ETDO Chapter 27

Dinner was excellent. The manor’s chef must have poured his heart and soul into it to celebrate his master’s return, as every dish was incredibly delicious. Yet, I couldn’t fully concentrate on the meal.

Arthur would undoubtedly want to sleep with me tonight. But my body, ravaged by nights of rough sex, was covered in Ethan’s marks. 

How could I possibly avoid it?

Should I pretend to be sick or tired? 

But then I should have acted that way from the moment Arthur arrived. And even if I did, how could I possibly be more tired than Arthur, who had just endured a two-day journey by carriage?

Moreover, it didn’t make sense to refuse sex with my husband after being apart for over ten days, especially when I was perfectly healthy, so I was at my wit’s end.

Lost in thought, I was nibbling on the small dessert spoon when I looked up and made eye contact with Ethan, and I flinched.

A clear smirk played on his lips as if he knew exactly what I was agonizing over. My appetite vanished instantly, and I placed the spoon on the table.

“Alright, let’s get up now.”

Ethan said, decisively placing his wine glass down. The two of them had already finished three bottles of wine.

Arthur, who usually didn’t drink much, had consumed quite a bit tonight. Ethan, on the other hand, seemed perfectly sober despite having drunk the same amount.

“You must be tired from your journey, so let’s get some rest.”

“Haha, alright, brother.”

As Arthur stood up, swaying slightly, I instinctively reached out. I slipped my arm under his shoulder and held him tightly to prevent him from falling.

Arthur looked down at my face and chuckled.

“Lily! You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

“M-Me too, Arthur. But let’s go to bed now. You’re tired.”

“Alright, let’s do that…”

Arthur leaned his weight against me. I started walking towards the dining room entrance, one difficult step at a time.

Struggling to support someone taller and larger than me, I stumbled slightly. Just then, Ethan’s arm firmly grasped Arthur’s other side. He raised an eyebrow at me, seemingly unperturbed by my surprise.

With Ethan’s help, we managed to reach the third floor much more easily. Seemingly oblivious to my inner turmoil, he silently helped me get Arthur to my bed. He glanced at Arthur, sprawled across the bed, smirked, then closed the door, and left.

His smirk, as if he knew everything made my feelings even more complicated. Before I had time to gather my thoughts, Arthur pulled me towards him as I awkwardly sat beside him.

“Arthur!”

“Lily, I missed you. I thought about you every single day. Like this…”

He pulled me into his embrace, holding me tightly.

“I only thought about holding you. Lily… you have no idea how much I longed for you…”

“Me too… Haa!”

My words were cut off by his invading tongue. His warm, slick tongue entangled with mine, rubbing against me.

“Haa… Arthur…”

A sigh escaped my lips. His breath, his lips, his gentle touch. The touch of Arthur that I had longed for. I cupped his face in my hands.

Arthur was now on top of me, his breath coming in ragged gasps as his tongue explored my mouth. It wasn’t until his lips reached behind my ear that I snapped back to reality.

‘No! If Arthur sees those marks…!’

I gently pushed Arthur’s shoulder away, feigning shyness.

“No, Arthur…”

“Hmm?”

“Here… it’s too…”

Arthur looked at me, his face flushed, trying to gauge my reaction. I couldn’t look him in the eye, my gaze fixed on one of the four-poster bedposts, and mumbled as if embarrassed,

“It’s too bright… I don’t like it…”

“Lily…?”

I nuzzled my face against his shoulder and whined like a child. It was an absurdly childish act, something I would never normally do, but I was desperate.

“And… it’s been so long… I’m embarrassed…”

“Haha! Lily…!”

He must have been worried that I would refuse him. Relief was evident in his voice. He chuckled and pulled me away from his shoulder.

“You want to do it with the lights off?”

I nodded like a shy bride. I bit my lip, watching Arthur stand up and walk towards the lamp with a grin.

I had no choice. This was the only way to prevent him from seeing my body. I waited in the darkness, listening to the rustling of his clothes as he undressed.

The bed dipped as he approached me. Arthur undressed me hastily. He seemed to have sobered up since dinner. Arthur’s lips soon enveloped my erect nipple.

