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Episode 82
Ridiculous Sadism
When she opened her eyes, her whole body ached. It wasn’t an unbearable pain, but her muscles were so sore she could hardly move her arms. Her body creaked as if it hadn’t been oiled in years. Moving her legs was especially difficult, and she bit her lip.
How much did he go at it…
Diana sighed. Guiscard had gone on endlessly. She could understand him being upset about Archduke Blake, but did he really see this as her having been “close to another man”? Why had he turned into such a beast?
A knight named Rogafleur or Archduke Blake—it was all the same…
At any rate, he had clung to her obsessively. If Diana showed even the slightest hint of dislike, he would kiss her gently, soothing her. At the same time, he whispered again and again, like a mantra, that she should only look at him.
That was what was different from her previous life. Back then, after the act, Guiscard would pull away immediately, going to sleep in another room as if even touching her was unpleasant. Sometimes he stayed, but only because he intended to begin a second round.
Last night, however, he had constantly sought her skin, sucking her flesh, invading her, desperate to plunge deeper. Diana was sure of it—at that moment, he had been completely obsessed with her body.
“Ah, please stop…!”
“No.”
In the end, when Diana’s weary face turned dazed, Guiscard bit her ears, neck, and chest. All she could do was flinch. Pleasure had long since turned sharp, her eyes glazed.
“You know, my lady? You’re far too beautiful.”
Again, he whispered “my lady,” clinging to that word as he ravished his master’s flesh again and again.
“My lady.”
As if he were still a slave to the ducal house, he tenderly stroked his damp hair and asked:
“Are you awake?”
When she turned her head, Guiscard stood by the window, wearing nothing but a loosely thrown-on shirt. Sunlight fell freely over his lean, muscular body. She’d known he was broad-shouldered, but with his grown, muscled frame, he was nothing like other men.
Under the sunlight, shadows carved his body so perfectly that, without the scars, one might not even think it human. His dark hair shone in the light. Diana stared at the man who had held her all night and thought dryly. The night’s magic had faded; their heat had cooled, and man and woman regained their reason. Regained it… or perhaps only she had.
She quickly turned her head away. Apparently, she was the only one who’d regained reason. Seeing his unchanged state from yesterday, she instinctively pulled the sheets over herself.
Why is he like this? Could it be that unlike in my past life, this time he was a virgin, and that’s why he’s so full of vigor? Diana recalled Guiscard’s solemn declaration of chastity and blushed. Guiscard, noticing her harsh attitude, looked puzzled and glanced downward.
“…Not doing it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I beg you, please.”
Diana spoke, then realized her arms gripping the sheet were covered with red marks. Even though she had said no, Guiscard’s brows furrowed with regret.
“Diana.”
The word seemed strangely heavy. When she turned back, he had already put on pants, hiding what had shocked her earlier. Diana tried not to look in that direction.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
“…No, I’m fine.”
Her tone was stiff.
“Yesterday, I lost my reason.”
Was that an apology? Diana looked at his face. His gaze lingered on her neck. Heat glimmered faintly in his eyes. Some apology. Diana found it ridiculous and laughed.
“It’s a wife’s duty to accept her husband, after all.”
At her words, the warmth in the room vanished as if the window had been thrown open. For a moment, Diana wondered what she had said wrong. She’d only meant to ease his guilty conscience. But his eyes turned cold as he stared at her, then the corners of his mouth curved.
“Correct.”
“…”
“Keep doing just that.”
Diana nodded, though it felt like she’d said something terribly wrong. Guiscard stayed silent for a long time, then finally lifted his gaze.
“But stay away from Archduke Blake.”
What was he suddenly talking about? Diana looked at him without answering.
“Why don’t you reply?”
That’s what you came up with after all that silence? Diana froze. What had Archduke Blake done wrong?
At the audience ceremony, Guiscard had done nothing for her. Diana knew full well that without Archduke Blake, the nobles would never have shown her even a shred of courtesy.
Guiscard had done nothing.
And yet he was telling her to stay away from the man who had helped her?
“Why?”
“…”
“The Blake family isn’t even politically strong enough to oppose Your Majesty…”
“…”
He gave no answer.
“I know it’s not because Archduke Blake is a man.”
“…”
“Isn’t it just that… you didn’t like me being comfortable without your permission?”
Surely he wouldn’t be jealous. It had to be some higher reasoning. In her past life, he had married her only to use her body, watching coldly as she withered in pain.
He was a little kinder now, but his nature hadn’t changed. At his core, he wanted Diana to be uncomfortable.
