"Why do you want a divorce?"

Nagulat ako ng biglang nagliwanag ang paligid.

All the candles suddenly lit up.

The man weighing me down, who treated me nothing but sweetness in the past days, made me tremble. His voice was full of hostility, and it was so overwhelming to see him face to face while his eyes is full of rage.

"L-Let me go, Your Grace." Pakiusap ko.

Pero sa halip na pakawalan ang mga kamay ko, ay mas humigpit ang pagkakadiin niya dito.

My hands hurts.

"Answer me!"

I struggled one more time in hopes na makawala sa pagkakadagan niya sa akin. But he is too strong.

"Look at me, wife!" Utos niya.

Ilang akong tumingin sa kanya.

Bakit siya nagagalit?

Siya na nga ang ginagawan ko ng pabor.

"Do you like someone else?" His eyes are burning with anger.

"W-what?" Halos walang boses na tanong ko.

Anong pinagsasasabi niya?

I was dumbfounded by his words.

"Is there someone else?!" Bakas ang galit sa bawat salitang binitiwan ni Luke, lalong humigpit ang hawak niya sa mga kamay ko.

"Ackk- N-No!" It feels like my wrists are going to break. I whimpered because of the pain.

"Then why the fuck do you have divorce papers with you?!" He growled.

"P-Please l-let me go... It r-really hurts..." Pakiusap ko. Hindi ko na din napigilan ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko.

His eyes widened and he let go of my hands. Agad kong hinilot ang mga pulso ko dahil sa sobrang sakit.

I swallowed all my sobs.

Bakit ako ang pinagbibintangan nyang may ibang lalaki?

Sya nga itong nagdala ng kalaguyo dito sa Duchy.

Ginagawan ko pa nga siya ng pabor para makasama niya ang babae nya, tapos ako pa ngayon ang mukhang may kasalanan.

"A-Aaaah!" Nagulat ako ng bigla nalang umangat ang katawan ko.

Napakapit ako sa leeg ng lalaking nasa harap ko dahil sa takot na baka mahulog. My legs parted, and I felt a tight grip on my thighs, I ended up following where his grip led my legs. Nang idilat ang mga mata, I was sitting on his lap, both my legs are wrap around his waist.

"Y-Your Grace... t-this..." Sinubukan kong kumawala.

"Stop moving!" Utos niya.

"B-Bu-Bu-But..." Itinulak ko ang mga balikat niya palayo sa akin.

"We'll be in a more awkward situation if you don't stop moving, wife." His hold on my hips tightened.

"B-But..."

"What? This position doesn't hurt you, right?" Hinawakan niya ang isa kong kamay, at hinalikan ang pulso ko. Sinubukan kong bawiin ang kamay kong hawak niya, but to no avail.

Yeah! But this position is too embarrassing, I could die!

"Now speak! Did you hit it off with someone else while I was gone?"

"No!" Agad kong sagot.

"Then why!?" Pasigaw niyang tanong sa akin.

Nakakainis na tong lalaking to ah! Hinawakan ko ang kwelyo ng suot niyang coat at hinila, dahilan para mapalapit siya sa akin.

"Wala akong lalaki! Nakikipagdiborsyo ako sayo para makasama mo ang babae mo! Ikaw ang may kalaguyo dito, hindi ako! Kaya wag kang magmamaangmaangan sa akin dahil mismong galing sa mga alagad mo ang mga salitang yan!" Sigaw ko sa kanya sa sobrang inis. Tumulo ang mga luha ko habang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon, and I don't care how disgraceful I look.

I felt relieve na nasabi ko sa kanya ang nilalaman ng dibdib ko. Nang mga hinanakit ko.

But instead, his lips curved into a twisted smile.

Nagulat ako ng bigla niyang ilapit ang kamay niya sa leeg ko. Napapikit ako sa takot na baka sakalin niya ako dahil sa mga sinabi ko sa kanya.

"Tell me, wife. Whose throat should I slit, for making you cry like this?"

"W-What?" Napadilat ako sa itinanong niya. Pakiramdam ko ay awtomatikong natuyo ang mga luha ko dahil sa narinig.

Gigilitan nya daw kamo?

Oo galit ako kay Sir Marcus, pero kung gigilitan niya ito, konsensya ko pa!

"S-Slit?" Tanging nasabi ko lang.

"Why? Do you want me to gut them instead?" Sagot niya.

Umiling ako ng maraming beses.

