

As he sat up with a bewildered face, a strand of golden thread-like hair fell from his chest. Picking it up, he realized it was a long hair.

Of course, it wasn’t a dream.

The shy noblewoman must have run away out of embarrassment. She left without giving him the chance to leisurely enjoy her. It was a waste of energy since they had already seen everything.

Julian dressed and stepped outside with a sly smile.

The sun had just begun to rise, and the world was still half asleep in darkness. There was no sign of her leaving the tavern, and the footprints left in the muddy puddles led to the backyard. Vanessa hadn’t gone far. Breathing in the cold, damp morning air, he followed the muddy path.

In the quietness, the sound of an excited horse whinnying came from the barn. As he approached and looked inside, he saw Vanessa struggling with a black horse.

Horses, being herd animals, tend to be wary when a stranger approaches their group. Last night, they were too scared to move because of the rain and thunder, but now that the weather was clear, they noticed the presence of a strange mare.

After spending years with only stallions, the introduction of a young mare into the group caused them to try to mount her, even though it wasn’t mating season. Julian’s warhorse, the highest-ranking black horse, seemed to have subdued the other three and was harassing the mare. Vanessa had noticed this and was trying to intervene, but she was no match for the persistent warhorse.

If she got kicked by an excited horse, it could be dangerous. Julian quickly grabbed the black horse’s reins and punched its neck.

“Neigh!”

The horse, with its notoriously bad temper, only stopped struggling after being hit five times. The low fence where the horse had been tied was broken, so Julian had no choice but to secure the reins to a post. Still angry, the black horse pretended to bite Julian’s arm.

“Oh, showing your teeth now?”

When Julian raised his fist again, the horse backed away, avoiding his gaze. It wagged its tail submissively, watching Julian carefully. The other three horses huddled in a corner, staying out of the way.

Vanessa was calming her own horse in the yard. The mare, greatly startled, raised its front legs and breathed heavily. It seemed to have a gentle and calm temperament, quickly regaining composure under its owner’s soothing.

The palomino horse, with its golden coat and white mane and tail, was beautiful. Its elegant form and balanced muscles were perfect. In short, it was a highly pedigreed and expensive riding horse.

“Nice horse. Looks to be about eight years old. Was it a gift?”

Vanessa flinched and turned to look at Julian. Her eyes were cold, devoid of the heat from last night. Her face was filled with the same wariness as when they first met. Vanessa gripped the reins tightly, as if ready to mount and flee at any moment

Julian felt momentarily disgusted. No matter how much she disliked it, to react like that after sharing such intimacy. It wasn’t as if he forced her; it was a transaction based on mutual interests. A transaction that was quite disadvantageous to Julian. It was annoying to see her act so self-righteous now.

“That’s right. My husband gave it to me as a gift for giving birth.”

“Viscount Michael was very fond of you. If I had such a beautiful wife who bore me a son, I would do the same.”

Unlike her owner, Vanessa’s horse did not seem wary of Julian. Perhaps because he had scolded the black horse that was bothering her, the mare seemed to have taken a liking to Julian. When he stroked the mare’s forehead and cheeks, she snorted as if pleased.

“Were you planning to run away?”

“…I came out because I was worried about the horse. Even if I ran away now, where could I possibly go?”

Vanessa spoke with a resigned expression. Julian felt his anger, which had surged up, subside a little.

She must have been quite satisfied last night too. He couldn’t understand why she was reacting so gloomily. As a noblewoman who had lived a virtuous life, it must be hard for her to accept having given her body to a rogue like him. Moreover, Vanessa, despite her age, was still naive and her body, not yet fully matured, didn’t know the pleasures of the bed. However, after spending a few more nights together, it was only natural that she would become completely enamored with him.

Julian arrogantly believed there was no woman in the world he couldn’t satisfy with his manhood. He looked forward to seeing how Vanessa would change and was determined to make her submit to him.

The mare’s golden coat reminded him of Vanessa’s hair. Her long, curly hair had been so luscious and beautiful. Now, her hair was tightly pinned up, giving her a chaste appearance.

“It’s the same gold as yours.”

Julian casually reached out to touch her hair. Vanessa seemed startled by the sudden contact but did not shy away from his touch.

“Don’t untie my hair.”

“I’m just touching it.”

Her hair was as soft as her skin. He wanted to pull her into his arms and bury his nose in her neck. He wanted to indulge in her fragrant scent, but knowing Vanessa would surely be shocked, Julian restrained himself.

“Your earlobes are small and cute.”

His fingers slid along her earlobe. Vanessa shivered at the touch.

Everything about Julian—his burning gaze, his heated fingertips, his suppressed breath—made Vanessa uncomfortable and on edge.

“Stop it now.”

“Stay still.”

Julian’s index finger brushed her earlobe and slid down her slender neck to her collarbone. Unable to bear it any longer, Vanessa grabbed Julian’s hand.

“I said stop.”

Julian held her hand in his. Her white, delicate hand had no calluses. As he gently tried to kiss her round, smooth nails, Vanessa pulled her hand away.

“Don’t.”

“Oh, did you want me to kiss you somewhere else?”

Julian teased, grabbing Vanessa’s chin.

“You beast!”

Vanessa pushed against Julian’s chest with both hands, but she couldn’t match his strength. Julian wrapped one arm tightly around her waist and lowered his head to kiss her.

“Hey, that woman. She didn’t leave?”

At that moment, Max shouted, pointing at Vanessa. Julian frowned at the intruders and turned to look at them.

“I decided to accept the request.”

At those words, Pierre’s mouth dropped open, and Donnie rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache.

Vanessa turned her head away from them. Her cheeks flushed with shame. She recalled the humiliation she had suffered from them last night. The thought of being mocked by them again made her want to hide anywhere.

“Say one more word.”

Julian growled protectively, pulling Vanessa into his embrace. Thanks to him, Pierre, who was about to criticize Vanessa, clamped his mouth shut.

“We didn’t even say anything, but you’re getting all worked up. I thought I heard moaning from somewhere…”

Donnie quickly covered Max’s mouth. Though death was not unusual in the life of a mercenary, they had to prevent a tragedy of comrades turning on each other.

I thought the sound was drowned out by the rain, but they heard everything?

Vanessa covered her face with both hands and pulled away from Julian’s arms. Julian clicked his tongue regretfully, unable to take his eyes off Vanessa.

“The merciful Earl Hendrick might not grant you land, but he’ll at least find a grave for you within his territory.”

Pierre sneered, watching the pathetic scene.

“Yeah, we’ll visit your grave every year on your death anniversary with drinks. Don’t be too sad if you lose in the trial by combat.”

Donnie chuckled, making a joke.

“These bastards are cursing me to death.”

Julian gritted his teeth at his comrades.

“Then let’s head to the capital quickly.”

Vanessa, her face flushed, changed the subject. There was a strangely sympathetic look in the eyes of the group as they gazed at Vanessa. She couldn’t understand why they were looking at her that way.

Come to think of it, Julian realized belatedly that he hadn’t explained the situation properly due to the chaos yesterday.

“Unfortunately, we can’t go right now.”

“Why not?”

“Because Earl Hendrick has given us another task first, we need to take care of that request.”

“Time is of the essence, and you’re telling me this important information only now?”

Vanessa burst out angrily. If she had known things would be delayed like this, she wouldn’t have returned to Julian and would have thought of another way.

“We just need to deal with the bandits in the Violen Valley, so it won’t take long. I’ll be back in two weeks, so wait here for a while.”

Vanessa wasn’t naive enough to take his words at face value. Julian might change his mind and never return, so she couldn’t leave his side.

“I’ll go with you.”