1.6

“We’re not going on a picnic; we’re going to catch bandit knights. It’s dangerous, so stay here.”

“I’m a fugitive anyway. It’s more dangerous to be alone.”

“What if you get taken hostage during a battle? I can’t risk the whole group for you.”

Having someone to protect would make the battle twice as difficult as usual. Vanessa’s presence would only add to their burden.

Julian’s argument was reasonable, but staying alone in this remote village wasn’t a good choice either. There was a possibility that the villagers, tempted by the reward, might turn her over to the guards.

“Then leave me behind. I won’t blame you even if I die.”

When Vanessa came to Julian to ask him to be her champion in the trial by combat, she had already resigned herself to death. And when she decided to give him her body in exchange, she had also let go of a part of her honor. Vanessa had no other viable options left.

Julian clicked his tongue at Vanessa’s resolute attitude.

“Stubborn woman. If you fall behind, I’ll leave you.”

“Don’t worry, that won’t happen.”

Vanessa spoke with confidence because she was somewhat skilled at horseback riding.

She had boasted so confidently…

“Huff, huff…”

But not even an hour had passed since they started riding before she was out of breath.

Perhaps because the rain last night had turned the dirt road into a muddy swamp. The horse was only trotting lightly, yet it was hard to stay on its back as it swayed more than usual. Her thighs were numb, and every time her b*ttocks hit the saddle, her lower body throbbed. No matter how she thought about it, there was only one reason. It was because of that man’s ridiculously large member that had pounded her last night.

Her muscles were already fatigued from the intense exercise, and riding more vigorously than usual caused sweat to pour down like rain. The handkerchief she usually carried was nowhere to be seen.

It’s a precious item, so I can’t lose it. What if I dropped it somewhere? Maybe I put it in my bag. I’ll have to check later.

Thinking that, Vanessa wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand instead of a handkerchief.

“It’s not too late to turn back now. How about going back?”

Julian rode alongside Vanessa and spoke. She had no face left to lose, but she didn’t want to be looked down on by this man. Vanessa ignored him and spurred her horse to overtake Julian.

The horse began to gallop, lifting all four legs off the ground. Then the young, spirited stallions followed suit.

The horses Donnie, Pierre, and Max rode were decent-bred steeds, trained just enough not to faint in battle.

In contrast, Julian’s black horse was a valuable warhorse he had acquired as spoils from the Holy War. Its massive size was intimidating, capable of bearing the weight of the large Julian. It was sturdy, strong, and trained to bite and kick enemies.

With such horses pounding the ground in close pursuit, it was terrifying. Vanessa’s mare seemed to feel the same, running madly with its tongue hanging out between its parted lips.

“Stop! If you run that fast, the horse will collapse from exhaustion!”

Julian’s shout brought Vanessa back to her senses. She gently tugged on the reins, clamped the horse’s sides with her thighs, and the mare gradually slowed its pace, understanding its rider’s intent.

“Is someone chasing us?”

Julian, who had approached close enough, asked with a smirk. She had only caused unnecessary trouble for the horse by trying to maintain her pride with him. Vanessa glared at him, panting.

“Let’s take a short break.”

“Already?”

“The horses are tired, so they should have some time to drink water.”

Julian pointed to a stream flowing by the roadside.

Was giving the horses water just an excuse to let the exhausted Vanessa rest?

Inwardly thinking so, Pierre glared at Vanessa as he dismounted.

Vanessa also dismounted and checked the bag tied to her saddle. The handkerchief was nowhere to be found. 

Had I left it at the inn? 

She felt uneasy, but she couldn’t go back just for that.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Restroom? Want me to come with you?”

“That’s not something you should ask so casually!”

Vanessa snapped, angry, and walked into the bushes on the outskirts of the road. In truth, it wasn’t that she urgently needed the restroom; she wanted to check the area that had been sore the entire ride.

Hiding behind a large tree, she lifted her skirt. There was no bleeding below, but it was red and swollen. And for some reason, her right n*pple was swollen and sore. Pulling down her clothes to check her chest, she found the n*pple as engorged as when she had br*ast milk.

