The Ruthless Circumstances of the Monstrous Duke - Chapter 24

His spine felt like it was on fire from the intense pleasure. There was no trace of reason left. He devoured her, becoming a lewd and lustful beast.

All night long, he didn’t see the eyes of the hungry monster.

Nor the night’s fangs aiming for his neck with killing intent.

He didn’t even notice that a corner of his iron heart was being heated.

At dawn, Nigel threw his head back, groaning like a beast. She had already lost consciousness from unbearable excitement.

Nigel licked Marienne’s wet cheek slowly. Then, embracing the light that would melt the night, he fell into a deep sleep for the first time in a long while.

* * *

Huff! Huff!

Rapid breaths echoed busily.

Marienne struggled to open her eyelids, feeling the tips of her fingers getting damp.

Woof!

Luna, who had entered through the passage, was licking Marienne’s hand that was hanging off the bed.

“Lu…na.”

Marienne touched her throat at her voice that cracked like metal.

Memories of last night, when she had cried and begged, came flooding back.

She pulled the blanket up to cover herself completely.

But that couldn’t erase the man’s crumbling expression, his suppressed groans, the sensation of his skin, and his scent that were etched in her mind.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

“Miss, are you awake?”

At Bell’s voice, Marienne poked her head out from under the blanket.

“I came because I didn’t hear from you last night. Employees can’t come up to the floor where the Duke is unless you pull the bell cord. Actually, I shouldn’t be here now either, but I was worried. Nothing happened, right?”

“I’m fine.”

“But Miss, are you cold? Why are you covered up to your neck?”

“Well…”

“Your hair is a mess too. And your rouge is smeared on your lips? Don’t tell me you slept without washing? I’ll prepare a bath, please wait a moment.”

Marienne nodded and waved to Luna who was in the passage. The dog barked a couple of times before returning to the puppies.

As soon as Bell left, Marienne jumped up. She snatched up the torn undergarments and stockings thrown in the corner of the bed.

The image of him leaving bite marks on the inside of her thighs suddenly came to mind.

And the sensation of his full lips and tongue digging deeper.

“Stop, please stop.”

Marienne took off her ruined chemise and rolled it up with her underwear. Then she took out and put on new clothes. She was inexplicably out of breath.

A moment later, Marienne entered the prepared bath and washed herself for a long time before coming out.

Meanwhile, Bell, who had replaced the sheets and blanket, dried her hair.

Although she must have seen the bloodstains and marks, the considerate Bell didn’t show it.

Embarrassed eyes wandered around the dressing table and found three silver coins neatly placed.

Even though it was the agreed-upon payment and she had even volunteered for it, her heart sank.

Even after Bell left, Marienne sat at the dressing table for a while, staring at the silver coins.

Not bad for the price of a country bumpkin’s virginity, right?

Three hundred deniso for one night. It seemed excellent for killing any excited feelings.

She opened the drawer and put the money in a leather pouch. There was a locket necklace next to it, but she didn’t touch it and quietly closed the drawer.

Knock knock.

“Miss, it’s Bell. I forgot to give you this earlier.”

Bell gently placed the letter she was holding on the dressing table.

Marienne’s hand trembled as she unfolded the parchment, suspecting who the sender might be.

<My sister, Marienne.>

That one line made her eyes burn with tears.

“Brother…”

She couldn’t read the next line. It was blurred by tears.

Marienne read and reread her brother’s letter, caressing the words with her fingers.

That afternoon, Marienne sat in the passage connected to the Duke’s bedroom, waiting for him to return.

She even went to his office, but she couldn’t barge in with personal matters when he was in serious conversation with the knights.

Even after returning to her room, unable to calm down, Marienne paced back and forth, clutching Adam’s letter.

He was the only one who had truly cared for her, but they had parted without even saying a proper goodbye.

When she heard the footsteps she had been waiting for, Marienne courageously crossed the passage.

“Your Grace, it’s Marienne.”

Unable to enter boldly, Marienne stood at the end of the passage and looked around the Duke’s room.

Only Luna, who came running at the sight of her, welcomed her; the Duke was nowhere to be seen.

While petting the dog’s head, her eyes searched for him.

She was sure she had heard a sound…

“Where is His Grace?”

As if understanding her words, Luna ran towards the balcony.

Marienne cautiously entered the room.

Nigel’s leather belt that he had taken off was sprawled on the table. His tall boots had become toys for the puppies to chew on.

Smiling faintly, Marienne went out to the balcony.

With a wine glass placed on the railing, he was gazing at the Bernac Forest bathed in moonlight.

The occasional breeze ruffled his hair.

“…Your Grace.”

“Don’t come and go as you please.”

He warned without even looking at her.

“But you did that, Your Grace.”

Only then did he turn around.

Raising one eyebrow, displeased.

“Do I look like I’m performing acrobatics in the middle of the night?”

“That’s… there was a reason for that. You know.”

“What do you want to say? If nothing, leave.”

As he was about to turn away, cutting her off coldly,

Marienne, in her urgency, blurted out words without consideration, falling victim to her habitual impulsiveness.

“I wanted to see you!”

Nigel’s gaze, leaning on the railing and looking at her, became complicated.

Then, seeing the letter she was holding, it turned cold.

“Who? And what? Do I need to teach you how to speak properly too?”

“I’m sorry. I was in a hurry and… Actually, I received a letter from my brother. He says he has something important to tell me. If you’ll allow it, I’d like to go meet my brother tomorrow.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“He’s my only family! My only support!”

He tilted his head slightly.

“Family, only support. You don’t have such things. If you’re talking about those who use you when needed and discard you when useless, then yes, that’s in your hand.”

“My brother is…”

Holding back tears, Marienne continued.

“My brother is different. It’s fine if you speak ill of me, but please don’t insult my brother.”

Nigel picked up the wine glass on the railing. The fragrant liquor flowed down his throat, leaving a trail of fire.

Marienne approached the Duke and knelt on the floor.

“I’ll beg like this. Please show mercy just this once.”

“Why should I?”

“I heal you, don’t I?”

He chuckled and put down his glass.

“How consistent these so-called healers are.”

Nigel gently brushed Marienne’s hair behind her ear.

“Do you think you have my leash in your hand? Don’t be mistaken. I’ve lived well enough without you. So don’t linger when I’m briefly fond of you, just look after your own interests. When you’re discarded, it’s not me who falls, but you.”

Marienne grabbed his falling hand and pressed her lips to his palm.

After hesitating, she lightly licked it with her tongue, then rubbed her cheek against it while looking up at him desperately.

Her eyes were brimming with tears.

She bit the flesh of his large palm with her teeth, then released it, clumsily rubbing his palm lines with her lips.

Not knowing how to seduce properly, Marienne was desperate.

Marienne had no other way to seduce the man who was like an ice wall.

“Open your mouth. Wider.”

His fingers entered Marienne’s mouth.

As he rubbed the tip of her tongue, saliva pooled abundantly.

His fingers probed the soft flesh inside her mouth and scratched her palate.

Transparent fluid dripped down her chin. His fingertips, which had been tracing her lower lip, pulled at the corner of her mouth.

“It’s so narrow, you can’t even bite.”

As his fingers withdrew, Marienne wiped her damp chin.

Seeing his clearly aroused state, she grabbed Nigel’s trouser strings.

“Please let me meet my brother.”

Nigel looked down impassively at the foolish woman burying her face in his crotch. He then picked up his wine glass and downed the remaining alcohol. It felt as if a vicious sword was dancing in his stomach.