For the One Who Hates Me - Chapter 14

“!”

How could he move like a ghost, without a sound? Karl was standing right in front of Aura. It would have been better if it was completely dark. His gaze, colder than ice, seemed to pierce through her. Aura unconsciously took a step back, and Karl followed her.

She couldn’t stop herself from retreating until her back hit the wall. Karl put his fist on the wall, trapping her. It was a simple action, without any real force, but Aura could only stare at his dark eyes, as if she were bound.

“Am I entertaining you?” Karl asked.

Aura pushed down her fear and answered calmly, “What do you mean?”

“You’re acting like I’m a fool, because you believe that I love you.” His words were blunt and perfectly accurate. She had no desire to make excuses, but even if she did, his words gave her no room for it.

Aura raised her hand and gently patted his cheek. “How charming. Our first conversation on our wedding night.”

And just as she tried to slip away, Karl grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back against the wall.

“What did you talk about with Isen?”

She couldn’t tell him. Not as long as the Pin was involved.

“That’s too bad. To be so suspicious of your only remaining brother.”

“Tell me what I asked you. I’ll find out anyway.”

“Then you can find out for yourself.”

“Aura. This is my last warning.”

Aura didn’t like his rough tone. She couldn’t understand how such a tone could coexist with a loving heart. Karl didn’t seem to realize that every time he acted like this, Aura didn’t break; she grew sharper. Even if the only thing she could do was scratch at his heart.

“Be suspicious, Karl. Keep being suspicious.”

“…”

“I hope you lose your brother because of your suspicion.”

Karl’s eyes flickered for a moment. Aura didn’t stop.

“Just like I lost my parents and brothers, I hope you lose the few people you have left. Whether it’s Isen or Tasha.”

She grabbed his arms and stood on her tiptoes. She leaned in close to his ear, and she could smell cedarwood.

“After doing the ‘calculation’ that you love so much, I think that’s only fair.”

Karl’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. He also saw her small, white hands gripping his arms without any fear.

As Aura slowly moved away and tried to let go of his arms, Karl grabbed her shoulders and pulled her close. “!” He smirked at her surprise.

“Good. Go on and keep doing that.” He bit and then released her lips. Aura tried to calm herself, but she was out of breath.

“But if you’re being used by them, I won’t forgive you.”

“Ugh, that won’t—!”

Karl’s lips crashed against hers again. Aura instinctively kept her mouth shut, but his persistent sucking on her lower lip made her give in. He took the opportunity to force his tongue inside. His tongue greedily explored her mouth. When she pulled her tongue back, he would chase it. When she tried to turn her head, he would grab her chin and hold her still. Every time his tongue brushed against her teeth and the roof of her mouth, Aura felt like her legs would give out.

Aura pushed his chest and shoulders as hard as she could. She couldn’t win against his strength, but it gave her a moment to catch her breath.

“Stop, please, stop…!”

“No.” As if to prove his firm refusal, Karl wrapped his arms roughly around her waist.

His lips attacked hers again. His tongue and breath entered her so deeply that her head tilted back. He kissed her upper lip, teasing her. “Ugh.” Aura moaned, turning her head away.

He walked toward the bed, still holding her. He pushed Aura onto the bed and climbed on top of her, as if laying a woman down was nothing to him.

It would have been better if he had been angry. It wasn’t her first time sleeping with him, and she had already braced herself for it. But this was unbearable. The entire process was so emotionless and dry.

Karl’s hand went to her back. The moment he touched the ribbon of her nightgown, the color drained from Aura’s face.

At that moment, Karl stopped. He looked at Aura, who was as pale as a statue. She was only able to let out a breath of fear.

“…Damn it,” he muttered with a look of self-loathing, and he pulled away. Aura’s body was half-stiffened as she sat up. The candlelight flickered on Karl’s cheek.

“Sleep. I’ll leave,” he said like a sigh, turning his back to her. Aura was finally relieved, and she asked without thinking, “Where are you going?”

“To the ballroom. I’d rather drink than be here.”

