Chapter 5.1

Her chest, right where his mouth had been, was covered in red blotches from how long he’d been sucking and licking her.

Her pink nipple stood erect, still linked to his glistening lips by a thin, silver strand of saliva.

Rosaline’s face flushed bright red as she realized just how obscene her actions were.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

Synox didn’t seem to believe her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have immediately twisted the peak of her other breast.

“Ahh!”

Her body jerked on reflex. Rosaline clung to what was in front of her, not even realizing it was him. Synox left her leaning against him and knelt before her.

He moved one hand from her waist and skimmed it down across her belly, voice low and firm.

“Concentrate,” he commanded.

Concentrate?

Her entire body was hypersensitive, so much that she could barely keep her hazy thoughts in order. How could she possibly obey?

Rosaline fought to keep herself upright, her body trembling beneath the flood of new sensations. The tepid air of the greenhouse lingered against her uncovered flesh like a sigh.

She suddenly realized this was a glass greenhouse, where people could see inside, and she flinched. But then she recalled something else. The small tea table where they sat was tucked away into a blind spot where one outside could see it. Relieved, Rosaline looked down at the man kneeling between her thighs.

“Did you choose this spot on purpose?”

Synox paused, his hands brushing over her knees as he began lifting her skirt.

“What do you mean?”

Her gaze dropped to his knees, where they were planted firmly on the floor. He had knelt down to put his mouth on her. The thought sent a strange shiver through her. Rosaline swallowed dryly.

“This part of the greenhouse is hidden from view.”

If Synox hadn’t chosen this particular table, she might have died of embarrassment. Just then, his indifferent reply came in that very instant.

“Others must never know of this.”

Like that explained everything, his tone was flat and devoid of feeling.

Right. He was right. Rosaline bit her lower lip. It felt like someone had poured cold water over her head.

Synox stared at her, watching her spiral all on her own, and then he lifted the hem of her dress. He carelessly bunched up the thin summer fabric in his hands and unfastened her garter with a swift flick. Her stockings slipped down her legs in a rustle.

He paused for a moment, just long enough to appreciate her pale, bare thighs before lowering his head over them. Another wave of stimulation began to melt her mind.

When his head disappeared between her thighs, a broken sound escaped her, pleasure blurring thought and reason alike. For a moment, the truth—that this was a secret meant to be concealed—faded away.

“Mmph, ngh…”

The sounds leaving her mouth didn’t even seem like hers anymore. They were too obscene.

Tears pooled at the corners of her eyes. She didn’t want to think anymore, so she stopped, hoping her quiet sobs would turn into sounds of carnal desire. She didn’t want this to be tainted with guilt.

Because right now, this was the most she and the man she loved could have together.

And surely, that shouldn’t hurt… right?

* * *

Pain.

That was the first thought to cross Rosaline’s mind as her consciousness returned.

It hurts. It hurts so much.

She screamed before she even knew she had opened her mouth.

“AHHH!”

Everything was black. She couldn’t see a thing, but the searing pain in her heart felt vivid and real.

And it wasn’t just her heart. Her throat, her hands, her arms, her legs. Every part of her body felt like it was on fire.

Someone grabbed her hand as she clawed at her chest.

A large, firm hand pulled her in. A coolness seeped from his palm, spreading through her burning skin.

Rosaline turned her head toward the presence. She still couldn’t see, but she could feel tears sliding down her cheeks.

“It hurts— it hurts so much…”

Even the tears stung as they rolled down her face. As Rosaline whimpered through her tears, the figure in the darkness cupped her cheek. Remembering how they had forced a gag into her mouth, she whipped her head desperately from side to side.

Then she heard her name.

“Rosaline.”

The voice was familiar. She hesitated, lips trembling.

“Sy– Synox?”

As if rewarding her for giving the correct answer, Synox stroked her forehead. Clutching his wrist as though it were her only anchor, Rosaline thought, No… he’s not meant to be here. He should’ve gone to Aria.

Then his lips touched hers.

It was a kiss as cold as a glacier, but Rosaline knew it was him. And so, she didn’t push him away.

With every breath they shared, the burning in her body subsided. That coldness, she needed it so badly. Like a person dying of thirst finally drinking water, she clung to him, desperate.

Little by little, everything receded. The heat. The pain…

Even her consciousness slowly slipped away.