CHAPTER 80………………………
: Ecstasy
Arthur was so enthralled by Celia’s beauty that he didn’t even notice someone approaching from behind.
His head was filled with nothing but thoughts of how to preserve her beauty forever, how to stuff and mount her like a specimen.
“I should think of a way to keep every part of you… vivid and intact.”
On the bed, Arthur straddled Celia.
The moment Dietrich laid eyes on him, he threw a punch.
Wham!
Arthur was struck hard on the back of the head, collapsing onto Celia’s body.
The potion in his hand spilled everywhere, splattering across Celia’s skin.
She quickly wriggled free and slipped down from the bed.
“What the hell—!”
Dietrich’s voice tried to remain calm, but it was already heavy with rage.
Wiping Arthur’s filthy blood from her lips, Celia said,
“That lunatic—however he got in here—I woke up and he was on top of me.”
Dietrich glared at Arthur, who lay unconscious on the bed from a single blow.
“Damn it!”
He bitterly regretted leaving Celia alone.
Two of them in one day—he hadn’t expected such insanity back-to-back.
But it was too late. The damage was already done.
Dietrich placed his hand on Celia’s shoulder, narrowing his eyes.
“…Are you hurt?”
“No. If you’d been a little later, maybe.”
Dietrich pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from her face.
“I’m sorry.”
Drawing her into his arms, he pressed his lips to the top of her head.
His solid chest brought her deep comfort, washing away the vile feelings left behind.
Holding Celia close, Dietrich looked back at Arthur lying sprawled across the bed.
In truth, he wanted to draw his sword and sever the bastard’s limbs and neck from his body.
But he didn’t want to stain Celia’s sight with such gore.
Still, he couldn’t allow Arthur—who was constantly scheming against her—to walk free.
And although the imperial palace was nearly in his grasp, it wasn’t completely his yet.
If Arthur were killed within the palace walls, rumors would leak.
If maids or servants discovered Dietrich had killed him, the news would spread across all of Avalon in an instant.
With Avalon already teetering on the brink of collapse, he had to be cautious.
“That bastard is too dangerous. Who knows what else he’ll invent to cause harm.”
Dietrich called out to Anderson, who was waiting outside.
“Bring me a large sack.”
“Yes, sir!”
Receiving the sack, Dietrich stuffed Arthur’s unconscious body inside and tied the mouth shut.
“I’ll handle this. That man should not exist in this world.”
Keeping Arthur alive was far too dangerous.
Taking the sack, Dietrich slipped out of the palace with Celia at his side.
Outside, the sun was setting.
Their carriage arrived at a riverbank halfway up a mountain.
Dietrich climbed down and went to the cargo compartment.
Inside was the sack holding Arthur.
He planned to throw it deep into the river.
“Better make one last check.”
He opened the sack’s mouth to be sure Arthur hadn’t done something in the meantime.
Arthur was still unconscious, eyes closed.
“Could this be just a clone?” Celia asked.
Dietrich shook his head.
“No. It’s the real body. If it were a clone, it would have dissolved into liquid once knocked out.”
It was time to finally sever ties with this madman.
“Anderson.”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“Rope and stones.”
“Yes, sir.”
Anderson quickly pulled sturdy rope from the carriage, then scanned the area, found a heavy rock, tied it, and lashed the sack shut with the rest.
Even if Arthur woke midstream, he’d be dragged down forever.
“Let’s confirm again.”
Only after sealing the mouth tightly did Dietrich hurl the sack into the river, where the waterfall roared.
“Farewell.”
Splash!
Whooosh—
The sack sank swiftly into the rushing water.
Dietrich watched until it vanished completely, then turned back.
“It’s done. We’ll never see that lunatic again.”
He embraced Celia, patting her gently. His large hand pressed and released against her back.
The touch was so tender Celia thought she could stay like this forever.
“Leave you alone for a moment, and something happens,” Dietrich murmured in her ear.
He glanced at Anderson.
“Anderson.”
“Yes, Duke.”
“We should prepare an alibi. Celia and I won’t ride in the carriage back.”
“Understood.”
“If someone says they saw a suspicious carriage, you’ll have grounds to deny it. Also, keep watch on Ileon in prison.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll return to the palace first.”
