Chapter 5

Contrary to Logan’s ominous words, that night Yvonne slept deeply for the first time in a long while. She dreamed sporadically, but none of the nightmares from before. A small bird flying into the room. A prayer she had memorized since childhood. Old books with edges browned by time.  

Yvonne slept for two full days without waking. It was a peaceful night. But after that, her life changed completely.  

She doesn’t eat breakfast. She can’t wake up in time. At first, Nina seemed displeased and dropped hints a few times, but soon gave up and stopped paying attention.  

Fortunately, she manages to rise before lunch. After the meal, Logan calls for her. Sometimes he speaks when no one is around, but other times, he initiates conversations in front of family members or servants, including Alexander.  

“Want to play chess in my room?”  

She doesn’t know how to play chess at all, but Yvonne nods anyway. She can’t refuse him.  

It was just an ordinary conversation. Yet she could feel Alexander’s gaze lingering on them from a short distance away. Yvonne swallowed dryly. His eyes keep drifting over. She shouldn’t look…  

In the end, she couldn’t resist and glanced at him. His dark eyes stared straight at her. Her nails dug into her clenched palms. In the past, he would have clicked his tongue in disapproval or muttered something to Logan before moving on. But today was different. Alexander kept staring – unwavering.  

Logan noticed Yvonne’s eyes shifting behind him and twisted his lips. But before she could notice, his expression smoothed over. He flashed a bright smile and tugged at her arm.  

“Let’s go.”

“Okay…”

She didn’t want to go, but she couldn’t refuse him.  

“Hah… Hng…!”  

A small sigh escaped her lips. Her bare, sweat-drenched body trembled on the bed. The wig and dress lay discarded on the table. Yvonne shuddered, face-down on the sheets.  

“Yvonne… You good?”  

The man’s voice was low, still thick from their rough lovemaking. She nodded frantically, whimpering as Logan chuckled and kissed her neck.  

The heat of his lips on her shoulder, his hands sliding down her waist and groping her hips – it was maddeningly good. She couldn’t understand why she had become like this.  

When she finally regained her senses, she felt Logan’s fingers slipping between her cheeks. She bit her lip. He was touching her most shameful place. And from there, a pl*asure she now knew all too well surged forth.  

“This is… ngh… ridiculous…”  

“I’ll make you feel even better…”  

“Ah–Logan! Faster, ah–!”  

Her eyes flew wide as his finger pushed where it shouldn’t. When her tense muscles clenched around him, he laughed – the vibration traveling straight to where they were joined.  

“You’ll break my finger… Relax.”  

Despite his words, his fingers moved effortlessly. He must have applied something slick – everywhere he touched burned feverishly.  

Soon, he began thrusting recklessly. Tears welled up from the pain and humiliation. She thrashed, mouth opening–  

Stop. Please…

But those words had long since stopped coming out. Her voice failed her; only her lips moved uselessly. Trying only made her more certain something was deeply wrong with her. Trembling, she forced out another plea.  

“But… this… feels weird… This place…”  

It feels bad… 

“Feels good, doesn’t it?”  

“…!” 

The moment he said it, an abnormal pl*asure crashed over her. Her back arched on its own; her vision flipped. She bit her lip to stifle the moans, but it was no use. By the time she regained her senses, she was already shamelessly rocking her hips.  

“Ahh, ah, hng…”  

“I’ll make sure you can feel everything back there soon.” 

He kissed her cheek, his voice tender. But this Logan felt like the one from her nightmares – violent, terrifying…  

Logan told her she seemed like she was sleepwalking, confusing dreams with reality. The details – conversations, situations – might differ slightly, but all the s*x had really happened. A horrifying admission.  

He even confirmed she had slept with Max. Unable to hold back, she burst into tears. He held her, his expression pained – just like now.  

“If you keep shaking your hips like that, you’ll hurt yourself.”  

Despite his concerned tone, he pushed a cold bead inside her. She gritted her teeth, swallowing a scream – then another followed. The foreign sensation made her clench and release uncontrollably.  

