Chapter 72
The carriage that had passed through the forest path picked up speed again. Rosen opened the curtain slightly, and the intense afternoon sunlight passed by outside the window.
She had intended to read a book, but the words didn’t register, so she put it aside and fell into thought. The chocolate that Iscarion had placed in her mouth had long since melted, but the bittersweet taste lingered on her tongue.
‘…He still remembers the chocolate.’
Due to the trauma of losing her entire family in a carriage accident, Rosen had been afraid to ride in carriages as a child. Iscarion always prepared chocolate to distract her, though he said it was to prevent motion sickness. He would read her storybooks or play entertaining card games with her during their rides.
Memories of her childhood flooded her mind, making her uneasy. Despite the indelible scars he had left on her, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him completely because most of her good memories were with him.
In truth, Rosen was uncertain about her own feelings.
Remembering the humiliating things he did to her still tormented her. She couldn’t accept that the gentle man she liked had such a dark side, but she also couldn’t imagine never seeing him again.
To be honest, she still harbored feelings of affection, dependence, and love for him.
However, she was determined that Iscarion needed to feel the betrayal she had experienced. If she forgave him too easily, he might think he could always get his way.
“Brother.”
As soon as she opened the window, the blinding sunlight pierced her eyes. Squinting slightly, she called out to him, who was riding a bit further away.
He immediately came over, and she signaled him to get into the carriage. He hesitated and then sat opposite her, looking a bit anxious.
“What is it, Rosie? Are you uncomfortable?”
“I have a question.”
“Ask anything.”
“When I was staying in the annex, why did you stop doing anything to me later on?”
“Oh, that…”
He sighed and explained.
“It wasn’t my decision. The priest in charge of the ceremony insisted that we maintain purity for at least three weeks before the wedding. I don’t usually believe in superstitions, but I didn’t want to risk anything that might harm you. Sleeping in the same bed made it hard to control my urges, so I thought it was better to stay away until the wedding.”
“…”
Even as he explained, Rosen could see the desire burning in his eyes. Being alone together in the enclosed space of the carriage, something they hadn’t done in a long time, made him visibly restless.
The changes brought about by the ‘bridal lessons’ affected both of them. Iscarion had confessed that Rosen was his first, and the intense pleasure they discovered together was new to both of them.
Despite her own struggles to control her reactions, it was clear that Iscarion was far more desperate. Rosen, who had often felt insignificant before him, now felt a sense of triumph seeing his longing gaze.
“Do you want to?”
Her question, delivered with the air of a newly crowned queen, made his usually calm blue eyes waver. Filled with desperate lust, he seemed incapable of restraint.
“You can, Brother.”
“Rosie, does that mean you forgive me?”
“No! Who said I’ve forgiven you?”
When he tried to kiss her, she frowned and covered her mouth.
“No kissing.”
Instead, she crossed one leg over the other and offered him her foot.
“Take these off. They’re uncomfortable.”
Realizing her intent, Iscarion quietly removed her travel sandals. His large hands slipped under her skirt, slowly untying the garter and rolling down her stockings.
“Just do what I say. Don’t pounce on me like a lustful dog.”
“…”
She was just giving him a taste of his own medicine, but Rosen felt a pang of guilt. Glancing sideways, she saw Iscarion kneeling on the carriage floor, completely focused on attending to her, showing no signs of being upset.
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