Chapter 4-7

Chirp, chirp.

At the familiar yet unfamiliar sound of birdsong, Jane slowly opened her eyes.

More accurately, she forced them open through sheer exhaustion.

Through her half-lidded vision, sunlight poured in. The blanket was warm and soft—but the scenery before her was clearly not her room. Even in her haze, she could tell.

‘…So it really wasn’t a dream.’

The alcohol had worn off halfway through the night, but perhaps not entirely; her mind felt more muddled than usual. For a fleeting moment she’d hoped—but no. It hadn’t been a dream.

At the same time, she felt the firm arm wrapped around her waist.

And she knew.

‘…I’m screwed.’

It wasn’t that she disliked Ruelne. On the contrary, last night had been so ecstatic she would never forget it as long as she lived. But she was his sponsor—an adult obligated to stop him in a situation like that. She had fled from him over nothing more than a kiss out of guilt.

And yet she’d ended up in his arms so easily.

‘No. What matters is what happens now.’

The mistake had already been made. In her head, countless choices and damage-control strategies flickered and vanished. Right. As the more experienced adult, she had to handle this properly.

“You’re awake, right?”

Just as she tried to turn her head calmly, a low voice murmured near her ear. Her shoulders flinched.

‘When did he wake up?’

Apparently, her ward had been awake first.

She slowly turned her stiff neck—and met brilliant violet eyes lit by the morning sun. She froze.

Propped on one hand, smiling shyly, he looked unbearably happy. At the same time, he was so beautiful—like a sculpture the gods had crafted with painstaking care—that she couldn’t look away. He felt almost unreal, like foam that would vanish if touched.

I spent last night with this man…

Heat rushed to her cheeks.

‘No, Jane Shirley. Get it together. Do you really think Ruelne’s going to marry you just because of this?’

She’d meant to sober herself with that thought, but instead her mood sank.

Right—hadn’t he said he had someone he intended to marry? She’d been drunk, but Ruelne hadn’t. That meant he’d spent the night with her completely sober. Which meant—

It could have been nothing more than pleasure for one night.

Her mood plummeted.

Still, damage control came first.

“What are you thinking about?”

Before she could speak, Ruelne asked first.

“Are you thinking this needs to be ‘handled’?”

Jane flinched. She wanted to hide her turmoil, but with his arm still around her waist, it was impossible. Ruelne smiled faintly—coolly—and pulled her closer.

“Why? Feeling guilty, like you took advantage of a kid?”

“What? Th-that’s not—”

Come to think of it, this was the first time they’d properly spoken since he’d discovered her identity. Jane’s head spun. Rational conversation felt impossible.

It didn’t help that neither of them was wearing anything.

Kuuk

And his very healthy arousal was pressing insistently against her stomach.

Jane shoved at his chest. This time, thankfully, Ruelne let her go. She sat up, pulling the blanket over her chest.

Even with her face burning like this, she had to say it.

“About this—no, about last night. It was an accident. Right?”

“…What?”

Ruelne slowly rose from the bed. Swallowing, she took in his much larger frame. In the sunlight, his upper body was perfectly proportioned, firm and strong. And that blatantly healthy length—

She forced her eyes away.

“I was drunk. I seduced you first. That’s undeniably my fault. You just got swept up in it… This was clearly an ‘accident.’”

As she spoke, she couldn’t shake the feeling she sounded like a playboy trying to smooth things over after seducing an innocent maiden. Still, she finished calmly. Even to her own ears, it seemed reasonable.

Right. She had started it, so she should soothe him, apologize, and end this here—

The word end stung her own heart.

“I’m someone you need to ‘handle’? Someone you toss away after it’s over?”

“…Huh?”

Startled by the unexpected words, Jane looked up. She’d avoided his gaze out of guilt.

And froze.

“You’re calling this… an accident?”

His eyes were shimmering with tears.

The moment she saw them, she felt her thoughts, her plans, her reason crumble.

She almost reached out—then hesitated.

“…Are you going to sleep with me and throw me away?”

“N-no!”

How did I become the trash here? Or—am I? Jane’s thoughts tangled in confusion. The hand that had reached toward him ended up clutching her own head instead. Seeing this, Ruelne briefly smiled to himself—cute—but she missed it.

When she looked up again, his tears looked ready to fall at any moment.

No—just as she thought that, one slipped free.

Jane felt her heart drop.

“It was my first time, actually… with you.”

