It was a Political Marriage, But I’m Being Loved - Chapter 95

Charlize lay beneath Achilles, held tightly in his arms, accepting him from behind. At first, she had found this animalistic position distasteful—but Achilles liked it. And because of that, they ended up in this pose at least once a day.

It feels good… Is his seal still active?

The magical seal engraved on her body would only disappear once she received his release. Conversely, for Achilles, the seal wouldn’t dissolve until he climaxed inside her.

But the amount required wasn’t small—certainly not something one or two sessions could fulfill. It had to be repeated, and many times. She could see the faint glow of his mark on his abdomen pressed against her backside. That meant it wasn’t over yet.

“Ugh! Ah—ah…!”

As she reached her peak, her hips arched. Achilles followed, thrusting deep as a wave of pleasure overtook him. She could feel the heat of him pouring into her, and Charlize collapsed onto the bed, breathless.

So… hot.

If she hadn’t worn a contraceptive ring, there was no doubt she would have conceived from their recent encounters. She felt the fresh release blend with what had already been there, spilling out slightly.

Is that enough now?

When she looked back, she saw his golden eyes—still warm with desire, though the overwhelming heat that had consumed him was beginning to settle.

“Ah…”

He slipped his hand between the sheet and her chest, cupping her breast and gently kneading it. She twisted slightly in his arms. Night had already fallen—and dinner was long overdue.

“Mm… We really should stop. We haven’t even eaten…”

Even if the maids had guessed what was happening, Achilles couldn’t openly spend the night in the Princess’s quarters. As tiresome as it was, he would still have to sneak out and back in to avoid scandal.

“Are you hungry, Your Highness?”

“…A little. Ah, wait—!”

His hand was teasing her nipple now, softly rolling it between his fingers. Charlize melted under the sensation, struggling to recover her composure. She tapped lightly on his arm, as if to pull herself back into reality.

“Just… a kiss. I want to kiss you. So, please—ah…”

His length slid out, and a warm blend of fluids slowly followed. Achilles gently turned her onto her back and pulled her into his embrace, his lips meeting hers.

Of all the intimate things they shared, this—being held, kissed—made Charlize happiest. Their skin was still slick with sweat, their bodies humming with heat, but when he held her like this, she felt every bit of his desire, his affection.

It’s not quite like the emotional waves I feel when our magic mixes… but I like this too.

“Haa… My rose… my princess…”

Achilles murmured sweetly as he kissed her again and again, hands trailing gently over her body. He looked as if he wanted to savor her forever. Charlize, flustered but fond, pressed her hand to his chest.

“We still have time after dinner, don’t we? So… let’s eat first…”

Their kiss deepened. Tongues twined, lips parted, and the rhythm of their breathing melted into one. There was nothing awkward about it anymore. It was warm. Familiar. Intimate.

Finally, Achilles lifted his head slowly, brushing her damp hair aside.

“You’re right. I can’t let my princess go hungry.”

He sat up and effortlessly lifted her in one arm. With the other, he cast a cleaning spell, purifying the mess from the sheets. Charlize looped her arms around his neck, smiling faintly.

If it had been purely physical between them, these moments wouldn’t have felt so… precious. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.

I’m growing to love him more and more.

She could only hope Achilles would never betray her the way Valter had. Though Valter had never been her lover, she had thought of him as a friend.

Achilles is different.

He had laid his truths bare from the beginning—and Charlize had decided she would trust him, too.

Meanwhile…

Susanna had once been invited to a tea party held in the Princess’s palace. It was a rare honor, given only to daughters of high-ranking families. Though the princess hadn’t taken to her and the invitations had stopped after a few times…

Even if it was only five visits, I still remember the way there!

She had assumed the underground prison where the young duke was being held would be far from the princess’s palace. So, she hadn’t considered approaching this part of the capital. That might explain why the guards here seemed more relaxed than elsewhere, where other intrusions had put them on high alert.

The palaces are so large, each one feels like its own city.

When the princess had first been introduced to her, she hadn’t shown this coldness. Back then, she had even guided Susanna around and shown her where her room was located.