What did he do while I was asleep to make it hurt like this?

Her upper chest bore marks as if he had sucked on it, leaving congestion. Her skin was already pale, making the red marks stand out starkly. It seemed like it would take some time for them to fade.

“Does it hurt?”

She was so focused on the marks on her skin that she didn’t notice Julian approaching. Before she could dress again, his hand grabbed her br*ast.

“W-What is this!”

“Weren’t you showing it off for me to touch?”

“Let go of me now!”

Julian silenced her lips, which were about to say things he didn’t want to hear, with his own. He turned her body and embraced her, continuing the deep kiss. Vanessa, angry, bit his tongue hard.

“Ugh, you little…”

“In broad daylight, have you no shame!”

“There’s no day or night for screwing. You do it when you want.”

“You got your payment last night, didn’t you?”

“What? You think one time is enough? You have no conscience.”

His hands grabbed her b*ttocks. His er*ect member pressed against Vanessa’s lower body.

“I’ll have you as much as I want. That’s my condition.”

“You, you beast!”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

His hand lifted her skirt, revealing her calves. Vanessa trembled, fearing she would be violated by him again.

“Stop it. It hurts too much to ride.”

“…Pain becomes familiar with practice.”

“I allowed you my body, but that didn’t mean you could treat me like a wh*re.”

Speaking, she felt her situation was unbearably miserable. Not long ago, she was the Viscountess and the lady of the Cloet family, respected by people. Now, not only had she sullied herself with a lowly mercenary, but she was also being treated like this. Tears welled up in her eyes, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to cry in front of him.

“Don’t want this, don’t want that. How far do I have to go to please you? Didn’t you promise to offer your body in exchange for buying me? If you don’t like it, forget it. If you want to break the contract now, I have nothing to lose.”

Forcing someone who didn’t want it wasn’t Julian’s style. At his threat, Vanessa’s complexion paled. He had only spent one night with her, but such a look softened Julian’s heart.

“Alright, then I’ll just kiss you. You can’t kiss anyway, so I’ll teach you.”

“…If it’s just a kiss.”

Vanessa said, adjusting her clothes. As she gave permission, Julian’s lips curved into a smile.

“You need to relax your body. If your tongue is tense, it won’t feel good. And don’t suck or bite too hard. You’ve nursed a baby, so you know how painful that can be. Start gently, then gradually get wetter. Understand?”

Vanessa only made a puzzled expression. Such an innocent face with such a sensual body. No wonder he couldn’t resist his surging lust.

He wrapped his hands around Vanessa’s slender waist and drew his face close. Their lips almost touched. Their gazes met in the air.

“If you don’t know, watch and learn.”

Julian’s voice resonated low as if he were blowing air into her mouth.

His lips touched hers like a bird pecking at feed, then parted. Something equally soft brushed lightly against her thin lips.

“Hold on.”

Vanessa’s arms wrapped around his neck without resistance. The pressure on her lips increased slightly. It was like knocking on a closed door or awakening dormant senses.

Vanessa squinted her eyes, meeting his gaze, which burned like the sun. It was a fierce look that saw her as an object of desire, something to possess and admire. Men had looked at her like that before, but none had exposed their desire as openly as Julian.

It was a gaze that made her want to run away, yet at the same time, though she didn’t want to admit it, made her anticipate what would happen next.

She was pushed back until her back touched a tree. Supporting her between the shoulder blades, he deepened the kiss, adjusting the angle so she wouldn’t be uncomfortable. Her eyes closed naturally. He controlled his breathing so she wouldn’t suffocate, and their tongues clung together stickily. As he said, she relaxed and allowed the intrusion of the stranger.

The kiss with him wasn’t as unpleasant as it had been yesterday.

As breath passed from one to the other, Vanessa cautiously explored his mouth. His lips were slightly thin and soft, his teeth evenly aligned without any chips or misalignment. That was somewhat surprising.