She couldn’t bear it any longer and blurted out—knowing she’d already lost.

“M-mine too!”

For a split second, Ruelne’s eyes flashed as his tears halted.

Maybe it was her imagination—but by then it was too late. He had already leaned closer.

“R-Ruelne…?”

“It was my first time too…”

He was close enough that she could feel his breath. Her heart pounded helplessly. She wanted to push him away—but her hands wouldn’t move.

“Then shouldn’t we… get married?”

If they were naïve young nobles, perhaps that logic would hold. But Jane wasn’t a noble—and she knew Ruelne’s reputation well. How could he say that to her?

Her expression cooled instantly as she leaned back slightly.

Ruelne froze.

“Why would you say that? How could we possibly get married?”

“…What do you mean?”

He grabbed her wrist as she tried to pull away. It didn’t hurt—but the strength was unmistakable.

“Because I’m not qualified? What am I lacking? No parents? No money? A ruined house?”

“W-what are you talking about?”

Jane was genuinely startled. Not once had she ever considered those things shortcomings.

“I don’t have parents either!”

She blurted that first to calm him, then placed her other hand over his.

“That’s not it. You—”

She hesitated.

“You have someone you’re supposed to marry, don’t you?”

His eyes widened. Shock flooded his face.

“What are you talking about? Who would I have besides you— ah.”

“Ruelne?”

“That marriage prospect…”

He let out a small laugh and dragged a hand down his face. The languid look on him made her swallow hard. Her mouth went dry. She knew what that same face had looked like last night—dissolved in pleasure and obsession, clinging to her until dawn.

“I spread that rumor on purpose.”

Lost in the sight of him, Jane reacted a beat too late.

What?

Seeing her stunned expression, Ruelne smiled lightly.

“There were too many people being a nuisance. Engagements, marriage deals.”

She bit her lip.

“…I’m fairly certain I provided you with more than enough. And you’re saying there were still that many proposals?”

“Yeees.”

Feigning innocence, he sidled closer. Jane still looked indignant even as he took her hand and leaned into her.

He was starting to enjoy this.

“No matter how many times I said no, some of them just wouldn’t listen… It was exhausting.”

Seeing his downcast expression, Jane felt her chest tighten. He’d been struggling with that? Should she have assigned him guards?

“And there were female students and young ladies who tried sneaking into my room at night.”

“What?”

“And… I thought if a rumor spread that I had someone to marry, maybe you’d come see me.”

Her eyes widened at the casual confession.

“You said you considered me family, Jane.”

She had. She’d written it in letters more than once. And yet she’d crossed that line with him—

Her face flushed again.

“So I thought maybe news of a family member’s marriage would at least bring you to see this rare face.”

Only now did she realize how close he’d gotten. She tried to move away—but he was faster. A large arm wrapped around her.

“…If I’d known you’d run like this, I’d never have spread such a damn rumor. Wouldn’t have said it in front of you, either.”

His voice turned low and ominous. Her body stiffened.

Not from fear—but from the possessive undercurrent in his tone.

This isn’t good…

“I even hoped you’d investigate and realize it wasn’t true. That you’d confront me.”

Jane remembered how she’d disappeared the moment she heard about his supposed engagement, refusing to see him. Just as he said—she’d run. Without checking the truth.

“And when you showed up as Jena, you still rejected me.”

Still holding her, he muttered darkly. Guilt pricked at her.

“Then… um…”

Right. How had this conversation started?

“I really was a virgin. And I don’t have anyone to marry. I’m not some piece of trash who sleeps around while engaged.”

“D-don’t say things like that!”

Jane flinched. Ruelne paused—then let her go, lowering his eyes like a scolded puppy.

“I’m sorry. I must’ve gotten carried away. I’ve got a bad influence around me, so… I’ll watch my mouth and behave.”

“Huh? N-no, that’s not the issue. We—”

“Then what is? I did it because I wanted to. I was so happy when you said we should, Jane.”

Shhk. While her strength faltered, the blanket shielding her chest slipped slightly. He caught her upper arm with an unassuming hand. His languid, seductive face tilted softly, as if puzzled.

“Or… were you just playing with me?”

“No! Absolutely not. I mean it.”

As if he’d never said such a thing, he smiled—clear and bright. Obedient, gentle. Like he would do anything if she asked.

“Then you’ll take responsibility, right? That means we have to get married.”

“……”

“……No?”

