“In my foolishness, I truly don’t understand. Why am I a wh*re, while they are honorable women sacrificing for their families? Why can’t I even demand an apology for wrongdoing?”

Slap!

Her Highness’s hand struck Marienne’s cheek.

As soon as she straightened her struck cheek, the sharp sound rang out again.

Her Highness’s hand, unable to suppress her rage, rose once more but was caught by the Duchess.

“Your Highness.”

“Let go. I’m bestowing mercy on this vicious lowborn.”

The Duchess bowed her head and pleaded earnestly.

“Your Highness, please stop, if only for my sake. I beg you.”

The trembling raised hand reluctantly lowered.

“Madam, you should watch the Duke’s people carefully. This much is lenient for someone like her.”

“I’m deeply grateful for Your Highness’s mercy.”

Her Highness shot a fiery glare at the Duchess before leaving with her ladies-in-waiting.

When the door closed, the Duchess staggered and grabbed the table.

“Madam.”

Marienne jumped up and supported the Duchess’s arm.

The Duchess pressed her forehead and sat in a chair. Marienne immediately knelt at her feet.

“I caused trouble with my shortsightedness. I’m truly sorry.”

The Duchess lowered her gaze to Marienne’s cheek where red handprints remained.

It was surprising where such spirit to confront Her Highness was hidden in such a delicate woman.

“Are you alright? Your complexion has turned pale.”

“I’m more worried about you than myself. If marks remain on your beautiful face……”

Marienne smiled faintly and spread her skirt.

“It’s already covered in stains.”

The Duchess exhaled a thin breath.

“I regret that you experienced such an unpleasant incident. That immature child…… seems to need time to reflect on her wrongdoing. Please understand.”

“I understand. And I apologize again.”

“Miss Rose, have you forgotten what I said? Why do you go against Her Highness’s mood? You don’t have that right.”

Marienne lowered her chin while clasping her hands together.

“Though she condemned me as a wh*re, I honestly wasn’t bothered. How Your Highness sees me is her freedom. But I felt if I agreed to that, it would rather insult the Duke. Did I think wrong?”

“Thank you for worrying about Nigel. But that wasn’t your place to step in. You only need to consider your own position. Your circumstances where you must accept any words from Her Highness without arguing right or wrong. Regrettably, it’s not your place to refute insults and humiliation. Being by the Duke’s side doesn’t make you his equal. You can do nothing for him except heal him. Please don’t cross the line. Do you understand my words?”

“……Yes. I understand.”

“I’ll have dinner sent to your room. It’s late. Go rest now.”

Marienne hesitated before carefully opening her mouth.

“Should I go apologize to Her Highness? I don’t want the Madam or the Duke to face difficulties because of my rash actions.”

The Duchess removed her hand from her forehead and raised her weary eyes.

“I appreciate the thought, but it’s better not to. Let’s end this matter here. And please keep this secret from Nigel. If the Duke finds out, what might happen…… I can’t even imagine.”

“I will do as you say.”

The Duchess stood up and cupped Marienne’s cheek with one hand.

“Put a cold towel on it. It will help.”

Marienne lowered her head to hide her warming eyes.

* * *

“Commander! We’ll burn them!”

Near the gorge of Rockshield, by Lake Cyril, monsters’ corpses piled like a mountain.

When soldiers poured oil and threw torches, flames shot up into the night sky.

Suddenly, monsters that still had breath thrashed, and spears flew from all directions.

Ear-piercing cries shook the gorge.

Soon after, the monsters met their end, emitting a terrible stench.

“Damn beasts, spewing so much fluid.”

Hector grumbled while shaking off the liquid dripping from his fingers.

When Nigel stabbed his sword into a monster’s crown, it spewed fluid, and the unlucky Hector got completely drenched.

Theo pointed at the lake while backing away.

“Go wash yourself. I feel like throwing up.”

“What if more monsters appear while I’m bait?”

“With this stench filling the air, they won’t come. Stop fluttering around and get away!”

“Hmph! What about the Commander?”

“He must be washing. He got more covered than you.”

“True. By the way, about the Commander. Wasn’t he amazing?”

Theo raised the corner of his mouth while looking at the mountain of burning monsters.

“Not just anyone becomes commander-in-chief.”

“Indeed. He’s the one I swore my loyalty to.”

Hector nodded while habitually placing his arm on Theo’s shoulder.

When sticky fluid touched his nape, Theo burst out shouting.

“You bastard!”

While the knights of the same age bickered, Nigel was washing in the lake.

After roughly scrubbing his n*ked body with bundled weeds, he swam deep into the lake as the fluid washed away.

Swimming far to avoid the knights, Nigel lay back comfortably on the water’s surface.

Every time the wind blew, the monsters’ foul smell spread, and Nucria flower petals floated in the night sky like ash.

Nigel checked the back of his hand. Fortunately, no pattern appeared.

The lake, dissolved in darkness, was lukewarm and peaceful.

Nigel savored the rare moment of tranquility while relaxing his body.

“Marienne Rose.”

He unconsciously traced the name with his lips.

His brow furrowed and eyebrows wrinkled on their own.

A stifling breath rushed in.

“Marienne Rose.”

