Chapter 51: Let's Get Revenge
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 51: Let's Get Revenge
Blair stared out the window, trying to soothe her anxious heart, when a knock at the door made her turn.
Lina entered, holding a letter.
"Madam, an invitation to the Hunting Competition has arrived from the Imperial Palace."
The Hunting Competition was an annual event that heralded the arrival of spring.
Blair took the letter, her thoughts turning inward. She would have to try and persuade Herdin one more time.
* * *
After parting ways with the other noblewomen, Rachel left the Temple with a much lighter heart.
It wasn't nearly enough to erase the humiliation she'd suffered at Blair's hands, but it offered some small relief. Of course, she knew even that wouldn't last long.
Rachel walked toward the waiting Seldon family carriage. The coachman, seeing her approach, climbed down from his seat to open the door.
Just as he reached for the handle, an unwelcome voice called out from behind her.
"Rachel."
She turned to see Wesley standing there.
Upon spotting him, Rachel's face instantly contorted in distaste.
She had known Wesley since childhood, but two years ago, he'd fallen into gambling. Since then, he’d done nothing but beg his friends for money, and everyone had learned to avoid him.
Worse, his drinking habits were atrocious, and he was constantly causing trouble. Getting involved with him was a pointless liability.
Rachel suppressed a sigh and gestured for the coachman to wait. Only after he had retreated into the carriage did she finally speak.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you sober, Wesley. How is the Marquis? He seems to have aged quite a bit lately because of you."
"The old man? Oh, he's fine. Are your parents doing well?"
"They're doing great. Unlike some people, they have a smart daughter who knows how to behave. What would they have to worry about?"
At her words, Wesley chuckled as if he had just heard something amusing. Rachel found the very sound of his laughter unpleasant.
"Anyway, what brings you here? Surely you didn't come all this way just to see me."
"Of course I came to see you. To meet the highly esteemed Lady Seldon, one must come to the Temple, no?"
"If you're here for gambling money, get lost. If it's for anything else, get lost anyway. Don't come looking for me again."
Rachel snapped coldly, turning to open the carriage door herself. A low whistle sounded from behind her, followed by his voice.
"At the Delmark banquet, you really took a beating from our Imperial Princess... oh, wait. The Duchess."
Rachel froze. When she turned back, her eyes were trembling with rage.
It wasn't the fear of her words being exposed that enraged her; it was the fact that someone had witnessed Blair putting her in her place.
She had looked down on Blair her entire life, considering the girl utterly beneath her.
Watching Blair bend to her every word had always filled Rachel with a deep sense of superiority. Manipulating Blair made her feel even more powerful than the exalted Imperial Princess herself—a pleasure she savored.
It was the source of her pride, her self-esteem. And now, someone had witnessed the very moment it was all trampled underfoot.
"They say walls have ears, but did you have to eavesdrop like a filthy rat?"
Wesley whistled, chuckling at her reaction.
"So, before this little rat goes squeaking to anyone else, why don't we have a chat?"
Before Rachel could answer, Wesley boldly climbed into the carriage. With a frown, she reluctantly followed him inside.
Soon, the carriage set off.
Rachel glared at Wesley, who sat across from her.
"What do you want? You're not going to use this to make me pay off your gambling debts, are you?"
"I'm here to borrow money, yes, but not for my debts. I have some shame. I wouldn't ask you to pay them off."
"Then what is it?"
"Let's get revenge."
"...Revenge?"
"You want to get back at the Duchess too, don't you?"
Blair and revenge.
The moment those words left Wesley's mouth, a strange light flickered in Rachel's eyes.
"After everything our dear Lady Rachel Seldon has done for Her Imperial Highness, how dare she be so ungrateful? Talking back to you over a mere man?"
"..."
"Shouldn't we put her in her place so she never acts so insolently again?"
His eyes gleamed with manic intensity as he spoke.
Rachel frowned, looking at him.
She had a good idea why Wesley was so eager.