For a fleeting instant, his face sank—cold and dark. Jane felt dizzy, as though the room were spinning. Too much information rushed past her at once, too fast to digest. She felt sick with it.

Even in trivial matters involving Ruelne—what to write in a letter, what to give him for his birthday—she had agonized for days. That was how careful she’d always been.

“Well… but you’re still young…”

“Jane, you don’t think I’m a minor just because I’ve graduated, do you? Some of my peers already have children.”

That wasn’t wrong. Among nobles, marriages still happened early.

“Y-you are young.”

“Exactly. Which means you should be thinking about keeping me by your side. I’m in my prime.”

“You can’t say things like that!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Every time her voice rose, he answered obediently, like a beast lowering itself before her. As if even this scolding pleased him. And yet, beneath it, there loomed something large enough to devour her at any moment. It made her hesitate. It was hard to scold a man who looked delighted by anything she did.

“You’re the heir to a ducal house… You should marry another noble—”

“Hmm. I didn’t realize you had such conservative values, Jane. But fine.”

He said it lightly.

“I’ll give up my position as heir.”

“No!”

Ruelne tilted his head, as if he truly didn’t understand. The beautiful man stared at her, then his eyes curved into a smile.

“Then I’ll stay the heir. So marry me.”

The moment she saw that crescent-eyed smile, Jane had a sudden premonition—if she kept looking, everything would be decided before she could even think.

“This is too—too sudden. We have so much to talk about. We’ve only truly faced each other for a day. We need to talk more—no, we need time.”

What she said was reasonable.

However—

“Other women will keep throwing themselves at me…”

He rubbed his head against her shoulder, a younger man acting coy without any awareness of his own size.

Her resolve shattered into white fragments.

“I don’t want anyone but my tall lady……”

“……”

“You said you’d give me anything I wanted.”

Their hands touched. His was large enough to swallow hers whole.

She swallowed.

“I understand that you’re confused. And that we have a lot to talk about. So instead…”

Ruelne lifted his head.

Tap.

Their lips met.

“……Ruelne?”

“Try it one more time. Then decide.”

When she came back to herself, she was lying on the bed. Ruelne braced himself on either side of her and smiled. For a split second she thought, We look like newlyweds—and immediately shook her head.

“Ruelne.”

“I love it when you say my name.”

“We—we can’t keep doing this.”

He tilted his head.

“But yesterday, you were the one who asked me to hold you instead of talking, Jane.”

……She had no reply. Yes. She was the guilty one.

His lips pressed to hers again, soft.

“Mm…”

Jane flinched as he entered her. Considering they had already gone at it for hours earlier, her aroused, marked entrance accepted him smoothly. She tried to tell him to stop—but soon fell silent.

The faint flush beneath his eyes. The way his gaze clung to her, relentless. His lips parted slightly with pleasure.

Ruelne, drunk on sensation, was… unbearably obscene. Enough to make her swallow.

Her reaction didn’t stop at thought; her inner walls tightened. He caught it instantly and smiled faintly. Even that smile was lewd.

“To be honest, I’ve wanted to do this with the tall lady who wrote to me for a very long time.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. Unlike last night’s wanton heat, this was almost ticklish—like lovers. It made her chest flutter. As if aware of her confusion, he moved his hips shallowly.

“Mm, ah… hng, ah… ahn…”

His voice followed.

“Would that make me a shameless, lecherous beneficiary?”

…No. The bad one was Jane.

It was me. I had the chance to sever us forever—and I didn’t. I lingered by your side, regret in my heart.

She bit her lip. His hand came up at once, touching her mouth. He pressed his fingers between her teeth, as if to tell her not to bite.

Soon, like a rising tide, pleasure washed over her and drowned every thought. What bleached white and fell away were her petty guilt and fragile morals.

“Ah…”

Jane blinked. Her mouth hung open, but she couldn’t close it. Saliva threatened to spill.

“You’re tightening.”

With her foggy mind, she barely managed to think—How did this happen again?

“Ahhh—!”

As he thrust into her, she squeezed her eyes shut. At the white-hot peak of pleasure, one thought surfaced.

“Stay for a meal.”

After a morning spent tangled in each other, he let her send a telegram home to say she was safe. Thanks to that, she could reassure Bianca, who must’ve been worried sick.

The room she had stayed in was indeed Ruelne’s. Oddly enough, although his family had supposedly fallen and only recently rebuilt its standing, the mansion was excessively large. Immaculately maintained. Servants everywhere.

