Bridal Lessons - Chapter 64
Even she couldn’t make sense of her conflicting emotions. She hated being forced into intimacy with him, yet the thought of him with another woman was unbearable.
Had she been confined to the bedroom for so long, deprived of contact with anyone else, and driven mad by the constant overwhelming pleasure?
But soon, she understood the unfamiliar feeling rising in her chest.
Jealousy.
The way he treated the woman destined to be the Grand Duchess would certainly be different from how he treated her. He wouldn’t imprison her against her will, bind her in bed, use lewd devices, or force her into humiliating positions. He would seek her opinions, behave with elegance and propriety…
Why couldn’t she be someone so precious?
Tears dropped onto her knees as she sat curled up. A mix of hatred and resentment towards him mingled with her undeniable feelings of affection, tearing her heart apart.
Even now, unable to let go of her love for Iscarion, it stemmed from the deep-rooted notion that he was her only family and protector.
They had been together for so long since she was young, she couldn’t imagine life without him. Even when she was left alone in the vast, empty world, he had stayed by her side.
‘Don’t cry. You wanted to leave him in the first place. You were the one who asked to part ways.’
Rosen tried to console herself, wiping away her tears. But now, looking back honestly, did she really want to leave back then? Deep down, hadn’t she hoped he would hold onto her?
Her thoughts grew increasingly confused.
Uncertain, overwhelming emotions that were too much to bear alone. Unable to manage her desperate feelings, Rosen hugged her knees and cried for a long time.
***
A few days later, when Rosen woke up, Iscarion was already preparing to leave. Still groggy, she looked up at him as he adjusted his cravat. Sunlight filtered through the half-open curtains, shining on his neatly groomed hair. His elegant blond hair shimmered, as if it were made of light itself.
He looked perfect, as though ready to attend a banquet with the Emperor. Watching him in a daze, Rosen suddenly became aware of her own appearance and blushed deeply.
Just woken up, without even having washed her face, she was completely naked. Even when they didn’t have s-x, Iscarion always kept her naked in his arms while they slept.
The sheet had slipped down to just below her chest, exposing her body marked with red splotches. It seemed Iscarion had been watching her sleeping form while getting ready to leave. The thought of him seeing her like this made her face burn. Hastily, she covered her exposed brxxsts with her arms and looked around for her nightgown and underwear.
“I won’t be able to come here for a while.”
“…You won’t come?”
“Yes.”
Iscarion nodded, his tone reluctant. His intense gaze lingered on her pale brxxsts and the faint pink of her areolas, partially visible under her slender arms.
“I have some matters to attend to.”
Rosen blinked, not fully understanding his words, but then realized what he meant.
If his wedding was imminent, he would be busy with preparations and would probably want to avoid visiting her out of consideration for his new bride.
It made sense. Tradition dictated that newlyweds spent their honeymoon in the annex, so she expected to be told to leave soon.
She should have been happy to finally achieve what she had wanted, but instead, she felt strangely unsettled.
Avoiding his gaze to hide her trembling eyes, she asked,
“Then when should I leave?”
“You?”
Iscarion frowned slightly, displeased with her words. His gaze seemed to question what she was talking about.
“You are to stay here.”
“That’s not what I mean, I…”
“Get dressed. The butler will be here soon.”
“Why is the butler coming? Wait, Brother!”
As Iscarion moved to leave the room, Rosen, forgetting she was naked, stood up and grabbed his coat.
She wanted to ask for more details, but he pulled away as if deliberately avoiding her. He didn’t even kiss her as he usually did.
Instead, with a hesitant touch, he patted her head, gently squeezed her cheek, and then left the bedroom.
