A middle-aged woman in a classic maid uniform stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Welco, Duke. I am Alicia, head maid of the estate. Please feel free to call on for anything."
Hiros gave a simple nod of acknowledgnt.
Still flustered, I quickly pulled my head away from her chest, trying to reclaim at least so dignity.
"Show where my wife and I will be staying," Hiros said calmly.
My eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wife? When did I beco—"
Before I could finish, she placed a finger gently on my lips, silencing with a knowing smile.
Alicia turned toward with a polite, practiced smile. "Welco, Duchess. It’s an honor to serve you. Please, follow and I’ll show you to your chambers."
I stared blankly, completely thrown off Duchess? ?
Before I could protest, Hiros wrapped an arm around my waist again and grinned.
I couldn’t even process how fast things were moving. One mont I was trying to escape her, and now... apparently I had a title and a room?
’What kind of twisted fairy tale is this?’
Walking inside, the soft brush of red carpet underfoot t my eyes first. The mansion was vast—its walls painted in elegant shades of blue and white, adorned with ornate decorations and glimring chandeliers that hung like floating stars. It felt like a dream. Or more accurately—a trap dressed like a dream.
"You’ll be my duchess," Hiros said with a dreamy smile. "Don’t worry. We’ll marry and live here, just the two of us."
I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm building inside . I don’t want to lash out and again get myself kidnapped.
"Hiros," I said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder and gently removing her arm from around my waist.
Looking straight into her vivid pink eyes, I spoke the truth—calmly.
"I’m a married woman. I have wives. They’re probably terrified, wondering where I am right now. I need to go back. So please... either send ho or at least give my powers back."
The mont the words left my mouth, her expression darkened. Shadows passed over her once-cheerful face. She leaned in, her voice low and possessive as her breath brushed my ear.
"Darling... I don’t want to force myself on you. I want you to feel the love I have for you. I want you to choose ."
Her eyes shimred with emotion—love, devotion, obsession—it was all tangled together.
And that was the real problem.
’How can she love this deeply when she doesn’t even know properly?’
Was it real affection? Or a twisted fantasy she had painted over ?
Hemiros POV
Seeing her hesitant face, I hid my hands behind my back, fingers clenched so tightly my nails dug into my flesh.
I gently pressed my forehead against hers and whispered, "Darling... don’t force , okay? If you won’t stay with , then I’ll remove the mories of your wives from your head."
Her expression shifted to anger, and I cupped her cheek gently.
"I don’t want to turn you into a puppet. I just want you to feel the love I have for you. That’s all," I murmured.
Turning to Alicia, I gave a quiet command. "Alicia, lead the way to the master room."
Alicia bowed and began ascending the stairs.
I wrapped my arm around Zara’s waist again and started walking with her. To my surprise, she didn’t resist this ti. She walked beside in silence.
But when I glanced at her face, my heart nearly stopped.
She was trying not to cry.
With trembling hands, I reached up and wiped the single tear that escaped down her cheek.
"W-what happened, darling?"
She glared at , her voice sharp and full of pain.
"I’m not your darling. Why do all of you treat like so puppet? What do you even get from this? Why do you keep threatening to erase the people I love? That Anahi and now you why"
Her words pierced like a blade, and sothing in my chest twisted—tightened—as if gripped by a demon’s claw. I didn’t want to see her cry. Not like this.
Zara POV:
Suddenly, my vision blurred. My breathing slowed. My eyes... they were turning white.
[WARNING! WARNING! Host, control your emotions! WARNING: Crimson Onslaught skill is initiating!]
What?
My body felt weightless. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, and I could feel that if I wanted, I could destroy anything; this feeling is addictive.
Before I could process what was happening—
A soft, familiar sensation pressed against my lips.
A kiss.
The fog lifted. The overwhelming rage stopped building. My vision cleared, returning to color and form.
I blinked, startled as colour returned to my eyes.
Hemiros had kissed . Not forcefully... but just enough to snap out of it.
’W-what happened? Why did I feel like I wasn’t myself anymore...?’
Hemiros gently parted from the kiss, her gaze eting mine. For the first ti, the obsessive possessiveness that always clouded her eyes was... gone. There was only softness. Gentle longing.
She rested her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes, her arms wrapping around like she was afraid I would vanish if she let go.
"Please... don’t leave ," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I waited for you so long... for so many years, I forgot who I even was."
Her words cracked sothing inside . There was pain—so much pain—wrapped in her every syllable. Like if I said no right now, she would shatter completely.
"If... if you live with here... just for one year—just one year with , alone," her voice broke as she tried to hold herself together, "I promise... I promise after that I won’t stop you from seeing your wives."
She lifted her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But you have to promise ... marry now. Beco mine. Please..."
Her voice faltered near the end, raw and fragile.
Seeing her fragile face, I hesitated parting my lips to answer, but couldn’t find words.
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