Princess Shu

There were several reasons why Valia welcomed High Priest Philemon. First, she had no ill will toward Philemon, and second, as Schuden thought, it was beneficial to the House of Garth. Valia wanted to be nice to Schuden as she had determined not long ago. But because he was a man who already owned many things, there were only a few things she could do well.

‘It’s the responsibility of the lady of the house to invite guests.’

If she did well, it would benefit Schuden. And her image of Philemon was that he would smile with kindness, that he would say that it was okay even if she made a little mistake. That was why Valia was pleased with Philemon’s visit.

Schuden obviously did not know. When Valia smiled, he just inferred whether she had built a friendship with Philemon without him even knowing.

“Valia.”

“Yes?”

“High Priest Philemon has visited this manor several times before, you don’t have to pay much attention.”

Schuden casually said something that, had they heard him, could make the other nobles open their eyes wide in shock. Actually, he had never given much meaning to Philemon’s visit. Valia was a little surprised, but then convinced herself that the House of Garth was indeed a more powerful noble family than she had initially thought.

“That’s a relief. This means that the employees are somewhat familiar with how to treat the High Priest. I’m sure Paul and Sarah will help me a lot.”

In fact, Valia received a lot of help from the two after she entered the manor. It was not very common to be lucky enough to have a polite and hard-working general butler and housekeeper.

“Valia.”

“Yes.”

“We’re in bed.”

“Pardon?”

“Are you going to keep talking about other people here?”

The sentence was completed with ‘another man’ in his head, but his bit of pride changed his words just before it came out. Even in Schuden’s opinion, it was very rude to classify people with a specific job by gender. And Valia quickly understood what Schuden was saying.

“Well, this is work…”

“But you have other things to do too.”

There was not much to do in bed. Schuden’s gaze was too persistent for her to feign ignorance. Valia could never know, he was only staring at her with his gaze, so why had her ears turned red?

‘…Is it because of his eyes?’

Valia often suffered from a strange feeling of being sucked into those red eyes. It was rather okay from a distance. When he was at the center of the crowd, he had a bored look, cold and indifferent, that could not be accurately defined. But up close, he looked so decadent. When she faced him like that, her body lost strength little by little.

Schuden grabbed Valia’s chin and leaned down a little. Her pink lips opened without resistance. His tongue dug into her mouth. The thin piece of flesh scanned her teeth, savored every bite of the tender flesh inside her mouth, and invaded deep inside. Every time he went over a sensitive spot, Valia’s body trembled.

Schuden’s hand grabbed the ribbon of Valia’s gown and untied it. The soft silk robe glided down and exposed a white female body. Schuden’s firm hands wrapped around her back, her skin so smooth that he could feel her shoulder blade. Having tasted Valia’s deepest parts, he tilted his chin slightly.

His lips descended along her cheek, chin, and neck, and eventually reached her chest. Her small hands were covering the peak that would have turned red. She did not block it on purpose but just happened to be in that position.

“Valia.”

His voice was clearly different from when he was usually calling her. This time, it was full of desire. Valia was not confident enough to stare into his eyes. His red eyes only changed to those full of lust only when making love. When Valia avoided his gaze, Schuden grabbed her chin and fiercely gave her a shower of kisses again. Her white fingers gripped his shoulders. Schuden also kissed her fingertips. It was strange, was it common for things like this to look pretty too? A desire similar to thirst boiled up.

Schuden took off his gown.

The superb male body that made Valia so shy appeared. Her mouth opened a little and her ears heated up. Without realizing it, Valia put her hands together to cover her face.

Valia was already insecure when facing Schuden’s strange gaze, so when he stripped off like that, she could not figure out how to look at him. Schuden tended to joke around surprisingly often. She did not know what other mischievous jokes he would make in this situation.

Valia really could not look at him. She covered her face and spoke cautiously.

“Hmm, you can do it right now.”

Schuden, who wondered what Valia was doing, was lost for words.

“Do you mean in that position?”

“It’s not impossible, no…?”

She was not wrong, but still, he did not think this was right. 

Should I have taken it off a little later? Should I pick up the gown I threw on the floor and wear it again?

