Chapter 10

Nora considered becoming Yvonne Schmidt’s personal maid the greatest fortune of her life. The work was easy, and her mistress was gentle. Though Yvonne was treated as an outcast in the castle, Nora actually preferred it that way – it meant less hassle. While Yvonne’s white hair and crimson eyes were unsettling at first, Nora quickly realized no one suffered more from it than the girl herself.

If she had to name one discomfort now, it was that she’d genuinely begun worrying for this fragile young lady. Nora’s heart had started aching for the pitiful Yvonne.

One day, unfamiliar bruises began appearing on Yvonne’s body. Nora recognized their meaning immediately but pretended not to notice when she saw Yvonne anxiously gauging her reaction. At the time, she didn’t know how to handle such matters and avoided them – a mistake she now regretted deeply.

“Ah… So it was Sir Max?”

It seemed Max had been the one meeting Yvonne in secret. Not entirely surprising – the red-haired knight had always shown her kindness.

Logan mentioned that during negotiations for Yvonne’s marriage to Kyle, Nina had discovered their affair and flown into a rage. That Kyle had witnessed their secret rendezvous made it somewhat understandable, but…

“She’s whipped daily, barely able to stand some days.”

“Good heavens…”

Nora grimaced, imagining Yvonne suffering alone in her room.

“And do you think Kyle will let this go? If the marriage falls through, Nina will make sure Yvonne doesn’t survive it.”

Horrified, Nora bit her lip. Watching her reaction, Logan smiled inwardly before putting on a solemn expression.

“Though we haven’t been siblings long, I can’t stand by. I… understand being shunned because of my eyes.”

Nora instinctively met his gaze – those blood-red irises, darker and more ominous than Yvonne’s scarlet ones. An uneasy feeling crept over her, followed immediately by guilt. After witnessing Sebastian beat Yvonne so often, how could she judge Logan for his eyes? She quickly bowed her head.

Fortunately, Logan distracted her by pressing a small pouch into her hands.

“Open it.”

“This is–!”

Four gold coins. More money than Nora could earn in three lifetimes. Her eyes widened.

“Will you help Yvonne? This is for your trouble. After this, you’ll need to leave the territory for your own safety.”

The thought of fleeing made her pause, but with this money, she could buy a small house and open a shop in the capital – the life she’d always dreamed of.

More importantly, this was about saving that poor girl.

“Don’t worry, I’ll arrange an escort to ensure you escape safely.”

“Yes… I’ll do it.”

As Nora clutched the pouch to her chest, Logan handed her a small vial. He hid his smirk – four gold coins was excessive for such a task, but it didn’t matter. Half would return to him anyway.

And soon, he’d reclaim something far more valuable than money – his precious pet.

◇ ◆ ◇

“To think my own son would prepare to stab me in the back.”

Nina glared sharply at Alexander standing before her chamber doors. In contrast, Alexander looked down at her with emotionless eyes. The knights behind him stood rigid, swallowing hard under the palpable tension.

“As Count Schmidt, I merely did what was necessary.”

Minor corruption, meaningless conversations, trivial mistakes by close aides–it was more than enough for Alexander to decide to confine Nina to a remote monastery for life using his authority.

Truthfully, he had never intended to let her be, not after she so readily handed over power to him. Sebastian and Nina had taught him that the first thing one does upon gaining power is purge the previous ruler and their inner circle.

So this held no deeper meaning. Seeing Nina’s lips tremble, Alexander steeled himself.

“Of all times, you choose now–when Yvonne is missing? The castle is already in disarray. Couldn’t this wait?”

“That matter requires no concern from you, Mother.”

At Alexander’s nod, the knights moved to flank Nina. Everyone present knew this wasn’t an escort–it was surveillance.

Nina clenched her teeth. Her son’s expression gave no opening, no weakness to exploit. But she wasn’t about to retreat quietly.