"I'll gut the fucker who made you cry, and hang their bodies on the gates. So everyone will see, what happens to idiots that disrespect my wife." He said it with a straight face.

If I give him names now, he'll go killing spree?

"So tell me, who is it?" May diin sa bawat salitang sinabi niya.

Umiling ulit ako.

"I-I j-just heard it f-from afar... I-I didn't see his face..." Pagpapalusot ko.

"That idiot should be thankful, my wife's pretty mouth could lie so well." He smirked, and his hand went up to my mouth and pressed my lower lip.

"I-I'm not lying!"

Hindi siya sumagot.

"Y-Your Grace..."

"What?"

"..."

"What?" Kumunot ang noo niyang tanong.

"Please tell me honestly... Wala ka ba talagang babae? Fine... kung ayaw mong makipagdiborsyo, hindi kita pipilitin. But tell me honestly, do you have another woman? If you tell me the truth now, I'll let you take her in!" I swallowed hard. "I'll let you take her in!" Ulit ko kahit sobrang sakit.

An impending anger was written all over his face, I offended him again pero gusto kong malaman ang totoo.

He let out a long sigh.

"Our marriage was forced. But that doesn't mean, I'll bring in a mistress. Now, and always, only you will be my wife."

"But..."

"Stop! I already said it. I don't have another woman. And I don't intend to bring in for what ever reasons. Stop this nonsense now, wife. Don't make me say it twice!" He warned.

Naiinis niyang hinilot ang sentido.

Bumilis ang tibok ang puso ko. Anong nangyayari? Is another woman too vague? Dapat ba tinanong ko nalang ng diretso kung mahal ba nya si Grachell o hindi.

I flinched when he suddenly cupped my face.

"Now your turn, do you have someone else?" His words are burning.

Umiling ako.

"Then that's enough."

Nagulat ako ng biglang may nagliyab sa likuran ko, kaya agad akong napalingon. Isang dokyumento ang nasusunog sa ibabaw ng lamesa.

Ah, the divorce paper.

Muli ko siyang hinarap.

"Hand me the other documents."

"Y-Yes, Your Grace." Sinubukan kong tumayo, pero agad niya akong hinila pabalik at napaupo.

"Not now." His hands tighten around my waist.

"B-But... Your Grace..." This position is too...

"Wife..."

"W-What?"

"Can I kiss you?"

"Wha-What?" Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. "W-Why?" Sinubukan ko uling kumawala.

"I said stop moving. Or I'll ask for something else."

I froze.

"Say yes while I'm still asking nicely, wife." He ran a few strand of my hair into his mouth and kiss it.

"W-Why did you even asked, if you're gonna do it anyway?" His lips rise in a smile. Kaya agad akong umiwas ng tingin.

Why is he asking for a kiss now?

His hand held my chin at agad na iniharap pabalik sa kanya, and he devoured my lips, agad akong napapikit. His kiss was soft at first, but slowly became needy. Something hot is trying to penetrate the inside of my mouth, bahagya kong binuksan ang labi ko, and let his tongue in, immediately it tangled with mine. I pulled my tongue away, but instead his movements became more frantic, and demanding, as if inviting me to suck him too. He bit my lower lip, and pulled it, bago niya ako muling hinalikan.

"Hhaaa- hngh-" He is sucking my tongue too hard. Humigpit ang kapit ko sa balikat niya. Something hot and tingly is starting to build in my stomach.

"Just a little more." I felt his lips, curved into a smile.

His other hand moved up to my nape, deepening the kiss. The more I struggle and try to escape from his onslaught, the more aggressive he became.

"Hmmph- ahh- s-stop-" My words are just being swallowed inside his mouth.

I can't breath.

Nang bumitaw siya sa paghalik ay agad kong isinandal ang ulo sa balikat niya at naghabol ng hininga.

"You taste so fucking good, wife." Bulong niya, biting the tip of my ear.

Heat rose up from my cheeks hearing his words.

Itinulak ko siya palayo sa akin, at agad na tumayo. My legs are weak, but I don't want to stay in this room for another minute.

"I-It's g-getting late, Y-Your Grace. I'll take my leave first." Matapos magpaalam ay agad akong lumabas ng study and ran back to my chamber.

Mukhang hindi nanaman ako makakatulog ngayong gabi.

✦✽.◦.✽✦

"Maligayang pagbabalik sa lahat, binabati ko kayo sa inyong tagumpay." Bahagya siyang tumingin sa akin, bago niya ibinalik ang atensyon sa mga Knights na nasa harap namin. "Sana ay magustuhan ninyo ang inihanda namin para sa inyo ngayong gabi. Enjoy yourselves. Mabuhay ang Ravenstein Knights!"

