Chapter 17

Playing With Hands (2)

And then came the sound of the hems of her own dress being torn.

Very slowly, fabric brushed against my eyelids.

As he came closer to securely cover her eyes, his heady scent filled her nose. It was a distinctly masculine fragrance with notes of the wintry air.

He moved away and a cold breeze filled the space where he had been. A strange feeling of regret lingered.

“Now, take it off yourself. As you wanted.”

Hearing his voice from above, she surmised that he was sitting next to her.

She breathed deeply. “That’s for when I’m alone…”

“I said before that I didn’t like repeating things.”

Lily shut up.

And even after a while, he did not say anything more.

Her nerves grew ever more sensitive.

Relenting, Lily took off her fur gloves and slowly rolled up her dress.

The rustling of fabric echoed in the quiet bedroom.

Cold air rushed between her legs, and a strange desire engulfed Lily’s body. Her lower abdomen tightened.

Nothing had happened yet, but it was so strange for her body to respond as if she was expecting something.

She raised one thigh slightly and slowly tugged off her stocking. Lily paused for a moment. In order to remove the stocking from her calf, her leg had to be fully elevated.

Hesitatingly, she lifted one knee.

The cold air hit her as she slipped the stocking completely off her leg.

Her lips felt dry.

As the clothes were being removed, a strange excitement built up.

Lily concentrated on taking off her stockings, trying to erase her thoughts.

She repeated the same process on the other leg and quickly lowered the dress.

Heat rose to her face, even though removing layers was supposed to cool her down. She bit her lower lip.

His rough, hard hand stroked her forehead. “Well done.”

It was, as usual, a sweet and seductive voice

Her core responded instantly.

The hand went down to her lips and cheeks…

Embarrassed to find out that she was reacting to such trivial touches, she held her breath and clenched her dress tightly.

Still fiddling with her lips, he suddenly said, “…Why were you covering up for Ivan?”

It was an unexpected question, and Lily took some time to understand what he was saying.

“I was not covering up for him. I really wanted to go around the castle.”

His hand fell.

“You think I don’t know? At least, the first person who pleaded for you to go out was Ivan.”

Lily stiffened. His voice was even lower now. Her eyes fluttered under the fabric covering her eyes.

It was clear that he was offended, but Lily couldn’t figure out why.

It was only natural for a mistress to look around the estate, right?

She needed to familiarize herself with the structure so as not to make a fool of herself when receiving guests.

That’s why it was not unpleasant to have the priest bring her around to the Order of Knights.

“It’s not anything else. It’s because I asked Ivan to bring me and find my lord…”

“Lord…” He paused for a moment. Then his voice continued very slowly. “I guess that’s what Ivan told you to call me.”

“It’s just to make the lord feel better…”

A hand grasped Lily’s chin. “Would it make me feel better if you followed someone else’s lead?”

Lily’s body began to tremble. She couldn’t think of anything to say.

As she was cornered, disorganized thoughts poured out of her mouth. “I really didn’t mean to offend you. I really…”

A sudden surge of anxiety flooded her.

She had no intention of hurting his feelings or ruining this marriage. It was Lily who didn’t have time and desperately needed this marriage.

She had to appease his anger.

From her last marriage, there was only one quick way to make a man feel better. Feeling around his legs, she touched his impressive manhood even though it wasn’t hard.

He quickly took Lily’s hand, releasing it when she groaned at the strong grip. “…What are you doing all of a sudden?”

Her spine stiffened at what seemed to be anger lacing his voice.

Lily was confused.

None of her ex-husbands hated that.

“To ease your anger… to make you feel better.”

“Is that really what you want? Just to improve my mood?”

If that’s not what he wants, then what does he mean?

Lily nodded slowly.

After the moment of silence, he let out a deep breath that was close to a sigh.

“…Vlad,” he said in a low voice. “That’s how you should call me. Not by my titles.”

Lily’s eyes flashed under the cloth.

It was known to be a clear sign of goodwill to be told to call someone by their name or nickname.

Like a welcome rain after a drought, Lily was grateful that he offered a way out of this situation.

Her red lips parted hesitantly, calling out his name.

“Vlad.”

His breath caught.

Is it because my nerves are overly sensitive or the atmosphere instantly softened?

She knew instinctively that his mood had changed.

Lily, as if possessed, reached out towards him again.

He had become hot and hard beneath his pants.