Even If It’s Depraved - Chapter 6

“I came because I have something urgent to report.”

“Today is the day I take my new wife and consummate our marriage. No matter how urgent—”

“The reason I came is precisely because it concerns that new wife, Father.”

The voice that answered him so calmly… felt strangely familiar.

It couldn’t be. She had lived her life in the palace, meeting only a handful of people, there was no reason for her to recognize it.

And yet, a peculiar premonition flickered through her like lightning. Her heart began to pound far faster than before as she listened.

“The bride you’ve taken today is Princess Brunhilde, is she not?”

“And what does that have to do with your insolence in barging in here without permission?”

“Well, you see… I recently heard something rather interesting.”

There was an unmistakable arrogance in his tone—the kind that belonged to someone used to controlling the situation.

At that moment, something clicked.

Brunhilde shot upright as if struck. Her gaze snapped toward the doorway—and there he was.

A tall man standing beside another person.

Black hair. Black eyes. Sun-bronzed skin. A body that showed through his fitted clothes, firm and powerful enough to draw admiration at a glance. And in his sharp eyes lingered a lazy, almost amused curiosity.

It was that man.

The insolent man from the Black Forest—the one who had demanded her body. As their eyes met, he smiled faintly, so faint it was almost imperceptible.

What did that smile mean?

Overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, Brunhilde tried to make sense of him, but he gave her no time.

Like releasing the string of a drawn bow, he spoke.

“I’ve heard that Princess Brunhilde once shared an affair with another man.”

“…What?”

“They say she’s already laid with someone else—her purity long since cast to the ground.”

“…!”

At the words denying her chastity, Duke Brant’s eyes sharpened into a furious glare.

Brunhilde herself reeled from the sudden accusation.

It was shocking enough that an unknown man had burst into the bridal chamber. But that this intruder was her husband’s illegitimate son—and the very man who had taken her first time in the Black Forest—

The truth crashed down all at once, too heavy to fully comprehend. And yet, hearing him expose even the secret he himself had helped create, she almost wanted to shout at him.

Why are you doing this?

After all, once the act was done, the truth of her lost virginity would have come to light on its own. Even without his interference, her misery had already been sealed.

So why stain his own hands with her resentment?

Moreover, if the truth were fully uncovered, she would not be the only one in danger. If it were revealed that the man she had lain with was him, then he, who had defiled his future stepmother, would not escape scrutiny either.

There was no reason for this to benefit him. Brunhilde stared at him in confusion.

Just then, Duke Brant—his lips trembling—snapped his head toward her. His gaze locked onto the princess, who lay clutching the blanket, biting her lip.

“Is what he says true, my wife?”

“Your Gra— I…”

“Did I not tell you to call me Hintz? Or do you think my command is beneath you, half-blood princess born of a foreign queen?”

The words that followed were nothing short of abuse, spoken as though he were addressing a mere kitchen servant in his household.

The duke grabbed the blanket covering her with a rough hand and yanked it away. Her bare body—her soft b*****s and pale skin—was exposed before the others.

Breathing heavily, the duke violently seized Brunhilde by the ankle as she tried to cover herself. Unable even to struggle properly, her lower body was dragged down the bed.

Her white legs were forced apart, pinned open by his arms.

“Y-Your Gra— no, Hintz…”

“Stay still.”

Growling, Duke Brant tore away the undergarments still clinging to her hips.

Startled by the humiliating act, Brunhilde let out a short cry and tried to cover herself—but it was useless. Grabbing her wrist with a spotted, age-marked hand, the duke used his other hand to force her open.

Her legs spread against her will, her exposed core parted slightly, into which he pressed his thumb and middle finger at the entrance.

“Until I confirm whether you are a pure woman or not, keep that tempting mouth of yours shut.”

Though she had lost her virginity, Brunhilde had only been with a man once—and that, only weeks ago, in a forced encounter.

To be exposed like this, to endure such a degrading examination in front of three men, the humiliation was unbearable.

Her voice trembled faintly as she pleaded.

“Please… examine me however you wish, but at least send the others away first…”

Her violet eyes, glistening with tears, sounded so fragile that could move even the coldest heart. Even the duke, who was consumed with anger, seemed to falter for a moment.

He looked down at her, his rage slightly subdued.

Seeing his young wife lying helplessly on the bed, her body exposed, her legs indecently spread, even his boiling fury began to settle, little by little.