My Husband Picked Up a Woman - Chapter 16

“In this situation, you are really…”

“Yes, hurry up.”

“Closing your eyes so defenselessly.”

Perhaps because he was wearing a chastity belt, Briseis did not find him threatening in that regard at all. She wondered what he could possibly even do. He didn’t even know where the key to the belt was; only she knew that.

Briseis slightly opened her eyes, checking to see if the key was still safely tucked away in the top drawer of the bedside table.

“I might not be able to sleep with you, but I can do other things.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means I can act like a beast.”

He was deathly pale as he spoke, likely from restricted circulation. He held his breath to calm himself down. After staying still for about a minute or two, he reopened the round jar of ointment, put some on his finger, and looked at her.

Briseis did not close her eyes this time. However, it was difficult to look down because his lower body was far too conspicuous. She glanced back at the drawer where the key was hidden, then looked straight ahead, fearing she might give its location away. Calisten was staring at her with a terrifying intensity.

“Are you going to eat me?”

“Don’t move your mouth. I need to apply this properly.”

He spoke through staggered breaths, and his fingertips touched her lips again. The ticklish sensation made her let out a faint hum.

“Damn it.”

He leaned his head against her shoulder and trembled.

“The key is in the first drawer next to the bed. Unlock it yourself and get out.”

She tried to push his head away and get up from the bed.

“You put it… in the drawer next to the bed?”

“Yes, I did.”

She sighed, seeing him shudder in pain while wearing a smile that looked strangely happy.

“Don’t go. I’ll be the one to leave.”

He struggled to his feet, shuffling awkwardly. He fought to avoid looking at Briseis as he spoke.

“Ask Ella about the appointment when she gets back. I’ll start working on things tomorrow, too.”

Briseis looked at him without answering. He tried to smile, knowing she was watching. He opened the door and left first. Briseis locked the door behind him and let out a long sigh.

❖ ❖ ❖

The heat in Calisten’s body died down the moment he heard the door lock behind him. Regaining his composure, he took a deep breath.

From her room, he headed toward the quarters where the Dowager Grand Duchess of Mayze was staying. Recalling Ella’s mention that she had just arrived, he figured the Dowager had come unannounced and wouldn’t be in the third-floor suites yet while servants were preparing them. She would likely be in a guest room on the second floor, not the first-floor drawing room.

Calisten headed for the second floor with a determined stride.

“Ah, the Little Sun of the Empire…!”

“W-Wait! The Dowager is inside…!”

Ignoring the servants, Calisten kept walking. He shoved open the door that the guards hadn’t opened for him and checked inside.

“Your Highness?”

Seeing the Dowager Grand Duchess holding a cup of tea alone, he entered and shut the door behind him.

“I’m here to discuss your earlier rudeness.”

“Pardon? Oh, about that…”

The Dowager set her teacup down and stood up.

“I greet the Little Sun of the Empire!”

She hurried toward Calisten to pay her respects, keeping her head lowered this time to avoid making another mistake.

“I had thought the House of Mayze was neutral until now. But seeing your attitude earlier, it seems you intend to join the Aristocratic Faction.”

“What? Not at all! How does a squabble with my daughter-in-law lead to such a conclusion?”

“That daughter-in-law is my most precious family. And you struck my family.”

“Briseis is not your family, Your Highness! She is my daughter-in-law! A member of the Grand Ducal house!”

As the Dowager rambled in a panic, Calisten knew he had already won. A flustered opponent was easy to handle.

“My mother entrusted me to the House of Philia before she passed. Surely you know that? I spent my childhood with Briseis.”

It was a well-known story. The late Empress had asked the Marchioness of Philia to look after Calisten. Because of that, he had lived at the Philia estate during his years as a prince.

“How dare you touch someone I consider family.”

“It… it was a mistake! I must be losing my mind in my old age!”

