As they dined, Leonard scarcely touched his meal, somewhat irked because Olivia did nothing but gaze at Alexis with great admiration. Alexis was a strikingly handsome and charming man, a fact that made all woman swoon at his feet.
Olivia laughed and spoke with him with such zeal, and this bothered Leonard, who found her usually quite shy and reserved with him. After they finished dining and rose from the table, Leonard wrapped his arm around Olivia's waist, and she flinched a bit at his touch. Leonard embraced his wife firmly, showing Alexis that she was his.
Alexis, noticing Leonard's jealousy over Olivia chatting so animatedly with him, was amused, having never imagined that the formidable Duke of Forest could act in such a manner. Knowing that provoking Leonard further could end poorly, Alexis bid then farewell and went home.
Upon arriving at his mansion, his sister Liria awaited him at the entrance. She bore the same red hair as he did, and her face was sprinkled with freckles that made her look mischievous. Liria was considered one of the empire's most beautiful woman, having received numerous marriage proposals, all of which she rejected because she was deeply in love with Leonard. The news of his marriage had been a profound shock to her, and she had spent several weeks refusing to leave her room.
She had tried to meet Leonard's wife on numerous occasions, but each time she was told the duchess was ill. Learning that the duchess would be at the ball, Liria asked a designer to create a beautiful gown, purchased stunning jewelry, and arranged herself as much as possible. When she arrived at the ball, the ducal couple had been there for some time, with all eyes upon them.
Leonard's wife was youthful and petite, looking exquisitely fragile next to the towering duke.
As Liria approached the ducal couple, Olivia had already separated from Leonard and was at the snack table eating. Liria seized the opportunity to speak with Leonard, who typically dismissed all woman that approached him, but as she was the sister of his best friend, he treated her slightly better. For this reason, she had always believed she might become his wife. While speaking, Leonard's gaze never left his wife, who, after several glasses of wine, was reaching for her fifth when he took it away.
At the party, all attention was on the prince dancing on the floor, no one paid heed to the duchal couple except for Liria. Olivia attempted to retrieve her glass from Leonard, who drank it himself and set it down. Seeing this, the duchess stood on tiptoes, grabbed him by the jacket collar, brought him close, and kissed him. Liria's heart broke watching the duke passionately return his wife's kiss. Then he swept her up in his arms and left the ballroom. Liria could not believe that this man, usually so cold and distant, could be so tender and kind with his wife.
That night she left after the ducal couple, unable to control the tears streaming down her cheeks. She cried all night wishing the scene she'd witnessed was just a nightmare. She refused to believe it was real, yet deep down, she knew it was-that the man she'd loved for so long was married and, evidently, in love with his wife.
Nonetheless, when she learned that her brother had gone to visit Leonard, she waited for him at the house entrance. As her brother entered, she rushed to greet him and asked.
"Brother, how was your visit to the duke's?"
"How did you know I went to see him?"
"The butler told me. What do you think of his wife?"
"Well... She seemed very endearing."
"You think the duke is in love with her?"
"I suppose so. He got quite jealous when I was talking to her; she seemed very interested in my stories."
"What...!"
"Yes, I was quite surprised too. He held on to her all the time as if trying to show she belonged to him."
Liria felt her heart wrench knowing the duke was even jealous for his wife, and she couldn't help but let out a few tears. Seeing her cry, her brother hugged her and said.
"Don't cry. I know you were in love with him, but he's married now. We cannot do anything. I am sure you will find someone else to love."
Liria wept for a while in her brother's embrace as he patted her back soothingly. Afterward, she retired to her room and continued to cry. Her brother assured her she would find someone else to love, but she doubted it. She had fallen in love unexpectedly, with someone she never sought or hoped for. From that moment on, she understood that love isn't chosen; it chooses us.
Since meeting the duke, all other men seemed dull and unattractive to her, but she was helpless, for the man she loved had another in his heart.
...
When Alexis departed, Leonard wrapped Olivia in a tight embrace, making her blush bright red as the servants watched on. She tried repeatedly to pull away, but he refused to let go. Gathering her courage, she addressed him.
"Lord, could you release me? The servants are watching.
Upon hearing her words, Leonard shot a terrifying glance at the servants, causing them to abandon their duties and leave them in privacy. He then spoke to Olivia.
"Are you more comfortable now?"
Without a word, Olivia merely nodded. Leonard began to kiss her neck, leaving a reddish mark on her delicate skin as he proclaimed.
"I dislike seeing you smile at other men."
Shocked, Olivia spun around to face the Duke and exclaimed.
"Ha!"
"You are mine. You cannot smile at other men."
"I was merely being polite, as he is your friend."
"Even so, I do not like it."
"Then I shall try to be less amiable next time."
The thought of his wife conversing with Alexis again angered the Duke, prompting him to kiss her breathlessly. His kiss was fierce, as if her wished to devour her. Olivia felt heat course through her body in her husband's embrace, uncertain of Leonard's true feelings for her, which left her anxious.
Leonard kissed Olivia passionately, unbridled. Overwhelmed with embarrassment at the thought of servants hearing at the thought of servants hearing their moans, Olivia momentarily pulled away and pleaded.
"Ah~! Not here, please."
Hearing this, Leonard swept her into his arms and carried her to their chamber, driven wild by his desire for her. She was his obsession, his lust, his sweet temptation-the only woman who could unleash his wildest passions. He laid her gently on the bed, undressing her and showering her with kisses, her soft, plums lips testing honey to Leonard, a flavor he could not tire of.
He had been with many woman, but none had affected him like Olivia-her body, her mouth, her heart; he yearned for her to belong entirely to him.
As he caressed her breasts, kissing her skin and lightly nibbling, igniting her passion, Olivia craved more-more of his kisses, his touches. She wanted to be utterly intoxicated by him.
Their tongues entwined, eliciting moans of arousal from Olivia. Leonard could hardly wait to be inside her. Hastily discarding his clothes, he joined her in nakedness. Spreading her legs, he teased her with his hot, hard member, moistened with her love juices.
Leonard entered her wildly, driving Olivia to the verge of pleasure with each forceful thrust. That night, there was no gentleness-only rampant, uncontrollable passion. He had always restrained himself with her, but that evening, his lust clouded his reason.
The room was filled with lewd sounds. Olivia reached her climax swiftly from Leonard's vigorous movements, but her was far from finished. He waited for her to catch her breath before plunging back into her. Olivia clung to his neck, relentless thrust. Leonard's affection was unyielding-stroking and kissing her without pause. She expressed her without pause. She expressed concern amidst the fervor.
"Ah! Please go, slower."
"Do you not enjoy it this way?"
"It's not that, I fear I might perish at this intensity."
Leonard brushed a kiss upon Olivia cheek, assuring her.
"I have never heard of death by pleasure. Just relax; I promise it will be enjoyable."
redirecting his attention to her breasts, Leonard elicited cries of bliss from Olivia, who dug her nails into his shoulder as he continued to move within her. Eventually, they climaxed together; Leonard filling her with his seed. Olivia's vision blurred, but Leonard bit her neck to keep her conscious, claiming her repeatedly the night until she was permitted only a few short house of sleep.
The next morning, Olivia woke exhausted, with an aching back. Leonard slept beside her, and as she watched her husband in slumber, she pondered his feelings for her. Always tender and passionate, but did it mean love? Fear gripped her, fearing one day he might love another and abandon her. That's why she continued to take contraceptive tonics-unsure if Leonard desired children since he had never expressed such a wish. She resolved not to bear a child unloved by his father, vowing to persist until Leonard himself showed a desire for offspring.