I Had No Complaints About This Marriage - Chapter 20
‘Considering all that, I had no intention of policing this marriage. In fact, part of me thought if he satisfied his desires with other women, the frequency with which he tormented me might decrease—and that would make things a bit easier.’
‘Still, I hoped he would at least refrain from using our marital bedroom. That alone made me uncomfortable. Because…’
“Ah—Herman!”
“Haah… Esina.”
‘Why am I remembering this now?’
‘The memories of him tormenting me resurfaced, and I struggled to keep my expression neutral. The thought of him making that face at another woman—and in our bedroom, no less—’
‘…That’s a bit much.’
‘While I desperately wished he’d just go satisfy himself elsewhere, an inexplicably complicated feeling settled over me, and I pursed my lips.’
‘Well, if he insists, there’s nothing I can do.’
Lost in thought, I absentmindedly glanced in Herman’s direction—
“……”
‘Had I stared too long? Just like before, my eyes met his as he quirked his lips at me.’
“What are you doing, Esina?”
“Uh…”
“Did you have something to say?”
Caught off guard—she hadn’t expected him to call out to her, she froze. The guests, who had been eagerly anticipating some quality time with the handsome man, reacted sharply.
“Oh my. This won’t do. Are you eavesdropping on your husband’s conversation with his guests?”
“I heard the new bride isn’t yet versed in social etiquette…”
“When the master of the house speaks with guests, a proper wife pretends not to hear.”
The married women, caught in what they thought was a secret rendezvous with Herman, had the audacity to glare at Esina. The unmarried young ladies, who had missed their chance to speak with him, likewise shot her irritated looks—as if her presence alone was blocking their access.
Never mind that when he was still unmarried, they had been too intimidated by the Telloien name to even consider marriage.
Their shamelessness was astounding, but since she had no intention of interfering with Herman, she prepared to bow out gracefully.
Yet Herman didn’t stop there.
“My apologies. As for social etiquette… I’ll personally educate her.”
“Huh? Wait—Herman? Where are you—”
“Ah, the orchestra will begin playing soon. Please enjoy yourselves.”
What kind of “etiquette lesson” was this, with guests present?
‘Isn’t that the opposite of proper etiquette?’
‘Even someone as socially clueless as me knew that much. Though, admittedly, the whole point of teaching me etiquette was so I’d know how to break it properly. But did Herman need to break etiquette too?’
“The invited pianist is Cellon.”
“What? The prodigy Cellon?”
“Wait a moment! Look! The violinist is the genius Dorian!”
But before Esina could even protest, Herman—who had summoned these famous musicians at the cost of an entire duchy’s annual budget under the guise of entertaining guests—swiftly redirected everyone’s attention.
No sooner had the garden concert begun than she was dragged into his study, where her so-called “etiquette lesson” turned into torment.
“Ah—ngh…!”
The lewd sounds coming from beneath her clashed with the sweet music drifting in from outside. Herman prodded at her inner walls relentlessly, his voice low and demanding.
“You still haven’t answered me.”
“H-Herman…!”
“Why were you watching? Hm?”
As the violin and piano swelled toward their climax, his fingers mimicked their rhythm, thrusting ruthlessly inside her.
“Ah—ngh! Wai—!”
“Were you worried I’d start flirting with those ladies?”
Honestly, why wouldn’t he?
She wanted to ask exactly that, but a gush of wetness betrayed her first. As her trembling hands clutched at his sleeves, Herman sighed as if exasperated.
“Still not satisfied, even like this?”
“…”
“I told you, Esina. We agreed not to interfere in each other’s—”
“Nngh—hah!”
“—private lives.”
The moment those words left his mouth again—
“…!”
‘Enough with the lecture—I already know.’
Esina abruptly lifted her head and silenced him with her lips. She wasn’t particularly skilled at kissing, but after so much practice with Herman, she’d learned a thing or two.
“Mm…!”
Herman gazed down at her as she panted against his mouth—her face slack with pleasure, eyes glistening with tears, her lips stubbornly cutting off his warnings as if she refused to hear them.
‘Still clinging to hope, I see.’
She’d drawn the line herself, declaring she’d kill her feelings and not interfere. Yet here she was, unable to suppress them as much as she’d claimed—at least, from Herman’s perspective.
“Is all of this yours, Herman?”
“Why? Disappointed?”
