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Chapter 17
Unlike Erno, who treated someone else’s body like his own, Diana was struggling just to catch her breath.
It was clearly her own body, yet it didn’t feel like it. Her heart kept fluttering strangely. Her toes curled on their own, and with every breath, unfamiliar sensations she never knew existed kept surfacing, making her suddenly scared.
At some point, her thin arms had wrapped around Erno’s neck. It was like he was the only thing she could hold on to. Diana clung to him, gasping for air.
She was scared—but not in a bad way. In fact, the feeling he gave her was so overwhelming, it made her heart race and her spine tingle.
No—something really terrifying swept through her whole body, giving her goosebumps. Her floating, cloud-like body suddenly came crashing back to the ground, like she’d been struck by lightning. Her mind snapped into focus.
“Stop… please stop…!”
“I don’t listen to drunk people.”
His low voice, with a hint of laughter, sent chills up Diana’s arms.
Erno frowned slightly and brushed back his wet hair, which kept falling into his eyes. Diana, dazed, couldn’t help but admire the sight.
His lean, muscular body didn’t have a single bit of extra fat—as if he’d never had any from birth. Every time he moved, shadows formed along the perfectly defined muscles. The veins running down his forearms looked like tree roots poking through the ground—she imagined they’d feel that way if she touched them.
She had already forgotten how he had looked at her just moments ago with utter disappointment.
Now, she suddenly understood what the older village ladies meant when they said, “At the very least, make sure your husband is handsome.”
Before she knew it, the new bride’s drunken face had turned a lovely shade of pink. Even though she was trembling with fear, she was doing her best to keep up with his movements. That effort was almost endearing—and Erno found it amusing.
She had looked skinny at first glance, but holding her close, she was just soft and warm enough to be perfect in his arms. Erno found himself wanting to pull her in closer.
More than anything, he found it fascinating how she reacted so sensitively to everything he did—like playing a musical instrument. He couldn’t stop himself from pressing more.
And each time, Diana gave him the perfect response. Erno smiled to himself, proud that he’d listened to Akila’s advice.
Seeing Diana freeze up in a daze, he let out a short laugh.
“You were the one who said we should do this, Diana.”
Feeling her soft body squirm beneath his fingertips, and hearing her voice breathlessly call his name with unfocused eyes, made Erno’s throat tighten.
As soon as Diana’s breathing seemed to settle a bit, Erno moved to take the next step.
“Erno, Erno—wait, wait! Please stop!”
Her small white hands suddenly yanked on his hair.
“Ow—Bi, what kind of new taste is this supposed to be?”
The sharp pain on his scalp made Erno’s face twist.
“I’m sorry, but… please… just stop for a bit… ugh…”
“I told you—I don’t listen to drunk people.”
Even though she pleaded with him, Erno had no intention of stopping. In desperation, Diana grabbed the nearest pillow and shoved it against his head.
“I said stop! Ugh, mmph!”
“Bi?”
She frantically waved her hands, as if to say Don’t say anything!
Whether it was from struggling to keep up with him, or from the never-ending kisses he poured on her, or maybe even the strange and frightening new sensations mixed with the alcohol still in her system—her mind felt foggy and her body weak.
She felt nauseous, like a storm was churning inside her stomach.
I… I think I’m gonna throw up…!
The alcohol she’d forgotten about had come back just in time to ruin everything, creeping in while she was distracted by everything else.
Her head felt like it was being hammered nonstop, and the pain was unbearable.
Finally, Diana pushed herself up and, with her eyes shut tight, began to gag.
“S-sorry… I think I’m gonna be sick—ugh!”
Erno didn’t say anything. Diana had no idea what kind of expression he had on his face. She couldn’t even guess.
She shoved him away and ran to the bathroom to throw up.
When she finally calmed her stomach and returned… Erno was gone.
Of course he’s gone. If I were him, I’d leave too.
Diana flopped down on the bed, screaming silently in her head.
What do I do now…?
How was she supposed to face him tomorrow? Could she even look him in the eye? What if she got kicked out?
“I just hope this doesn’t cause any weird misunderstandings… Wait, does this mean I’ve been rejected?”
Looking gloomy, Diana fidgeted with the bedsheets. Honestly, she couldn’t blame him if he didn’t want her anymore.
The sunlight falling on her eyelids felt unusually bright and sharp.
Still half-asleep, Diana was enjoying the soft, warm feeling on her fingertips… when she suddenly jumped up in bed.
Right, last night…
As bits and pieces of last night came back to her, a cold chill ran down her back, completely wiping away the warmth of the morning.
“I’m doomed…”
She couldn’t even scream. She had no idea where to start panicking, so she just clamped her mouth shut with both hands.
As she forced her melted memories back together, the awful scenes of last night began to play out in her mind.
Diana was in despair. Why? Why did her life never seem to go her way, not even once?
While she was silently screaming and tugging on her own hair in frustration—
“Oh, you’re awake.”
The door suddenly burst open without a knock. Diana’s heart dropped to the floor.
“W-who are you?”
A woman in a simple black dress with a small but elegant brooch stood there, staring at her with a sharp gaze.
Looking closely, Diana realized it was the woman who had stood beside Veronica on her first day at Fenril Castle.
“I’m Anika. I’ll be serving you until a proper maid is assigned to you. I’ve brought your breakfast.”
As she said that, a maid stepped in behind her, holding a tray.
“The Archduke gave strict instructions to take special care with your meal, Lady Bi.”
“Erno… did that?”
Anika gave a small nod. At her signal, the maid placed the tray on the table.
On the tray was a stew made from a rich broth, honey, and iced water.
Diana couldn’t believe Erno would think to take care of her like this. She was still in a daze when the maid handed her the honeyed water.
Every item on the tray helped with a hangover and calmed her upset stomach.
“I need to thank him. Where is Erno right now?”
She couldn’t just sit around after this. Once she finished eating, Diana immediately went to find him.
Standing in front of the large doors to the duke’s office, she smoothed down her hair and checked her clothes one last time. Then, gathering her courage, she knocked.
“Come in.”
His voice was calm and quiet, with no clear emotion. Diana carefully opened the door and stepped inside.
So this is Erno’s office…
As expected from a man who held complete authority over the North, the room—aside from a few weapons on the walls—looked more like a library than a workspace.
The bookshelves were well-used, filled with volumes that had clearly been read often, not just for show like Baron Lapin’s.
Fascinated, Diana stared for a moment, then snapped out of it and turned her gaze.
Erno was standing with a stack of papers in hand, backlit by the morning sun through the tall windows. His usual blank expression was fixed on her.
“Bi?”
Who is this idiot interrupting me when I’m swamped? Better not waste my time—just say your business and go.
Erno had planned to say something sharp. But when he looked up and saw who it was, he was surprised.
Her complexion had improved a lot, so it seemed she had recovered overnight. She wore a thick wool skirt and had her long hair braided into two thick twists—probably styled by the maids.
She looked less like a grand duchess and more like the lady of a peaceful countryside estate.
“What brings you here?”
Since he had no idea why she’d come, Erno asked first.