Naghiyawan ang lahat, at nag-umpisa na ang piging.

Inilahad ko ang mga kamay ko to lead her on our table, but instead, My wife walked away with two glass of wines on her hand.

"F-Father?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Zephy.

"Nothing. Let's go." Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Zephyra at sabay kaming pumunta sa inihandang lamesa para sa amin.

When we sat down, I immediately look around to see where my little wife go.

I found the woman with silver white hair standing beside a familiar Knight. She gave him the other glass of wine, and moments later, he chuckled.

Napakuyom ako ng kamao.

In a short period of our reunion, I already couldn't count how many times my wife has irritated me. The memory of her, trying to kneel for someone else is the first thing that came to mind. Hindi ko na din mabilang kung ilang ulit kong ikinalma ang sarili ko dahil lang sa kanya.

And there've been countless of times na naiisip kong nababaliw na ako simula ng makabalik sa Ravenstein, all because of my wife, na dalawang taon kong hindi nakita, who instead of flaunting herself to me like she always did in the past, is persistently avoiding me.

What the heck are they talking about, that it's taking her so long to come back here?

The man beside her laughed again.

Is Sir Ross always been this irritating?

She looks so relax when standing beside him, but when I stood beside her, or near her, she'll avoid my gaze, would flinch with my touch, she'll look like she'll cry any minute. And when she opens her mouth she sounds irritated.

Haaaaaa-

I need to cool my head off.

Her eyes and mine met.

I got up from my seat and leave the banquet hall.

I went to the study, and sat on the sofa for a while. But after realizing how stupid and childish it was to be jealous over something so small, such as a glass of wine, I got up.

Jealous?

Haaaa- I let out another long sigh.

Pero ng buksan ko ang pinto ng study, the culprit for all this unnecessary feelings is standing right in front of me.

"Do you need anything, wife?" I asked after a long moment of silence.

"Ummmm..." She's holding some documents, which are tightly pressed against her chest.

I let out another sigh. Because of this woman, I've been sighing a lot.

"Come in."

Nang makapasok ay agad kong isinara ang pinto at sumandal dito. Maya maya ay lumingon siya sa akin, having some perplexed look on her face.

"Speak."

"Ummm- this..." May iniabot siyang mga dokyumento sa akin, na agad ko namang tiningnan.

It's the list of properties Count Reiss got from the Duchy. Halos hindi ko na binasa ang kabuoan dahil naiulat na sa akin ni Sir Ross ang mga ito noon pang nakaraang taon. Ang mga sumunod na dokyumento ay naglalaman ng malaking halaga, at nakasaad dito na ito ay kabayaran sa lahat ng ari ariang nawala sa Ravenstein sa mga nagdaang taon.

"The truth is, my father has aquired some of the Duchy's property. And it's all my fault because I gave it without giving a thought. I'm sorry. But I earned some money- hindi ko alam kung sapat na ba yan bilang kabayaran, pero kung kulang ay dadagdagan ko pa. Inilipat ko na ang lahat ng yan sa pangalan mo kaya..."

"I don't care."

"What?"

"Everything that I own, is yours. So if you want to give it away, then it's fine."

"But those properties are-" Natigilan siya ng punitin ko ang mga dokyumentong ibinigay niya kanina at hinayaang magkalat sa sahig.

"If you're worried about the Duchy's finances, it's fine."

She doesn't look convinced.

It looks like my wife has no trust in my capacities.

"Alam mo ba kung ano ang kabayaran kapag naipanalo ko ang gera?"

She shook her head.

"I think the King wasn't expecting that we'll succeed. So he agreed to give half of Saar to me."

"W-What?!" Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

My wife is cute.

"Kaya pinili ko ang lugar kung saan maraming minahan ng ginto at diamante. Those mines belongs to you now." Because your contribution is what led us to victory after all.

"H-Ha?" Napaatras siya ng bahagya akong lumapit.

She flinch when I wrap my hands around her waist, and hug her. Because I didn't pay much attention about it in the past, I just realize now how small and thin she is. It looks like she'll break if I hug her tighter than this.

I want to hug her tighter than this.

"I don't care what you do with it. Give it away if you want. I don't care."

Yumuko ako upang maabot ang balikat niya.

Fuck. She smells so nice.

I want to eat her up.

