Chapter 20

So, I leaned back on the bed and read a book.

Meanwhile, Riorem sat a little away on the sofa, watching me.

Riorem didn’t speak to me, but he never took his eyes off me for a single moment.

His posture was stiff and upright the whole time.

If Riorem had been a bit more shameless, he probably would have kept pleasuring himself without stopping.

Anyway, the silence continued until evening, and I only got off the bed after the meal was prepared.

After finishing the meal, a maid washed me.

During that time, Riorem had left his place.

I asked the maid to call Teumesia.

Whenever possible, as soon as possible.

Preferably when Riorem was away.

But maybe the timing wasn’t right, or the maid prioritized Riorem’s orders over Teumesia’s, or perhaps Teumesia didn’t want to meet me.

The next day, it was Riorem, not Teumesia, who came into the bedroom with a knock.

“What do you want to talk about with Teumesia? And behind my back.”

And he looked very displeased.

I chose to answer honestly for now.

“I was thinking about talking about the letter.”

“The one from the castle?”

“Yes. King Arete promised compensation, right? I was going to ask about that.”

Besides, I was curious about Teumesia’s reaction.

In the end, it turned out as Teumesia wished.

I had my letter taken away, and the reply was written by that woman.

Would she have been happy about that? Or angrier?

Either way, it wasn’t something I could ask Riorem.

He got angry every time I showed interest in someone else.

Even now, Riorem was still angry.

He didn’t seem pleased even with my answer.

“Why would you ask something like that? Why ask my subordinate about my affairs in the first place?”

“In my eyes, Teumesia seems to make the most practical decisions. Even though she hates me so much, she’s not happy that I was attacked, but rather upset that there’s a spy left in the mansion, isn’t she?”

“Why are you curious about such things?”

“Because it would be troublesome if you accepted Princess Peroa.”

Riorem’s shoulders twitched.

I calmly continued as if I hadn’t noticed. It was a conversation that had to be had someday.

“Dynamis is a good lord, and you also seem like a reputable lord, but I don’t think the people around would allow you to take Princess Peroa as a bedroom slave. Am I wrong, Riorem?”

“I’m not blaming you. Just checking.”

I sank into the sofa.

No answer was coming anyway.

“I’m okay with spending my whole life in your bedroom. I’ve never been outside the castle, so being trapped in the bedroom now wouldn’t bother me.”

“But I don’t know if I can continue like this even after it’s made public that I’m alive—and in the hands of Riorem Bellic. You know I was born to give birth to exceptional heirs, right? And I’m also a princess of a fallen kingdom.”

At those words, Riorem’s Adam’s apple moved noticeably.

Perhaps he knew that the person who married me could become the new Duke of Peroa.

“Men who want to become the Duke of Peroa are no big problem.”

The real problem was my maternal side.

The Kingdom of Arete was winning consecutive wars of conquest—enough to trouble the Serpantov Empire.

The Empire probably wants to exert influence over the southeastern continent.

If news that I’m alive reaches them, things get complicated.

“The Empire would likely elevate the Duchy of Peroa to a kingdom, make me the princess, and then use my whereabouts as a pretext to clash with the Kingdom of Arete.”

There was no Duke or Marquis of Peroa left to protest treating the duchy like a vassal.

Only a princess tied by blood to the royal family who could not refuse legitimacy remained.

Of course, King Arete, who played with Riorem, would also get tired.

“He might even conclude it’s better to kill me because it’s too exhausting.”

Ultimately, keeping my presence here a secret was the easiest way.

If I could also receive compensation that could further solidify Riorem’s position, that would be even better.

“So I want Teumesia’s help with this matter.”

“…Do you trust Teumesia more than me?”

I sighed unconsciously.

As expected, Riorem’s concern wasn’t about that issue.

“I’m looking for a way to remain yours. For that, your position must be very stable and secure. At least Teumesia would want that too, so I want to hear her opinion.”

“You don’t ask me, but want to ask the one who sends me letters every day trying to get you out of this castle?”

Oh, I didn’t know Teumesia was so devoted to persuading Riorem.

I smiled lightly and answered.

“Don’t you think someone who hates me—not just jealous but simply dislikes me—is a trustworthy ally? After all, I’m an obstacle to you.”

Riorem’s face twisted at my words.

“You are not a disturbance.”

“You threaten my chance to achieve greater feats, my relationship with loyal subordinates, and even the peaceful life I’ve barely obtained — how could you not be a disturbance?”

“That’s not true.”

I quietly looked into Riorem’s eyes.

You are ruining your life because of me.

I didn’t expect Riorem to deny that so strongly.

I thought he would admit it.

Often, his attitude toward me seemed like venting his anger.

But Riorem walked toward me with a stiff face, as if he could not accept those words.

A huge shadow loomed over my body sitting on the sofa.

The man backlit by the blazing candle finally spoke.

“It’s true my life has been ruined because of you. If it weren’t for you, I would have become a low-ranking priest without any problem. Or perhaps I would have died from illness while caring for patients.”

His large hand slowly wrapped around my neck.

Squeeze.

A strong force tightened my throat.

“…But that doesn’t mean you’re a disturbance.”

His low voice whispered like a beast growling.

“What I’ve built isn’t so trivial that it would be destroyed just because of you. My position isn’t precarious. It’s just that as I have gained more, more hyenas want my place.”

“Hmm…”

“So don’t be arrogant. I will take care of my affairs. Including those concerning you. All of them.”

Thud.

Only then did Riorem release his grip on my throat.

But that wasn’t the end.

Cough, cough.

My body, coughing, floated up.

Riorem had suddenly grabbed my waist.

He threw me onto the bed.

The collar lying next to the pillow fell onto the floor beneath the bed.

“Come to think of it, I have been making you do many presumptuous things recently.”

He spoke as he climbed on the bed.

“Leaving the letter with you, giving you books, and forgetting the punishment… Surely, it’s largely my fault.”

A cruel smile appeared on his beautifully crafted, jewel-like face.

“So let’s start over from the beginning. That should help fix your bad habits. Both for you and me.”

Rough hands pushed me face down onto the bed.

For several days after, I couldn’t regain my senses.

His words about starting over were no empty promise.

Most of the methods used to tame a bedroom slave from the start were inflicted on me.

Perhaps everything except the ones that involve penetration or serious bodily harm.

Thanks to that, I couldn’t even sit on a chair.

I didn’t even remember the times I was hit on the buttocks or whipped on the soles of my feet.

“Haah…?”

A long sigh escaped me.

I tried moving my legs due to discomfort, but it was no use.

Rather, the swollen clitoris rubbing against my skin caused only more pain.

It wasn’t only my genitals.

My nipples, buttocks, even fingers, all stung with just a light touch.

It was because of the persistent sucking for days.

‘Maybe it would’ve healed already if I applied ointment myself.’

I looked at the new ointment.

Though I had used several tubes already, my skin was still red and swollen.

Riorem would stop applying the medicine to poke and suck at me instead.

Still, resting during the morning had improved things a lot.