Translator: Nox

Chapter 37

"Would you like to let your child hear their father's voice?"

Alicia raised her head.

Her purple eyes sparkled like amethysts.

'I'm carrying your child. I'll give birth to the best. So, you give me only the best, too.'

Zeppelin taking Alicia was a purely impulsive act.

Zeppelin had met her in a remote rural village.

He had heard that the painter he was looking for was staying in that village, so he visited to confirm.

As he stepped out of the flamboyant carriage that was completely out of place in the village, Alicia, who had been drawing water from the well, threw down her bucket.

And she stared intently at him.

He couldn't find any shyness or bashfulness in her, who didn't avoid Zeppelin's gaze.

Alicia was staring at Zeppelin as if to devour him, her face filled with the same desire as any other woman who looked at him.

Alicia approached him boldly without hesitation.

He could even feel some ambition in her, that she would definitely have him.

Zeppelin felt a brief novelty in Alicia's headstrong attitude, but it didn't lead to sustained interest.

Alicia was beautiful enough to be wasted in such a small village, but not enough to capture his attention.

Besides, he was eager to finish his work and return to Rebecca as soon as possible.

He couldn't possibly have noticed a country girl.

But Alicia was persistent.

During the short time Zeppelin stayed in the village, she visited Zeppelin's lodging every day.

And eventually, she even danced with him at the village festival.

During the tedious journey of searching for a painter, Alicia gave him a small laugh.

It was better than nothing, so Zeppelin kept her by his side for a while.

But that was it.

He didn't take Alicia to the Count's Residence, nor did he give her any promise of a lover.

To Zeppelin, Alicia was just a temporary amusement, nothing more.

So, it was only natural that he was surprised when Rebecca brought Alicia to the Count's Residence.

At first, he chuckled, but later, he became curious.

'Aren't I beautiful to you?'

Yes, it was just curiosity.

He wondered what form his heart, which he had only given to Rebecca, would take if he gave it to another woman.

So, he held Alicia, and the child he so desired was born.

Zeppelin regretted it every time he saw her swelling belly, wishing that the young life had grown in Rebecca's womb.

So, he began to hate Alicia.

He felt as if she had stolen the child between Rebecca and himself.

But at this moment, Alicia looked quite good.

He even had the illusion that he could love the child born between him and that woman.

Zeppelin thought of Rebecca, who would be waiting for him, dressed up to the nines according to his orders.

The desire that had been raging to hold Rebecca just a few hours ago had calmed down for some reason.

And the lust was now directed at Alicia, who was standing there pretending to be a Saintess, carrying his blood.

Was it because Rebecca had refused his kiss during the day?

Was it because of the déjà vu that kept stabbing at him?

Or was it because he wanted to confirm that Rebecca would be waiting for him?

Maybe he wanted to see Rebecca waiting for him in regret, shedding tears all night.

So, maybe he was trying to make sure that she would never leave him.

It's funny.

She was originally his, but the very act of thinking this was contradictory to him.

But his steps eventually turned to Alicia.

Alicia, seeing Zeppelin approaching her, couldn't hide her overwhelming joy.

'It's really working?'

Rebecca came to see Alicia under the pretext of being worried about Alicia, who had been burned because of her.

Alicia was on guard, wondering what words Rebecca would use to scratch at her insides this time.

But the words Rebecca uttered after carefully examining Alicia were unexpected.

'Do you want to have what's mine? Then be more proactive in taking it. I welcome rivals.'

"What did you say?"

'Hmm, you seem to overdo the decoration a bit. It suits your face, but sometimes, why don't you tone it down? Men are always looking for something new.'

'…….'

'And actively use what you have. What is it that I don't have, but you do? What could it be?'

She thought it was nonsense. She thought she was plotting something again and just tried to ignore it.

But somehow, Rebecca's advice kept coming to mind.

And tonight, she heard that Zeppelin would be visiting Rebecca's room.

Alicia decided to move according to Rebecca's advice, just in case.

But Zeppelin really turned his back on Rebecca and came to her.

She was happy, but she felt a little uneasy because she didn't know why Rebecca had taught her this trick.

"What are you doing, Alicia? Why aren't you going in?"

But that question was soon pushed out of Alicia's mind.

It was because Zeppelin called her name in a voice that was more gentle than usual.

Alicia opened her eyes dazedly, as if it were a dream.

Even if she was in the position of a second wife, the brilliant man in front of her was still her husband.

Even after some time had passed, Zeppelin looked the same as when she first saw him at the well.

He was the Prince Charming on a white horse that Alicia had dreamed of since she was a child, who would lift her out of the gutter.