Jane tilted her head at that—but quickly forgot it. Ruelne not only brought her food himself, he tried to feed her.

“I can eat on my own!”

“But your hands are shaking…”

“……”

Those eyes. Faced with Ruelne’s watery gaze, she couldn’t refuse and ended up accepting the spoon. He was built like a mountain now, yet when he looked like that, he resembled nothing so much as a kitten abandoned in the rain.

What baffled her most was herself—she’d never cared for animals, never wanted a pet, and yet under that gaze she did anything he asked.

After sending the telegram and dispatching a servant, she received Bianca’s reply.

Staying out overnight? Oh my, congratulations, ma’am!

Don’t worry about work at all~ Enjoy yourself ♥

P.S. It’s not that person, is it?

Should she be grateful to her secretary or not? Bianca had encouraged her—thirty-year-old company head that she was—to enjoy her time off and not worry about work in the slightest. It was absurd.

At the time, she’d only planned to eat and leave….

But once the meal was over and she came to her senses, she was being shown around his estate. Ruelne had begged her to let him give her a tour—and she hadn’t been able to refuse.

The Scharnhost ducal house had a long history; there was much to see. By the time she tore her gaze away, night had already fallen. They ate dinner.

And when she came to again, they were in bed together.

“…You’re sweet, Jane.”

“Ah—please, I—ah, ahn…!”

At the time, she’d thought—Just one day.

The next day he took her to the greenhouse. The day after that, he showed her a mournful face and confessed he’d tried to sort through his late parents’ belongings but couldn’t bear to touch them.

One excuse after another.

A day for this, a day for that…

And when she finally realized it, a full week had passed.

Um, ma’am…?

Are you really not coming back? It’s still manageable, but…

It doesn’t seem like anything’s wrong—

Oh my goodness, are you that happy??

Jane kept sending telegrams so her people wouldn’t worry. Bianca’s replies grew increasingly concerned, asking where on earth she was that she’d only send messages and not return. Jane kept thinking she should go back—yet whenever she came to her senses, the day had already slipped away.

Like this…

“Ah—ah, mm…! S-so, ahn, slow…!”

Jane panted. The thick, long length pounding into her made it impossible to think. He was big everywhere—did that have to include this, too?

She was bent over a desk, gripping its edge.

“Ahhh! Ah—ah, s-stop…!”

“Just a little more… hn. You like it rough.”

Each time he drove into her from behind, her body rose onto her toes or jolted upward entirely. When that happened, Ruelne would slip her feet atop his.

“You said… you wanted to see where I work.”

“Ah—ahn! Ah, there—mm, it hurts…”

“You need to look properly. Yes?”

He lowered his head and kissed down her spine. Pale, smooth skin—like a blank canvas—marked with red streaks. The sight sent a dizzying thrill through him.

“And it doesn’t hurt. You like it.”

After countless couplings, Ruelne knew exactly what she liked—and what she sounded like when she truly hurt. He had a duty to match her preferences perfectly.

‘Because…’

If your body remembers—if it feels too good— you won’t run away again.

And if she did run?

He was ready to chase.

He wasn’t the helpless boy who could only reread her letters dozens, hundreds of times. He would never again permit talk of her engagement to someone else.

He would have her.

“This is the spot, isn’t it? I know.”

“Ah—ahn, yes—mm!”

“Answer me.”

“Ah! Ah—y-yes, ahn! Ahhh—!”

As she screamed at her climax, Ruelne smiled in satisfaction. Obsession pooled and rotted in his eyes. How many years had this feeling festered? He didn’t think about it. He only thrust harder, savoring the woman finally in his grasp. When her walls clenched tight, he pulled out at the last moment, spilling white across her pale back.

Holding her trembling body, he gently rubbed her back with one hand, spreading the slick warmth further.

Now you can’t go anywhere.

My tall lady.

He smiled quietly, content.

“Jane.”

She panted, vision blurred from the relentless pace. Belated embarrassment crept in—she had thoroughly defiled the very place where Ruelne worked and pondered serious matters. But languor ruled her body; she couldn’t move.

Ruelne carefully lifted her into his arms. It was always like this. Brutal while he moved inside her, yet once it ended he treated her like fragile glass. When their eyes met, he looked at her as though she were the most precious thing in the world.

What filled his gaze was unmistakable.

He—

“I like you.”

“……”

“I have for a very long time.”

He loved her. Astonishingly. And yet, perhaps exactly as she’d expected.

