Chapter 45
‘Why does it feel this disgusting? It’s not like my body is clean anymore. How is it any different from sleeping with Duke Drexton?’
No, it was different.
Julia’s reason insisted there was no difference at all, but her heart told a different story. The reason she hadn’t run away during the very first lesson wasn’t simply because she had firmly thought of this as ‘work’.
She thought that being held by ‘Edgar’ was dreadful, but in truth, she herself hadn’t felt any aversion. Perhaps she had even been expecting it.
That was why the thought of doing that with another man felt as horrifying as bugs crawling all over her.
Julia realized that her state was truly dangerous.
At this rate, she would be of no help to Duke Drexton at all. If she let these feelings fester, she might end up asking him for an affair. And that wasn’t all. She might even come to resent the rightful Duchess of Drexton like some vengeful spirit.
She hated that.
The ‘Sister Julia’ of his childhood was supposed to remain a mythic sanctuary, and ‘Missus Devel’ was supposed to be someone who handled her affairs cleanly and then left. At least, that was how Julia had decided it should be.
Tears streamed down her face.
I should say it quickly. And then leave within three days.
Pay off the debts, and then…
She made plans endlessly in her head. But perhaps her body rejected a life after leaving Duke Drexton’s manor, because no clear plan would form. Her vision blurred, and her chest felt suffocatingly empty.
‘What should I do.’
Julia let her head fall. Thick tears splattered onto her dark-colored dress.
That was when it happened.
The door opened without a knock.
Julia startled and looked toward the doorway.
The person standing there was,
“Duke!”
So flustered, Julia could only gape soundlessly.
Duke Drexton looked at Julia in silence. His lips moved. His eyes seemed duller than usual, and she couldn’t tell whether it was from exhaustion or from drink.
“Eat something.”
Duke Drexton tried to enter Julia’s space as he pleased. Julia immediately got up and blocked him with her body. He can’t do this. He’s the host of today’s party.
Julia stepped closer and took the plate he offered, for the moment.
“Thank you for thinking of me, Duke. Please go now. People will be looking for you.”
He shook his head.
A sweet scent lingered on Duke Drexton’s breath. As Julia had guessed, he seemed to have been drinking. Given his nature, he probably hadn’t drunk much. Perhaps he had a low tolerance.
Even when Julia pushed him, Duke Drexton didn’t budge. He looked at her with narrowed eyes, then asked as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Were you crying?”
Julia startled and quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
“No.”
“You were.”
“You’re drunk and mistaken. Thank you for bringing the food. It really looks delicious.”
She was about to hurry and close the door. At that moment, without any consent, Duke Drexton simply forced his way into Julia’s room. With strength. Julia was helplessly pushed back, trying not to spill the food.
Duke Drexton staggered and pulled out a pocket watch from his coat to check it.
“It’s lesson time…”
“……”
“We didn’t even have a lesson yesterday.”
He muttered in an immature tone.
Julia felt at a loss again. Truly, an urge surged up to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him right then.
But she couldn’t do that. Julia bit her tongue.
‘Say it now. Now.’
“About that.”
To buy herself a moment to steady her emotions, Julia turned around and set the food down on the table. Duke Drexton stood in the middle of the room, staring at Julia.
“When I calculated it, we’ve already fulfilled the number of lessons.”
At those words, Duke Drexton showed his confusion plainly. Perhaps because he was drunk. His eyes wavered.
“What are you talking about?”
“I mean exactly that.”
“The contract period was two months.”
Julia shook her head.
“The original contract was four times a week, one hour each, wasn’t it.”
Julia continued calmly with what she had planned to say. Before she realized it, the tears were gone, and her tone had grown dry.
“……”
“But we had lessons every day, and often went over time.”
The more calmly Julia spoke, the more anger flickered in Duke Drexton’s eyes.
“So.”
He ground his teeth.
“You’re saying you’ve done everything, so you’ll take the money and leave?”
That wasn’t what she meant. Hearing that question, Julia’s chest hurt as if a nail had been driven into it. She couldn’t meet Duke Drexton’s eyes and turned away.
“It’s just, because it’s a contract.”
Unable to steady her heart, she ended up saying something very cold.
“We’re nothing more than a relationship bound by a contract.”
Duke Drexton strode toward her.
Julia had nowhere to retreat. Leaning against the wall, she was pressed down somewhat roughly by Duke Drexton.
At last, their lips collided.
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