He thought that a woman who had lived among the highest class all her life would naturally despise such dusty streets. Because of this, in the early days of their marriage, even when introducing his Monferrato territory to his wife, Declan carefully selected only the most presentable places to take her.
“I know this place hasn’t been a wonderful home for you.”
He realized too late that such trivial matters weren’t the real issue. Even when he tried to fix things, everything was already in such a mess that it frightened him.
“So take at least one good memory with you.”
The fireworks that painted the sky in vibrant colors grew increasingly spectacular as they approached the finale.
When the very last firework burst over the sky with a thunderous sound, blooming magnificently, the crowd responded with cheers and applause. The sound of whistling occasionally broke through.
Young couples could be seen here and there. She suddenly wondered if they also looked like those couples to others. Sienna fidgeted with their clasped hands for no reason.
“Sienna.”
Sienna half-turned her head at the low voice calling her name. Though responding to his call, her gaze remained fixed on the fireworks that continued to burst in the sky without pause.
“Shall we stay outside tonight?”
Another firework burst with a bang. Various colors washed over Sienna’s face. Only when those sparks settled down toward the lake did her gaze slowly turn to him.
Above the lovers who gazed at each other without exchanging words, the fireworks decorating the finale rose into the sky in a flurry.
When golden fireworks densely filled the sky, illuminating the surroundings as bright as day, the two hands that had been firmly clasped throughout became even more tightly entwined.
****
It was an unplanned overnight stay, and given that it was a festival day, there were no vacancies in most decent accommodations.
The inn they finally found was quite old, but they had no choice as there was barely one room left. The option of returning home didn’t exist from the beginning.
No, actually, the inn’s age wasn’t much of a problem.
The room that Declan and Sienna entered had only one bed. And it was just large enough for two people to lie down. The two, who had been silent the entire way to the inn, sank into an even more awkward atmosphere.
The empty bed looked quite spacious at first glance, but when Declan lay down beside her, it felt considerably narrow.
Sharing a bed with him wasn’t unprecedented, but it should be noted that the bed at the Grand Duke’s residence was twice this size.
Moreover, Declan was significantly taller than average. Though he had a lean physique for a soldier, he was by no means paper-thin. His firm, sinewy body without excess fat was certainly not weak.
That wasn’t all. Even the cheap soap scent from the inn, when mingled with his body’s natural fragrance, felt quite stimulating to Sienna.
Sienna stared blankly at the ceiling with eyes that showed no signs of drowsiness.
Despite having shared a bed before, her heart was unusually restless.
‘I’m not in my right mind.’
Perhaps it was because the inn’s bed was much smaller than the one at the Grand Duke’s residence. Or maybe because his body was much larger than ordinary men’s.
Declan lay on the very edge of the bed, thoughtfully giving her more space. Thanks to this, even though just the backs of their hands were barely touching, her entire body stiffened with tension. The bed was so narrow that even the slightest movement could be felt.
Sienna, who had been staring at the innocent ceiling, turned her head sideways. He too was looking at the ceiling with an unreadable expression.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Declan turned his head toward her.
Sienna turned her hand and held his. Her uncertain fingers entwined between the joints of his hand. Declan held her hand in return without applying pressure.
Though they had finally come this far, neither knew how far to allow this relationship that would amount to nothing more than a brief encounter.
Suggesting they spend the night in town had been an extremely impulsive action. The desire to enjoy time with her here without any thoughts, rather than returning to the Grand Duke’s residence where they would constantly be reminded of their impending separation, was more dominant.
He knew it wasn’t a wise decision. That fact felt even more evident now that the moment had arrived.
When Declan raised his upper body, Sienna held onto his hand.
“Your Highness.”
Declan called to her softly. The two still maintained a small distance between them. Sienna, who had been gazing up at Declan as he paused with his upper body slightly raised, smiled with an indecipherable meaning.
“Declan.”
She too slowly raised her upper body. Their eyes met at an equal height. Sienna whispered as she tilted her head close enough to kiss.
“Call me by my name.”
Declan laughed briefly at her words, which sounded almost like a queen’s command. But the kiss was somewhat impatient.