With a deep breath, she smoothed her face into a gentle smile and extended a crumpled letter. Alexander’s brow furrowed at the seal.

“What is this?”

“One of two keepsakes Eric entrusted to me.”

“Why hand it over only now–”

“He said someone would come for it eventually. Keep it safe until then.”

Alexander glanced at the letter stamped with the Knüpfe royal seal before tucking it away. Annoying, but Eric had long been a corpse incapable of speech.

It irked him that he couldn’t guess the letter’s contents, but it likely held no real significance. What mattered more was–

“He also asked me to ‘take care of Yvonne.'”

For an instant, fire seemed to spark in those black eyes, making Nina nearly step back. The chilling gaze sent shivers down her spine–yet seeing his barely contained fury also brought perverse satisfaction.

Alexander hastily bid his father farewell. Any longer, and he might have struck the man down on the spot.

“…Then, safe travels.”

“……”

“Mother.”

The word carried deliberate weight. Without responding, Nina turned with her usual grace–though she couldn’t hide the rage simmering beneath. He knew better than anyone how that title insulted her.

Her hands trembled as they clutched her skirts. Unable to resist, she whirled around–but Alexander had already vanished down the corridor. Her lips twisted. Did you really think I’d rot quietly in some monastery? I’ve already found the perfect way to unravel you.

She didn’t believe for a second that Alexander’s timing was coincidental. The image of a certain trembling girl flickered in her mind. The thought of that pitiful, fragile creature improved her mood.

Nina turned to Logan. Her unfortunate son, born with those accursed red eyes and forever compared to his brother. Reluctantly, she admitted he resembled her greatly.

But that didn’t mean she felt any camaraderie. Quite the opposite.

“Farewell. Give Yvonne my regards.”

“If… I ever get the chance.”

Logan’s barbed tone betrayed his irritation at having his toy taken. Nina smirked, offering sincere advice:

“Do try not to provoke Alexander further.”

To Logan, it sounded like a command to spend his life kowtowing to his brother. His smile vanished, fists clenching. He’d never lived that way–never would.

After a curt farewell, Logan sprinted after Alexander, finding him already at the study door. Even from behind, his presence felt unnervingly oppressive. The empty corridor seemed to shrink.

Alexander glanced at Logan entering. His brother looked decidedly unhappy.

“Was this necessary? He’s still our father.”

“He should’ve anticipated this the moment I inherited the title.”

Alexander leaned against the window, watching Nina’s carriage depart, her slave in tow. Memories of their twisted trysts in this very study made something seethe within him. His jaw tightened as the carriage disappeared from view.

“Grandfather will come storming in once he hears.”

Alexander immediately summoned a servant.

“Tell Thomas to escort Grandfather directly here if he arrives. Ensure he doesn’t wander the castle.”

Even the young servant understood: Sebastian’s freedom to roam would be curtailed. As the servant left stiffly, Logan sneered.

“I never thought a woman would reduce you to this.”

“Yvonne’s all that occupies your mind. How simple.”

Despite the sarcasm, Alexander clapped Logan’s shoulder–a rare gesture of camaraderie. For now, their relationship held. For now. Just as Logan began to relax–

“Take the lead.”

“…What?”

“Lead me to Yvonne.”

Nina had sought to strengthen her position by marrying the Blasiha heir. He wouldn’t have hidden Yvonne. In the insular Schmidt territory, the odds of a noblewoman being kidnapped in broad daylight were nil. And Yvonne fleeing on her own? Impossible. Alexander barely knew her, but he knew that much.

The same applied to Logan.

After Yvonne fell into Nina’s hands, Logan had wandered around looking like he’d bitten something sour–until a few days ago, when his mood abruptly brightened. He’d been careful at family meals, but Alexander had caught him whistling cheerfully multiple times. He’d only bothered hiding it from Nina.

The scheming was transparent. Alexander clicked his tongue at his amateurish brother.

“Guide me.”