Jane pressed her lips together. He had confessed in passing during their time in bed, but never like this—clear, undeniable.

Which meant she couldn’t avoid answering.

He must know that too, this clever beneficiary of hers. When she glanced up, his face was brimming with undisguised affection.

Her lips parted.

She knew. Over the past week—when he’d weakly asked her to help sort his parents’ belongings, when she’d burned with anger upon learning that a distant relative had schemed for his fortune and even caused his blindness, when he’d clung to her with tear-bright eyes—

She could have shaken him off and gone home.

And yet she hadn’t.

‘Because I… love you too, Ruelne.’

He was her first love. They had only exchanged letters, and yet somehow that affection had deepened beyond measure. She had only recently realized just how uncontrollable it had become.

But would this really be okay?

‘I might be fine. But you—’

A man like the rising sun, with countless achievements ahead of him. If he tied himself to her, he would hear things he never should have to hear.

The thought hurt.

Part of her still believed she should let him go—even if it hurt her—so he could meet someone else.

But in just one week, something frightening had taken root.

Possessiveness. Desire. Greed.

‘Can I hold on to him? He loves me too.’

He said there was no marriage candidate. Even the rumors had been spread because he wanted to see her. For years—who even knew how many—they had exchanged feelings without fully realizing it.

So wasn’t she allowed to be greedy, too?

“…If you’re with me, people will say awful things about you.”

Ruelne knew about the Marchioness Seymour. Of course he did. When he’d heard of her marriage, he’d thought—Then I can marry Jane too, can’t I? It could be our story. Even as he shamelessly read her letters urging him to enjoy his youth.

“So what? We’re not ashamed of each other.”

“……People will find out I sponsored you. They won’t look kindly on it.”

“So what? I’m not trying to marry those people.”

Jane startled and lifted her head. He still had a trace of innocence that didn’t match his age. It had shocked him when he learned her true identity—but now he loved even that about her.

“Rumors fade with time. Maybe some will keep talking out of jealousy when they see us happy. But does that matter? My feelings won’t change over something so trivial.”

Her eyes trembled faintly.

Ruelne guessed why she had once pushed him away—and had no intention of indulging her again.

You can’t throw me away over something like that, my tall lady.

You have no choice.

You gave me the world. You opened my eyes and showed me the most beautiful thing in it.

You’re the one who taught me to want it.

“You have a duty to restore your house… If rumors spread about us, you’ll lose ground in society—”

He laughed lightly.

“Jane, when you say things like that, you really do sound like a businesswoman.”

She fell silent, shooting him a faintly dissatisfied look. Even that seemed unbearably lovely to Ruelne. Truly, he had never once considered the difference in their ages.

If anything, he only regretted being born too late—those years when he hadn’t been able to see her.

“I don’t have any grand duty to restore my family, Jane. I did what I had to because it was necessary—but more than that, I just thought… if I had something to my name, maybe you’d like me a little more.”

It was a truth laced with lies.

Because if he had more—anything more—wouldn’t that give him a way to hold onto her? Or, if he had to, a way to keep her confined?

I told you in my letter, my patron.

That the good and upright Ruelne Scharnhost you’re looking at might not even exist in this world. That you might be staring at a mirage.

And yet, you were the one who treated me kindly anyway.

So it’s your fault.

“…Because of me?”

Jane blinked, lips parting in a dazed murmur.

All this time, she had believed Ruelne was trying to rebuild his house in order to reclaim his status—and that she must never stand in his way. When the reason they couldn’t be together disappeared, something inside her unlatched.

And now he was saying that even the other obstacle—the eyes of the world—didn’t matter to him.

In truth, once he experienced it, it might not be so simple. Unlike her, who had endured countless rumors as the faceless heiress of the Shirley family, Ruelne might find it unbearable.

And yet, she took the hand of the greed and desire that had spilled free from her broken lock.

‘I’m sorry. I guess I was never a good patron after all.’

People said that no patronage was ever truly pure.

Even if it wasn’t about coveting someone’s body, wasn’t craving their talent just another form of greed? Some had laughed as they said it.

At last, Jane decided to accept that mockery.

She, too, had become an impure patron in the end—but she had gained the man she wanted because of it. And she was deeply satisfied.

“Fine. Even if it makes you suffer, I might not let you go. I have more money than you think—and I can be a very bad person.”

Ruelne’s eyes widened slightly, then he broke into a radiant smile.

