Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Burrowing Warmth
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The clinging warmth of his body felt like it would cook her flesh.
Even as she wrapped her arms around his neck as if to soothe Asherad, his touch only grew rougher.
Asherad slipped his hand inside Daphne's clothes, stroking her chilled skin. His fingers burned like they had been heated in fire. Catching sight of Daphne's face, he gripped the thin fabric in his fist and yanked it down.
Buttons popped off with a snap. Thin cloth like that couldn't stop him. In an instant, Asherad stripped Daphne bare.
His gaze lazily roamed over her body. Eyes filled with lust. For a moment, it stole her breath. Daphne squeezed her eyes shut, fleeing that sunken stare.
"Open your eyes."
Daphne obeyed. Her pale blue eyes met his dry gaze.
Toy of the Imperial Palace. Outlet for desire.
That was the role the late emperor had assigned her in his death. And so Daphne faithfully played it.
Unaware she was being deceived, living deceived like that. Until one day Asherad revealed his madness.
Madness. There was no other way to describe it.
She thought this madman had finally grown tired of her and cast her aside, but no—he chased her down without tiring. She had no idea how he'd spotted her and followed. All she felt was exhaustion from his obsession.
"That head maid worked you too hard, is that why you're so mad?"
"......"
"No need to worry. I cut her throat and killed her."
Since when, exactly, had he cared for her like this? Daphne sneered inwardly.
Asherad's hand slowly stroked her golden hair. Even as his body boiled with arousal, his demeanor was affectionate.
That was why she kept getting confused. He didn't just chase his desires—he would stroke her hair so tenderly. But before she could relax into that touch...
"Hnngh!"
She bit her lip hard. Fingers burrowing between her thighs and lips devouring her body toyed with her endlessly.
He still knew her body so well. When he nipped at the soft, plump flesh like dough with his teeth, her pale face flushed red.
He tormented her relentlessly. Until the breaths leaking through her clenched teeth turned from sweet gasps to cries of agony.
Watching Daphne catch her breath, her face flushed bright red, he slowly spread her thighs wider. She could feel his desire pressing against her most intimate place, no longer holding back.
"Ngh!"
She bit her lip. Her body wasn't ready for him yet, but he thrust in all at once.
Was he angry too? Overwhelmed, she buried her face in the bed. Her teeth ground together involuntarily.
"Ah, hn!"
His movements plunged deep into her without mercy. Wet, squelching sounds and the dull slap of flesh against flesh echoed through the room.
Hot breaths and low groans escaped him. Even with his cool face, his deep voice carried raw lust.
"Daphne... Daphne."
"......"
"My beloved Daphne."
He called her name sweetly, but Daphne didn't look at him.
A large hand turned her face toward him. She opened her eyes and met Asherad's gaze. Still so alluring and cold. The only signs of his excitement were his ragged breaths and leaking voice.
Staring at the woman in his arms like she was a stranger, he whispered sweet words of love.
Who would believe that confession? Who? She used to hope it might be true, but not anymore.
She was still just being toyed with. Daphne turned her head slightly away.
His eyes narrowed at her pale blue ones, his expression displeased.
"Ah, ah!"
Instead, he moved his hips roughly, devouring her. Her clenched teeth parted, a sharp cry escaping.
His hand stimulated the exact spot that made her feel it most. She twisted her waist and screamed. He pressed on relentlessly.
* * *
Daphne's eyes were unfocused. The chirping of morning birds reached her ears.
Asherad had embraced her without mercy. In the end, she had no choice but to melt in his arms as he desired.
Strength drained from her entire body. The urge to flee from him had long since evaporated.
"You're awake?"
At the low voice, she nodded weakly. He gently brushed aside her fallen hair, then kissed her closed eyes as if they were precious.
"I imagined you at twenty-one, you know."
"......"
"You're even prettier than I thought. I like it."
Scooping up her limp body, he carried her to the bathroom and began washing her.
Warm water heated by magic poured over her. The moment his hands, lathered with faintly scented soap bubbles, touched her, she snapped back to awareness.
The slick foam covered her body. It almost felt like wearing clothes. As she stared at the bubbles, Asherad's hand glided over her skin.