He was likely still stewing over the beating he took from Herdin at the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Since he couldn't take his anger out on someone so powerful, he'd redirected it to Blair.
But Rachel had no intention of joining him.
"You seem to have forgotten, but I'm her cousin. No matter how much I hate her, I won't do something like that. If you want to do it, do it alone. Don't drag me into this."
"You're just a coward playing the hypocrite."
His attitude shifted instantly at her refusal, his sarcasm cutting straight through her defenses.
Wesley saw his opening and pressed his advantage.
"No need to be so scared. I'm not suggesting we do anything serious to our precious Imperial Princess. Just a little prank. After the humiliation we both suffered, don't we deserve a little fun?"
"..."
"The noble Lady Seldon doesn't even have to get her hands dirty. Just lend me the money. I'll take care of everything else."
"..."
"Well? Does that sound a bit more tempting?"
Rachel stared at Wesley in silence before finally opening her mouth.
"Tell me. What's your plan?"
* * *
In the room, warmed by the fireplace, their shadows tangled on the walls.
One arm wrapped around her waist, Herdin cupped her cheek with his other hand and slid his thumb past her lips.
As his thumb teased the inside of her mouth, Blair reflexively bit down.
Herdin let out a soft chuckle. The pressure of her bite was so feeble it was adorable.
He wanted to see her face.
"Blair, look at me."
But Blair was too dazed to focus.
So, Herdin tilted her head, forcing her to meet his gaze. Her face was a mess of disheveled hair and tears. Even like this, she was beautiful.
Amused at himself but unable to resist the desire, Herdin pressed his lips to hers.
"Mmph..."
He kissed her, deep and devouring, then abruptly pulled away.
"Her—"
Before Blair could wonder why he'd stopped at the very peak, Herdin shifted her onto her back, facing him, and embraced her again.
While Blair seemed to find more pleasure when they weren't facing each other, Herdin preferred to watch her expression.
The sight of her flushed, tear-streaked face sent a dizzying rush of pleasure through him.
Unable to withstand his strength, Blair kept sliding up the bed, so Herdin grabbed her shoulders to hold her in place.
Her face was so close their breaths mingled, brushing against each other's skin.
Herdin gazed at her, at her eyes squeezed shut as she struggled to take him.
When they opened, her tear-filled violet eyes held only his reflection. Looking into them, he felt the illusion that he was the only thing in her world.
Her voice, calling his name in a half-conscious haze. Her small body, clinging to him desperately, unable to bear it.
If he was the only thing in her world, then it was only right that he possess every single moment of it.
What was this insatiable feeling, even when they were pressed so close they couldn't possibly get any nearer?
Had this woman bewitched him?
Or had he gone mad?
If this unquenchable thirst was desire, then he could finally understand, if only a little, why fools lost their heads over women.
Herdin stared at Blair, as if to burn her image into his memory, and pulled her even tighter. He kissed her, his hands caressing her body, soothing her trembling.
After a long moment, Blair's ragged breathing evened out, and she slowly opened her eyes. His reflection stared back at him from their brilliant violet depths.
As he kissed her again, Blair spoke hesitantly.
"...Herdin. Can we finish quickly today?"
"Quickly?"
"We have to wake up early tomorrow."
"Ah."
It was a sly sound, as if he'd only just remembered the Hunting Competition was tomorrow.
He, too, had considered letting her rest early, but that was before he'd entered her bedroom.
Seeing her plead with those eyes, a dormant sadism reared its head.
Perhaps he'd developed a taste for his wife's expressions.
Her tear-streaked face, her flushed and helpless face, her embarrassed face...
It was fascinating how this woman, who usually acted like a doll that rarely laughed or cried, could show such a vast array of expressions in his bed.
"Then, as my lady wishes..."
Herdin murmured, pulling back slightly. Or so she thought. The moment Blair relaxed, he pulled her back into his embrace.
"Ah!"
"I will try my best. To be quick."
"That's... not what I meant..."
Blair glared at him, her resentment clear, but Herdin simply responded by kissing her eyelids.