Even if he was a beast, it didn't matter.

A Prince was a Prince. A woman who married a Prince could become a noble Queen Consort.

Alicia wanted that.

Not Alicia, the country bumpkin, but the noble Countess whom no one could dare to look up to or touch.

Dreaming of that day, Alicia laughed sweetly.

And she dragged Zeppelin into the bedroom.

That night, the two wives of the Devonshire Earl both got what they wanted.

"As you said, the Earl went into Alicia's room."

"Is that so? That's good."

Rebecca listened to Alicia's joyful moans echoing throughout the Count's Residence.

Using that sound as music, Rebecca began to take off the clothes that were constricting her one by one.

She also wiped off the makeup that was covering her face.

When the red lipstick disappeared from her face, Rebecca burst into laughter.

"Puhahaha."

How could things be so easy?

How could these people be so stupid?

Rebecca couldn't help but laugh even louder. She even grabbed her stomach and laughed.

She wouldn't see him for a month now.

And when he finally returned, the world he knew would have begun to collapse.

* * *

From dawn the next day, the servants of the Count's Residence moved busily. Two large baggage carts were loaded with a month's worth of luggage.

Alicia, still sleepy, came out to see Zeppelin off.

Rebecca slowly descended the stairs, dressed as usual from head to toe without a single flaw.

Zeppelin looked at Rebecca with a smile.

Her eyes were swollen. They were red enough to be clearly visible, even though she had covered them with makeup.

Zeppelin had heard that Rebecca had been bothering the maids early in the morning looking for ice.

And in the morning, Canna had hinted to him.

'She cried all night looking for you, Earl.'

That's right. Even his keen sense can be wrong sometimes.

Nevertheless, he had no intention of abandoning his plan.

"Then, you must have a safe trip."

Alicia looked up at Zeppelin, holding his hand tightly with tearful eyes.

Rebecca also frowned slightly and said goodbye.

Zeppelin, looking at his two wives in turn, gestured to Grace and said.

"Ah, before I go, I have something to give to my wives……."

Clang-

At Zeppelin's gesture, Grace fastened something on Rebecca and Alicia's wrists.

Alicia checked what was wrapped around her wrist and raised her head in shock.

"E, Earl. Th, this is……"

It was a handcuff.

It was a handcuff made of solid iron, wrapped in soft black velvet cloth, and embroidered with antique patterns in silver thread.

The handcuffs on both hands were connected by a long silver chain, so it seemed that the hands could be moved relatively freely compared to other handcuffs.

But the meaning of restraint remained unchanged.

Zeppelin raised one side of his mouth crookedly and said.

"I'm worried that something might happen."

"Are you saying that we might run away?"

Alicia raised her eyes and said.

Rebecca was just looking at Zeppelin without saying a word.

She didn't show a violent reaction like Alicia, nor was she greatly shaken.

However, she narrowed her eyes and hid the hot anger like lava deep inside.

Perhaps Zeppelin was annoyed by Rebecca's calm attitude, Zeppelin snatched Rebecca's hand.

The chain attached to the handcuffs made a loud noise.

"Why doesn't the Countess say anything? Is it as if your plan to run away has been exposed?"

Ah, he really has a damn good sense.

Rebecca smiled bitterly at him, who was bringing his face close to hers.

"Run away? Where would I go, leaving this place behind? I was just mesmerized by how beautiful the handcuffs are. If I think of it as just a slightly annoying bracelet, there's no reason to refuse this gift."

At those words, Alicia stamped her feet and said.

"Rebecca! This doesn't make sense! How can you live with handcuffs on for more than a month? How do you eat, how do you wash?"

"Alicia, the maids will do everything for you, so what are you worried about? As always, we just have to not lift a finger in this Count's Residence. Where else can you find such tearful luxury? Isn't that right, Zeppelin?"

Rebecca looked at Zeppelin with an ambiguous smile that was impossible to tell whether it was sarcastic or sincere.

Before Zeppelin could gauge Rebecca's intentions, Alicia protested.

"Earl, I can tolerate whatever you do to me, but this is not right. I am your wife. Not a prisoner!"

"Chatter, chatter, my head is ringing. Has the effect of education deteriorated in the meantime, Alicia? Should I tell you your position one more time?"

His cold gaze pierced Alicia so much that she couldn't believe that he was the husband who had held her so affectionately last night.

Alicia closed her mouth as the memory of the past came to mind.

Her shoulders began to tremble uncontrollably.

Rebecca quietly watched Alicia's trembling shoulders.

Zeppelin shouted irritably.

"As Rebecca said, the maids will do everything for you, so what are you worried about? Wives just have to follow my words!"