Chapter 46
In the darkness, Lionelâs white teeth shone.
Riv was sleepy but she was busy striking away Lionelâs hand that touched her mischievously.
Lionelâs hand rubbed over her chest, then his grip tightened.
Her heart ached as she became extremely aroused. Riv blamed him.
âL-Lionel.â
Lionelâs mischievous laughter was heard as Riv let out a shallow groan.
âYou need to build up your stamina.â
It wasnât something that a man, who bit and tasted her body like a beast, should say.
His voice sounded like a growling beast. He licked her again.
âRiv, your body is so delicious.â
âI-It hurts. No more tonight.â
âI know, I know.â Lionel groaned as if he would attack her again.
Riv was puzzled by his behavior.
Even though he acted the same as the night he was high on dr*gs, she couldnât understand his current state.
She thought he would get tired of her after one night.
But their love-making seemed to have stimulated Lionelâs inner beast.
Lionel continued to tease her body while making a satisfied face and not letting go.
âLionel, do you like my body?â
âI donât have people I donât like by my side. Especially if itâs my wife.â
Lionel grabbed Rivâs black, flowing hair.
He turned into a beast again, and buried his face into Rivâs neck and whispered.
âI want to embrace you again.â
Rivâs dark hair blended so well with the darkness, and only her pale white skin stood out in the dark room.
Lionel stared at her body as if he was appreciating a work of art.
âRiv, I want to embrace you again.â
ââ¦Iâm having a hard time.â
Lionel wanted to taste her again, but decided to endure it.
ââ¦..S-Sleepy.â
Riv, who had been tormented by him, was sleepy and yawned.
âDamn it.â
Lionel hugged her crazily alluring body. She murmured in her sleep.
âI canât believe the Duke wants me. I donât think youâre normal.â
âThen Iâll continue to be obsessed with you and agree that itâs not normal.â
Riv looked for warmth, and she burrowed into his arms.
Lionel hugged her tighter.
It felt so good to be entangled against each otherâs bare skin.
He had yet to satisfy his desires, but this was enough for now.
âI have to get up.â
As Riv muttered in a sleepy voice, Lionel enjoyed brushing her bare skin.
The feeling of touching Rivâs smooth back was very good.
Afterwards, Lionel brought a towel and cold water and carefully wiped down Rivâs body.
As if she was pleased with his gentle touch, Riv returned to bed and snuggled in his arms.
Lionel asked her.
âDo you want to go back to your room?â
âI have to go backâ¦â
Rivâs words became more and more slurred.
She quickly passed out.
âHuh.â
It was a perfect night.
Lionel hugged his new bride in his arms.
Many thoughts passed through his mind, but Lionel didnât speak.
The only important thing for him was his desires that would be satiated by his own bride in his arms.
Riv opened her eyes in the morning before dawn.
ââ¦â¦?â
The moment Riv opened her eyes, she realized where she was and why she was here.
She was in the Dukeâs bedroom.
âI came looking for him.â
It was dark in the bedroom so Riv couldnât see his form, but she could feel Lionelâs warm body holding her own.
Yes, they made love.
Their bodies mingled.
She had no intention of denying the fact.
Riv could clearly feel his warm body temperature seeping through her body.
âUgh.â
Riv turned her head at the awkwardness and met deep amber eyes, a piercing gaze looking straight at her.
âLionel?â
She didnât know when he woke up.
âYou woke up.â
âY-Yes.â
âYou can sleep a little more.â
Riv realized she had cut Lionelâs armâs circulation off and wrapped her hands around his chest.
Lionelâs hand stroked Rivâs bare shoulder. His sly hands seemed to represent his desires.
The disheveled appearance of Lionel, who was looking at her secretly, was overly enthralled.
Riv thought she should push him out of the bed, but it wasnât easy.
âAre you really going to leave me?â
This charming man was seducing her.
Her body that melted at Lionelâs touch betrayed reason and told her to stay here.
Riv struggled to push him out of bed. It was an obvious escape. The cold air brushed Rivâs bare skin. Her body shivered.
