Chapter 35
It was a time of night too frightening for a woman to travel back alone, especially without the Grand Duke’s knights present.
Still unable to make up her mind, Evina hesitated. But she couldn’t bring herself to shake off Leona’s gentle hand as it took her arm and softly guided her forward. And so, she set foot inside the Grand Duke’s castle.
It was on an immense scale.
A castle on an entirely different level from the one a mere nouveau riche like Viscount Derise had thrown money at in a short span of time.
The interior was dignified, with the history of the Imperial House of Impetraz and the refined taste of its mistress naturally evident.
“Right this way.”
Leona skillfully guided the bewildered Evina and had her soak in a bath.
As Evina let out a satisfied sigh, three maids surrounded her.
Their touch was on a completely different level from Therese’s.
With nearly perfect hands, they washed Evina, dried her hair, and even applied a soft, fragrant oil.
“The Grand Duke’s commands surely have their reasons. That is what I believe, at least.”
But it was around then that Evina realized the people of the Grand Duke’s castle were impossible to reason with.
They all had the same blindly devoted look. The kind that said they’d ram their heads into a wall and die without a second thought if Xenobius ordered it.
That was why they could bow so easily to a woman who had been a mere viscountess and was now a commoner.
A command from the Grand Duke was all that mattered. Things like rank and status simply didn’t.
“…Then when might I be able to see His Grace?”
“That would depend on his will. For tonight, you must be tired, so please rest well. I will ask His Grace first thing in the morning.”
Realizing that no further words would get through, Evina nodded.
She lay down on the large bed and worried briefly about the next day, but exhaustion overtook her in an instant.
The bedding was so soft and warm. She couldn’t think anymore.
Sleep swept in and swallowed her whole.
And when she struggled to lift her eyelids at the feeling of something soft stroking her cheek, Xenobius was right there.
He was sitting on the bed where she slept, stroking her cheek with his knuckles.
His heated gaze fell over her pale forehead, her delicate nose, her red lips.
Blinking, her eyes adjusting to the dark, she slowly parted her lips.
“Why did you bring me here? I was sure you would send me back.”
Instead of answering, Xenobius reached out and touched her golden lashes.
“These are just…”
He frowned as if recalling something, and soon, with a faint smile, he said something she never expected.
“Like a butterfly.”
“…A butterfly?”
“The way they flutter. It’s just like butterfly wings being crushed in your hand.”
“…”
She didn’t reply. She simply gazed quietly at his face.
“Why did I bring you here?”
He said it casually, as if it were nothing.
“Because I wanted to.”
“All this time…”
Evina’s voice caught in her throat, and she frowned faintly.
“We made a promise, didn’t we? Your Grace…”
“I told you to call me Xenobius. I’m not particularly cold to people I’ve taken a liking to. I try to be sweet to them, actually.”
“I agreed to pay a fair price if Your Grace… eliminated Viscount Derise.”
To be precise, the man had said she would have to f**k him.
And she had clearly kept that promise at Xenobius’s return banquet.
“And I agreed to consider becoming Your Grace’s mistress if you destroy the Siollier family.”
“Yes. I have something to say about that.”
Sensing a serious conversation was about to begin, Evina tried to sit up, but Xenobius pressed her shoulder firmly down.
“…Ah.”
“Thinking it over, I believe I signed a rather poorly written, unfair contract. Don’t you agree?”
“But…!”
The large man leaned in close. So close the tip of his nose nearly touched hers. Close enough for their lips to brush.
She swallowed her breath.
“You agreed. I eliminate Viscount Derise, and you crawl like a dog if I tell you to crawl. Spread your legs if I tell you to spread them.”
“I kept my promise…!”
“It hurts my feelings when you say that.”
His lips hovered around her chin.
“Put your hand on your chest and think. Did you really keep your end? Not only did you get rid of the s**t husband who abused and r***d you in a single stroke, but you also monopolized every last coin that bastard made selling off Guide family trash like you.”
“…”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.