“Ahh!”

He sucked on my breasts hungrily, cupping them in his hands. My skin burned where his lips touched. He kissed and caressed every inch of my body.

His lips trailed down my chest and stomach, then moved lower without hesitation, gently sucking on my clit and licking my folds. Like a man finding water in an oasis after wandering through the desert, Arthur lapped up my flowing arousal, as if not wanting to waste a single drop.

“Ah!”

I had almost forgotten. Having only rough, savage sex like a beast in heat, I had almost forgotten what it felt like to connect with someone so tenderly.

A moan of pleasure escaped my lips each time his tongue flicked against my clit. I quickly climaxed under Arthur’s gentle touch. As he slid inside me, I trembled with a sense of fullness and wrapped my arms around him.

I realized how I had missed this act of becoming one with him. The act of reaffirming that he was my man and I was his, the certainty of our connection… I desperately craved for it.

Because Arthur was my husband, and I loved him. It was the truth, however shameful. Despite being consumed by anxiety and guilt, that fact remained unchanged.

Arthur’s movements became increasingly rapid and intense. With a rough gasp, his body collapsed on top of mine, his muscles tense.

Breathing heavily, I placed my hand on his back and gently patted him as he panted, holding him like a child.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

“Lily.”

Soft lips brushed against my temple. A large hand caressed my naked body, moving upwards from my hips.

“Mmm…”

“Wake up, sleepyhead.”

A low chuckle and lips touched my neck, slowly licking my skin. I blinked my heavy eyelids open, and piercing blue eyes gazed down at me. A clear, sky-blue.

I sat up abruptly, my mind suddenly jolted awake.

‘Ethan?!’

The man, the spitting image of Ethan, chuckled, looking at my startled expression.

“You’re waking up so easily these days, Lily. Did you do some special wake-up training while I was gone?”

Ah! It was Arthur.

I finally exhaled a shaky breath. After spending so many nights tangled up with Ethan in this bed, I must have unconsciously mistaken him for Ethan. At first, I kept mistaking Ethan for Arthur, and now it was the other way around.

“Ah…! I, I was just startled because I’ve been waking up alone. I’m sorry, Arthur.”

I mumbled, snuggling my face against his chest. I truly felt sorry. Arthur chuckled softly and hugged me tighter.

“I’m the one who should be sorry, Lily. I won’t ever leave you alone again.”

I nodded silently, burrowing deeper into his arms.

Yes. Please, don’t leave me alone. Ever.

If you’re not here, Ethan will keep preying on me. And every time, I’m unable to resist him, crumbling so easily into his arms.

I felt pathetic for repeatedly succumbing to the pleasure he offered. Even when I tried to resist, I would crumble helplessly the moment he touched me. I felt disgusted with myself every time I found myself moaning and begging for more, like a dog in heat.

He gently kissed my shoulder, then asked, his voice laced with concern,

“But Lily, what are all these bruises on your shoulder?”

I gasped involuntarily, my heart felt like it was falling to my feet. My hands trembled, but I tried my best to remain calm.

“Ah, this… perhaps…”

He gently traced the faint bruises with his thumb and asked,

“Did I… do this?”

I looked at him anxiously. My whole body was stiff, unable to move. 

No way. 

I held my breath, afraid he might hear my heart pounding wildly.

“Did I do this last night?”

I slowly exhaled, relieved. The I hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

“Um…”

My voice trembled. I was in a loss of words. Even though I had hoped for this kind of misunderstanding, I hadn’t actually expected it to work. I felt relieved, yet at the same time, self-disgust washed over me. I felt like the worst kind of trash.

Arthur gently kissed the bruises and said,

“I’m sorry. It’s been so long… I must have gotten carried away. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

I had inadvertently made my husband seem like some kind of brute who couldn’t control his strength. I quickly showered his lips with kisses, forcing a smile as I whispered,

“No, it’s okay. I… I liked it.”

Arthur, looking at me with heated eyes, pushed me onto the bed and covered my lips with his. His invading tongue swept across my teeth, entangling with mine, immobilizing it completely.