An itchy heat spread through her body. She couldn’t control her limbs, collapsing face-first onto the bed. Logan slid yet another bead between her cheeks.  

*”How long do you plan to keep these in?”*  

Her eyes flew open in shock. Logan smiled softly. Her face was drained of color. What? Take them out – now!  

“I… ngh… want them in… Feels good…”  

“No. Keeping them too long will strain you. Just until dinner.”  

How can I sit through dinner with these inside–?! Tears welled up. She wanted to scream for him to remove them, but the words wouldn’t come. Terrified, she decided to try removing them herself. She reached back–  

“Hah… Ahh…!”  

But her fingers moved on their own, slipping between her folds instead. Logan had left his seed there earlier, so her fingers slid in easily. The hot, slick walls clenched around them.  

This isn’t where I meant to touch– Her jaw trembled, teeth chattering. Just before she lost herself, a large hand yanked her wrist away.  

“Stop… You’ll hurt yourself. Endure it.”

“But…”  

“Yvonne, you can do this, right?”  

Logan lay beside her, arm outstretched. She fell into his embrace – now a familiar refuge.  

It was miserable. No matter how lonely she had been, this wasn’t the warmth she wanted…  

Yvonne cried in Logan’s arms for a long time. It should have felt strange, but Logan said nothing.

◇ ◆ ◇

Whether she slept, read a book, or simply stared blankly at the wall, time passed until dinner arrived. After the meal, she returned to her room and anxiously watched the clock. By 10 PM, her legs moved on their own. And then…  

Thud, thud. The sound of flesh colliding echoed loudly. The woman kneeling like a dog before Alexander looked strained just from taking a man twice her size. She whimpered intermittently as he thrust upward.  

Before long, her upper body collapsed. With only her hips raised, the sight of his c*ck disappearing into her flushed c*nt was unmistakable. He gripped her slender waist, staring down at her.  

The head of his c*ck scraped against the s*men already pooled inside her – likely Logan’s. With each thrust, the small ring protruding from her a$s swayed.  

Alexander frowned. He never wanted to know his younger brother’s s*xual preferences. Nor where his sister felt pl*asure.  

“Brother… I… There’s too much dripping from my p*ssy…”  

As always, his sister came to his room, spouting vulgar words she’d never used before. She collapsed onto the cold floor, hiking up her dress and spreading her legs. True to her words, her thighs and s*x were soaked with slick.  

“Plug me up with your c*ck, Master…” 

Her a$s was already stuffed with something. The ring peeked out obscenely.  

Alexander approached, sliding a finger into her c*nt while pressing against her backside. Yvonne shrieked from just that. He stirred his fingers carelessly.  

One, two, three beads – his fingertips brushed against them through her walls. He couldn’t reach deeper. How many more are inside? He’d find out soon enough. He didn’t care to stop whatever game Logan was playing with her. It would be vulgar to comment.  

“Ahh… I love your c*ck… F*ck me with it, Master…”  

Where did this boldness come from? The same Yvonne who could barely look at him now begged. At least it erased thoughts of Logan. He dragged her onto the bed and plunged into her without hesitation.  

His thick c*ck ravaged her with every thrust. The beads in her a$s rattled, grinding against his sh*ft through her walls.  

It wasn’t satisfying. Logan still felt present. The thought of three of them – especially with his siblings – twisted his stomach.  

“Hah… Ah, ahhh!”  

Her small body convulsed as another cl*max hit. Her bony hands clawed the sheets. Alexander’s gaze fixed on her delicate wrists.  

Every time she squirmed, her body shifted forward – as if trying to escape.  

Not yet. He clicked his tongue, yanking her wrists back. Crossing her arms behind her, he pinned them with one hand. Her frail body was easy to maneuver.  

Now on her knees, back arched, she had no control. If he let go, she’d faceplant into the bed. Tension coiled in her lower body. When she clenched, Alexander exhaled sharply – almost a laugh. Whether he noticed her burning face or not, his voice was low.  

“Yvonne, relax.”  