"As long as you're mine." I bit her shoulder. I want to bite harder, but she let out a painful gasped. The fucking cloth on her neck is so troublesome, I can't taste her properly like yesterday.

"Ahh-Duke wait!" Naramdaman kong may mga nalaglag na dokyumento sa paanan namin.

Sabay kaming napatingin sa mga nagkalat na papel sa sahig.

"What are these?"

Pero sa halip na sagutin ako ay agad niyang pinulot ang mga ito, at tumakbo palabas ng silid.

I ran my hand through my hair, and smiled.

She'll definitely avoid me again tomorrow.

I was about to leave the study, when I notice a document malapit sa mga punit na papel na nasa sahig.

Did she missed this?

Agad akong yumuko upang damputin ito.

Pero ng mabasa ang mga nakasulat dito, ay agad na bumalik ang lahat ng inis at galit na pilit kong kinalimutan kanina. Kahit ilang beses akong bumuntong hininga ay mas lalo lang nagbabaga ang galit ko.

"Your Grace?" She knocked.

I turned the lights off.

"Your Grace?" Ulit nito.

Sumandal ako sa gilid ng pinto.

'Calm down' Sinubukan kong pakalmahin ang sarili.

Don't fucking come in, wife.

Let's talk about this tomorrow.

Pero sa halip, kabaliktaran ang nangyari. The door of the study opened, at agad siyang pumasok sa loob at isinara ang pinto.

Agad siyang lumapit kung saan siya nakatayo kanina, at agad na sinilip ang ilalim ng sofa. Maya maya ay muli siyang tumayo at lumapit sa center table at sumilip din sa ilalim nito. Lumapit ako at inilagay ang papeles na hawak sa lamesa.

Hinawakan ko ang dalawa niyang kamay at itinulak siya sa settee na nasa tabi naming dalawa.

"Why?"

"W-What?" She panicked, unsure where to look.

"Why do you want a divorce?"

I lit up all the candles.

And I was welcomed by her perplexed face.

"L-Let me go, Your Grace." Pakiusap nito.

"Answer me!" My patience is running thin.

Sinusubukan niyang kumawala, so I pinned her harder.

"Look at me, wife!" I growled.

She looked at me in panic, almost crying, like a criminal caught in the act.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla kong naalala si Sir Ross.

"Do you like someone else?" I asked gritting my teeth.

"W-what?"

"Is there someone else?!" I put another strenghth on her wrists.

"Ackk- N-No!" She let out a whimper.

"Then why the fuck do you have divorce papers with you?!" I snarled.

"P-Please l-let me go... It r-really hurts..." Pakiusap niya, and her tears run down her red cheeks.

I let her hands go.

Sh*t! Sh*t! Sh*t! I repeatedly cursed in the sight of her, in pain.

I chastised myself for hurting her, and letting my anger get to me.

'You idiot!'

"A-Aaaah!" She gasped loudy, and embrased my neck in panic.

I raised her body, and parted her legs.

Damn this dress! I wanted to tear it, but I don't want to scare her even more. So I gripped her thigh, and let her legs wrap round my waist, and had her sit on my thighs. The straddling position is more comfortable than earlier.

"Y-Your Grace... t-this..." She struggled.

Ah, fuck.

"Stop moving!"

"B-Bu-Bu-But..." She pushed my shoulder away, and her cheeks looks like they're about to explode.

"We'll be in a more awkward situation if you don't stop moving, wife." I tightened my grip on her hips, to keep her in place.

"B-But..."

"What? This position doesn't hurt you, right?" On the contrary, you're the one who is making my lower half agigated. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya, her wrist is red, and looks like it will swell later on.

Fuck! An apology almost slip my lips, pero ng maalala ko ang divorce papers, agad na bumalik ang inis ko, so I kissed it instead. There was a lil tug-of-war between us, but I didn't let go of her hand.

"Now speak! Did you hit it off with someone else while I was gone?"

"No!" Agad niyang sagot.

"Then why!?" My voice came out louder than I thought.

Agad na nagsalubong ang kilay niya.

What now? Ako ang dapat na magalit dito!

Nagulat ako ng bigla niyang hawakan ang magkabilang kwelyo ko at hinila ito palapit sa kanya.

"Wala akong lalaki! Nakikipagdiborsyo ako sayo para makasama mo ang babae mo! Ikaw ang may kalaguyo dito, hindi ako! Kaya wag kang magmamaangmaangan sa akin dahil mismong galing sa mga alagad mo ang mga salitang yan!" She yelled crying.