* * *

“So this is what it feels like when your fiancée runs away.”

The man stood out despite the tattered cloak draped over him–his height alone made him conspicuous. Kyle spotted him instantly. The sight of those familiar red locks peeking out from the hood made his teeth grind. He had to force himself not to lunge forward.

“Wow, I’ve only seen this in plays. How does it feel to be jilted?”

News of Yvonne’s disappearance had reached Kyle just past noon. While knights quietly organized search parties, Logan had pulled him aside, his face ashen.

“You know how terrified she is. To make her run away… Impressive.”

“You bastard–! You drugged her–!”

Kyle grabbed Logan by the collar, but Logan only smiled wider.

“Let’s be clear. Thanks to Mother, she hasn’t touched those drugs in weeks.”

“……”

“I wonder who she hated marrying so much.”

Kyle’s silence was answer enough. Logan pried his fingers loose, relishing how Kyle’s hands shook with impotent rage. The superiority was intoxicating–a sensation he hadn’t felt in so long. In a rare moment of generosity, he decided to throw Kyle a bone.

“Want to know where Yvonne is?”

And, of course, for his own amusement.

“Who could’ve lured that timid little thing out…?”

Kyle knew immediately. After Nina took Yvonne in, only one man had constant access to her.

True to Logan’s words, Max had slipped out of the castle at dusk, moving with excessive caution toward the slums near the temple. He’d entered a house that looked long abandoned.

Kyle approached slowly, one hand on his sword hilt, the other easing the door open. The interior was pitch-black, littered with broken furniture–hardly a place for habitation. No reason for Max, with his knight’s salary, to be here. Unless…

Was he hiding her? His heart pounded so violently he feared it might burst.

Despite his turmoil, his movements were methodical. He steadied his breathing and crept up the creaking stairs.

“–!”

A sob echoed from the second floor as a door groaned open. Kyle drew his sword.

Yvonne jolted awake at the sound. She must’ve dozed off. Before she could lift her head, the wardrobe door swung open. A scream tore from her throat.

“Max…!”

Tears welled in her wide eyes. The terror of waiting alone was etched into her trembling frame. Max pulled her close before she could see his own twisted expression. Her small body, chilled to the bone, shuddered against him as she buried her face in his chest.

“It’s alright now, my lady.”

His warm hand patted her shoulder, and fresh tears spilled over. She hadn’t dared hope he’d come. Had resigned herself to rotting in that wardrobe.

Max helped her into a cloak, relieved when her tears subsided. Wiping her cheeks, he forced a smile.

Life outside would be hard, but according to Nora, Yvonne had been bedridden for days under Nina’s abuse. Anything–poverty, exile–was better than being beaten to death by her stepmother.

The fact that she’d fled at all proved her desperation.

“It’s dark outside… but fewer people means it’s safer than daylight.”

Her determined nod made his pulse race. Even as fugitives, he’d be content if she stayed by his side. For the first time, the future felt bright.

Then the door flew open.

A knight stood silhouetted in the doorway, sword drawn. Max shoved Yvonne behind him as she gasped.

“Lord Blasiha…”

Kyle’s lip curled at the protective gesture.

“You know the penalty for abduction is summary execution?”

Yvonne’s mouth fell open.

“Max didn’t abduct me–!”

The raw panic in her voice snapped both men’s attention to her. Though she flinched under their stares, she pressed on.

“Kyle… please let us go…”

Her fragile plea hung in the air. Kyle’s face hardened as she begged.

“Pathetic.”

He exhaled sharply. Part of him wanted to slaughter them both and end his own misery. Yet here he was, weakening at a few words.

Against his instincts, he sheathed his sword. Yvonne stared in disbelief.

“Kyle…?”

His lips parted as if to speak–

The door burst open.

“Seize them!”

“No–! MAX!”

Armored knights swarmed in, forcing Max to his knees. Yvonne screamed as they bound him roughly.

“Enough, Yvonne.”

