Chapter 10. The Grand Duchess of Trone
As the sun set, darkness filled the garden. Dressed in comfortable clothes, she descended the stairs. Roa paced nervously near Count Clarion’s office, then turned away.
She opened the terrace door opposite the office and stepped outside. The cold air enveloped her, sharp yet refreshing.
“My lady, the air is chilly. Please wrap yourself in a blanket.”
Her maid draped a soft blanket over her shoulders. Even though she had only been outside briefly, her body trembled from the cold. Still, there was a reason she insisted on staying there.
Click.
Count Clarion’s office door opened. Seeing her father looking healthier and Aizen at his side, Roa’s lips curved into a smile. Count Clarion, not noticing her, stepped back inside. Aizen, however, spotted Roa waiting in the cold and walked toward her.
“Aizen, how did it go?”
Her heart pounded wildly. His smile hinted at the answer, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted to hear it directly from his lips.
“You’ll need to start getting used to it.”
He drew close and gently held her hand.
“Huh?”
His unexpected words tilted her head in confusion. Aizen lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her pale fingers. After the soft kiss, his sweet voice followed.
“Not as Lady Clarion…”
“….”
“But as the Grand Duchess of Trone.”
Roa’s eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. She quickly raised a hand to cover her gaping mouth.
“Then… does this mean we’re getting married?”
Aizen wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her effortlessly. Roa nearly cried out in surprise but quickly stifled the sound with her hand as her body fell against his chest.
Still holding her, Aizen carried her through the fluttering curtains and onto the terrace. He set her gently on the railing at waist height. The night breeze lifted strands of her golden hair, shimmering in the moonlight.
“This isn’t a dream, right?”
Roa looked down at him with wide, unblinking eyes. Aizen reached into his pocket and produced something that sparkled even in the dark. Taking her left hand in his, he slipped a ring onto her fourth finger. The gem glowed with a mysterious brilliance, asserting its presence even against the shadows.
“Will you marry me, my lady?”
Her eyes grew impossibly wider. Staring blankly at the ring now adorning her hand, Roa finally lifted her gaze at the sound of his earnest proposal.
He looked at her with the happiest expression she had ever seen, his eyes filled with warmth. Roa scanned his face quickly, her heart overflowing. Of course she would accept—yet strangely, words wouldn’t come easily.
“Thank you.”
She had waited so long for this moment. Her voice trembled with emotion.
“I accept the proposal of His Grace, Aizen, Grand Duke of Trone.”
Her voice, soft and damp with tears, barely carried the answer. Instinctively, they embraced, tightly, yet with the gentleness of cherishing something precious.
“I love you, Roa.”
His voice melted into her ears, tender enough to bring tears.
“I love you too, Aizen.”
Suddenly, her body rose again, her legs kicking in the air. Roa clung tightly to his neck, looking down to find Aizen smiling radiantly up at her. She grabbed onto his shoulders, their eyes meeting at close distance. Just gazing at him filled her with happiness that spilled into laughter.
Naturally, she wrapped her legs around his waist, holding herself steady, and leaned down to press a kiss to his lips. She had only meant for it to be light, but Aizen captured her lips, refusing to let go.
“What are you doing, Aizen?”
She mumbled breathlessly against his hold on her lips.
“I won’t let go. You’re mine, Roa.”
“Hehe…”
Speaking through their kiss, his muffled words came out comical, making Roa giggle uncontrollably.
Still carrying her, Aizen took her into a reception room, one far from the Clarion family’s private quarters.
“Ha…”
Roa tumbled onto the bed, bouncing slightly. She tried to sit up quickly, but Aizen leaned in close, leaving her propped only on her elbows.
The room was dark, lit only by moonlight streaming through the window. Half his face glowed in the pale light, his eyes burning with intensity. His scent enveloped her, warm and intoxicating.
The air between them grew hot in an instant. The once-cold room became stifling with the heat they shared.
“Hhn, Aizen…”
He lowered his head, his tongue brushing against her collarbone. The strange sensation made her body tense. She didn’t resist, though. If it had been anyone else, she would have found it odd, but with him… her heart raced with anticipation instead. She wondered what his lips would do next, where his hands would go.
As she lay there, her chemise rode up. She tried tugging it back down, but Aizen stopped her hands and pulled the fabric further up, sliding his hand inside. Alarmed, Roa’s eyes darted up to meet his. Her gaze trembled nervously.
“Don’t like it?”
He whispered softly against her ear. Strangely, though he asked if she disliked it, his voice carried a plea not to push him away.
“N-no, it’s not that…”
Her honest answer escaped. She didn’t dislike it. His touch burned her from the inside, making her thighs press together as she squirmed. Was it the heated air clouding her mind? She grew impatient with his leisurely pace.
“Then… do you like it?”
He teased. Roa couldn’t bring herself to say yes—it was too embarrassing. She didn’t want to seem shameless when she had no experience with men besides him.
Watching her turn away with pressed lips, Aizen smiled knowingly. Without words, he understood. Wrapping his strong arms around her waist, he pulled her closer.
“Ah…”
His hard body felt so different from hers, solid as stone. Without thinking, Roa’s hand drifted to his abdomen, wanting to feel the firmness beneath his clothes. Realizing what she was doing, she quickly pulled away.
“How does it feel?”
Gathering her messy hair, he pushed it behind her shoulders, placing kisses along her slender neck. He licked her delicate skin, nibbled gently, marking her with affection.
“It feels good… heheh…”
She laughed breathily at the ticklish sensations. Suddenly, he shifted, laying her flat against the bed. The playful glint in his eyes was gone, replaced with something deeper.
Whenever their eyes met, she usually looked away from shyness. But now, she didn’t want to. She wanted him to understand her heart. Their gazes locked, heavy silence filling the air.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be able to hold back.”
“Then don’t.”
Her answer came without hesitation. She cupped his cheek with her hand.
“I want it too.”
Her smile melted sweetly.
Hearing her words, Aizen abandoned restraint. If she wanted it—if she truly did—then…
“Ugh…”
His hand brushed over her most sensitive spot, sending shocks through her body. Roa muffled a cry with her hands.
“You’re beautiful. Let me hear you.”
His lips pressed to her neck, his hot breath urging her on.
“But… someone might be outside…”
“There’s no one.”
“How can you be sure?”
She glared at his carefree answer, but when his hand stroked her tender skin again, she bit her lip hard.
His hands explored her body relentlessly, his eyes never leaving her face, devouring every reaction.
“Even if someone was, it wouldn’t matter.”
His hand slid deeper, making her body jolt.
“You’re burning, Roa.”
“Uhh… don’t say things like that…”
He gave her no time for shame.
Mercilessly, he parted her thighs. Flustered, Roa looked down at her exposed state, then up at him with trembling eyes. He, however, was bold, his expression calm, almost smug.
“You look so good…”
A wicked smile tugged at his lips.
“You’re so lovely, it’s driving me crazy.”
Roa covered her mouth again, her eyes squeezing shut against the overwhelming sensations that threatened to spill out.