Anderson drove the carriage away, dust rising along the forest road.
Clop, clop.
Soon the carriage disappeared from sight.
The sunset-colored forest looked like something from a fairy tale.
Red apples hung on tall branches.
“Celia. I won’t ever leave you alone again.”
Dietrich pulled her closer, his silver hair shining under the setting sun.
His hand, which had been stroking her hair, slid down to her cheek.
Her soft skin touched his palm.
Celia looked up at him, lips parting slightly, a faint smile tugging at her eyes.
“You always come when I’m in danger.”
Dietrich smiled tenderly.
Birdsong echoed peacefully in the air.
Without a word, their lips met.
Celia wrapped her arms around his thick, strong neck.
Thud!
They toppled onto the fresh grass.
A bead of dew slipped from a blade.
The earthy scent of soil and grass lingered faintly in the air.
“Mmh…”
Dietrich held her carefully so she wouldn’t be hurt.
Celia closed her eyes as his smooth touch slid into her mouth, and he deepened the kiss.
Saliva mingled, sticky sounds filling the space, as if they were melting into each other.
His hand slid to her thigh. The touch on her pale, delicate skin made her shudder.
A sound escaped between her teeth.
Her body grew hotter. Each of his fingers seemed to bring a different kind of pleasure.
What kind of life had this man lived, to know such things?
Overwhelmed by sensations she had never known, Celia stared up at the sky.
The sunset bathed the forest in gentle light.
Then Dietrich pressed his lips against her neck.
His hot breath trailed along her skin, reaching her ear.
His lips wandered along her slender throat, kissing every inch.
Smooch.
A soft, teasing sound.
Smooch, smooch.
He kissed slowly downward.
Every touch sent emotions sparking through her skin.
For the first time, Celia felt truly alive.
Unlike with other men, Dietrich was gentle, kind, and passionate.
Whenever his body touched hers, she felt healthier, lighter.
Once, she had thought physical intimacy was unpleasant—but now, bliss eclipsed all else.
Every brush of his fingertips, every breath against her skin made her feel as though she were walking on clouds, lost in ecstasy.
Smooch… slurp…
His lips traveled down to her collarbone.
Her silk dress slid lower, past her chest.
He pushed aside her shoulder strap, exposing her collarbone more fully, and kissed it softly.
Celia let out a breath.
How could she even describe this?
So good. She had never felt anything like it.
Even killing the Emperor hadn’t given her such catharsis.
Smooch… slurp.
Traces of him began to mark her white skin.
He moved with care, yet not without passion, treating her like something precious.
Leaves rustled and fell upon them.
So unfamiliar, so strange—and yet her body yearned for him with intensity.
The sight of his broad, angular shoulders only made her burn hotter.
A moan slipped from her lips. She couldn’t stop.
Her fingers dug into the grass, clutching dirt and blades.
She bit her lip, struggling to keep control.
But if this continued, she would lose herself.
Not ten minutes. Perhaps not even five.
“……”
Dietrich lifted his head to look at her.
Her eyes, shining like stars, gazed back weakly. Her long lashes quivered faintly.
Looking into her eyes, even the most ordinary man would become a starving wolf.
“You drive me mad…”
His low voice brushed against her ear.
He withdrew his finger from her mouth, cupped her chin, and kissed her.
She was tense, her body rigid, but he led her gently so she could relax.
His hands explored her body carefully, watching how she responded to each touch.
Before long, Celia gave in, entrusting her body to him.
The veins bulging on his strong arms seemed ready to burst—for her alone.
Thud!
Dietrich ripped off his coat and flung it aside.
He kissed her again.
If the first kiss had been soft, like the sun melting into the earth, this one was rougher, hungrier.
An ecstatic kiss that made both of them close their eyes.
It felt as though time could stop, and they wouldn’t mind.
A cool breeze swept past.
The forest was silent, as if it belonged to them alone.
Red marks bloomed across Celia’s pale skin where his lips had lingered.
The same lips that had healed her wounds now etched their presence on her.
And as if this were only the beginning, Dietrich pulled off his shirt.
Pop, pop—
Buttons snapped loose. His well-built, muscular frame was revealed.
Celia was struck with an overwhelming urge to touch his chest.
Before she knew it, her hand was already pressing against it.