The familiar voice froze her blood. She looked up into crimson eyes.

“Logan…?”

Terror stifled even her tears. His grin sent chills down her spine.

“I-It’s my fault! I begged Max to–”

“I know.”

He brushed her disheveled hair aside, voice sickeningly gentle.

“But my brother might not agree.”

The memory of Alexander’s cold dismissal in Nina’s chambers flashed through her mind. As Logan dragged her toward the horses, her legs gave out.

“Yvonne. Here.”

Alexander’s voice cut through the chaos.

“……”

Logan’s grip tightened, but he relinquished her with a smirk. This is temporary.

As Yvonne was hauled into Alexander’s carriage, Logan licked his lips. The game was far from over.

* * *

The spacious carriage could have seated eight, but Yvonne felt suffocated. Alexander’s piercing gaze from across the carriage seemed to constrict her throat.

Yet something else weighed on her even more heavily. Suppressing the urge to vomit, she forced herself to speak.

“Brother…”

“……”

“Sir Max… he didn’t do anything wrong…”

Alexander clearly heard her but remained silent. Tears welled up as her lips trembled. Just as she tried again–

“I know.”

His voice wasn’t as cold as before. For some reason, her eyes burned, and she ducked her head.

The moment she relaxed slightly, the carriage jolted violently. The foreign object inside her made its presence acutely known. A whimper escaped her lips. This time, Alexander reacted instantly.

“Does it hurt?”

She shook her head frantically, too embarrassed to answer. Her face flushed crimson.

Unfortunately, once noticed, her body wouldn’t stop reacting. With every small bump, soft moans slipped out. Seeing her white-knuckled grip on her dress, Alexander opened the window and ordered the driver to slow down–but it didn’t help. The rod inside her began pressing against sensitive spots.

“Ngh… hnn…!”

“Where does it hurt?”

She bit her lip and shook her head. When Alexander sighed, her shoulders jerked.

But he didn’t let it go. Moving beside her, he untied her cloak and pulled her close. She collapsed against him with a gasp. His hand paused mid-motion when he noticed her state.

He’d meant to loosen her corset, thinking she felt unwell–but her flushed face, trembling fists, and choked moans told a different story. A familiar reaction. Tilting her chin up, he watched tears spill over.

“Th-there’s… something inside me…”

The moment the words left her mouth, she was lifted onto his lap facing him. When he pushed her skirts up, she grabbed his wrist in panic.

“Don’t!”

“You’d rather keep it in?”

Her face crumpled. Alexander soothed her.

“It’s alright.”

How could this be alright? Even the mere exposure of her thighs was mortifying.

“Yvonne.”

Her name, whispered against her ear, sent shivers down her spine. Reluctantly, she released his hand. One arm secured her waist as his other hand slipped beneath her skirts. When his fingers brushed her soaked core, her body jerked against him.

Every slide of his fingers drew fresh whimpers. The way her small hands clutched at his coat unsettled him more than he’d admit. Suppressing the urge to torment her further, he focused on the object lodged inside–a hollow, tube-like rod, undoubtedly Nina’s doing.

Slick with her arousal and wedged deep, it resisted removal. Each attempt only drew wanton sounds from Yvonne. His own growing hardness didn’t help.

“A ring… inside…” she whimpered.

His finger probed deeper, finding the internal ring–positioned impossibly far for her small hands to reach. No wonder she’d failed to remove it. Nina’s cruelty knew no bounds.

With one sharp tug, he extracted it. Her body arched violently in his arms.

“Haaah…!”

Her slender arms locked around his neck as the vile contraption clattered to the floor. Thick fluid–likely his father’s–splattered his trousers and the carriage floor.

Alexander held her close as aftershocks wracked her body. Her racing heartbeat pulsed against his chest.

Yvonne buried her face in his shoulder, breathing raggedly. The prominent Adam’s apple in her slender throat bobbed visibly.