Brighter than the sun.

“Please do become a bad person. I’ll like it even if you try to bind me.”

“…If you’re not into that sort of thing, don’t say such scary things.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Answering obediently, Ruelne lowered his head and whispered. Only when he drew close did she notice the faint tremor in his eyes.

So this wasn’t easy for you either.

Only then did Jane realize—she wasn’t the only one who was afraid.

Strangely, that made everything feel all right.

The criticism she might face. The pointing fingers. The insults and sneers.

If I’m with you, I think I can bear it all.

“I’d be thrilled if you’d go out with me. You know that? I’m the one who benefits.”

Ruelne blinked in surprise, then let out a soft laugh.

“…Looking at you now, you really do sound like a businesswoman.”

“Don’t like that? I can feed you for life and keep funding you, you know.”

“And in exchange, I get to stay by your side?”

Jane nodded slowly.

“…As much as you want.”

Hesitating, she reached out and cupped his cheek.

Her trembling voice confessed to him.

“I like you too, Ruelne. Probably… for quite a while now. Shamelessly so.”

“It’s not shameless at all.”

Whatever thoughts you’ve had, whatever feelings you’ve harbored—they can’t be darker or uglier than mine.

Smiling like an angel, he carefully concealed the stagnant, festering obsession he had nurtured.

I hope you never learn what I’ve done to make you mine.

“Just as I wished.”

He kissed her. Jane caught him by the neck and kissed him back.

The kiss lingered, long and deep.

How long had they been kissing?

At some point, Ruelne lowered Jane onto something. It was the sofa set to one side of the study. He seated her there and rose, and when she looked up at him in confusion, he smiled shyly and sank down at her feet.

“Ruelne…?”

They had just been locked in fierce lovemaking; her upper body was nearly bare, and her skirt had only barely been smoothed back over her hips. Yet he began gently lifting it again.

“W-wait. Ah—!”

He buried his face between her thighs. Jane gasped in shock. The slick evidence of their earlier climax still clung there, wet and sticky—but he paid it no mind, licking her clean with deliberate strokes.

“W-what are you doing? That’s dir— ah, ngh—!”

“No… it’s not dirty at all….”

Her hips jolted. Already oversensitive, her flesh quivered obscenely at every brush of his tongue—every graze of the bridge of his nose. When she climaxed again, unable to endure it, he smiled against her sex.

“Ahh— n-now, ah! Let me rest— ahh!”

“Not yet.”

Shhk. Slick. Shhk!

His fingers slid inside, scissoring, then thrusting hard, striking her tender inner walls. His other hand—and his tongue—rubbed, pinched, even nipped at her clit. She had no defense against it. Just as she began to feel as though every drop of moisture might be wrung from her body—

Ruelne lifted his head. He took in her dazed expression with satisfaction, then hoisted her legs over his shoulders.

“Haa… I—I’ve got no strength left….”

Jane pushed weakly at his chest. He caught both her wrists in one hand and pinned them above her head. Even in her exhaustion, she startled, eyes widening slightly—and saw the splendid smile on his face.

His flushed cheeks, his pleasure-damp expression—so beautiful it reignited the embers of her fading desire. As if aware of her gaze, he curved his lips gently.

“It’s all right. I’ll take care of everything.”

Holding her wrists captive, he thrust his hips forward.

Thrust. He entered her in one smooth motion. Her inner walls burned as though seared by flame. The sting lasted only a heartbeat before the tremor and pleasure spreading from where the head struck deep inside forced her mouth open.

Thrust! Thud! Slide—! Creak! Creak!

The sofa was sturdy, but when a large man gripped and drove into a delicate body, it began to shake with them. Jane felt as though the world itself were trembling. She was exhausted—she wanted nothing more than to sleep—but pleasure seized her by the hair and refused to let go.

‘…I think I’d be happy even if I died like this.’

“Ahhh—! Aah!”

At last, the world shattered into white. Against that white sky scattered with yellow stars, the man’s face slowly came into focus. At his peak, his expression overflowed with ultimate joy and bliss. Feeling his dark, possessive gaze pool over her face, Jane thought this position wasn’t so bad after all.

Ruelne released her hands and pressed a kiss to her wrists, marked faintly by his grip.

“I really do love you, Jane.”

Wrapped in that gentle, honeyed confession, she slowly closed her eyes.

Each time she opened them afterward, he was still thrusting into her from below—but she didn’t mind.

Because at last, she had him.