She endured it for a long time, but not indefinitely.

Eventually she severed all ties, withdrawing from social gatherings and refusing to attend any social functions at all.

Though she could look back on it with detachment now, it must have left a deep mark on young El Doan.

Martian shook his head.

“That was just something to comfort you. How would it look to your future wife if you sent your child away like that? It’s not even a decision you can make alone. And do I really seem like someone who would force himself into marriage just for the family?”

“Being forced doesn’t always mean that someone makes you do it. Choosing something because you feel you have no other choice – that’s also being forced.”

He knew well how much Martian had sacrificed for her family.

Inheriting the estate at such a young age meant she had lost precious time and freedom.

The things she should have learned gradually under her parents’ care were instead gaps she had to fill herself, and to do that she had to give up things.

She had poured most of her time and energy into the far corners of the estate.

The only leisure she allowed herself was a small slice of personal life.

That was why she had so few experiences outside the estate.

Martian never saw this as a misfortune – she had accepted it willingly.

But willingness did not erase the fact that it was still a sacrifice.

“Sister, the first thing you do is see if someone is a good fit for the family. If they don’t fit, you end the relationship immediately.

How is that not living for the family?”

“Everyone does. Can you name a nobleman who doesn’t?”

“I just… I just wish you wouldn’t limit yourself because of your family. Whether it’s what you do or who you choose – everything.”

Even as Martian sighed, El replied stubbornly.

***

The forest of the Doan estate had been a hive of activity since early morning.

The Viscountess herself had come out to inspect the forest, accompanied by a group of investigators.

They travelled by carriage only as far as the edge of the forest – after that they would have to walk.

After circumnavigating the forest where the red trees had been planted, they arrived at a forestry office built deeper into the mountain range.

This was where the foresters lived and worked.

The single-storey building, modest in size but equipped for both work and accommodation, was a well-prepared space, stocked with the supplies needed for disease research and forest maintenance.

“The research facilities are pretty well set up. I think they’ll be a great help.”

Said the professor after inspecting the management office.

Coming from someone who had worked at the Imperial Academy, it seemed that the money spent over the years hadn’t been in vain after all.

Martian replied calmly,

“Thank you. The nearby forests are all red trees, but if you go further west you’ll find other species as well. The rangers can give you more details.”

At her call, the rangers entered, carrying documents and maps.

The map showed the terrain of the Doan estate, with detailed drawings of the tree species planted throughout the forest.

The thick bundles of documents were records kept by the rangers over the years.

The rangers put the documents down, glancing nervously between the survey team and Martians.

Considering that this inspection had been prompted by a problem, they seemed quite tense.

Martian sighed inwardly and called for her younger brother.

“El Doan, could you come here for a moment?”

She made a small gesture towards the rangers, and El quickly grasped the situation.

He moved aside, taking the rangers with him, and began a casual conversation about how long it had been.

As El spoke, the anxious expressions on the rangers’ faces began to relax.

“Y-yes, young master, you haven’t changed at all.”

One of them said, a hint of affection in his voice.

El Doan had always been close to the rangers, having loved to roam the forests since his youth.

“Sister, would it be all right if I took care of things here?”

It was exactly what Martian had hoped for. She had little personal relationship with the rangers.

Her way of managing subordinates was simple: generous with rewards, infrequent in meetings, liberal with work, and strict in correcting mistakes.

The rangers respected and valued her as the ruler of the estate, but they also found her intimidating.

With tensions already high due to the current problems, having someone more approachable to talk to would definitely help speed up the investigation.

Martian introduced the Rangers to the investigation team and officially appointed El Doan as her representative, effectively handing over the remaining responsibilities.

She had intended to remain dutiful for at least one more day, but it seemed she was handing things over to her brother sooner than she had expected.

The Professor took the lead in lightening the mood with a playful remark,

“When El Doan takes over, things will be much easier for us. Honestly, as long as we have a delicious dessert for lunch, I’m happy with anything.”

Compliments about yesterday’s cooking and requests for specific dishes began to fly.

Soon a lively debate broke out as to which dish was better.

The cheerful argument ended with the idea of voting on the lunch menu.

“Looks like I’m going to have to campaign hard for this one.”

“These guys should put half as much effort into their work instead of voting.”

The professor clicked his tongue in mock disapproval.

“Will you abstain then, Professor?”

