Chapter 9
She possessed a slender face, her hair adorned with a touch of red at the tips, flawless skin, rounded and supple breasts, and quivering crimson lips. Most strikingly, her entire frame trembled with fear, yet her shoulders remained resolute.
Eli observed her silently, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He couldn’t help but feel a hint of disappointment that she wasn’t Anna. Nevertheless, the woman before him was undeniably as beautiful as Anna.
Eli shifted his gaze back to her trembling form. Each breath she took seemed to make her heart race, igniting an intense surge of desire within him.
“Did you say she was unwell? That she refused to come to a lowly person like me?” Eli inquired softly,.
Edna shook her head.
He released the tresses of her hair he had been holding, and they cascaded down to her shoulders. Her hair, relatively short for a woman, emphasized her delicate appearance.
Eli examined her prominent nose and clear lips before speaking once more, his voice low and thoughtful. “So, you came here of your own accord, willingly risking everything?”
Willingly? That couldn’t be true. She had no choice from the start, obligated to obey their orders without question. Still, she nodded silently, though Eli was far from believing it.
“Viscount William appears quite benevolent toward his illegitimate children, having willingly granted his bastard child’s request to become my wife. It’s a commendable quality, no doubt. However…” Eli paused, cupping her face in one hand and turning it to meet his gaze.
Edna met his icy stare with composure.
Eli continued, peering into her golden eyes. “It was a terrible decision, Edna. I’m sure you never received proper treatment as his daughter, yet you’ve made this sacrifice. I pity you. You must have heard about my reputation. Aren’t you afraid?”
“Those rumors mean nothing to me,” Edna replied quietly, her voice resigned. “I had no say in the matter to begin with.”
Eli could vividly picture her situation. He knew all too well that illegitimate children had no say in their lives. Edna’s perspective had likely been entirely disregarded until now. Despite facing the prospect of death, she had been in no position to refuse coming here. Eli understood this well. Her tone had grown as serene as someone prepared to embrace death. Within him, curiosity and desire surged once more, though he made no outward display of it.
In a detached tone, he posed his next question, “Are you still untouched?”
Edna’s eyes widened, and her lips trembled in response to the unexpected question. Eli proceeded to slowly caress her breasts, his tone unwavering as he spoke, “A noblewoman is out of the question for a commoner like me. Perhaps a humble illegitimate child would be a better fit. Especially one whose beauty is not eclipsed by Anna’s.”
Edna realized that he was going to accept her, and she braced herself for the discomfort caused by his touch.
According to the rumors, he had been planning to kill her and reduce Viscount William’s castle to rubble. So why was he now seemingly willing to accept her?
However, the question quickly faded from her mind as Eli’s fingers danced across her chest, causing her body to tremble once more. His warm hand decisively lowered the dress from her waist to the floor, and her undergarments were removed without any opportunity for her to resist. In an instant, Edna stood before him, completely exposed, her skin flushed crimson with embarrassment.
Eli scrutinized her body with a discerning eye for a moment. Edna hurriedly grabbed a piece of clothing that had fallen to the floor and used it to cover herself, feeling the heat of his intense desire keenly.
“Put it away right now unless you want to meet your end,” Eli grumbled in a low but commanding tone, his voice carrying the weight of his threat.
Edna fought to keep her tears at bay, her eyelids quivering.
“And if you’re not a virgin, you won’t live to see tomorrow morning,” Eli added, his words far from empty threats.
The realization that he was more than capable of carrying out such a threat sent shivers through every inch of Edna’s skin. The urge to cry out and defy him, to refuse to accept her fate lying down after everything she had endured, echoed in her mind. In a defiant gesture, she cast aside the clothes covering her chest.
Eli regarded her, his eye narrowing slightly. It was becoming evident that her temper was shorter than her appearance might suggest.
“If I were a virgin, would you accept me?” Edna challenged him, meeting his gaze head-on. This time, she was truly prepared to face the consequences.
“As my wife, or as my bed companion?” Eli countered.
“Both,” Edna replied firmly.
Eli’s frown deepened at her bold declaration. “I don’t like that tone.”
“I can’t help it. I have to speak my mind before I face death. Please, answer me. If I were a virgin, would you accept me, or would you kill me?” Edna persisted, undeterred by his cold words.
Eli couldn’t help but be somewhat taken aback. “Truly impressive. Aren’t you afraid of me?”
“Nothing is more terrifying than death. I want to live if it’s possible,” she stated with conviction.
Edna was no stranger to death, having witnessed it firsthand. The same applied to Eli; there was nothing more absurd to him than hearing someone express a preference for death.
Chapter 9
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