Chapter 15.2: Falling (Part 1)

Theo headed straight for the harbor. The harbor, located some distance from the cliffs, was bustling with trade ships.

As the Melkan Tribe found themselves on the defensive, Kraken sightings had decreased. It seemed they judged that consolidating their forces was better than continuing their cunning maritime disruptions. 

Well, considering the massive military force dispatched for a mere localized battle, the Melkan Tribe had every reason to be cautious. Thanks to this, the sea had regained its peace, and the harbor was once again full of life.

Amidst the crowd busily loading and unloading goods, Theo spotted Elizabeth. She was pulling a small cart and heading in his direction, seemingly unaware of his presence.

Theo hesitated as he watched Elizabeth walking slowly with no expression. He had come all this way but didn’t know what to say when he approached her. While he lingered, unsure, Elizabeth’s gaze suddenly shifted toward the sea. Her face was void of emotion, too hollow to simply be admiring the beautiful ocean. Theo instinctively tensed up. There was something unsettling about the way she looked at the sea.

The shimmering sun on the horizon and the rippling waves below sparkled like jewels. Theo, who had spent much time at sea, knew well that one could be so entranced by the sight that they might unknowingly fall into the water.

Though it might seem like an overreaction, he was worried. With a growing sense of urgency, he cautiously closed the distance between them.

Then it happened. As Elizabeth’s steps finally led her toward the breakwater, Theo didn’t hesitate to grab her and pull her toward him.

“It’s dangerous!”

***

Elizabeth stared blankly at the goods being neatly stacked on the cart. As expected, the party’s scale was enormous. The four-story villa was packed with guests, and all the rooms were fully occupied. The grand hall was already noisy with the sounds of drinking, dancing, and singing.

Elizabeth stopped pulling the cart and gazed beyond the horizon. The sunlight was pleasant. The autumn breeze, cool and brisk, made the seaside feel somewhat lonely.

Elizabeth felt a sudden urge to dive into the blue sea. It seemed as if all her worries would disappear if she sank into those waters.

But she wasn’t planning to die just yet. Although the guards assigned to her because of the party had decreased, there were still watchful eyes.

The party would last for three days, and the time when the knights’ vigilance would be most dispersed was undoubtedly the final day. By then, they would have let their guard down, thinking she had become even more docile.

Feeling regretful, Elizabeth moved closer to the breakwater near the dock. Just as she reached the edge, someone grabbed her.

“It’s dangerous!”

“!!”

It was Theo Kabil. Elizabeth’s eyes widened in surprise at Theo’s sudden appearance. His face was distorted with concern.

“What are you doing?!”

“What…?”

“Weren’t you just about to jump into the sea?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

Elizabeth shook her head firmly, as if denying that her thoughts had been exposed. Yet Theo didn’t lower his guard, so she added:

“I just thought the sea was so beautiful and wanted to see it up close.”

“…”

“It’s true.”

At her repeated insistence, Theo let out a deep sigh of relief. Seeing that he seemed to believe her, Elizabeth also felt relieved. But still, she was bewildered by his unexpected arrival. She muttered with a dazed expression:

“You really came. I thought you’d avoid meeting me. After all, you saw me like that that day.”

As Elizabeth slowly uttered the last sentence, Theo’s lips twitched. Once again, the scene of Kiern and Elizabeth kissing flashed through his mind.

“Indeed. Why did I come here?”

Theo himself was at a loss for what to do. At that moment, Elizabeth noticed a knight approaching them and quickly stepped away from Theo.

“You should leave. This isn’t a place for someone like you.”

“That’s for me to decide.”

As Theo took a step closer when she retreated, Elizabeth frowned.

“There are eyes everywhere. If someone sees us together, it’ll only cause trouble for me. Will you still insist on staying?”

At her words, Theo flinched. Noticing the knight approaching her, Theo muttered under his breath:

“Are you being watched?”

“…”

“Ha.”

Theo found the entire situation revolting and infuriating. The young Duke had not only made his friend his mistress but also suffocated her so she couldn’t do anything.

What frustrated him even more was that unless she wanted his help, he had no right to intervene. As she had said, unwanted goodwill would only make things harder for her.

Theo took a step back. Still, he couldn’t give up and spoke again:

“I’ll stay for the party.”

“Sir Theo.”

“I came to see you. Even if you didn’t want to see me, Miss Elizabeth.”

