My Favorite Smut Author Is My Husband! - Chapter 27

“What? Did Author ‘K’ announce they’re writing their next work?”

“Yes, a few days ago. Normally, I would have sent a letter straight to you, my lady… but since you’re at the Duke’s estate and not the Count’s, I wasn’t sure if I should send such a message right away.”

“But the last novel just came out!”

“Well, they must have been struck with inspiration?”

Lily had come to the bookstore hoping to soothe her troubled mind, but now her agitation only grew. She couldn’t help but be shocked by the bookstore owner’s whispering; if the author was announcing the new book, that meant they’d written quite a bit already! The release must be coming soon.

After all, though things hadn’t gone exactly as she’d hoped last night, she had spent considerable time with him. She could be sure of that.

Ashulin would come back from the palace, dine with her, and they would go for a walk or have tea together.

“Did I mishear you?”

“No, my lady, what’s with the disbelief? You know our bookstore is directly connected to Author ‘K’s circle.”

“It’s just… hard to believe.”

“Oh dear, I’m really not supposed to show you this, but since it’s you, my lady… Our bookstore has a summary of the upcoming work. Looks like this one might have a more intense vibe.”

“Let me see!”

The bookstore owner handed her the document as if it were a secret dossier, and Lily practically snatched it to read. It was a bold and forceful plot about an Imperial Crown Prince who captures and subjugates a priestess of the conquered Holy Empire. This was different from the typical heroines who, though they protested in words, always seemed to imply consent with their actions.

“My lady? My lady?”

“…”

“You seem… shocked. Is this type of story not to your taste? Should I make sure we don’t skip this book?”

“…No. Skip nothing. Just notify me by letter the day before the release.”

“Is it alright if I send the letter to the Duke’s estate?”

Lily barely registered herself nodding. She’d come to browse for something other than her usual racy novels this time, but she stumbled out, her plans forgotten.

“My lady, back so soon… My lady? Are you alright?”

***

“Take me home. To the Duke’s estate.”

Lily’s complexion had visibly paled compared to when they’d left. The maid could hardly believe her eyes.

It was shocking on many fronts—that her husband was Author ‘K’ and that she had to await the release just like any other reader to read his work. But above all, the content itself was a shock. The male protagonist who found pleasure in breaking the resistance of a woman who “truly” said no… Lily didn’t know much about writing, but wasn’t it typical for an author to pour their own desires into such stories?

Thinking about it, Lily realized she had never once denied Ashulin in her limited experiences with him. Barring the first painful night when she’d cried, she had always eagerly pressed herself to him. If that wasn’t to his taste…

What if he preferred a pure, chaste woman who fought back and resisted in shame?

“Ashulin…”

A sharp ache flared in her chest, and she pressed a hand against it, trying to soothe it. The sting didn’t fade as she recalled his brisk back turning away from her last night after her subtle attempts at seduction.

She had her desires when it came to their intimacy, and if he had his own preferences, then she would simply adapt to them—yet she couldn’t understand why her heart hurt so much.

***

“My lady, perhaps I should speak up first…”

“No, it’s fine. There’s no need to trouble anyone.”

Returning from the bookstore with her troubled thoughts weighing heavier than ever, Lily was informed that Ashulin had come home early. What good would it do to hold onto her concerns alone? After all, the cause of her distress was Ashulin himself. Although she hadn’t yet fully gathered her words, Lily went straight to his office.

The butler, sensing something unusual in her hurried steps and her choice not to even change clothes, quickly followed and gently tried to dissuade her, but it was no use.

*Knock, knock.*

“I said I didn’t want any tea…”

Though she had knocked with some force, the door to the office was so thick that it didn’t make much of a loud sound. Feeling even more pouty because of it, Lily ignored the voice coming from within and opened the door.

“It’s me, Ashulin.”