The Dowager was terrified of Calisten. He had remained close to the House of Philia but had helped them maintain their neutrality. That meant he had ascended to the position of Crown Prince through his own power.

The War Demon.

That was what they called him on the battlefield. Rumors of his cruel nature were already widespread among the noblewomen.

“If you’re going to lose your mind, do it gracefully. Raising a hand to Brie is unacceptable.”

He spoke casually, but he was smiling with a terrifying rage. The Dowager, seeing him smile, wondered if the tension was easing. He walked toward the table where she had been sitting. She followed him, thinking he wanted to sit and talk.

“I hope you never raise your hand again.”

“Yes, of… Ack!”

In that instant, he splashed the contents of her teacup onto her face. It had cooled enough to avoid serious burns, but the shock was total.

“Your Highness, how could you?!”

“In my heart, I want to hit you back exactly the same way, but I’m holding back. If I hit you, your neck would break.”

Though the tea stung her eyes, the Dowager forced them open to look at him. Calisten’s blood-red eyes sparkled, and though he was smiling, his expression was utterly devoid of warmth.

“There won’t be a next time. If you touch Brie one more time, I will handle you the same way.”

“Ah…!”

With a scoff, Calisten turned and walked out. The Dowager was convinced Briseis had put him up to this. But as much as she resented her daughter-in-law, her fear of Calisten kept her from confronting her directly.

❖ ❖ ❖

“I bring good news!”

Ella returned to Briseis’s room, shut the door tightly, and whispered excitedly.

“Jeronis’s office said they will move your case to the very top of the list!”

Briseis saw that Ella’s cheek was still swollen. She applied an ice pack she had prepared earlier. Then, taking Ella by the arm, she made her sit on the bed.

“I’m fine!”

“I’m not fine, Ella. Don’t shield me with your body ever again.”

Briseis sighed sadly at the sight of her cheek.

“I’d do the same thing again if I had to.”

“Don’t.”

“I refuse.”

“I told you not to! What if you get seriously hurt?”

“I’d rather it be me than you, Milady.”

Ella tried to hand her the paper she brought, but Briseis kept holding the ice pack against Ella’s face until the swelling began to subside.

“And besides, I’m sturdy.”

Briseis didn’t answer. It hurt her more to see Ella—the person she had grown up with—getting hit than it did to be hit herself.

“Milady? I’m truly fine. Please read the letter.”

“I don’t want to.”

Briseis knew she was being childish, but she couldn’t bring herself to let go. Only when the ice had completely melted did she finally put down the cloth and read the letter. It was exactly as Ella had said.

I shall consider the debt I owe His Highness repaid with this matter. I will make this my top priority and request a visit from the Grand Duchess of Mayze. – Jeronis Abane.

Reading the words several times over, Briseis let out a sigh of relief.

❖ ❖ ❖

Having been warned by Calisten, the Dowager Grand Duchess could not harass Briseis directly. That was why she arranged for Delilah—the woman she found insulting even to sit with—to join them at the dinner table.

For a noble to share a table with a commoner was an insult. No matter how poorly the Dowager behaved at times, she was still a noble. However, her desire to wash away the humiliation Briseis had caused outweighed her pride.

“Are you Delilah?”

“Ah, yes. My Lady!”

Delilah was sitting in the seat usually reserved for Briseis, having received permission from Damian. Just as the Dowager was about to speak to Delilah, Briseis entered the dining room with a resigned expression.

“Miss Delilah. That is my seat.”

“Demi said I could sit here.”

Delilah smiled brightly, showing no intention of moving.

“Sit next to Mother, Brie,” Damian said indifferently.

Seeing that Delilah did not act with the typical humility of a mistress, the Dowager smirked with delight.

“By the way, Miss Delilah. I hear you saved my son multiple times?”

“Pardon? Oh… the rumors are exaggerated!”

The Dowager liked the way Delilah acted humble toward her.

“The man who takes a wise woman like Miss Delilah as his wife will be truly blessed.”