"Ah!"
His hand brushed the aching tip of her breast. Tormented all night, even the lightest touch stung and tickled. Feeling herself respond again to his touch, she bit her lip in frustration.
"Does it hurt?"
"......"
"It looks like it does."
At his gentle voice, she opened her tightly shut eyes. Even so, Asherad was meticulous. His hand stroked the tender flesh.
"Must hurt a lot."
"......"
"Because I bit you, right?"
She thought he was just applying soap. But his hand grew bolder.
Long fingers caressed the sore spot. Tears welled in her stinging eyes as she looked up, and he smiled back. This man enjoyed her pain because of him.
The cheap rose scent of the soap made her nose tingle. Asherad kneaded her flesh leisurely, like working dough, without doing anything else.
He slowly traced the bite marks on her breast as if they were endearing, sending a dull ache through her.
His other hand stroked her wing bones. That spot too bore his teeth marks. Ears, shoulders, neck. Seeing the red marks, he rubbed them.
Pressing made it sting a little. When she winced, his thumb gently soothed the spot. But his touch was blatantly lustful.
Yet his face remained utterly calm. That elegant composure, like he was playing an instrument, sent a jolt through her at the contrast.
His long fingers rubbed the place that made her feel it again.
Daphne couldn't speak. Familiar pleasure, not pain, spread through her body, thoroughly betraying her reason.
His long fingers slid smoothly down her slender waist. His rough hand, veins bulging, wedged between her thighs.
"Ah... ngh."
"If you cling to me like that, how am I supposed to wash you?"
"I'll wash myself, please."
Finally, Daphne couldn't hold back and spoke. He leaned down to peer at her face.
Deep green eyes that could suck her in filled her vision. The shadowed gaze in Asherad's eyes held no emotion.
"Daphne."
"......"
Dropping her head at the sight of his face, soap foam smeared the soft flesh inside her thigh. When his fingers touched her most sensitive spot, her body twitched. Hold back, don't make a fool of yourself anymore.
Daphne tried to think that, but Asherad's hand stimulated her again.
"Ah, ngh... hngh."
"You're so pretty."
He said it, gazing at her flushed cheeks and red lips that looked ready to bleed at the slightest press.
Unable to endure his playful fingers, Daphne grabbed his collar. Her forehead pressed against his chest. Water from her hair soaked his clothes again.
"Ah, ah, hah!"
Wet sounds echoed from her soaked core.
"Dear me, I need to wash too."
His voice was tender, but Daphne couldn't hear it.
* * *
Those who saw Daphne dragged back to the Imperial Palace scowled. Daphne couldn't lift her head either. In the end, she had returned to this wretched place.
She glanced at Olga standing behind her. The venomous woman who had served the then-Crown Prince Asherad up close. The cunning woman who had attended him closely. Daphne remembered how that woman had poisoned her.
She feigned calm, but Daphne could see how much she was trembling with rage.
Daphne's listless eyes turned to the others. The head maid who had treated her like a thorn in the eye was gone. Just as Asherad said, she must have been executed.
"You should've just died."
Amanda, a maid from the same section, ground her teeth and spat the words. Not sarcasm—pure murderous intent.
"Do you even know what happened to Sara?"
"...Did she die?"
At Daphne's words, Amanda raised her hand.
"Amanda!"
Thanks to the other maids holding her back, Daphne avoided a slap. She had sensed it when she saw Asherad again. Her close friend Sara would die. She might already be dead.
"You selfish bitch, you knew she'd die because of you? And still asked for help?"
"......"
"Is there anyone as useless as you? Just die already, please, drop dead!"
Daphne listened with a hollow face. She had returned to a place brimming with curses and contempt. Forcing a smile, Daphne replied.
"Sorry. For not dying."
"Hey!"
"I can't die."
The corners of Daphne's mouth trembled. But with tears streaming as if full of regret, she gasped for breath.
"Because he won't let me."
Her life wasn't even hers. The maids covered their mouths at the sight of her abyss-like eyes.
The woman, covered in marks like she'd spent days in the newly ascended emperor's arms, smiled powerlessly.
Daphne thought to herself.
Since when had she been cursed with this shitty fate?