Fucking bastards!

I know that my Knights, and my wife are unfriendly with each other. But I didn't thought they will insult her openly like that, for her to think that I brought in another woman.

I knew it. I shouldn't have accepted the help offered by the merchants led by Lady Grachell, when the supplies from the Duchy run late for a few days. Then the Knights won't have this delusions of pairing a married man to someone else.

I let go of her hand, and run it towards her neck. She immediately closed her eyes.

"Tell me, wife. Whose throat should I slit, for making you cry like this?" Tanong ko, making it sound like I don't know who the culprits are.

"W-What?" Agad siyang napadilat.

"S-Slit?" Hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong.

"Why? Do you want me to gut them instead?" I'm fine with that too.

Umiling siya ng maraming beses.

"I'll gut the fucker who made you cry, and hang their bodies on the gates. So everyone will see, what happens to idiots that disrespect my wife. So tell me, who is it?"

She shook her head again. How stubborn.

"I-I j-just heard it f-from afar... I-I didn't see his face..."

"That idiot should be thankful, my wife's pretty mouth could lie so well." I pressed her lower lip with my thumb.

"I-I'm not lying!"

She'll not like it if I slit their throats, or gut them. Then should I just bury them all alive?

"Y-Your Grace..." Naputol ang pag-iisip ko when she called me.

"What?"

"..."

"What?" Kumot noo kong tanong.

"Please tell me honestly... Wala ka ba talagang babae? Fine... kung ayaw mong makipagdiborsyo, hindi kita pipilitin. But tell me honestly, do you have another woman? If you tell me the truth now, I'll let you take her in!" She swallowed hard. "I'll let you take her in!" Dugtong niya.

She should congratulate me for trying my best to hold my anger just now.

"Our marriage was forced. But that doesn't mean, I'll bring in a mistress. Now, and always, only you will be my wife."

"But..."

"Stop! I already said it. I don't have another woman. And I don't intend to bring in for what ever reasons. Stop this nonsense now, wife. Don't make me say it twice!" I warned.

She flinched when I suddenly cupped her face.

"Now your turn, do you have someone else?"

Even if she says yes, I will never let her go.

Ah, fuck this feeling. Why Am I so possessive over this woman?

Muli siyang umiling.

"Then that's enough."

Hinilot ko ang sumasakit na sentido.

Agad siyang napalingon ng sunugin ko ang papeles na ipinatong sa lamesang nasa likod niya kanina.

"Hand me the other documents."

"Y-Yes, Your Grace." Sinubukan niyang tumayo, but I pulled her back.

"Not now."

"B-But... Your Grace..."

"Wife..."

"W-What?"

"Can I kiss you?"

"Wha-What? W-Why?" Sinubukan ulit niyang kumawala.

"I said stop moving. Or I'll ask for something else."

She stopped moving and looked at me surprise.

"Say yes while I'm still asking nicely, wife." I'm at my limit.

"W-Why did you even asked, if you're gonna do it anyway?" Agad siyang umiwas ng tingin.

Hinarap ko siya sa akin at agad na inangkin ang mga labi niya. Her lips was awkward, but soft. Just like how I imagine it would be. Her body swayed when I tried to put my tongue in, na agad naman niyang pinagbigyan. There was a jolting pleasure when our tongue met, na agad niyang iniwasan. I bit her lower lip, and pull. Saka siya muling hinalikan.

"Hhaaa- hngh-" Low moans escape her mouth, her hips are shaking, and her thighs are rubbing around my waist.

I smirked.

"Just a little more." I moved my hands into her nape and deepened the kiss.

"Hmmph- ahh- s-stop-" Her plead caught up in between the kiss.

When our lips parted, agad siyang naghabol ng hininga, leaning her head on my shoulder.

"You taste so fucking good, wife." Bulong ko, and bit the tip of her ears.

Agad siyang tumayo, which I let her. I don't want to tease her any further, since she looks like she's about to cry from embarrassment.

"I-It's g-getting late, Y-Your Grace. I'll take my leave first."

She run out of the study after giving her courtesy, leaving me and my unattended arousal all alone.

Fuck.

________CHAPTER 16.5_________

Chapter 16.5 is out! Thanks for reading! Kahapon dapat to, kaso ewan hindi ako marunong magsulat ng POV ng lalaki kaya pasensyahan nyo na ang pagkakasulat. 😅😅😅

Thank you for the 11k reads.
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See you on the next UD!!!

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