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Chapter 23
My mouth was dry. I could barely breathe. By now, I should’ve been used to it, but his mature, charged presence made me tense up completely. My heart was beating wildly, as if it were about to burst.
Thick veins stood out on his forearms as he rolled up his sleeves. From Sren’s greedy gaze, I could feel his uncontrollable desire burning toward me.
“Sren. Step aside.”
I forced myself to appear composed and pushed him away. In an instant, Sren’s lips curved in a provocative smile, and before I knew it, he had grabbed my ankle, pulled my arms back, and flipped me onto the bed.
“Ah…!”
I felt the soft touch of the blanket against my back as I lost my balance. My eyes fluttered rapidly, unsettled. Sren pressed his heavy body against mine, leaving me unable to move, and looked down at me, a languid, dark smile spreading across his face.
“Cute.”
“…!”
“Like a little rabbit.”
Sren’s pink eyes fixed on me gradually darkened into red. I couldn’t help but sweat nervously. This wasn’t malice—it was lust.
“Um, Sren…”
Had he learned telepathy? Was he deliberately stopping me from going to Adenhar because he knew?
Mockingly, Sren tilted his chin lightly, as if daring me to say more.
“Stop joking around.”
I frowned, deliberately putting weight into my words as if I had experience with him. But Sren pressed his face against my captured ankle and murmured hoarsely,
“I don’t want to.”
Then he kissed my toes and slowly licked from my ankle down, whispering seductively,
“Tastes good. Can I have more?”
Sren’s overtly sensual display was dangerously intoxicating. Did he know just how alluring he looked and act accordingly? The tension between us felt almost like my skin was being cut. I pressed my lips together and stared at him silently.
How am I supposed to deal with this beast, who attacks day and night?
Meanwhile, Sren bit at my skin gently, urging me to respond.
“Hmm? Rachel, answer me.”
“It hurts.”
“Really?”
Mischief lingered in the corners of his slightly curved eyes.
What should I do with this audacious guy…
Sren leaned over slowly, continuing to provoke me.
“Rachel.”
“Sren, let go.”
“I want to take you as a gift today, too.”
This is maddening.
Sren twisted the buttons of his shirt with one hand, undoing them, while the other hand wound around my thigh, stroking and pressing in. Between the parted shirt, the contours of his toned body were revealed.
I swallowed nervously. His hot breath drew closer to my lips, as if aiming to claim them. I quickly turned my head to avoid his mouth.
“Don’t.”
At my clear refusal, Sren’s lips twisted briefly. His eyes glinted sharply as he stubbornly bit my neck.
“Ah…!”
A moan slipped out before I could resist, deepening his amused expression. With expert hands, he untied the waist tie of my negligee and lightly kissed and nibbled my neck.
“Sounds nice.”
“…!”
“Show me more. Your voice.”
Heat surged through my body. I squinted, trembling slightly, trying desperately not to be consumed by the rising, intense shivers.
“Ugh…”
Yet, the friction of our bodies against the fabric and his constant, vivid sensations made my body flush uncontrollably. I decided I had to regain the upper hand. I grabbed his arm and tried to calm him.
“Sren, if you keep going like this…”
His lust-softened face responded lazily,
“Hm?”
But my next words, calm yet decisive, stiffened his expression.
“I won’t eat with you anymore.”
The threat worked surprisingly well. Sren pulled back in surprise. I tidied my clothes and rose. Still stirred, he ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
“Rachel is way too strict.”
Sren could act like a wild animal one moment, then obedient like a large dog the next. Seeing him, I felt conflicting emotions.
“You’re the one who’s completely self-centered.”
Pouting, Sren grumbled.
“I want to touch you every day.”
“….”
“I still want to feel you, touch you right now.”
“….”
“That’s not wrong, is it?”
Even hearing that didn’t stir any emotion in me.
Recalling everything Sren had shown me so far, I realized… my feelings toward him had grown cold. To him, I was just a toy he liked—nothing more, nothing less. For now, I acted gentle, hiding my true self, but I knew his cruel nature.
I wouldn’t be fooled by his sly lies—they were tools to manipulate me.
Still, I smiled innocently, concealing my thoughts, and reached out to embrace Sren, whispering in his ear,
“I know. I appreciate your feelings.”
“Then…”
“Still, moderation is necessary.”
At my words, Sren sighed softly.
“Alright. I’ll do as you say.”
“Good, that’s my girl.”
I patted his head approvingly. He grumbled but calmed down.
Sren was simple like that. It was almost unbelievable that this was the same person who had once threatened me with a horrific death. If I didn’t run, he behaved like a gentle herbivore.
“My weakness… will only ever be in front of you.”
“Mm.”
“So never betray me. Rachel.”
His unexpected vulnerability left me with an indescribable sensation. My throat felt rough, like swallowing sand. Yet I added a practiced, emotionless smile and lied smoothly.
“Alright, I promise.”
Even if I couldn’t keep that promise, it didn’t matter. Our relationship was always like an unreachable horizon.
Relieved, Sren hugged me tightly. Then, in a serious voice, he said,
“Rachel.”
“Hm?”
“Don’t leave the room today.”
I asked in confusion.
“Why?”
“A guest from the royal family is coming. But you’d be uncomfortable.”
Though he spoke as if recommending, it was practically an order. Sren didn’t make such statements without reason. So I knew better than to ignore him.
I wanted to check on Adenhar, but I despised getting caught in unnecessary trouble. I decided to follow Sren’s suggestion obediently.
“Okay. I’ll stay in the room.”
Pleased, Sren rubbed his face against my cheek.
“Good. Phantom, my butler, will bring your meals to the room.”
“Mm.”
“If you want anything, tell him.”
I nodded faintly, understanding. Sren’s eyes softened as he looked at me.
“You listen well. That makes you prettier.”
Without warning, he suddenly kissed me, holding my head in his hands and fiercely claiming my lips. My breath quickened under his rough, demanding kiss.
“Hah…”
After a long while, he released my lips, gently wiping them with his fingertips and rising from the bed. I caught a faint scent of blood from him.
Huh? He didn’t seem hurt. Why the smell of blood…
But I didn’t speak it aloud.
“I’ll be back.”
A foreboding sense flared in my chest.