At his faint smile, Elizabeth couldn’t bring herself to say anything. The cruel reality of having hurt such a kind person left her in despair.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. It only makes it worse.”

“…”

“For the first time, I feel insignificant.”

“I—”

“Even though I know I look pathetic for constantly approaching you out of concern, I can’t seem to stop.”

Elizabeth, overwhelmed with guilt, couldn’t say anything. Apologizing would only make him feel worse, and staying silent would make her seem indifferent. Unable to do either, she watched as he lightly bowed and stepped back. His composed demeanor left Elizabeth letting out a deep sigh.

***

Kiern smirked at the knight’s report. He had been so quiet that Kiern thought Theo had given up, yet here he was again, approaching Elizabeth.

What a persistent man. 

Kiern fiddled with a decorative rifle, pretending to aim it out the window.

Should I just shoot him?

Getting rid of him would certainly bring some relief.

As such murderous thoughts crossed his mind, Kiern shook his head. He had decided not to tighten the noose around Elizabeth any further. If he harmed Theo, she would surely try to take her own life. Of course, there were ways to eliminate him without her knowing, but Theo Kabil wasn’t worth that much effort.

Even if he was an irritating distraction, it was best to leave him be for now. He would eventually give up and leave on his own. After all, Elizabeth wasn’t giving him any room to stay.

Her world was already filled with him, Kiern Agaphel. Once Theo realized that during the party, he would have no choice but to leave.

Abigail’s birthday banquet was extravagantly grand. It was ironic that while war raged in one part of the land, a lavish party was taking place here. Abigail seemed obsessed with grandeur, wanting to host an event so magnificent and splendid that even those outside the capital would see her as the happy future Duchess Abigail Prairie.

It was likely because of the incident with James Parker, but Kiern didn’t care. The more Abigail adorned herself with outward splendor, the safer his Elizabeth would be within.

At that moment, Elizabeth entered after knocking. Her face was calm, as if she hadn’t just attempted something reckless.

“Your Grace.”

“You’re here.”

As Kiern extended his hand, she naturally placed hers in his. When he pulled her, she fell into his embrace without resistance. Her gaze shifted to the gun in his other hand. He chuckled and set the rifle on the table.

“Don’t worry. It’s fake.”

“I thought it was real.”

“It’s that realistic. Why? Are you disappointed it’s fake?”

Her head shook at his teasing question. In truth, the gun was real, but he had no intention of explaining that to her.

If she knew, she might suddenly grab it and threaten to end her life. Though the gun had no bullets, it was still dangerous for someone as unstable as Elizabeth to hold. 

Kiern’s hand caressed her cheek and earlobe, and Elizabeth murmured:

“Everyone’s looking for you, Your Grace.”

“So what?”

Unconcerned, Kiern brushed his lips against her cheek. The sweet scent of roses soothed him.

“Since you already know why I called you here, there’s no need to waste time, is there?”

At his words, Elizabeth weakly began undoing her top buttons. As she lifted the hem of her dress, Kiern pulled her onto the sofa. Knowing his preference for leaving marks, Elizabeth softly pleaded:

“Please, not where it’ll show.”

“Of course.”

Kiern’s hands roamed insistently between her br*asts. Soon, the sound of moist movements and a damp atmosphere filled the study. As his touch moved to the tender inner flesh of her thighs, the dampness spread below.

“Ah…!”

Elizabeth couldn’t suppress her moans. She knew that holding them back would only make him more relentless. Then, as if on a whim, Kiern teased her:

“Do you want your voice to carry outside?”

“Hnngh.”

“You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

As soon as he plunged deeply inside her, he covered her mouth with his large hand. Thanks to that, her scream sounded faint. He thrust his hips upward while she sat on his thighs. Elizabeth bounced up and down, shaking. Admirably, she moved her waist on her own to stimulate Kiern.

Due to the tightness of her entrance, even the composure on Kiern’s face disappeared.  

“Ugh.”  

Letting out a shallow groan, he suddenly stood up. Then, he made her lean against the wall and entered her from behind. A sticky noise echoed from their joining point. When he slapped her plump b*ttocks, her entrance contracted tightly.  

“Are you trying to wear me out with your movements?”  

“Ahh… mmph!”  

Her mouth was still blocked by his fingers, so her moans couldn’t escape easily. He stirred inside her mouth with his fingers while continuing his thrusts. With her upper and lower lips stimulated simultaneously, her legs trembled uncontrollably.