An inexplicable laugh escaped.

It was a strange laugh — neither joyful, nor twisted with irritation, nor satisfied.

Somewhat pathetic, foolish-looking, and a bit idiotic.

“Marienne Rose.”

After calling her name three times like that, his chest ached.

Nigel turned his body and dove deep into the water.

The surrounding noise faded into a hush, and his held breath swelled within him.

When his lungs were about to collapse in the even deeper darkness, he burst to the surface and released his breath.

The night sky filled completely with her eyes, lips, hair, voice, and the intimate things only he knew, which he had been holding back.

An unreasonable hunger swallowed his peace and made him thirsty. It was a damned limit.

Nigel swam to the shore.

When he came out of the water, a waiting squire handed him dry cloth and clothes.

The knights who finished today’s hunt were each taking rest at the camp.

Nigel mounted his horse in simple attire without armor.

The vice commander hurriedly approached.

“Commander, what’s the matter?”

“I’m going to the castle. I’ll return by noon tomorrow. Continue the hunt as planned.”

“Did you receive urgent news?”

Hair not yet dry, light attire with just a tunic and cloak, the man’s eyes deepened with heat.

The vice commander noticed the signs and backed away from the pawing horse.

“Travel safely.”

Nigel spurred his horse and galloped away.

It was the sixth night since they left for the hunt.

The raging flames burning the monsters receded behind him.

Nigel galloped, feeling the horse’s powerfully beating heart.

Though puddles of muddy water and sudden protruding branches were annoying, he didn’t slow his pace.

Thump-thump, he couldn’t tell if the intense pounding and rough breathing belonged to the galloping horse or his excited self.

It was foolish.

He might barely reach Rockshield after riding through the night.

Even if he met her, he might have to turn back without time to exchange greetings.

Yet despite such foolishness, his heart pounded. A smile kept spreading across his face.

The night he had found so tiresome, the darkness he had to endure, the shabby refuge where he hid from light — today they all looked different.

In the forest near Rockshield Castle, Nigel watered his tired horse.

While waiting for the beast to catch its breath, he saw wildflowers blooming by the road.

The horse’s hooves, starting to gallop again, soon stepped on cobblestones instead of dirt and grass.

Bluish dawn pushed into the eastern sky.

Passing through the castle gate, Nigel dismounted from his sweat-soaked horse.

And silenced the gatekeeper who came huffing and puffing after him.

The guard who immediately stopped his steps bowed silently.

Nigel crossed the hall and bounded up the central stairs two or three at a time.

Though not tired at all, his breath was heavy.

To confess, he had forgotten how to breathe from the moment he entered the castle gate.

Finally, he stood before her door.

As he reached for the handle, an unwelcome embarrassment belatedly rushed in.

Nigel curled his fingers and stepped back.

Why did he come? The hunt wasn’t even finished.

Why did he irresponsibly leave his knights behind?

He felt strange and bewildered at himself for rushing here just to hear her voice, hungry for her scent, wanting to see her face once.

Nigel ran his hand through his hair and stepped back again.

Beyond the door was she who made him ride all through this night.

The woman who made even the aching pain in his heart feel ecstatic.

Was this okay?

Was it alright to give his heart so defenseless like this?

After all, it was just a contract relationship.

What was he doing with a woman who planned to leave when the time came?

A woman who filled leather purses by putting a price on every night they spent together.

Nigel stroked his dry chin.

Though his eyes wouldn’t leave the closed door, he finally shook it off and turned away.

As his heavy footsteps echoed down the long corridor—

Bang, the door opened behind him.

“Why are you leaving? Didn’t you come to see me?”

Nigel turned around with a surprised expression. Then Marienne came running barefoot, her white nightgown and red hair flying.

Nigel lightly lifted her as she ran toward him with outstretched arms.

Marienne hugged his neck and whispered.

“I missed you.”

He could make no sound except an ecstatic sigh.

He buried his nose in her red hair and breathed in the breath he had missed.

They stood in the dim corridor, filling each other’s hunger.

It felt like blood finally circulated and warmth spread through them.

“My heart felt like it would burst from when I heard the hoofbeats. I waited behind the door the whole time after knowing you came for me. Why didn’t you open it? Were you really going to leave?”

Marienne’s eyes reddened as she poured out her complaints.

“What were you doing, awake so early?”

“I was thinking of you.”

They gazed steadily at each other.

Nigel smiled gently.

“What a coincidence. I was just thinking of you too.”

Their yearning lips met. The soft sensation rubbed together and their tongues intertwined as their mouths parted tenderly.

The corners of both their mouths lifted gently together.

Heat rose in Nigel’s palms as they touched Marienne’s spine and b*ttocks.

When he swallowed her sweetly moaning lips, Marienne’s back hit the corridor wall.

“Ah……”

Marienne startled at the cold sensation and pulled her lips away.

Nigel tilted his head back with hazy eyes.

“Suck it, Marienne.”

He parted his lips and extended his tongue. Her red hair cascaded down like a curtain over him.

In the intimate darkness Marienne created, Nigel submitted to her clumsy seduction like a tamed beast.

Nigel entered the open room and kicked the door shut behind him.

They would walk, stop when kisses deepened, then continue.