At that moment, Isen’s words flashed in Aura’s mind. ‘So he’s trying to push his niece, Lady Elise, to become a concubine.’ And Duke Thane and Elise were still in the ballroom.

Aura impulsively reached out and grabbed Karl’s sleeve. Karl stopped and turned to look at her.

Aura was just as surprised as he was. Why did she do that? She had been so relieved that he had backed off, so why did she grab him again? The answer came to her quickly.

‘A concubine… Not yet. The further Karl is from me, the harder it is for me to get to the Pin.’

“What are you doing?” Karl asked, looking at her hand.

Her heart was still pounding from being pushed around. But she had to be brave. She had no room for fear. From now on, her only thought should be: how do I stop him from going back to the ballroom?

“You’re still the same, Karl. You walked out on me on our wedding night too.”

“…”

“But you gave me a bouquet the next morning. I’m curious. What caused that change of heart?” Aura tugged at his sleeve playfully.

“Was it because I grabbed you?”

“…”

“What did I say back then? Ah, I think I said this.”

“…”

“My name is… Aura.”

Saying that, Aura looked up at him.

Karl slowly blinked once, and then, as if he had lost all control, he lunged at her.

Thud.

Her body fell back onto the bed. The weight of the man and the pressure on her body, and his arms wrapped around her. As she struggled to breathe, she heard him whisper, “Damn… I must be going crazy.”

Karl’s hand traced her back. When he tugged on the ribbon, her nightgown came loose like shedding skin. He buried his lips on her exposed shoulder.

“Ugh…”

His lips just brushed against her shoulder, but Aura’s legs twisted. The feeling of something stirring in her stomach was still so unfamiliar. Karl lifted his head and looked down at her. He smirked, as if this situation was ridiculous to him, too.

“Aura.”

“…What?”

“Did I tell you at the coronation? I think I was too distracted by your ankle.” He grabbed her injured leg and lifted it. He then kissed her bandage. “You looked so beautiful at the coronation today.”

“…”

“I know you don’t need my praise, but listen anyway. Your dress was perfect, and you danced well. When you handled the protestors, I wanted to drag you back to my room right then and there.”

Karl put his hand inside her nightgown and cupped her breast. A soft moan escaped Aura’s lips at his gentle touch.

“From the moment you started talking to Isen until now… I’ve been incredibly annoyed.”

He suddenly squeezed her breast a little harder. Aura held her breath at the stronger sensation. When his hand brazenly toyed with her nipple, Aura shook her head. Pleasure had invaded her body without her permission.

He cupped her neck and helped her up. Her nightgown slid down. Karl grabbed her back, forcing her to face him. “And yet, I can’t bring myself to leave this room.”

His hand roamed over her body. His lips moved from her shoulder to her jaw, and then to her neck. Finally, he whispered, “I don’t know what you’re doing to me.”

His dark eyes appeared in front of Aura. He said with a faint smile, “Kiss me. You’re the one who held me back.”

Aura’s face flushed. It would be foolish to deny it now, so she cupped his face and kissed him. He patiently accepted her clumsy kiss. Aura’s body trembled as his hand explored her hips and waist.

She felt like she was melting. Especially her tongue and lips that were constantly touching his.

When his hand came back to her breast, Aura finally pulled her lips away. “Haa…”

The moment she let out her held breath, Karl pushed her down. Aura’s hazy eyes met Karl’s eyes, which were filled with desire. It was strange. Just by looking at his eyes, it felt like time was slowing down.

Aura, as if intoxicated by the moment, asked, “…You don’t know what I’m doing to you?”

Unlike Karl, Aura knew the answer well. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his back, pulling him closer. His face was flushed.

“You’re making me walk down a path that I know is wrong…”

And those words, Aura was saying to herself as well.

It was uncertain whether Karl understood her words. He simply gave her a cold smile and raised himself. When Aura’s arms fell away, he parted her legs.

“Aah…”

Aura squeezed her eyes shut as her lower body felt like it was being torn apart. Karl leaned down and kissed her, but she was too overwhelmed to feel it. She wondered if she would ever get used to this pain and pleasure.

Then, pleasure began to surge through her body. Aura bit her lower lip. Her mind was turning white.

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