Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: The Lord Exercising His Right of the First Night (7)
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Early in the morning, Rozina lay on the vast bed that now felt emptily spacious, covering her face with both hands as she writhed in torment. The more she thought about last night, the more self-loathing and guilt washed over her, twisting her insides.
She had sworn to herself that she could give her body but never her heart... yet in the end, she had clung to the man herself, begging for his love. Rozina couldn't even lift her head in apology to Agon.
It was true that the lord was incredibly attractive as a man, and it was also true that any woman would feel immense joy at such sincere affection from him... but Rozina had no right to reciprocate his feelings. She was Agon's wife, freshly wed. For the sake of the goddess and Agon, she should have rejected him outright.
"Aang! Haa... My lord! Haa, kiss... Eung! Please kiss me!"
"Haa... Eung, ahn... More... Hold me so I can feel you, my lord... Haa... So I can't think of anything but you... Haang! Fill me up completely with yourself, my lord!"
"Eueung! Haa... Ahh, I'm so happy... My lord... Haaang..."
But Rozina hadn't done that. Far from refusing, she had reveled in his love, using her entire body to fawn over him for even a scrap more affection. As if she were the lord's bride, not Agon's.
"I'm sorry... Agon... I've committed an unforgivable sin against you..."
So it was only natural that, coming to her senses, she now regretted last night and suffered for it. She still loved Agon despite what had happened... she could never forgive herself for that momentary betrayal.
"Forgive me, Goddess... Not just my body, but my heart too... it's been defiled..."
"I'm sorry, Agon... I ended up rejoicing in another man's love, not yours..."
"But it won't happen again... So please, just forgive me this once... I'll reflect on it, deeply reflect... Please forgive me..."
And so Rozina apologized in her heart to the goddess and Agon. She reflected on her actions, vowing firmly never to repeat the mistake, never to waver under the lord's affections again.
Guided by the head maid who had come to her room, Rozina headed to the bath and received the same ministrations from the maids as the night before. But unlike then, the atmosphere wasn't lively and boisterous—Rozina wasn't blushing or flustered; she was deadly serious.
"We all heard it, hehe. You screamed so loud, the whole castle echoed. 'I love the lord, I'm about to cum, my lord,' and all that."
"Your breasts look even bigger overnight. Did the lord fondle them that much?"
"Oh my! So his cock went right in here? I'm so jealous~ Must've felt amazing~"
Because of that, the maids who had planned to tease her about last night had to shut their mouths and swallow their disappointment. They were perceptive enough not to joke with Rozina, who looked so grave.
"But... where has the lord gone?"
Fortunately for the maids, Rozina's silence didn't last. As the bath was nearly over, she casually brought up the lord. Seizing the chance, they eagerly opened their chattering mouths.
"The lord left for the capital at dawn. Something urgent came up there."
"Ah...! Because of that, he asked us to tell you he's sorry he couldn't see you off personally."
"Oh, Sera! You should've said that sooner! Poor Rozina didn't know!"
"I'm sorry, Lady Rozina. Things were so hectic, I forgot."
"No... If it was that urgent, it's understandable... No need to apologize!"
Was it the answer she'd hoped for? Hearing it, Rozina's stern expression softened; she even hummed a tune, easing the tense mood. Soon after, in an even lighter voice, she asked another question about the lord.
"Um... Does the lord treat other women the same way he did me?"
Finally understanding why she'd been so down, the maids rushed to console her with tales tailored to please.
"The lord often gifts dresses. But taking someone to the garden? That's a first. Hehe."
"And such a bright expression on his face? Never seen that before."
"Plus leaving a personal apology... Wow. He's always so cold with the others."
But not all their words were true. The lord was kind to every bride who came, escorting the prettier ones to the garden, always giving them the peak of pleasure right up to the end.
"Aha... I-is that so...! Ahaha... Hehe... So I'm the first...!"
Unaware of that, Rozina misconstrued it as proof the lord was utterly smitten with her, washing away her morning resentment toward him.
After her bath, Rozina changed into her departing clothes and gave herself a final once-over in the mirror.
Then, suddenly, tears welled up and she bowed her head.
"Aa... Hic, uek... Haa... Ah..."
Just yesterday, a mirror had held a noble lady's beauty no aristocrat could envy... But with her elegant makeup removed, her sparkling jewels taken off, and a plain dress donned, that woman vanished—replaced by an utterly ordinary village girl.
"Aaa... Again, once more..."
If she hadn't known better, it wouldn't hurt this much... But having seen her dolled-up self, Rozina grieved that she could never be that way again. The jewels and dress were gifts, but her finances were too tight for such luxuries henceforth.
"Hic... Uek..."
And thinking on it, the lord had fallen for her adorned appearance. He surely wouldn't have for this plain version. That thought plunged her heart deeper into gloom.
Of course, as Agon's wife, she didn't need the lord's heart—and she knew that... Yet the first passionate love she'd ever received in life wasn't something she could easily forget, leaving her wistful.
Not that dwelling on it now mattered.
Knock knock knock
Forcing a sad smile, Rozina resolved to forget this man she'd never see again and turned away—when a knock sounded from behind her. Her heart pounded wildly. She knew it wasn't him, but hope flickered anyway.
"Lady Rozina. May I come in?"
But expectations were just that. It was the head maid, speaking in a flat tone to inform her preparations for departure were complete.
"We're all set. We'll wait outside, so come whenever you're ready. Oh, and this is a letter from the lord. I forgot this too. My deepest apologies."
At "letter from the lord," Rozina's calmed heart raced anew. What had he written? She wouldn't accept it, but what if it was a confession? Thrilled, she confirmed the maid gone, then tore it open.
And Rozina read that letter over and over until the carriage reached home.
Far from her misconception that he wouldn't love her plain self, she was moved by this man's adoration of every part of her... forgetting her vow never to waver... lost once more in memories of their time together.