She’d surely moved rooms since then—she was older now—but Susanna could still guess the general area.

She already has everything… and yet!

The Marquis of Leroy’s household was wealthy, yes—but owning an entire palace? That was something Susanna couldn’t even imagine. As a child, she had looked upon it with envy so intense it burned.

Even Valter Bianchi—the heir of the powerful Bianchi Ducal House—had been at the princess’s side as a friend.

That was when it began. The jealousy. The bitterness.

At first, Susanna had accepted that the princess had everything. It felt natural—she was royalty, after all. But once she met Valter, it stopped feeling fair.

Why do you get to have it all? Why not me?

She knew such thoughts were dangerous. Even questioning royalty bordered on treason. But Valter had been too tempting—a boy who drew her in, someone she desperately wanted.

So she began speaking ill of Charlize behind her back, quietly resenting her. And when Charlize eventually realized it and removed Susanna from her circle, she only grew more bitter.

But that ends tonight.

Susanna slipped into the princess’s private gardens. It was late—most of the palace had gone dark except for the rooms still in use.

The princess…

Her eyes caught the soft glow of lights in one of the upper floors. The higher levels were typically servant quarters, but royal bedrooms were usually on the third or fourth floor.

Charlize wouldn’t be any different. She’d most likely chosen a room that overlooked this very garden—the one she was so fond of.

Tch. Lighting up the whole floor for security?

No one in their right mind would target the princess—especially not now, when she was to marry the Tower Master. Still, with the incident involving Valter Bianchi, they wouldn’t be careless.

But Susanna had the enchanted bracelet.

A magical device that allowed short-range teleportation—something so rare it hadn’t even been prepared against. No one would expect it.

They probably think some rogue mage snuck into the palace. That works in my favor.

The bracelet had a unique benefit—it could teleport vertically as well. That meant Susanna could travel several floors up or down without being noticed.

Annoying, but fine. I’ll check the balconies one by one until I find her room.

Charlize returned to her chambers after seeing Achilles off, eager to prepare for the night. The knowing glances from her maids made her cheeks warm with embarrassment—but more than anything, she just wanted to be ready when he came back.

It’s not that I didn’t get enough of him earlier. I just… like having him nearby.

As usual, Achilles would pretend to sleep in the detached palace, then sneak back into her quarters once things were quiet. She didn’t want to keep him waiting.

After showering and changing into her nightgown, Charlize dismissed the maids. Turning off the room’s lights was their silent signal—he would know she was alone.

Now I just have to wait.

If Achilles arrived first, they had agreed: ten minutes after the lights went out, he would enter through the balcony.

She sat in a chair near the balcony doors, waiting. Though the lights were off, she conjured soft, floating orbs of light with magic—like fireflies—just to pass the time.

Magic hadn’t come easily to her in the beginning. Controlling it had been overwhelming. But light magic? That had become her specialty.

My biggest problem… is that I’m too powerful.

According to Achilles, her mana wasn’t just vast—it was primordial. Even a single drop could fuel massive spells. That’s why even the smallest spell triggered intense, large-scale effects. Controlling that output had been a challenge from the start.

So I need to get used to using it in tiny amounts—just drops at a time.

Like trying to shut off the ocean and let through only a trickle. At first, it was exhausting. Without the pendant Achilles gave her, she wouldn’t have managed it at all. In the past, her light spells had been so bright they could be seen from outside the capital.

Which is why it’s so satisfying to finally control it.

Tap.

She felt it—a faint movement on the balcony. Achilles always moved quietly, so she wasn’t surprised.

At this hour, there was only one person who would come to her balcony.

She stood up and moved toward the glass doors, smiling faintly. She hadn’t drawn the curtains tonight, and the moonlight illuminated everything clearly.

“…Huh?”

The figure approaching her across the balcony wasn’t Achilles.

With the moon behind her, the person’s face was shrouded in shadow—but the silhouette was unmistakably female.

Charlize’s hand, which had been reaching for the door, froze in place.

She didn’t move.

She couldn’t.

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