Then she felt it–his erection, pressing insistently against her still-sensitive flesh. Realizing how intimately they were positioned, she stiffened.

A gush of residual fluid trickled from her abused entrance at the movement. Humiliation burned through her as tears fell.

“Brother… your clothes… they’re dirty…”

He said nothing, simply holding her. The thought of relying on him–someone who could discard her without a second thought–terrified her.

She couldn’t allow it. Pushing against his shoulders to rise, she was yanked back with bruising force. In one motion, he freed himself and sheathed inside her.

“Ngh! Aah–! Brother…!”

Even after enduring objects all day, his size overwhelmed her. Each thrust stretched her to the brink, drawing wanton cries. Hearing her own debauched sounds mortified her. She bit her lip–then froze at the sound of hoofbeats keeping pace outside.

Could they hear? Of course they could. The driver too. Shame burned her cheeks.

A particularly rough thrust sent white sparks across her vision. When she tried to squirm away, he pulled her down harder, hilting himself completely.

“N-no… Brother, please…!”

Her body still carried traces of Nina and Ralph–how could she accept Alexander like this?

But his iron grip immobilized her. Up close, his smoldering gaze pinned her in place.

“Then tell me–do you want me to stop?”

Agony twisted her features–yet her walls fluttered around him. Each brush against her swollen nipples through the fabric drew tremors.

It felt too good. Enough to drive her mad. She wanted him to pin her to the carriage floor and take her like an animal.

Was this Logan’s drug? Some part of her knew she was broken beyond repair.

“Answer me, Yvonne. Should I stop?”

A deliberate stroke against her sweet spot made her arch with a broken moan. She had to answer–

“Be honest.”

No, that’s what Mother said… But Brother… Her thoughts scattered under his intoxicating scent and predatory gaze.

“N-no…”

Tears streamed down her face–whether from self-loathing or pleasure, she couldn’t tell. The stretch of his cock and the searing drag of his calloused hands emptied her mind.

“I like it… Brother, this feels… haaah…!”

Alexander buried his face in her neck. Beneath the dust and sweat, her natural scent intoxicated him. He inhaled deeply.

When his lips traced her throat, she shuddered violently. The reminder of her soiled state sent revulsion through her.

“I’m filthy… Brother… ngh! Too dirty…!”

“I don’t care.”

Why did those words make her cry harder? Clinging to him, she felt his sigh against her skin.

“Yvonne…”

Her name, whispered against her ear with unexpected tenderness, shattered her remaining resolve. Maybe it didn’t matter anymore.

Alexander studied her face–the delicate features now twisted in carnal bliss. Yes, this was what he wanted to see. His heartbeat roared in his ears.

Her climax hit violently. Feeling her inner walls clutch him like a vise, he drove into her relentlessly. The carriage rocked dangerously.

“Ngh! Brother, no more…! I can’t… haaah…!”

Her oversensitive body couldn’t handle the onslaught. As she clawed at his back, he spread her wider and sheathed himself to the hilt.

“AAAAH–!”

Her scream coincided with his release. Already filled with other men’s seed, she now overflowed with his. Thick fluid leaked around their joined flesh.

Collapsing against him, she barely registered his arms encircling her. His hand stroking her back felt inexplicably gentle. Fighting heavy eyelids, she mumbled:

“Brother…”

“Hm?”

“Don’t… send me to Mother…”

A soft press of lips against her forehead.

“I won’t.”

“……”

“Never.”

As she fell unconscious, he studied her trembling form. The sight twisted something in his chest.

Extracting himself carefully, he bundled her in his cloak. A clean handkerchief dabbed away tear tracks.

This was the first time he’d held her while she was lucid. A woman like her–he’d thought he’d never touch her unless she begged for it.

Even when she resisted, his desire had overwhelmed him. For her–covered in grime, still carrying his father’s seed…

Jaw clenched, he could only think one thing: I’ve lost. Maybe he was the mad one all along.