Vulgar Marriage - Chapter 23

Chapter 12.1

“It’ll be over soon. Just close your eyes for now.”

Adna’s hand rested gently on Livi’s trembling shoulder. Her attempt at comfort was clumsy but genuine, though Livi couldn’t bring herself to accept it.

She shook her head firmly, her gaze locked on the battle unfolding in front of the small village nestled at the foot of the mountains. She was shaking in fear, but she refused to look away. Even as the last soldier of the Robben army fell, his severed head rolling to the ground, Livi kept her eyes wide open until they burned.

At last, Adna’s soft hand came to rest over her eyes, shielding them.

“You don’t need to watch anymore. It’s over.”

“Ugh…”

The battle had raged on for what felt like an eternity. The blaring of trumpets signaled an end to the slaughter as Dominic’s knights rounded up the remaining Robben soldiers, taking them as prisoners. It was a victory, but there were no cheers.

“Are you alright, my lady? If you need assistance… Your Grace?”

“Leave her here. Go tend to the wounded.”

Adna gave a silent nod and walked off toward the injured soldiers.

Even after Adna completely disappeared from sight, Livi sat frozen, staring blankly ahead. She was so out of it that she didn’t notice the heavy gaze boring into her.

Frowning, Dominic approached, his boots crunching against the dirt. The hem of his dusty cloak fluttered in front of her, finally snapping Livi out of her daze.

“Scared?”

“…”

“Ironic, isn’t it? The woman who was so eager to throw away her own life now trembles at the thought of others dying.”

“…”

Dominic studied her pale face for a moment before reaching out suddenly. His hand clamped firmly around the back of her neck, pulling her toward him.

It wasn’t until his tongue invaded her mouth that Livi realized he was kissing her.

“Mmmph!”

For the first time, he pulled a reaction out of her. Livi struggled, but Dominic held her firmly as she twisted her shoulders in protest. His gaze was relentless as it bore into hers. Each time she parted her lips to gasp for air, he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer, as if determined to strip her of every breath.

As their heated, tangled kiss dragged on, Livi’s eyes began to flicker with rage, eclipsing the fear that had gripped her just moments before.

They were standing on a battlefield, surrounded by corpses of friends and foes alike, and this is what he chose to do? In front of his knights who had just fought a battle?

“What, ngh, do you think you’re doing…?”

Livi shoved against him with all her might. Dominic let her go with surprising ease, stepping back to wipe the saliva that had dribbled down her chin with his palm, smearing the sticky liquid on his hand.

“When we get back to the castle, I’ll see about getting you a bib.”

“…A bib?”

“For your benefit, of course. I’ll make sure it’s the finest in all of Celsion, so feel free to drool as much as you like, my wife.”

Dominic ignored Livi’s murderous glare and simply hoisted her onto his horse. He climbed up behind her and tugged the reins, steering the horse toward the territory’s fortress^[1]. The sound of hoofbeats merged with the moans of the wounded as they left the battlefield behind.

* * *

The journey wasn’t very far. Shortly after they set off, Livi spotted the towering fortress looming in the distance. Its wide gray walls stretched endlessly across the horizon, with no way of telling where they ended.

‘So, this is the Fortress of Carsota. They call it, “The Iron Wall of the North.”’

Livi quickly understood how it had earned its name. Even as she craned her neck, she could only see a fraction of the fortress. She couldn’t even fathom how many bricks it took to build those imposing walls.

As Dominic’s party approached, the outer gates swung open. Without breaking pace, Dominic charged straight into the fortress. Riding through the wide main thoroughfare, he passed the castle gates, where servants were waiting to greet him.

Dominic leaped off his horse in one swift motion, his voice cutting through the air as he barked out orders.

“Mia, send a physician and servants to assist at the foot of the Radetz Mountains. We have wounded soldiers.”

“Yes, my lord.”

A woman, clearly a senior servant, gestured to the others behind her, and the people inside the castle quickly sprang into action. They loaded a wagon with bandages, tourniquets, and other medical supplies, sending it through the gates in no time.

Mia hesitated as her gaze shifted to Livi, who was still perched stiffly on the horse.

“And the lady accompanying you…?”

“Prepare the room next to mine.”

“Understood.”

Mia withdrew without asking further questions.

Meanwhile, Livi tried to dismount the horse on her own. However, she realized her legs were too weak and refused to cooperate, no matter how much effort she put into moving them.

By her fifth failed attempt to swing her right leg over the saddle, Dominic reached up and grabbed her arm.

“Ah!”

She yelped as her body toppled to the side. Livi’s arms flailed for something to steady herself with, but there was nothing to grab onto. Just as she was about to hit the ground, Dominic caught her around the waist.

Hoisting her over his shoulder, Dominic strode into the castle and kicked open the first door he saw.

“M-my lord?”

“What brings you here…?”

The room they entered was the servants’ breakroom. All the maids inside jumped up from their chairs in surprise, but Dominic waved them off with a single flick of his hand.

“Out.”

Without a word of protest, the maids scrambled to grab their things and hurried out of the room. As soon as they were gone, Dominic locked the door and dumped Livi unceremoniously onto the nearby sofa.

Translator’s Note:

1. Fun fact, the author stated that Celsion’s fortress was heavily inspired by the “Cité de Carcassonne” in France. ↩