Their colliding lips became a mess with each other’s saliva, and their tongues intertwined indecently, making embarrassing sounds.
When he put weight on one arm pressed against the bed, the cheap mattress tilted with a noisy creak. As the familiar weight overlapped her body, Sienna slowly extended her arms and wrapped them around his neck.
Beginning with the kiss, a considerable period of foreplay followed.
His hands, hardened with calluses, kneaded her breasts for quite some time, then slowly caressed her curved waist. Sienna unknowingly exhaled a heated breath. The rough and hot sensation felt against her skin was incredibly stimulating.
When Declan’s fingers, which had been kissing her cheeks and nape in turn, moved downward, Sienna shook her head, tightening her arms around his shoulders.
But as he moved his hand, the sounds escaping from between her lips gradually became soaked in pleasure.
Only when her sensations had heightened to the point where her toes trembled did he briefly separate from her. He helped Sienna undress at an unhurried, patient pace. But when he covered her body again, his movements finally lost all restraint.
Declan exhaled a heated sigh. Sienna was equally impatient.
The cheap bed seemed to have springs that weren’t functioning properly, occasionally making distracting noises.
What had started relatively gently gradually became rougher. With the pounding sensation, Sienna felt as if the creaking sounds were resonating inside her head rather than from beneath her body.
Her waist and toes twitched beyond her control, and occasionally, sounds she couldn’t fully suppress escaped through her teeth. The faint moans gradually transformed into screams soaked in pleasure.
Every sensation was stimulating. Their bodies joined without the slightest gap, the finger joints firmly intertwined in a clasp. The rough, shaking sensation and the sporadic sounds of the bed—all of it.
A voice moistened with humidity occasionally tickled her ear, whispering her name. Both had already lost all reason. Her vision flickered in the heat that seemed as if it would burn even her mind.
Even after one climax had passed, he remained in place. Sienna, who had been gasping for breath while gripping the sheets, did not push away the man who came back to kiss her again.
The two, entangled naked, were drenched in moist sweat. They no longer gave off the fresh scent of soap, but rather a more primal body odor.
****
As autumn reached its peak, preparations for the hunting festival began to accelerate even at the Imperial Palace.
The imperial family was no exception to the custom that all family events should be presided over by the lady of the house. Accordingly, the Empress was spending an extremely busy time.
While communicating with those managing the villa, she focused on preparing for the hunting festival by organizing in advance which parts needed maintenance or what items should be stocked, all while trying not to neglect her official duties.
Moreover, the imperial social circle was recently experiencing an untimely surge of scandalous rumors.
The scandal involving the Grand Duke and the Imperial Princess, which had become quite a stale topic among the socialites, was one thing. But when new gossip involving Dahlia and the Duke emerged in succession, the attention of all social figures was directed toward the Monferrato territory.
However, for the imperial family, having the Imperial Princess involved in such scandal was the utmost dishonor.
The Empress did not neglect her duties as the lady of the house. Every time she had the opportunity to meet with noble ladies, she worked hard to put an end to the rumors and maintain the honor of the imperial family.
Naturally, as she became extremely busy fulfilling her duties as Empress, other matters were pushed aside.
The Empress, who originally didn’t spend much time with her son Leopold, hadn’t seen him at all for the past few days. At most, she would go to the child’s room late at night, just to gaze endlessly at his sleeping figure.
For her, who had always shown extreme love for her son, nothing was more painful than this.
Therefore, on a certain day when her schedule changed due to external circumstances and she found herself with some free time, the Empress headed without hesitation to Leopold’s chambers.
Her steps were as light as feathers as she went to see her son after a long time. Worried that her young son might feel awkward meeting his mother after such a long absence, she opened the door carrying an armful of the sugar confections that Leo loved.
But the Empress’s face, which had been filled with overwhelming joy, froze the moment she discovered the woman standing in the middle of the room.
“Oh my, Your Majesty the Empress.”
The person she encountered in Leopold’s room was none other than Marianne. The Empress’s gaze moved from Marianne’s face to Leo, who was asleep in her arms.
