The Tamed Heiress - Chapter 1.1
Dana bitterly sighed, looking at the crumpled cobalt-colored dress.
“It took me a month to get the fabric…”
A sticky liquid dripped between her legs and onto the carpet as she lay on the tea table.
It was hot as if on fire below, but it wasn’t her pleasure. The repetitive and rough friction still left a bitter pain.
“…Ryan.” Dana turned her head and saw him sitting down.
Ryan was equal parts unsettled and unsettling these days, but she was still a lover and an old friend.
His face looked slightly lost, a cigarette dangling from his mouth
He came today out of the blue, laid Dana on the table, drove his need into her, and threw his weight around as he always did.
But for Dana, Ryan was the only partner, so she thought sex was only like this. So, to be honest, she didn’t like sex, but if she didn’t even do this, he, who hadn’t been around lately, would not come at all.
However, the man who had always disappeared as soon as the deed was finished, was sitting next to her today. That alone was comforting for Dana.
She stirred slowly, picking herself up. Her eyebrows furrowed at the ache in her core, but she smiled and carefully asked in a sweet and friendly voice, “Ryan, what…? Do you have something to say?”
As she tried to get down from the table, Dana saw a shattered wine glass, one that was pushed down earlier as she was forced to the table.
Expensive wine dyed the red carpet a deeper crimson, and near it was a colorful scabbard attached to a belt, thrown away carelessly.
Dana picked it up. “…Whoa.”
Ryan wordlessly continued smoking.
She lowered her skirt and carefully stood in front of him. She carefully patted the scabbard, which was embroidered with intricate patterns. “Congratulations, Ryan. Finally, your wish came true.”
That sword was the one that he received with an official title today, bestowed upon him by the Emperor.
He threw the remnants of his cigarette onto the wine-stained carpet.
The spark burned and soon went out.
Ryan glanced up at Dana. “Thank you, this is all thanks to you. How would a half-nobleman like me be crowned without you?”
Somehow, his tone contained a sarcastic nuance. Ryan was an illegitimate child of a noble family, but Dana supported him both materially and mentally.
Initially, he was able to enter an academy where only nobility could attend, and thanks to Dana’s large donation, he was able to enter safely.
And throughout attending the academy, Dana paid for his living expenses and tuition. In any case, Ryan graduated safely with the money and was able to receive a formal title.
“Then, is Ryan a baron now?”
Even so, an illegitimate child could receive only a baron’s title at the least, and at the highest, a viscount’s.
“…No, I’m a count now.”
“Oh? How?”
“Dana.” Ryan stood up from the chair. He affectionately drew a line around her mouth and gently patted her cheek with his hand. “Yeah, a count’s title for an illegitimate child, how great. I’m sure you know what kind of humiliation I’ve gone through and tried to overcome.”
Dana smiled, staring at his friendly eyes after a long time. “Of course, you worked really hard.” She tried to wrap her arms around him with her words of encouragement, but Ryan smiled awkwardly and pushed her away slightly.
“Ryan?”
“Dana.”
She opened the drawer and pulled out a scroll of paper and a seal. It was exquisitely crafted, this bird-shaped symbol of power of the ‘Deniz Merchants’, which she had just officially inherited as an adult.
“I’m so glad you became a noble. We’ve always needed a nobleman to observe from above.”
“I’m going to be the representative, right?”
“Yes. If you have this document and stamp, it will have the same effect as I have. Your orders will soon be mine.”
Only then did Ryan smile and hug Dana. “Okay, thank you, Dana.” A hand fumbled down her back and fiddled with her waist and hips.
Dana flinched, embarrassed. “Ryan, again?”
“I want to, but I have to go soon.” He smiled and reached out with a sincere expression of regret. And he received the paper and seal from Dana’s hand and put them in his arms.
“Are you going to go right away? Right, there’s a party. Ryan, when are you going to introduce me? Can’t I attend today?”
Dana’s request was not unreasonable. She was Ryan’s biggest supporter, and she had a right to attend Ryan’s celebration. However, Dana had not been showing off until now because she thought it would hurt his pride.
“No, this time…” Ryan refused Dana’s words and made eye contact with her, the sweetness nowhere to be found. “You just said you can understand me,” he said coldly
“What… do I understand?”
“Dana.” He paused. “I’m getting married.”