My Husband Never Dies - Chapter 8
The sneering tone of his voice snapped Evelyn back to reality. In the privacy of their couple’s chamber, the Duke discarded all pretenses and pressed on with his probing words.
“Or did you beg for scraps like those filthy street rats? Did you steal, covet what wasn’t yours? I can hardly imagine it.”
The Duke’s lips traveled down her neck, over her left brxxst, and then to the scar that marked her skin. His warm tongue brushed over the raised scar, sending a shiver through her body. Almost immediately, his large hand roughly grasped her brxxst, causing a sharp pain.
“Mngh…!”
“Why no response, my lady?”
Her soft brxxst seemed to tighten painfully under his grip. Clenching her teeth, Evelyn pushed against the Duke’s shoulder with both hands.
“It hurts!”
The Duke was oblivious to who she truly was. He didn’t know that she was a notorious assassin who survived Zelakent, or what she’s done to survive.
Though she pushed with all her strength, the Duke didn’t budge an inch. His gaze, filled with disdain, looked down at her, before he lifted her into his arms and headed toward the bed.
With a thud, Evelyn was shoved onto the bed in an instant. The soft, luxurious sheets felt cool against her bare skin.
“It’s amusing, you know. The discarded daughter of Princess Rowena? Why is it that you’re showing up now?”
Whether it was a murmur to himself or something meant for her ears, Evelyn couldn’t be sure. But one thing was clear: the Duke had grievances with this marriage…and with her.
When, exactly, would the poison begin to take effect?
As Evelyn instinctively tried to raise her upper body, a large hand pressed down on her shoulder, forcing her back. The unexpected strength made her grit her teeth.
“Do you think you can present a girl, one whose past is as filthy as any, and claim she’s a princess to me?”
“What…?”
“What the hell are you scheming, Adrian?”
The moment the prince’s name was mentioned, Evelyn froze, inhaling sharply. She kept her reaction carefully concealed, but the sudden realization struck her — this Duke knew more than he should.
“I clearly told the king I wouldn’t leave this place, so what makes him think I’d attach myself to something as filthy as this?”
Evelyn forgot to breathe as she gazed up at the Duke. His deep eyes curved softly, a smile that might have been meant for his beloved wife, but instinctively, she knew.
This man, this man…
Her instincts screamed a warning.
Now, Evelyn thought, she understood why the prince had been so cautious.
Having lived on the edge of death for so long, Evelyn could tell — he was not to be underestimated.
A shiver ran down her spine from a primal fear, but she didn’t show it and didn’t avoid the Duke’s gaze.
After all, this man wouldn’t survive the night. He had the tea earlier.
“Tell me, Princess Evelyn. How do you intend to manage to handle this noble body of mine?”
“…Your words are too much. I’ve had a hard life, but I’ve done nothing to deserve to be disparaged in such a manner by Your Grace.”
“Is that so?”
The Duke sneered, tilting his head as he replied.
“You seem quite skilled at approaching men. If I’ve misunderstood, I apologize, my lady.”
The Duke twisted his elegantly shaped lips into a smile. His smile, so beautiful it could blind, was… eerily chilling.
At that moment, the Duke spread Evelyn’s legs wide and positioned himself between them. Looking down at her, he began to loosen the buttons on his shirt one by one. Even though he was just unbuttoning, the sensuality of the act momentarily captivated Evelyn.
His black hair, which covered his forehead, contrasted sharply with his pale, almost white skin. Beneath thick eyebrows, his deep, sharp eyes were beautifully painted, and his perfectly straight nose, sleek nostrils, chiseled jawline, and prominent Adam’s apple added a masculine charm to his beautiful face.
The Duke, tossing his garment aside, looked at Evelyn with a blank expression and gave a faint smile.
“It seems you’re not lying.”
“…Pardon?”
Before Evelyn could utter her confused words, the duke’s hand gripped her chin. He lifted her chin, causing her head to tilt back. Her golden hair rippled across the white sheets.
“It seems you didn’t make a mess of yourself. I like it.”
Just as she was about to protest the unpleasant sound, the Duke swiftly captured her lips. His snake-like tongue slid into her parted lips. As if searching within her, he ran the tip of his tongue over the inside of her mouth.
“Hmph…”
She’d never been kissed so devouringly before, and she gasped reflexively, clutching at his arm.
It’s not that she’s never offered up her body to kill her target, but she usually took the lead in those situations.
But now was different.
Evelyn, who had expected a sluggish, pot-bellied nobleman, belatedly realized that she had made a huge mistake.
“Ha… ugh…”
Evelyn had never shared affection with anyone in her hard life. Every moment had been calculated and approached with logic. But this kiss… it was so intense it felt like it could steal her soul.