She tried. Failed. Will he scold me? Shrinking, she whimpered, “I… I can’t…”  

He didn’t answer. Instead, his hand slid down to her dripping c*nt. Before he even touched her, her hips jerked. His c*ck shifted inside, stealing her breath.  

Then his fingers found her cl*t. Heat prickled under her skin. A broken moan slipped past her lips.  

He started moving again. Each thrust hammered into her deepest spots. The beads in her a$s rolled wildly, amplifying the obsc*ne pl*asure Logan had forced into her. Dizziness swallowed her mind.  

“Ngh, ahh…! Master…!”

Master. The servants of Schmidt Manor all called Alexander that. Though he’d only recently become Count, the title meant little to him. But from Yvonne’s mouth, it felt different.  

When he paused, her tiny fists clenched nervously. He wanted her flustered. No intention of mercy. 

A strange feeling. Did I ever hate her enough to torment her like this? No. She was just an annoying stepsister. Not worth the energy. At least, that’s what he’d thought – until recently.  

“Brother…?” 

She turned her head slightly. His sharp profile filled her vision. Her crimson eyes trembled.  

Alexander pulled out abruptly, flipping her onto her back and climbing over her. She yelped. He brushed the hair from her face.  

Her white hair bore no resemblance to an old woman’s – silky, slipping through his fingers. He gripped it firmly, not enough to hurt.  

As he thrust again, Yvonne instinctively grabbed his wrist. She needed an anchor. The pounding grew rougher. Her mind went blank.  

“Hng, haaa…! M-Master, your c*ck… feels so good…! Fill me, ahh…!”  

“Tch…”  

Annoyed by how easily she yielded, he gripped her hips and slammed into her. The force knocked the breath from her lungs. Clinging to him, she dug her nails into his back, unaware she’d even grabbed him.

◇ ◆ ◇

She cried until she had no tears left. Why did I end up like this? What did I do wrong? She couldn’t even remember when it had started.  

If she had known, could she have stopped it? The thought dragged her deeper into despair. But after crying so violently, no more tears came. Yvonne dragged her feet forward, numb.  

She almost knocked on the door before snapping back to reality. The Count’s study? Why am I here? Her face paled. Alexander wasn’t even in the castle – he wouldn’t return until tomorrow at the earliest. Yet her body had brought her here anyway. Even during the day, she’d sought him out, begging to be held. It had become a habit.  

I’m insane. Absolutely insane. Just stay in your room and stop this madness. She cursed herself and turned to leave – only to nearly collide with someone standing right behind her.  

“Ah–!”

The man caught her as she stumbled back. Her face burned. She yanked her hand from where it had clutched his sleeve, but he didn’t release her arm.  

“You can… let go now…”  

“Miss.”  

Her heart plummeted when their eyes met. Red hair, black eyes – one of the few who had ever been kind to her. And now, the last person she wanted to see.  

Max looked haggard, his eyes sunken as if he hadn’t slept in days. She pressed her lips together, afraid a sob might escape.  

“Are you all right?”

His voice was gentle, but something about its low timbre felt unfamiliar. She forced a reply.  

“Y-yes… I’m fine…”

Her voice trembled pathetically. She tried to twist her wrist free, but his grip tightened. Her mind blanked.  

“I tried to see you, but you refused. I thought I should forget you, but…”  

His slow words grated on her. She looked away – only for him to yank her arm, forcing her to face him again.  

“I couldn’t stop thinking about the marks I left on you.” 

Max’s expression was unfamiliar. Gone was his usual gentleness. Anger? Grief? She couldn’t tell, but she couldn’t look away. Something in his gaze pinned her in place.  

Then a voice echoed in her mind.  

“You too, Max…”

What? Who said that? Her stomach churned. A familiar, creeping heat.  

No. Not now. She swallowed hard.  

“I… don’t remember…”

Max laughed bitterly at her frightened face.  

“Then let me remind you.”

“Ah–!”  

Her back hit the cold wall, his body caging her in. She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.  

