Chapter 18

Amazing.

That was the first thought that came to Adela when she opened her eyes after briefly fainting following their union.

It was true that, because it was her first time, becoming one with him was so difficult and painful that it brought her to tears. But the pleasure she felt at the end was so deep and intense.

She couldn’t believe such dizzying sensations existed. It was a feeling that was impossible to describe in words.

She could even understand her father, who had gone from woman to woman. With pleasure and ecstasy like this, it was only natural to get lost in it.

Because she had never experienced such pleasure before, it was at first unfamiliar and frightening, like sinking into a swamp.

Her life until now had been so demanding that she never had a moment to look away. There was never time to seek out enjoyment.

For someone like her, to receive such intense pleasure for the first time…

It wasn’t good.

Falling into pleasure happened in an instant. Once she tasted it, she was like a tree extending roots in search of water.

Even now, the end of their difficult, painful joining was a pleasure different from any caress.

The pleasure was so overwhelming that she shuddered and clung to him desperately.

She begged for more.

For him to soak her even more with pleasure.

She’d always heard it was important, but never understood the value of the bedroom arts. Now she knew. Bedroom arts were a truly important field of study.

Still lost in the afterglow, unable to move a finger, Adela’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as she lay there.

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

Braden’s voice reached her. When a damp towel touched her skin, Adela snapped back to herself.

“I’m fine.”

Her voice came out hoarse and rough.

He wiped her body, sticky with sweat and fluids, with the towel. She said she was fine, but she still didn’t have the strength to stop him.

“You sweated a lot.”

“But…”

As her mind cleared, embarrassment rushed in.

During their union, she hadn’t had a moment to feel ashamed, swept away as she was. She had trembled with pleasure, cried out, and clung to him, moving her hips wantonly.

Why had she let herself go?

She shouldn’t have.

She wished she could turn back time, to before she lost control and acted so shamelessly.

It was embarrassing. Her n*ked body, exposed, and the way he touched her as he cleaned her.

“Your body is truly beautiful. You know that, don’t you?”

Braden paused in wiping her and kissed her lightly. She could see him growing hard again.

“I want to hold you again, but…”

At his words, Adela flinched.

She had already been in his arms for a long time—much longer than she’d planned. Her attendants would be worried, having waited so long.

She barely had the strength to speak, and yet he wanted to go again?

The towel slid past her thigh and touched her center. At the sting, Adela frowned slightly.

“…I should hold back, right?”

Braden looked at the towel, now stained with a bit of blood, as he spoke.

Hearing that, Adela’s tense shoulders relaxed.

Thank goodness. It seemed he was in his right mind for now.

“You might get a fever. Rest well for a few days.”

After cleaning her up, he covered Adela’s body with the sheets.

“I know that much.”

Despite the embarrassment and confusion swirling in her heart, her tone was as calm as ever. Thankfully.

“I was gentle today because it was your first time.”

At those words, Adela almost felt her eyes pop out.

What? That was gentle?

After making her cry?

“Next time, I’ll hold you more passionately. I’ll teach you more techniques, too. It’ll be even more enjoyable than today.”

He gently stroked Adela’s swollen lips with his thumb. The heat had faded from his eyes, leaving them soft and gentle, like the fresh leaves of May.

She really liked the color of those new, tender leaves.

“I like your face right now.”

“What does my face look like?”

Adela remembered the face she’d seen in the mirror after their kiss and asked.

What did she look like now?

Did she look like a woman driven mad by desire, as she had then?

“It’s messy. Usually, you’re so neat. Like not even a needle could slip in.”

She was satisfied with his assessment of her usual appearance. That was how Adela needed to be. Even if she was called gentle, there shouldn’t be a single gap for anyone to exploit.

She couldn’t let herself be seen as easy by anyone.

But now, she felt regret at showing such a disheveled face.

“Remember this, Adela. You should be even more disheveled than this, but only I can make you that way, and only I get to see you like this.”

There was a thick possessiveness in his voice.

It felt strange.

Even more than when their bodies were joined, the possessiveness he showed made her feel closer to him.

Even if their bodies had been together, it hadn’t been many days since they met. It wasn’t a feeling one should have for a man they’d just met.

“Braden, I hope you’re not mistaken. We’re not in a relationship.”

“No, I have to be mistaken, Adela. To complete the scandal you want.”

He smiled sweetly and stroked Adela’s cheek. His smile made her head feel foggy again.

“Why?”

“A real liar starts by deceiving themselves. So you need to fall for the illusion that you love me first.”

His gaze, as if he truly adored her, made her almost believe he really did love her.

“Like method acting?”

“Something like that. Well, you don’t have to start today. But next time we meet, I want you to long for me even more.”

Adela, lost in thought for a moment, nodded.

“Alright. If necessary, I’ll try to desire you.”

Braden smiled at her earnest resolve.

When would this model student shed that image?

No, was this kind of effort a good thing?

She never pretended to know what she didn’t. She was quick to understand, and if she thought something was necessary, she accepted it without complaint. She had the rare qualities of a good leader.

That was the problem. She was so good, she’d ended up playing the role of a wanton Princess.

It was truly a shame for the Edel Kingdom to lose such a fine ruler.

“Oh, here.”

Braden handed her a luxurious jewelry box from the nightstand.

“Duke Shutal asked me to give you this. As thanks for a big deal.”

Adela sat up, leaning against the headboard, and opened the box.

It was an emerald jewelry set. The moment she saw it, Braden’s eyes came to mind. The setting and quality of the stones were top-notch.

“There was no need for this.”

“It’s nothing compared to the magic ore. You could have gotten more from the Duke.”

Braden winked playfully.

“Your eyes resemble these.”

Adela’s gaze shifted from the emeralds to Braden’s eyes.

“Maybe the Duke wanted you to think of me whenever you look at them?”

“Hm, I suppose it will help me long for you.”

Braden couldn’t help but laugh at her serious manner. Watching her, he found himself smiling more than usual.

“Wear it next time.”

“Joy will love it. She’ll say now she can buy a dress to match this.”

“You have a model maid. Lie down a bit longer. I’ll call your maid.”

He gave her a brief kiss on the lips and left the room.

Her body still felt languid. As Adela lay buried in the bed, she thought to herself that pretending to love him would be all too easy.

“That’s its own problem.”

The downside of method acting was that it was hard to escape the role.

Could she really part ways with him a month from now, still holding these feelings?

Love was a kind of addiction. It was the happiness that came with emotion.

Intimacy was the same. It was the ecstasy the body remembered.

All kinds of addiction were bad. Whether to alcohol, people, or things.

To be addicted meant losing control and becoming dependent.

That was what Adela had always been most careful about. She cared for Alexa, Joy, and Logan, but never depended on them. She always thought of herself as the one who needed to look after them.

But with Braden, there was nothing she could find to take care of. He was the first person of this kind, and Adela was confused about how to handle him.