C94
Bianca blinked. And it didn't take long for her to remember what Zachary meant.
It was Bianca who told Zachary that she couldn't call him "Darling" because they hadn't consummated their marriage.
"Or my name is fine too."
Zachary's rough fingertips caressed Bianca's lips. As if he expected his name to come out of those lips.
Zachary's words couldn't be misunderstood anymore. So, he really...
Bianca's face flushed.
What should she do in a moment like this? She was afraid of being disappointed if she anticipated it, but when reality came, she was stunned because she wasn't ready.
Bianca, needing some time to think, stammered and tried to hold back Zachary.
"W-wait."
"I apologize for ignoring your request for a successor until now. I had no doubts that I could bear it, but..."
Despite Bianca's attempt to keep her distance, Zachary continued insisting on his words without hesitation. He admitted that it might seem a little coercive, but he felt compelled to say it now. Until now, he tried to pretend to be calm in front of Bianca, but in reality, Zachary's heart was about to burst. The excitement of the blood-spattered battlefield would have been gentler than this.
Winning the tournament, which everyone else called an honor, was just a means for Zachary to hand the golden rose to Bianca. He hoped Bianca would be happy. Zachary would be satisfied even if the woman receiving the golden rose smiled softly.
However, contrary to his expectations, Bianca's face filled with worry when Zachary approached her to give her the golden rose. The moment Zachary faced the concern dripping from her pale green eyes, he felt the patience he had been holding onto to be courteous to Bianca shatter.
"She might also like me a little."
As he thought about it, a pain worse than the pain of a knife stabbed him in the heart. It felt as if he was holding his heart with a piece of hot iron. It was a sweet tribulation beyond pain.
Amidst the muted cheers, Bianca alone shone. The moment Bianca asked for a kiss, Zachary realized he couldn't bear it any longer. The heat that didn't ignite even during the jousting ignited and enveloped him.
He couldn't wait for Bianca to turn 18. No, it was difficult to endure this moment right now.
Freedom, responsibility, respect... Everything he had reasoned until now turned into ashes and disappeared like a moth in a bonfire.
What had been discarded as the whispers of the devil to confuse him now sounded like the trumpet of an ecstatic angel.
Zachary decided to stop arguing that he could bear it.
And he admitted it. His own arrogant miscalculation.
"It was all arrogance."
With a low sigh, he lifted Bianca, holding her.
Bianca was so light that he could easily lift her. The desire, which once lost its reins, ran without hesitation. It wasn't easy to regain the reins of a loose stallion. Especially when the reason for whom the reins had to be held was flying in the air.
Bianca, in Zachary's arms, was stiff, unable to move.
It wasn't the first time she hugged Zachary like this, but it didn't feel familiar.
Zachary carefully laid Bianca down on the bed. The cushions wrapped gently around her back. She was aware of the situation, but still didn't know what to do. While Bianca tried to unravel the complexities in her mind, things moved step by step.
Zachary's shadow fell over Bianca. Bianca looked up at Zachary as she lay on the bed and took a deep breath. Due to the height difference, she always had to look up at Zachary, but today the sense of intimidation was even greater.
Bianca tried to breathe slowly. Zachary gently caressed Bianca's cheek and whispered softly.
"If you want to refuse, now is your chance, Bianca. Slap my cheek hard. Otherwise..."
A kind gesture. An intense pressure. And an irresistible suggestion.
Bianca's heart raced at will, and her attempts to catch her breath were in vain.
The room lights swayed for a moment with the night breeze seeping through the cracks in the door, and a shadow fell over Zachary's face. But the determination in his black eyes was clear. A hoarse and slightly weary voice broke Bianca's heartbeat and penetrated her ear.
"I will make love to you."
It was so direct that she could no longer ignore it.
Until now, Bianca had tried to bring Zachary down on the bed, but she thought it was only a physical union for the sake of succession.
It is often said that there are cases where the body is physically united with one person, and the heart is given to another, but that seemed to be the case for other people.
Bianca didn't feel well in a relationship with a man, and a painful relationship made her feel less affection. So, she thought it didn't matter.
She was convinced she wouldn't give up her plans for Zachary... At the time of her return, obviously.
But now things were different.
Bianca now loves Zachary. The certainty of this feeling, on the contrary, plunged her into confusion. Their union could no longer be a means to an end. If she does it now, there's no turning back. She is sure she won't be able to walk away from him.
At the same time, if she rejects him now, she feels like she will never have a chance like this again.
Bianca's decision was settled.
"... It seems sudden. But it's okay."
Unable to reject him, Bianca stifled her hesitation. She tried to pretend she was okay, but her fingers trembled.
She wanted to escape, but she had nowhere to run. It wasn't because she was trapped between Zachary's arms and couldn't move. It would have been the same if she had allowed Bianca to move freely.
But if she avoided it at this moment, she could clearly imagine that her relationship with Zachary would be postponed indefinitely.
It was rare for Zachary to be so assertive.
An opportunity like this would never present itself again.
Until now, no matter how much she pushed him, he had been like a closed clam, unable to move.
She didn't know what sparked it, but Bianca had to seize this opportunity. Whether it was for the goal she longed for or for her unrequited love that she suddenly discovered.
Perhaps Bianca's response wasn't good? Zachary narrowed his eyes. And he asked back, unable to hide his doubts.
"Do you know what I will do now?"
"I... I know! I told you I have already learned everything."
Bianca boasted and raised the tip of her chin.
However, she bit her lip so hard that blood began to trickle from her tender flesh.
Zachary gently wiped Bianca's lips with the tips of his fingers. There was still concern on his face. It was evident that he didn't believe Bianca's answer.
"Today... might be the first day I reject one of your requests. So if you want me to stop, say it now."
"I believe you will be able to adequately fulfill my request from today onwards. How many times do you plan to ask me that? Do I have to ask you with my own mouth to fuck me?"
Though she replied vigorously, Bianca's face turned red. She didn't expect this reaction even in this situation. No, is this situation more prudent? Her nervous cords seemed to be on fire.
Despite Bianca's blatantly provocative remark, Zachary chuckled softly. Bianca's heart raced at the smile that seemed to think she was cute.
Bianca repeated to herself as if to persuade herself. It's just senseless laughter. Don't misinterpret it, don't get carried away...
Bianca screamed to herself, but it was in vain. It was because every word from Zachary shook her again.
"I'm worried about you. I will try to hold on to my reason for as long as possible. But I don't know how much I can endure."
Tags:
TWB (Novel)