“Thank you for visiting the temple. Please don’t hesitate to call upon us again, anytime. Hahaha.”
The priest couldn’t even scold the Duke for abruptly ending the ceremony.
With a forced smile, he begged to be summoned again “without fail” before hurrying out of the hall.
‘Am I supposed to survive this?’
Left in the now-empty wedding hall, Sylvian obediently stayed silent, just as the priest had advised.
“Let’s go.”
“…Pardon?”
Zeroth gave a small chuckle as the bewildered bride looked up at him with wide eyes.
“Didn’t you hear? For the marriage to be official, it must be consummated.”
He clicked his tongue as he watched the color drain from Sylvian’s face.
Might as well just move his hips a little and call it done.
Looking at that slim, delicate frame, it was clear he’d barely be able to take him.
Guess I’ll toss him in the annex and hope he dies on his own.
“Follow me.”
If this was how it was going to be, he should’ve just held the ceremony in the dining room.
Annoyed at the thought of returning to the main estate, Zeroth walked briskly ahead, not caring whether Sylvian could keep up.
Once they reached the bedroom, Zeroth went straight into the bath.
The servants, following behind, dragged a swaying Sylvian into what would now be the duchess’s chambers.
The moment they entered, the maids began to strip off Sylvian’s white ceremonial robes and explained the rules of the bedroom in curt tones.
“Do not touch the Duke’s body without permission. And whatever he asks for, you must comply.”
The hastily made robe wasn’t even worth keeping.
Frustrated by being assigned to a discarded duchess, the maid took it out on the already terrified Sylvian.
“Get in the tub.”
“But, I already bathed at the temple—”
“Surely you’re not planning to serve the Duke in a body drenched in sweat from the whole day?”
Faced with her icy glare, Sylvian lowered his gaze and quietly stepped into the bath.
It was his first time being bathed by strangers.
Stripping and exposing himself in front of unfamiliar people made his skin crawl.
Every time her hands scrubbed his private parts, he bit down on his lip in shame.
“There’s no issue with fingernails, toenails, or anus.”
She reported his condition to someone standing just outside.
“Good. Jasmine, make sure you guide the duchess properly and take his to the bedroom.”
The kind voice outside made Sylvian’s eyes waver.
‘So she’s upset because she got stuck serving a castoff duchess.’
Still, he couldn’t complain. If she was to be his attendant from now on, she was his only lifeline.
He was going to be thrown into the annex by tomorrow.
He couldn’t afford to be on her bad side.
He had to make her pity him.
“Step out.”
At her curt tone, Sylvian stood awkwardly from the tub.
A towel quickly wiped away the water from his body.
“Spread your legs.”
Her commands grew shorter.
Sylvian pressed his lips together and shut his eyes.
They carefully applied oil to his skin, nails, and toes.
When he obeyed and opened his legs, oil was poured between his cheeks, making him flinch and tear up.
She spread him apart and checked that enough oil had pooled, then stepped back.
“Put this on and head inside.”
Her tone lightened, perhaps from the relief of finally finishing the task.
Sylvian slipped on a short robe and stepped into the next room.
“…!”
As soon as the door opened, he saw the Duke seated in a lavish chair, clad only in a robe himself.
“You’re late.”
“I—I’m sorry.”
Having to do this in such a tense atmosphere, Sylvian felt like it would be a miracle just to survive the wedding night.
All his bravado about “ditching the main lead” had vanished, replaced by a desperate plea: ‘Please, just let me live.’
‘The original story says I don’t die yet!’
He wasn’t supposed to die until the main bottom appeared next year!
Swallowing hard, Sylvian slowly stepped into the room.
The moment Zeroth stood, his towering figure appeared right before Sylvian’s eyes.
Before he could back away, a large hand gripped his waist.
“You must be tired, my wife.”
Zeroth had heard from Kelvin that Sylvian had spent the entire day waiting in the annex.
His pale face was filled with exhaustion and fear.
Saying “my wife” felt ridiculous coming out of his mouth, but after a long day of dealing with the imperial family, he just wanted to get this over with and rest.
‘Hiccup.’
“I’ll finish this quickly.”
Thud.
Sylvian’s light frame practically fell into his arms without effort.
Startled by suddenly being laid on the bed, Sylvian opened his eyes wide.
That surprised expression… wasn’t bad.
‘At least the face is decent.’
“Open your mouth.”
“Uh… nng…”
Clutching the robe tightly around his exposed thighs like a lifeline, Sylvian looked so pitiful it made Zeroth feel like the villain.
Suppressing his annoyance at the trembling lips, Zeroth forced his tongue in.
“……!”
Sylvian’s body stiffened in panic at the intrusion.
“Nngh!”
Zeroth’s large tongue left him breathless.
He’d never experienced such a forceful kiss before.
With the Duke pressing down on him, there was no way to escape.
“Mmgh!”
Married on the same day he left the house for the first time in 25 years—life was certainly dynamic.
He’d had his first kiss before, but in this body, it was new.
He couldn’t keep up with the Duke’s strength or pace.
Hic.
His breath caught.
The relentless tongue exploring his mouth left his head spinning.
Tears welled up in his eyes from the forceful kiss.
Tap.
Tap.
Unable to find a moment to breathe, Sylvian finally reached up and lightly tapped Zeroth’s shoulder.
“What is it?”
“Hh… haah… hah…”
Even after he pulled away, Sylvian was too busy gasping for air to respond.
“Hm. Is this your first time?”
“…?”
“Ah… first times are always exhausting.”
Unable to keep up with the conversation, Sylvian just blinked while Zeroth chuckled and leaned in for another kiss.
“Hnng…”
Sigh.
This time, it was gentler.
He licked Sylvian’s teeth slowly, allowing him to breathe between kisses.
Didn’t think he could be this gentle.
“Hnn… ngh! Hah!”
Tremble.
Even though it was just kissing, Sylvian’s thighs trembled.
‘Shit, he’s really good at this.’
Main leads are different.
Hiding his reluctant admiration, Sylvian clenched his hands tightly.
He wasn’t supposed to touch the Duke.
Even though he had to earlier, he now locked his hands above his chest as instructed.
Tap.
“Is… is it over?”
Zeroth finally pulled back.
Watching him carefully, Sylvian asked with feigned innocence and a hopeful tone.
He bit down hard on his already swollen, feverish lips.
Like someone desperately praying for this to be over, he stared at the duke with pleading eyes.
“Ha… Could this… be the end?”
The duke’s laugh as he repeated the question was infuriatingly handsome—so much so that it made his face burn even hotter.
It shouldn’t end here.
When he gave a small nod, the duke chuckled softly.
Then, the man reached out and tapped his cheek lightly.
“Ah, no?”
He should be pleased with this tear-streaked face.
Sylvian sniffled, watching Zeroth’s expression carefully.
“The gods aren’t so easily swayed, you see.”
The duke’s fingers, which had been idly tracing his face, slid beneath his robe.
“Ah, no—!”
He frantically grabbed at the slipping fabric, then yanked his hand back as if frightened.
“Eek!”
Exposed and ashamed, he covered his most private parts.
Zeroth’s crimson eyes trailed slowly down his body, like a predator sizing up its prey.
“If you cry prettily enough to move my heart… I might finish quickly.”
Madman.
What kind of nonsense is he spouting to someone who knows nothing?
Sylvian scoffed and turned away.
“Hng… T-This isn’t… nngh… right…”
“It is. We’re married now.”
Did he not realize this only made things worse?
