Duke of the Beast and the Vicarious Bride - Chapter 45 - VI.

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

`VI.`

Before she could rest her weary body for even a moment, Fiona was led by Marie to a room in the annex.

Upon entering, the first thing to catch her eye was a large round marble table placed at the room’s centre. In this chamber, likely used for meetings, sat four or five imperial officials including Jayden.

“Where have you been wandering about, crawling back only now?”

Jayden, clearly furious, rebuked Fiona. Conscious of those around him, his voice was deliberately lowered, but the content would have been audible to all present.

“Ahem. Well, enough of that. The Grand Duchess has arrived, so let us continue the discussion from earlier.”

Someone interceded, feigning magnanimity. The irritation in his voice suggested a desire to conclude business quickly and be done with this gathering.

“According to the Commander-in-Chief, the Grand Duchess has received that creature’s seed. Is this true?”

Another posed the question bluntly. With those words as a beginning, Fiona found herself carved up among these noble gentlemen as shamefully as when she had been held down with her legs spread last night.

“I have submitted the evidence of defloration. Please verify it.”

She could not believe the words Jayden uttered. She stared at him in shock, but received only a sneer in return.

After a moment, the white cloth that had wiped between Fiona’s legs last night passed from hand to hand among the men seated at the table. Their eyes lingered on the dark red stains left upon the cloth, then upon her face in turn. Fiona wanted to rise and smash Jayden’s head open.

“Indeed, this was not a matter to be resolved by summoning noble daughters.”

“Even so, when common-born women were pushed in, there was equally no result.”

“Was she not the Count of Troyes’s bastard daughter?”

“Look at those eyes. One must be spirited like that to handle a beast, it seems.”

“Now we need only confirm whether she can conceive.”

The whispers they exchanged among themselves were utterly vulgar. Fiona’s anger reached its peak. The hope that had bloomed in her heart barely half an hour ago now seemed a cruel joke—she felt a violent impulse to inaugurate her northern life with murder.

But as always, Fiona’s feelings mattered not to them.

“Excellent. We have all confirmed that the union between the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess has been properly accomplished. We shall report thus to His Majesty.”

At the words of the highest-ranking vassal, Jayden inclined his head in agreement.

Several minor matters Fiona did not understand were raised at the table and dismissed. Until their meeting concluded, she could only grip the armrests of her chair with bloodless hands and endure in silence.

Before dispersing, the Emperor’s retainers—well satisfied with her achievement or lack thereof—each left behind some piece of vile advice before departing.

“For His Majesty’s longed-for conquest of the north, the Grand Duke’s heir is absolutely necessary. Keep your duty in mind.”

“Well said. Strive each night to conceive as quickly as possible.”

The contemptuous murmurs they uttered as they turned to leave, Fiona committed every word to memory.

“Her eyes are a bit sharp, but with hips that wide, she should bear children well.”

“A fortunate thing for the beast. He shall have some amusement each night now, hahaha.”

Jayden, who had kept his mouth firmly shut until then, stamped the final punctuation upon that wretched hour after all the officials had gone.

“Follow me.”

Fiona was pushed once more into the bottomless cavern of yesterday.

The darkness beyond swelled as if to welcome her.

* * *

As if reliving the same nightmare, Fiona made her way through the dark cave just as she had yesterday.

Having traversed this path once before, she felt less afraid than the previous night. Still, she could not see before her, and so stumbled and fell many times before tumbling into the stone chamber—so exhausted she lacked even the strength to curse.

Yet bound by their pact, she had to do what must be done. Mustering what little strength remained, she crawled on hands and knees toward where she sensed Caligo to be.

Grrruk. Krruuk.