“It was Her Majesty’s turn to list out the books she had read previously,” a noblewoman answered.Marquis Parvad laughed broadly and extended his hands. “Looks like I’ve joined a good time. If it’s alright, may we hear them out as well? We’ve been looking for good books to read as of recent, truth be told.”Alicia pondered for a moment at his subtle request. A title soon came to mind and she answered, “Recently, I’ve been reading the book called ‘The Struggle For Sweetness’ and I found it an enjoyable read and to my liking.”A few of the young bachelors burst out in cheerful laughter.“The title of the book is called The Struggle For Sweetness? Is that right? Goodness, it seems like a book related to desert making.”Before Alicia could reply, Ash Pavard parted his lips open and said, “Hmm… Sir Killian, I think you have some sort of misunderstanding. The book is quite famous and renowTed for its humanities of sorts. It looks like you don’t know of this.”The young men who wore a burst
Hearing the voice’s words, Ash Parvad was shocked but he quickly recovered and composed himself. He had not realized the king had appeared before him and held onto the queen with one hand as if showing that she was his.Ash Parvad was extremely nervous, but once he saw the king’s playful smile, he realized he’d been joking. Ash Parvad calmed down and gave an awkward smile as his face blushed a faint red.“I apologize, Your Majesty. I’d been too focused on this merry conversation I hadn’t had in a while that I ended up overstepping my boundaries.”“It seems everyone is focused on talking rather than dancing in this ballroom. At this rate, won’t a rumor occur that our Queen kept everyone at bay talking for hours on end and refused to let them go? How about you take the lead, Sir Parvad, and dance with the daughters of the affluent nobles?”At the king’s words, the young daughters of the nobility smiled excitedly and fanTed themselves. Ash Parvad was a noble scheduled to inherit the duke
“Please forgive me, My Queen. I did not mean to deceive you nor was it done out of malice. When His Majesty reached the age of eligibility but showed no signs of interest in marriage, the many nobles came together and selected Ms. Seraphina Rissel as queen candidate, however, His Majesty decliTed the request right away. He had never once shown any personal interest to her. As this incident happeTed long ago, I did not care to bring it up to you for I was sure that if you were to learn of it then it may have caused you unnecessary discomfort,” Mrs. Cessley said in disgrace.“I understand and I appreciate that you put my feelings into consideration. However, I wish that you not do this next time. Even if the information were to cause me discomfort, I need to know so I’m able to prepare ahead of time with what I know should I be placed in an awkward situation like today. The duke’s daughter dug the grave herself, but it does not mean that a similar occurrence won’t happen again.”Mrs. Ce
Alicia kept her mouth shut and pursed ever so tightly. An ill-fitting thorny silence filled the room as Ivan had yet to answer. The dolorous silence was like the calm before the calamitous storm.Alicia carefully lifted her head. She was immediately met with purple eyes that were frozen cold. Unconsciously, she gasped in silent fear. It was as if the Ivan of the past stared at her and let out abusive words he knew would wound her broken heart.“…Freedom, huh,” Ivan scoffed and slowly mumbled.He picked up his feet and shuffled toward her.In reaction, Alicia backed further away, but despite this, he walked towards her, neither slow and neither hurried, just fast enough to outpace her distancing.As her back reached the wall, she realized she no longer had a means of escape. Had she known this would occur, she’d not have sent out Mrs. Cessley. The bitter regret filled her core, but she knew wallowing in regret would only prove futile.“Are you telling me to embrace the woman I want to
Alicia let out a short, delicate moan. Synchronous to her gasping breaths, Ivan bit down on her nape and felt the smoothness of her skin and devoured her. She looked akin to a prey waiting to be eaten by a beast.While she shut her eyes tight, her willowy brows furrowed together, Ivan friskily rubbed her twin peaks and did not stop. His ceaseless attacks from both sides made her nearly lose her mind.A second breath later, Ivan let go of her wrist and lifted her.Alicia gasped as he grabbed her perky butt and pushed her up against the wall. Behind her, the rough texture of the tapestry hung on the wall rubbed against her skin while a man blocked her from the front, his body pressed tightly onto her with only a single layer of silk in between.She struggled fruitlessly despite knowing all attempts of escape were hollow and useless.“Nnnh…”The unbridled Ivan bit the edge of her ear.Alicia instinctively shrank her body in reaction.“What is it? Is this not to your liking? I recall that
Alicia buried her face into his chest. Her warm, salty tears, the river to her soul, coarsed his chest area wet, and she showed no signs of stopping. It looked like it’d fill the ocean anytime soon.Ivan let out a long, painful sigh and said, “Alicia, do you remember the time when I climbed the tree to keep you from crying? What… what should I do this time? Should I go up the spire and pick out a star from the night sky? Would you then stop? I’m… sorry…”Her shoulders shivered lightly at his reply. Though in tears, he felt her lips drew to a smile. His paiTed and regretful heart was relieved.“It was my fault. It’s all my fault. I touched you without your consent… I ripped off your clothes… I am so sorry… I’m regretting my actions…”A moment later, Alicia lifted her head. She had cried and cried that her eyes were red and dry, hoping to fill the void she felt inside. Ivan’s heart ached seeing the terrible state she was in. He wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. Droplets of lu
Alicia fluttered her eyes downwards—her strength had left her.Ivan won’t ever fully understand the deeper intricacies of her words and what it meant when she muttered of never wanting to become miserable. He was not the man of the past. Divulging her secrets would only confuse Ivan and send him to the spiral unknown. He’ll never understand the feelings of man experiencing things that have yet begun.She pondered, wondering how to respond should he return with another question when he grabbed her chin and looked in her oceanic eyes.“Next time, do this as well,” Ivan said.“What…? What do you mean by—”“Explain to me the situation first like this. Don’t just jump to conclusions like that, or else I won’t know what you’re thinking.” Ivan lightly wiped her cheek wet with dewdrops. “And I want to make this clear, Alicia. For as long as you’re my wife, I’ll never embrace another woman. Not now and not ever.”Alicia fumbled and watched him, the look in her eyes expressed one of surprise an
A moment later Ivan parted his lips with hers and stared into her soulful eyes. Alicia’s cheeks were wet with dews of raindrops; her silver eyelids were staiTed with damp droplets as well.Her appearance, god it mesmerized him, enough to have anyone become addicted to her charms.The face she made as she breathed heavily, glossy lips parted open, and her screams of ecstasy brought him a sense of euphoria.“Alicia… Alicia…”He wanted her—badly.His laden gaze did not let off her. How badly he needed her, needed to devour her; to put her in the ecstatic trance that drew him like a magnet to her in the first place. He needed to taste the flesh of this irresistible creature.She wasn’t completely used to the feeling of him touching the depths of her inside that she winced slightly.“Relax your body. Remember when did it last time?”“Ah… y-yes…” Alicia nodded a little too enthusiastic.Ivan chuckled and kissed her forehead.“Now, wrap your legs around me.”He grabbed her legs and helped he