I Don’t Need the Grand Duke’s Regret - Chapter 64

“…please don’t.”

Gripped by fear, Armilla pushed Ricardo away. Ricardo, who had been trying to insert his finger inside her, sat up and asked,

“Why?”

“I’m still not fully recovered…”

At Armilla’s excuse, Ricardo sighed deeply. He brushed his hair back and said in an anxious tone,

“The doctor said it was fine.”

“It’s my body. I know it better. It’s not time yet.”

Armilla quickly added, hoping Ricardo would back off.

Would he be fooled by that?

What should she say if he becomes suspicious?

“Is that so.”

To her surprise, Ricardo stepped back calmly. Armilla secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, it seemed Ricardo was concerned about the bruises he had caused her below after digging through her insides last time in the greenhouse.

It was unlike him.

“Look at me.”

Armilla, who was about to fix her clothes in relief, but was startled at the sight of Ricardo sitting above her.

Illuminated by the moonlight, he exposed his upper body and took out what had been trapped in his pants. He gazed at her.

The flesh stood upright, twitching and dripping clear fluid as Armilla’s gaze fell upon it. Startled, she turned her eyes away.

“I told you to look at me.”

Ricardo’s eyes shone in a fierce light as he held his weapon-like member. He then stroked it up and down while gazing persistently at Armilla.

She was frozen under his gaze that was filled with a desperate desire to have her. Her mouth went dry.

It was incomparable to earlier when Ricardo had touched her below, as she felt wet between her legs.

Whenever he wanted her, Ricardo took her regardless of her will. Thus, she had never seen him handling his own desires alone.

Armilla watched Ricardo, not knowing what to do. As his hand movements quickened, his breathing became rough, and his broad chest heaved. His tight muscles tensed, and then Ricardo spoke.

“I love you…”

Armilla suddenly looked up at the rough and gruff voice. Ricardo continued with blazing eyes.

“Say it, I love you.”

Ricardo’s normally composed face twisted wildly. At the brink of pleasure, he urged Armilla with an expression that he couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Hurry.”

Their gazes entwined in mid-air. Ricardo, who was uncharacteristically showing his impatience, stared intensely at Armilla. She met his gaze but soon turned her head away.

To say she loved him.

She didn’t want to say those words to Ricardo, words she had never heard from him.

Especially not for his pleasure.

As Armilla remained silent, sparks flew in Ricardo’s eyes. He seemed about to say something more but then his body convulsed.

“Kuht, Armilla!”

Reaching his limit, Ricardo called out Armilla’s name with a voice wrung from the depths of his throat as he released his pent-up breath.

Ricardo took a moment to catch his breath and calm his excitement. His face quickly reverted to its usual stoic look. Armilla, still with her head turned away, did not look at him.

“This is why I can’t forget you. To think I would go to such lengths.”

Ricardo spoke plainly. His voice now had lost its previous heat.

As if he had never wanted her, Ricardo promptly got off the bed.

Armilla looked at him with cold eyes. She was tired of his habit of acting as if everything was over once his needs were met.

She hadn’t expected anything to change just because he was more attentive than usual today.

People don’t change easily.

If they did, Armilla wouldn’t have thought of leaving him.

Today, though he had a slightly different approach, Ricardo had still used her for his own lust. Armilla, who was resigned to her role, spoke.

“How will you do this at the imperial palace? I won’t be there.”

“Well, I suppose I’ll manage somehow like this.”

Ricardo replied indifferently before heading to the bathroom. He seemed utterly unaffected by guilt or remorse.

Of course. If he were capable of feeling such emotions, he wouldn’t have treated Armilla as just a mistress in the first place.

Armilla closed her eyes quietly, listening to the sound of him washing. It was unbearably painful last night with him.

So much so that she wished to forget it forever.

* * *

Hiing!

The sound of a horse neighing echoed through the garden in the dawn gloom.

Standing by the window, Armilla adjusted her shawl as she looked down at the man riding a black horse.

Ricardo was leaving. It seemed to be a long journey to the imperial palace, as more people were accompanying him than when he left for the subjugation.

Armilla watched him leave from a distance with no emotion.

Today, she hadn’t seen him off. She had heard him getting ready but pretended not to notice while keeping her eyes closed.

She didn’t want to hear him tell her to stay quiet like a doll like last time.

Now, Armilla was no longer the obedient wife he wanted.

‘I was never his wife to begin with.’

Armilla bitterly smiled. Thinking of her fate that would be demoted to a mere mistress. Watching the man who caused her downfall leave the castle, she bit her lip.

The love she once had for Ricardo faded rapidly once it began to cool. Now, only resentment remained. It was surprising even to herself.

“Lady Armira, are you awake? The Master just left.”

Luce said while checking on her after seeing Ricardo off.

It was around the time Ricardo’s horse crossed the castle gates. Armilla turned around with an expressionless face. Her innocent maid was waiting for her response.

Armilla quietly spoke.

“I know.”

“Why did you not see him off?”

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