His grip loosened, but she still couldn’t flee. His hand slid up – caressing her arm, her elbow, then higher.  

His fingers brushed her chest. Every nerve focused there. Does he know? Does he realize where he’s touching? Tears threatened. She bit her lip.  

Max bent closer. She was trembling violently. But so was he.  

“Ngh…”

When he buried his face against her ear, a small whimper escaped. Her heart felt ready to burst.  

He sighed and cupped her br*ast. She clutched his shirt in response. His fingers kneaded the soft flesh, and she moaned like a patient in fever. Her n*pple hardened under the thin dress. He rolled it between his fingers, pinching rhythmically. Her pulse thudded against his palm.  

“Stop… Max… ngh…” 

She shook her head, sniffling. Max gritted his teeth. Why is this happening? But he couldn’t stop. He pulled her into a crushing embrace. Her small body quivered against him. Desire throbbed in his skull.  

Before he knew it, he was hiking up her skirts.  

“Hic… Max, this is…” 

“Miss… please…” 

His voice was begging. Her head spun.  

A cool draft touched her bare thighs. His large hand groped her a$s, jolting her back to reality. She shoved at him.  

“Wait–! Stop, Max…!”  

“You’re not even wearing undergarments now?”  

His fingers slid between her cheeks. Her jaw trembled.  

“Th-that’s… ah…”

“Did he tell you to do this? Or did you…”  

His fingertip brushed her assh*le–then froze.  

Yvonne’s face went white.  

“What…?”  

“No! Don’t–!”  

Max spun her to face the wall. She tried to squirm free, but he held firm. He yanked her skirts to her waist and spread her cheeks.  

“This…” 

The beads Logan had forced into her were still there. Humiliation choked her. Tears welled as the ring at her entrance twitched under his scrutiny. She broke into sobs.  

“Stop… I hate this… Max, please…”  

“You say that, but here…” 

A growl came from behind her. Then fingers plunged into her c*nt. She gasped, stiffening at the intrusion.  

“He only spoils your backside, hm? So the front is mine?”  

“N-no! Ah–! Ngh, ahh…!”  

His fingers pistoned ruthlessly, seeking her most sensitive spots. Her body burned, betraying her with pl*asure.  

She clawed at the arm banded around her waist. Each scratch seemed to excite him further. Just before her cl*max, he withdrew.  

“Ngh… Haah… Max…”  

“……”

Her hips twitched helplessly. Slick dripped down her thighs. Max watched, then turned her to face him.  

She had no choice but to cling to him. If he let go, she’d collapse. The injustice of it all made her whimper.  

“You’re awful… so awful…”  

“Miss…” 

She tried to wipe her tears, but Max tilted her chin up. Reluctantly, she met his eyes – and found them just as tormented as hers. It only made her cry harder.  

Then her lips parted against her will. She knew what would come next. Eyes squeezed shut, she whispered:  

“Max… hold me…”  

“Miss!” 

She wanted to cover her ears. Instead, her arms wound around his neck. His body shook against hers.  

“It hurts… Just put it in…”  

“Here…? Of all places–”  

They were still outside the study. Nausea rose in her throat. But her mouth kept running on its own.  

“No one’s coming… You did this to me…”  

Max’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He fumbled with his belt. Reason had long since fled.  

Large hands gripped her a$s, lifting her. She wrapped her legs around his waist with a whimper. His c*ck nudged her entrance, sliding through her folds before sinking in with one brutal thrust.  

“Hah! Ah–ahh! Ngh…!”  

He sheathed himself fully, then pulled out until only the tip remained. Her tight walls resisted, but he forced his way back in. Helpless, impaled in midair, she could only take it. Each slam made her a$s jiggle against his balls.  

She couldn’t twist free. The wall and Max’s body were all that kept her upright.  

“Max! Ah–! More… deeper…!”  

“Tch…”  

Her moans echoed down the hall. Anyone could hear. She was losing her mind.  

Then something warm touched her face. A thumb swiped her tears.  

“Miss Yvonne…”

She’d never seen such anguish before. When her lips quivered again, he whispered:  

“May I… kiss you?”  