What ridiculous sadism.
“Yes.”
He ground his teeth as he spoke. His violet eyes sank darkly. Seeing that, Diana oddly felt relieved. It was the husband of her past life—the monstrous face she knew.
“You mustn’t grow comfortable so easily, Diana Brienne.”
He exhaled the words like a sigh.
“You cannot be at ease. You mustn’t rely on such luck.”
“…Then you might as well execute me or throw me in prison.”
“Sorry, but I’m not that much of a degenerate.”
Did he not realize that this was worse? The mask slipped, and Guiscard smiled.
“You must not accept anyone’s help.”
“…”
“Just accept your circumstances as they are.”
“…”
“You are my wife, and you must stay by my side.”
He approached, bending low. Raising a hand, he made Diana flinch involuntarily. His eyes deepened.
“It’s only three years.”
“…”
“Endure that much. Solely as my wife… like this.”
He lowered his hand, not touching her cheek, and instead pressed his face to her slender neck. He kissed her there, then sank his teeth in.
“Ahh!”
For a long time, he bit and sucked her neck. She didn’t need a mirror to know there would be a deep mark left behind. Looking into her eyes, he spoke:
“Diana Brienne.”
“…”
“So don’t meet him.”
The night’s enchantment had completely vanished.
“Yes, I’ll remember.”
Blood guilt was merciless. The sins of her vile father would never disappear from Guiscard’s mind.
Diana watched Alexa sipping tea. Today, Alexa would return home.
“The Lodbrok palace is so dull. Nothing to see, and the food is terrible.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Why? Are you calling this your home now, sister?”
Alexa laughed brightly, as bold as ever. Diana glanced uneasily at the maids standing behind her.
“It’s just different from Farnborough. If you had friends here, there would be plenty to enjoy.”
“…”
“Not just Lodbrok—any country would be the same. Don’t speak carelessly.”
When Diana sipped her tea, Alexa spoke with drooping eyes.
“Geez, even after so long apart, all you do is nag me. And you didn’t even spend time with me these past few days.”
Diana’s heart softened. She’d expected Alexa to cry or pout. She did care for her sister, but other matters had kept her away.
“You’re right. Honestly, the people here suit me more than those in Farnborough, who only care about etiquette. At least they’re punctual.”
“…”
“They feel more disciplined than Farnborough folk… You’re right, if I had friends, there’d be much to do. I judged too quickly.”
Diana’s face eased at that. Alexa had grown, if only a little. She still didn’t understand her sister’s precarious position, but at least there would be no rumors of her belittling Lodbrok.
“So, does our brother-in-law treat you well?”
“…!”
Diana’s eyes widened at the sudden shift.
“He doesn’t take revenge, does he?”
“No. He’s not like that.”
“Good.”
Alexa smiled brightly. At that moment, Mabel entered.
“His Majesty is here.”
Diana and Alexa rose and bowed. Diana worriedly glanced at her sister.
“We greet Your Majesty.”
They were the daughters of a criminal. What would Guiscard think, looking at the two of them? And how would Alexa react? Hopefully, she wouldn’t blurt out anything rash. Diana felt tense. Guiscard sat and stared at the teacup before him.
Then Alexa spoke.
“Thank you for inviting me. I’m relieved to see my sister safe.”
“…”
Calm and smiling, Alexa looked at Guiscard. Diana lowered her gaze. So he’d already investigated her sister, and she’d realized it.
“Don’t treat my sister the way you treated me. Then again, Your Majesty was always weak when it came to her.”
Treated her? Had something happened when Guiscard was at their estate? Alexa’s lips curved.
Oddly, there was no hatred in her voice. Guiscard nodded. Was he trying to act the role of a devoted husband? Why nod? Diana was appalled at how quickly he’d forgotten his morning words.
“Uh…”
After hesitating, Alexa said:
“Oh, before that, perhaps I should start with this? What should I say… Thank you for killing my trash of a father.”
She bowed politely. Diana was utterly shocked. Such words didn’t suit Alexa’s delicate face. And bowing on top of it?
“I hold no grudge against Your Majesty. I wasn’t born under him by choice, after all. Please, stop hating my sister and me, Your Majesty.”
Diana’s head felt like it would burst. Why had Alexa hated their father? Guiscard, too, looked thrown. Diana could tell he didn’t know what to say.
“Ah, sister—should I call him brother-in-law instead of Your Majesty?”
Eager for confirmation, Alexa turned urgently to Diana.
“Yes.”
And once again, it was Guiscard who answered.
