The Sand Bride - Chapter 3
The inside of the thick leather tent was comfortably warm and dry. A carpet was spread on the floor, and on top of it were a wooden table and chairs. Beyond that, a soft bed piled with various animal hides could be seen.
Karzhen was sitting on the bed, his eyes hazy as if he were drunk, staring intently at Esther. Esther curled up, trying her best not to stand out.
Just as she was about to hurriedly leave the tent after filling the basket with figs and dates, Karzhen called out to her.
“Hey.”
Esther’s back flinched. She didn’t want to turn around, but she forced herself to look back.
Karzhen, who had been staring at Esther, asked,
“How old are you?”
“N-nineteen.”
“Really?”
Karzhen narrowed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought, then clicked his fingers.
“Come here.”
“Huh?”
“I said, come here.”
Hesitating, Esther stepped forward as Karzhen commanded. Closer. Closer. That’s it. As Esther approached, Karzhen suddenly stretched out his leg and hooked it around hers, pulling her toward him.
Esther let out a small scream as she fell, but Karzhen grabbed her and lifted her up, placing her on his lap with a grin.
Karzhen, amused by Esther’s frightened, panting state, picked up a bottle of alcohol and forced it into her hands. Then he grabbed his own cup.
“Pour me a drink.”
“Huh?”
“Are you going to keep questioning me? Just pour it.”
“…….”
Esther hesitated for a moment but eventually poured the alcohol into the cup, suppressing her unease. Serving alcohol was nothing compared to her current situation.
Karzhen drank every drop Esther poured, gulping it down as if it were water. The alcohol was strong enough for Esther to smell it, but he drank it without hesitation. Sitting on Karzhen’s lap, Esther was filled with anxiety, unsure of what a drunk Karzhen might do.
When the bottle finally ran out, Esther sighed in relief. Surely, now that the alcohol was gone, he would let her go and sleep. She glanced at Karzhen, who was reaching for the cup again, and said,
“T-the alcohol is all gone.”
“Is that so?”
Karzhen didn’t seem sleepy at all, so Esther expected him to send her to fetch more. But she was wrong.
Karzhen tossed the cup aside and began stroking Esther’s waist. Her thighs tensed. She twisted her body, but Karzhen firmly gripped her thighs, immobilizing her. Esther’s face crumpled as she pleaded,
“K-Karzhen, lord. Please let me go. Please…….”
“How do you know my name?”
“I heard people calling you that. I’ll pour you more alcohol. I have work to do…….”
“Forget the alcohol. You don’t have to work anymore today.”
But Esther’s face turned even paler. The drunk Karzhen was now engrossed in groping her body. Esther’s body was soft, smooth, and delicate. His hands couldn’t help but wander over her fragile frame. Karzhen licked his lips.
Esther, her face pale, trembled and said,
“P-please let me go…….”
“Am I going to kill you or something? Stop being so annoying.”
Karzhen’s sharp tone made Esther shrink back. Her frightened eyes darted around, unsure of what to do.
Karzhen began touching Esther more boldly. The strong, clear alcohol he had consumed only heightened his excitement with the slightest stimulation.
Esther’s body stiffened with fear. Rough, large hands roamed over her body.
Karzhen’s breath reeked of alcohol, and his touch was relentless.
When his hands, which had been kneading her waist and hips, moved to her chest and grabbed her b*****s, Esther jerked up, trying to escape from his lap.
Annoyed, Karzhen frowned and threw Esther onto the bed.
As Esther’s face buried into the soft animal hides and she tried to scramble up, something heavy pressed down on her.
“P-please spare me…….”
Her desperate plea was ignored by Karzhen, who began tearing off her clothes. The intricate Donovan-style dress had many knots and buttons, and Karzhen, frustrated by the effort, cursed under his breath.
Esther, terrified, began to sob. Hearing her cries, Karzhen’s face twisted in irritation. His thick hand pressed down on her neck. Esther gagged and struggled, prompting Karzhen to say,
“Ah, shut up. If you keep annoying me, I might really kill you. Is that what you want?”
Karzhen’s threat, delivered so casually, made Esther shake her head, her face pale. She had seen him grab a captive by the hair and behead her without a second thought.