After ravaging me, he asks for this?  

But she nodded. Whether it was her will or the madness, she didn’t know. The line between them blurred.  

His tongue pushed into her mouth – clumsy, desperate. The beads in her a$s rattled with each movement.  

The corridor filled with the sounds of flesh and her cries. His thrusts grew erratic. Then he slammed into her, burying himself to the hilt.  

“Haaaah–!” 

“Ngh…!”  

Her cl*max clamped around him, milking his release. Heat flooded her womb.  

Sobbing, she clung to him. Max wouldn’t abandon her here, would he? She gripped his shirt, forcing her eyes open–  

And locked gazes with someone standing at the end of the hall.  

“……!”  

The blond knight looked stunned. She’d never seen him so shaken.  

Then his lips curled into a familiar, icy smirk.  

Without a word, he turned and left.  

Her blood ran cold. Tremors wracked her body again.

◇ ◆ ◇

Most people in Schmidt Castle treat Yvonne as if she’s invisible. Only a rare few are kind to her – while others are consistently cruel.  

This happened when Yvonne was 17, or perhaps even younger. Nora had been away for a few days because her father was ill.  

One evening, Yvonne knocked over her water pitcher and had nothing to drink. She tried to sleep anyway, but her parched throat made it impossible. She rang the bell for the maid several times, but it was connected only to Nora’s remote room. No one came. The silence was absolute.  

Too restless to sleep, she headed to the dining hall. Walking through the dimly lit corridors at night was unnerving. She desperately hoped someone would be there.  

And someone was – just not the people she wanted to see.  

A blond man, mid-laugh with a beer in hand, spotted her and fell silent. The dining hall went quiet. All eyes turned to Yvonne lingering in the doorway. She flinched and took a step back. Three knights were gathered around a late-night meal.  

Max stood abruptly.  

“Miss, what brings you here?” 

“I just… wanted water. No, never mind–”  

Her gaze dropped nervously, then caught on her own disheveled reflection in a polished spoon – white hair spilling loose, a hastily donned wig, nothing but a nightgown. What must they think of me? Her mind spun.  

“Wait here.”  

Max hurried to the kitchen and returned with a fresh pitcher and cup. She reached for it, face burning, but he shook his head.  

“I’ll escort you back.”

“That’s not–”  

Before she could refuse, he strode ahead. Reluctantly, she followed. Staying in the dining hall was unbearable anyway. She couldn’t muster the courage to cross the room to the kitchen – not with him watching. The blond knight’s piercing stare made her shoulders hunch.  

Once their footsteps faded, the brown-haired knight clicked his tongue.  

“Look at Max, so damn obvious.”

“Huh?” Kyle’s voice sharpened, but the dense Robert missed it.  

“All that talk about the Miss being unfit for marriage among nobles… But for us knights? Different story. The Count has no wife, no heir but her.”  

“What’re you implying?”

“God, you’re thick today. Think about it – what noble daughter stays unwed past fifteen? Especially the only heir? She’s done for in high society.” 

“……”

Robert, usually the b*tt of Kyle’s insults, grinned at his rare silence and barreled on.  

“They’ll start looking for a knight to take as their son-in-law. And Max has liked her since they were kids. Bet he’s jumping at the chance before someone else does.” 

“……”

“But damn, his taste is rotten. How could anyone want that? Ugly as sin.” 

Kyle’s eyes narrowed toward the empty doorway. The walnuts in his hand cracked ominously. After a pause, he smirked.  

“Don’t be stupid. That bastard was a serf. You think the Count would hand his daughter to livestock?” 

“Well… he’s a knight now–”  

“You would truly sully your bloodline by breeding with a slave?”  

Robert scratched his head. Was Kyle right? A crunching sound came from Kyle’s fist. He dusted off walnut shells and tossed a kernel at Robert.  

“Besides… she’s pretty.”  

“Huh?”  

The walnut hit Robert’s forehead before rolling onto the table. He picked it up and popped it into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully.  

“…Really?”