3. Crimson (Part 1)

The next morning. Eirin slowly woke up from her sleep.

“Milady?”

Eirin’s tightly closed eyelids slowly opened at the sweet maid’s words. When she opened her eyes, she saw the maid bending over her.

“Hm?”

Behind the maid who had finished her morning preparations and was waiting for her, bright light poured in through the large window. It was a peaceful morning, with only the sound of the maid’s worried breathing beside her, and nothing else could be heard.

“Have you woken up?”

“Ah, yes.”

“You must have been tired from reading books late into the night again. You were sleeping soundly.”

“Is… is that so?”

Listening absentmindedly to the maid’s words, she got up from her bed. Her voice when responding to the maid’s question was different from usual. She raised her hand to stroke her throat. Her throat was rough and scratchy, from how much she had moaned and cried last night.

Moaned.

Suddenly, Eirin looked down at herself. 

What happened last night?

If what I experienced was not just a dream…

“Alexander.”

Dazedly, she called out the name of the man she had met last night. In the study, she had been moaning beneath him, her chest exposed and her n*pples trembling, as he teased her with his fingers. Far from stopping him from toying with her, she had leaned her body against his arm and cried out for him to do more.

No, I wasn’t crying out, was I?

Regardless, it was clear that she had committed an act she should not have. Eirin brushed away a stray strand of hair. The insides of her thighs were still damp and sticky. Just that was enough to confirm that last night’s events were no simple dream.

As Eirin bowed her head, her ears flushed red, lost in the recollection of last night’s events. The maid approached her with concern.

“Milady, are you alright? You don’t have a fever, do you? Your face is flushed.”

Before the maid could reach her with concern, Eirin shook her head as she crouched down, her body tense.

“No, I just sweated a bit from the heat.”

“Would you like to bathe before breakfast?”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

She couldn’t go out like this. Her skin was sticky with sweat and bodily fluids. Her brother Stefan and the troublesome Alexander would be joining her for the meal. Letting out a sigh, she twirled her hair around her fingertips and looked at the maid.

“Could you draw me a hot bath?”

“Yes, milady.”

Watching the maid disappeared into the bathroom, she sighed and buried her face in the pillow. 

How did I end up here after losing consciousness in the study? Did Alexander carry me here? He must have also tidied up my disheveled clothes.

Her pale skin flushed red. 

What on earth had I done?

Without any fear or shame, she had committed a grave mistake. 

The maid approached the deeply sighing Eirin.

“The bath is ready.”

“Ah, thank you. I’d like to bathe alone today.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I just want to wash up by myself today.”

“Understood, milady.”

Eirin headed to the bathroom, closing the door behind her and undressing. As her nightgown slid off, her naked body that had reveled in pleasure the night before was revealed. A fiery heat blossomed over her white br*easts. 

I couldn’t let the maid see me like this. Even if the maid didn’t know what had happened, she would suspect something. 

Eirin unconsciously ran her fingers over her swollen br*easts.

“Ah…”

I must be out of my mind.

No one would believe the events of last night, even if she told them. She could hardly believe it herself. That Alexander, of all people, had suckled on her br*easts.

The memory of his persistent lips clinging to her resurfaced, and another sigh escaped between her lips.

Eirin submerged her body in the hot water, raising her head to stare blankly at the white ceiling. Even though she didn’t want to think about it, yesterday’s events flooded her mind. Not just her body, but a dull ache had settled in the depths of her heart. 

She remembered Alexander’s lips, the manly throat that became more pronounced when he swallowed, and his right hand with its red scar – dwelling on these, Eirin suddenly sat up.

“Sherry!”

She called out the maid’s name loudly. Quickly drying herself with the prepared towel, she called the maid’s name again.

“Sherry!”

“Yes, milady.”

The maid rushed in upon hearing Eirin’s summons.

“I’m sorry to call you suddenly. Could you please prepare a pen and paper? Hurry, it’s urgent.”

“Yes, milady. I’ll have it ready for you right away. As for your clothes…”

“It’s fine, I’ll dress myself first.”

Hastily putting on the clothes the maid had prepared, Eirin moved quickly. She didn’t even fully dry herself, but there was no time to worry about that. There was a section in her novel that she had been unable to write for three days. Suddenly, the solution to the stuck part became clear, in vivid detail.

Unbelievably specific.

* * *

Alexander supported his throbbing head with his right hand, having drank whiskey late into the night. He had always lived a regimented life as a soldier for over five years. Despite the worries and headache filling his mind, he had risen early and joined the breakfast table.

Like Alexander, Stefan had also been a longtime soldier, and he too had appeared for the early morning meal. Unlike the disgruntled Alexander, Stefan seemed in a pleasant mood, his face bearing a relaxed smile.

“Alexander, you don’t look to be in a very good mood.”

Noticing the deep furrow in Alexander’s brow, Stefan asked. Although reluctant, Alexander had to respond.

“I couldn’t sleep well last night, so I drank whisky late into the night.”

“Then why didn’t you invite me to join you?”

At Stefan’s question, Alexander twisted his lips. 

No. If you asked me why I drink, what would I say? What if I accidentally opened my mouth while drinking?

I laid my hands on your sister, the one person you cherish most, and then I drank because I couldn’t think straight. 

I can’t really say that. 

Given Stefan’s personality, he wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d drawn a gun and challenged Alexander to a duel, even if he was his best friend.

“I drank alone because it was too late to invite you. I was just trying to sleep.”

“I see.”

As Stefan took a sip of his tea without further questioning, Alexander once again raised his hand to grip his pounding head.

I had truly lost my mind.

Something had been weighing on his mind last night.

Alexander Bellaston, Duke of Bellaston, had no interest in marriage. Born into a stiff aristocratic family, he had been sent to boarding school before even turning six, learning to suppress his emotions. After the war, he fought and was reborn as a hardened soldier.

His father had been a cold man, and his mother had passed away when he was too young to remember her. The warmth of a loving home was something foreign to Alexander.

He does not want to get married.

It was common wisdom in high society that a gentleman ought to have a suitable wife, but he did not wish to submit himself to such outdated rules. His estate was well-managed by the loyal butler and housekeeper who had been with him for years.

The parents who would nag him to marry had long passed away, and he cared little for the remarks of relatives or acquaintances.

He also had no desire to keep a mistress. The best option was to simply avoid women altogether. At times it might be lonely, but he was content with his solitary life of reading books and drinking whisky at home.

He’d managed with it so well.

And yet, he had touched the one woman he absolutely should not have.

The noble lady, the sister of his friend.

Eirin.

He had pressed his lips against her pale skin.

“Would you like some more?” 

Stefan lightly lifted the plate of scones, but Alexander shook his head.

“Just hot tea will be enough for today.”

“You don’t seem to be feeling well. But where is Eirin?”

As Alexander was gulping down the hot tea, he coughed and cleared his throat. At the mention of Eirin’s name on Stefan’s lips, his hand holding the teacup trembled.