Someone teased.

“Chocolate cake! I have already voted!”

The Professor declared triumphantly.

The room erupted in laughter.

When Martian promised to double the Professor’s share of the dessert, he was delighted, almost jumping for joy despite his large frame.

He was the kind of cheerful person who didn’t care much for appearances.

“Well then, I’ll see you later at the manor.”

Martian said with a nod and left the scene. It was quite a walk back to the point where carriages could travel.

Still, the thought that her duties for the day were over lightened her mood considerably.

Soon after, fatigue set in – not surprising considering how late she had stayed up the night before.

‘I should have taken it easier.’

Martian thought, and sighed as she moved forward.

As she approached the carriages, someone called out to her.

She stopped when she realised who it was.

“Is there something you need, Count?”

Her manner was entirely professional – there wasn’t a hint of personal emotion.

Huey, on the other hand, hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words.

They had shared the same room throughout the forest inspection, but had only exchanged formal greetings.

While Huey’s gaze often wandered to Martian, she focused solely on her duties.

Her manner was polite and courteous – neither rushed nor sluggish, she carried out her tasks with ease.

As if to prove how experienced she was at running the estate, she led the survey team smoothly.

There was nothing unpleasant about it – but Huey desperately wanted to be alone with her, even for a moment.

When she left the group, it didn’t take long for Huey to slip away.

But Martian didn’t seem pleased that he’d followed her.

“You may continue to inspect the forest, Count. I only left because I have other things to do. But you, as the person in charge of this investigation, should stay here.”

Her words were polite, her tone respectful.

Her hair, tied up neatly, revealed the elegant line of her neck and shoulders.

A beautiful, alluring line – Huey’s gaze lingered there before moving down to her hands.

The hands that had once pressed down on him so mercilessly.

“Master.”

That single word was the only thing that could shake the composed woman before him.

As expected, Martian’s gentle smile vanished.

She scanned him coldly.

Huey took a step towards her.

“Would it be all right… if I came with you? I just… I want to be with you, Master.”

Martian looked around, then let out a short sigh.

“Hold out your hands.”

He held out his hands obediently.

When Martian pulled back his sleeves, his hands were revealed – red and bruised, a mess of swelling and discolouration.

Marks she had left.

From the beating she had given him in anger, the wounds were ugly and raw.

Martian placed her hand over his, pressing gently at first.

Each time she moved, his body flinched and recoiled.

Even the lightest touch seemed to hurt.

At one point she deliberately pressed down hard on the bruises.

“Huuh… uuh… it… hurts…”

The dog, honest in every way, was certainly lovable – but still unruly.

The fact that he had shamelessly followed her into such a public place proved that.

Martian moved her hand mercilessly, pressing down on the injuries as if in some form of punishment.

“You throw yourself at me wherever you like.”

Even as he gasped in pain, he was already hard again.

The pain was excruciating but still stimulating.

Martian finally pulled his hand away from the battered flesh.

All that remained was a seething *rousal.

She clicked her tongue at the sight of the bulge in his cr*tch and said,

“Is there anything sluttier than your c*ck?”

“I’m s-sorry… hngh, mmph…”

She rubbed his chest, over the n*pples.

Places she had hit in the name of ‘training’.

The swollen, chafed skin was sensitive even to the brush of the fabric.

“Did you practice coming just by touching yourself here?”

Huey lowered his head, his face so red it looked like it might burst.

His answer was barely a whisper.

“Yes…”

Martian frowned in dissatisfaction and continued to press him.

“Can’t you answer properly?”

“A-ah, that’s…”

She spread her arms and pulled him into a hug.

Her hands slid down his back, across his waist, until she gripped his *ss tightly.

Having been severely beaten there the night before, the words he wanted to say turned into groans.

“Huuh…”

As he struggled to bear the pain, she kneaded the bruised flesh mercilessly, scraping her fingertips over the swollen areas.

“Huey, what did I tell you about practising?”

Her voice was a low whisper.

There was no need to speak loudly – they were so close together that from the other side it looked as if her entire body had swallowed his.

Martian knew the situation was dangerously inappropriate, but she couldn’t bring herself to let go of her dog.

She could feel him shivering against her.

She had a strong urge to strip him right there, sit him on the floor and take his c*ck in her mouth – to swallow it whole.

But this place was far too exposed.

It was risky enough as it was.