The Ruthless Circumstances of the Monstrous Duke - Chapter 25

The woman, with trembling hands, undid his trouser strings and squeezed her eyes shut. Every time her hesitant breath touched his erect c**k, his entire body tingled.

Damn it. He couldn’t hold back.

Nigel grabbed Marienne’s chin and rubbed his hot c**k against her tightly closed lips. After hesitating several times, the woman finally extended her tongue to taste his swollen gl*ns. After teasing him like that, she boldly opened her mouth.

As expected, the woman was incredibly clumsy. But damn, she was soft and warm.

Even as he thrust and prodded savagely, she only shed tears.

She was naive and foolish enough to sell her abilities for a mere pittance of three hundred deniso.

Mine to save, but also mine to kill.

Yes, go if you want to.

Walk into the clearly visible sewer and get hurt by the rotten things there.

With nowhere to go and no one by your side, be driven out and torn apart miserably.

Then you’ll understand. About the insolence of mentioning another bastard in front of your master.

And about my mercy in granting your wish despite that. Ah… Marienne…

* * *

The next day, Marienne sighed as she looked in the mirror.

Her chest, shoulders, and neck were covered in bite marks and bruises, making it unbearable to look at.

But the pain from her clothes rubbing against her skin was tolerable compared to the joy of seeing her brother.

Only after tormenting her until dawn did the Duke say he would summon her brother to the castle.

And that too, today itself.

Her brother was a worrier, so she should make herself look as pretty as possible.

So he could see she was doing well and be reassured.

Marienne asked Bell to help her dress up specially.

Although it would still be half a day before Adam arrived, she checked the mirror countless times to make sure no unsightly marks were visible.

In the afternoon, she had tea with the Baroness and listened to what she needed to learn in the future, but Marienne could hardly concentrate.

“Miss Rose?”

“Yes?”

“Your mind seems to be elsewhere. Is something the matter?”

“My brother is coming to visit, so I’m a bit excited.”

“I see. That must be nice.”

Marienne nodded and smiled.

“Then, continuing from the previous question. Have you ever experienced social dances? Galliard, pavane, volta, or any traditional dance will do.”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“Miss Rose, look at me.”

Marienne looked at the Baroness.

“Becoming the Duke’s bella means many changes. You can’t be his equal, but the gap shouldn’t be too wide either. You’ve stepped into noble society, Miss Rose. And with the strong armor of Bernac, no less. The only time you should lower your head is when facing the august imperial bloodline. Other than that, don’t bow your head carelessly. Your actions could bring shame to him.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll teach you basic etiquette and dance, and the Baron will teach you about the imperial family and noble houses. It would be nice to bring in a tutor, but that might cause unnecessary talk. And the Duke has agreed to teach you history for about an hour each day. You’ll need to work hard. He… well, let’s say he won’t be a gentle teacher.”

The Baroness added, forcing an awkward smile.

“A Duke in love, I still can’t believe it. Perhaps Miss Rose is more extraordinary than she appears.”

Love… if she knew about the contract I made with him, the Baroness would surely despise me.

Marienne picked up her teacup and smiled bitterly.

After parting with the Baroness, Marienne paced the central hall, waiting for her brother.

When the carriage carrying Adam Rose finally arrived, she couldn’t wait and ran out.

Adam, who stepped out of the carriage, looked gaunt but his appearance was neat, as though he had taken care to dress well.

“Marienne.”

As Adam approached, Marienne stretched out her arms and ran to embrace him tightly.

The two held each other for a long time, suppressing their emotions.

“Brother, have you been well?”

“Of course. You look good too.”

Marienne’s eyes reddened as she took Adam’s hand.

“Let’s have tea in the garden. I’ve prepared it.”

“Alright.”

A dark shadow standing by the window looked down at the siblings walking hand in hand affectionately.

On the pergola table, tea and refreshments prepared by Bell and Marienne were laid out.

Now that they were face to face, the two could only manage insipid smiles, unable to easily open their mouths.

Adam touched her lips with a worried expression.

“It’s torn. How did that happen…?”

“It’s nothing.”

Marienne quickly picked up her teacup, brushing off Adam’s concerned hand.

“How are you doing? A girl who used to run around in forests and fields, now confined in a castle.”

Marienne put down her cup after wetting her lips.

“I’ve met many good people. The maid you saw earlier, Bell, is very kind to me. The Baron is also kind, and the Baroness is such a wonderful person. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“How is the Duke?”

“He is…”

Adam, who had been waiting for an answer, sighed.

“I can tell without hearing.”

“He’s a kind person. He cares for me a lot. I’m doing well, so don’t worry.”

“That’s good then.”

“Have you been well, brother?”

Adam’s expression darkened rapidly.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen? Did the Duke tell you to quit the shoe shop and leave the territory? He didn’t harm you because of me, did he?”

When Marienne was about to stand up, Adam grabbed her arm.

“No, Marienne. It’s not that…”

Marienne covered Adam’s hand, which was avoiding her gaze.

“Tell me, brother. You said you had something important to say.”

“Well…”

Adam held Marienne’s hand that was covering his.

“I’m sorry, Marienne. I have a favor to ask you.”

“……”

“You see…”

As Adam struggled to continue, his lips trembling, Marienne’s excitement gradually turned to gloom.

She had thought her brother had come to comfort her, left alone in the castle, and to say the farewell they couldn’t before.

Was the message he had to deliver something else? Sadly, she felt she knew the answer.

“Mother is in trouble.”

Marienne was overwhelmed with the urge to close her eyes and cover her ears.

“You know about her receiving money under the pretext of healing the sick.”

Adam continued, glancing at Marienne, who had lowered her eyes.

“When rumors spread that you had entered the castle, people started gathering and causing disturbances. The situation became impossible to run the shop. Sigh… I’m ashamed. Coming after so long only to complain.”

Despite the fragrant tea growing cold, neither reached for their cups.

Marienne shifted her gaze to the roses, which were not just in full bloom but shedding petals.

“So what do you want from me?”

Adam frowned as he looked at Marienne.

“Your tone is cold.”

“……”

“If you’re not willing, you don’t have to help. I don’t intend to force you.”

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but I had to work hard to invite you here. We might never see each other again. So if you have something to say, say it all now.”

Adam couldn’t hide his disappointment at Marienne’s calm tone.

He had felt a sense of discomfort from the moment his once modest sister appeared dressed like a noble.

As expected, Marienne seemed to be drawing a line in her relationship with them.

He felt hurt, but putting out the urgent fire was the priority.

“I told Mother to return the money she received. But she kept putting it off. It turns out she was scammed by someone who promised to increase her capital by investing in high-interest loans.”

Adam sighed painfully, rubbing his dry face.

“It’s been agonizing day by day. There’s no way to get money in our obvious situation, and you’re tied up here. So I was wondering… could you talk to the Duke about the situation and heal at least those who have been waiting? If it’s difficult to make that request, Mother suggested meeting secretly in the Bernac Forest to heal them. Of course, I told her it was absurd…”

Adam’s expression was a mix of servility and relief as he trailed off.

A cold wind ruffled Marienne’s hair.

The longer her silence lasted, the more bitter Adam’s waiting mouth became.

Just as his apologetic feelings were about to be stained with impatience, humiliation, and shame, Adam clenched his fists with unreasonable anger.

“If it seems difficult, just say so. I’ll try to find another solution.”