âItâs cold. Let me give you warmth.â
âI-I need to go back.â
âRiv.â
âTh-That temptation, thatâs enough.â
âWerenât you the one who tempted me?â
Riv couldnât believe her own behavior last night. She knew that she had seduced him and that it worked, and that Lionel saw her as a beautiful lover. A beautiful lover? Herself? She was his?
âCan you walk?â
âY-Yes.â
Riv quickly regained her thoughts at Lionelâs words.
Riv picked up her clothes off the floor and quickly put them on. Although her body was hurting, she was able to move better than she thought, perhaps thanks to his consideration.
She didnât know that Lionel was staring intently at her back.
How dizzying she must have looked to him.
After getting dressed, Riv turned to Lionel.
Riv ruffled his tousled hair and said.
âYou donât need to see me off.â
âAfter you come and tempt me, you become a cold-hearted woman.â
[E/N: this novel should be called âSeduce a Cold Blooded Maidâ lol]
Lionel was about to get up. He seemed to want to see her off.
âRiv, you donât have to go down. Itâs better to rest here.â
Riv made a small movement with her finger, then Lionelâs body collapsed onto the bed.
He was already deeply asleep.
âYou will be tired today.â
Riv kissed Lionelâs forehead.
She pulled a blanket over his chest.
It was probably because of this man that she was able to use magic naturally, even though she didnât intend to do so. For some reason, it seemed that she was a witch, and that she could use her power naturally when she was by this manâs side and only for this man.
âHaa.â
Riv caressed the sleeping manâs face. She whispered âGood night.â
***
By the time Riv came out of Lionelâs bedroom, dawn shimmered in the hallway.
The escorts guarding the Dukeâs bedroom were still asleep, leaning against a wall or lying on the floor.
Riv passed them quietly and headed for her bedroom.
âHmm.â
The guards in front of Rivâs bedroom were still asleep.
They only woke up after Riv was gone.
âUh, why are we?â
They got up quickly and panicked.
Rivâs morning began a few hours later.
She returned at dawn and slept sweetly for a few hours without waking up.
Her body ached, but her mind was refreshed.
When she woke up, she felt like she had been reborn.
When Riv opened her eyes, a bedroom full of red roses greeted her.
ââ¦?â
Riv was puzzled.
âAre you awake?â
A maid said as Riv woke up.
She was busy looking around her, bewildered.
âWhat are these flowers here for?â
âThey are gifts from the Master.â
âFrom the Duke?â
âThe master went out after eating because he had urgent business. The Lord has ordered me not to wake you so you can sleep comfortably.â
It was too late to have breakfast together. Riv looked at the roses and then covered her blushing face.
As she looked at the flowers, the memories of last night came to mind and she felt embarrassed.
She thought that it was fortunate Lionel had gone out so they wouldnât see each otherâs faces right away.
Still, she could hardly take her eyes off the roses.
A smile spread across Rivâs face. The maids smiled too.
âWeâll bring you food.â
âOkay.â
Riv, who quietly ate the food brought by her maid, refused their help bathing her. She didnât want to show her body that was covered with Lionelâs traces to anyone. Riv, who had changed into a new dress and accessorized, turned her gaze to the roses.
âLionel.â
What was Lionel thinking when he gave her roses? The roses were beautiful and had a faint fragrance.
It was perfect for Riv who didnât like strong scents.
She picked up one of the roses and looked at it for a long time.
Although she had become Duchess, she had nothing to do right now.
As Riv was contemplating whether she should stop by the greenhouse, Claudel came to see her.
âIâve been told that the Duke gave you roses.â
Claudel smiled as she looked at the luscious rose Riv held.
âMadame, we have finished preparing the Duchessâ room. The Duke told me to move you to your new room before evening.â
âToday?â
âYes. Weâre going to bring Madameâs belongings to your new room as soon as possible.â
Riv thought it was abrupt, but she nodded her head. Claudel said.
âWhy donât you take a look at the room first? The Duchessâ room is much more glamorous than this one. If you donât like it, you can change the theme and furniture.â
Claudelâs words were kind, but Riv was reluctant to change the Duchessâ room.
âThat was Lionelâs motherâs room too.â
âYes.â
âThen it would be difficult to change the Duchessâ room carelessly.â
Rivâs gaze turned back to the deep red rose.
***