He suddenly wondered at the thoughts that flowed naturally. It was amazing that Valia managed to make him think like that.

“Dear.”

“…Yes?”

“What are you so shy about?”

“Because you just stripped off…in the middle.”

“So it is okay if I take it off later?”

“…”

He did not get an answer, but he already got a rough grasp of the situation. Valia seemed to be very shy of Schuden taking his clothes off during the foreplay. It seemed that she overlooked it during their nuptial night because it was so hectic.

Now that he knew it, all was good.

Schuden kissed Valia’s hands, which were still covering her face. He went out of bed. Soon after, Valia found out that the lights in the bedroom had been extinguished. She cautiously removed her hands.

“Schu? Did you turn off the light?”

Valia carefully called Schuden, but no answer came back from him. She could not see anything due to the dark, she could not even hear a single breath. Gradually, she got flustered. Valia felt around the dark air. Then, her hands were grabbed and she felt a hug from the back. 

“Schu? Hngh…”

Valia’s shoulders trembled slightly. A lip teased the area connecting her neck and shoulders. The firm hands hugging Valia’s waist rubbed down her chest provocatively. His fingers held her erect nipples and teased them. As she could not see anything, her other senses were clearer.

Valia felt more weight on the bed. She could tell that Schuden sat hugging her body. The chest muscles felt behind her back were firm, the same went for the part of him that could clearly be felt from her bottom, getting hard as time passes. Valia was too occupied to blush. Schuden’s hand fumbled down her warm stomach and soon dug onto her inner thighs.

“Hmph…”

A light moan came out. Schuden’s fingers dug into the warm, moist space to search the clitoris. As he rubbed it, exhilarating feelings rode up. The small erogenous zone quickly swelled up after the constant touching and stroking. It was almost miserable due to the ticklish heat.

Valia gathered her knees with a moan. But Schuden’s hand was already buried deep inside. His fingers showed no sign of letting go of the plump and soft flesh.

“Hng…”

Her lower belly was already hot with the caressing alone. Maybe Schuden was right, he said she no longer needed to use the fragrance oil. Her inside was soft and sticky after being wet by the flowing arousal fluid.

Schuden quickly knew that Valia’s body was ready.

He hugged her shoulders and thighs and laid her down. Valia’s long hair slightly stuck to Schuden’s wet fingers. While lying down, Valia reached out her hand and felt the dark air, searching for Schuden because it was hard to see.

“I’m here.”

He bent down and held her arms. Her slim arms were wrapped around Schuden’s neck, and her legs were also wrapped around his waist. The darkness went deep. She could barely see her partner who was right in front of her. But Schuden slightly raised her knees. She felt his shaft clearly touching her wet, soft flesh.

Soon he penetrated just as it was.

“Hngh! Urgh! Mmph!”

In the dark bedroom, the only things that Valia relied on were her sense of touch and hearing. Schuden pushed her tight lower belly mercilessly. Her body, which became much more sensitive than usual, trembled.

Whenever Schuden moved back and forward, his hard cock stimulated her sensitive inside without exception. Moans erupted from Valia’s lips at the pleasure that made her view go hazy. She could see nothing but the lewd voice and stimulations occurring in her ears.

The explicit sound of the couple rubbing their skin and the intimate sound when she was pounded to the end. It was so loud that her head was pounding.

“Ah, hmph!”

The pleasure erupted again. Valia’s waist straightened up. Every time his penis was pulled out, her vagina’s inner wall felt like it was going to come out with it due to the pressure.

At some moment.

Hngh!

Valia’s thighs tightened strongly. It was unlike the first time when she felt her climax almost at the same time, now, Valia reached orgasm faster. She grabbed Schuden’s shoulder and her body shivered. Her creased inside shook violently. Schuden let out a raspy moan. The stimulation was so intense that he would ejaculate even if he stopped thrusting and stood still.

As the number of their intercourses increased, Schuden was definitely getting to know about her unknown parts. For example, where would Valia feel most sensitive when stimulated? If she had an orgasm, how long should she rest after that? Could he penetrate her right back?

And why did her inner wall that clenched and twitched at his penis make his head feel so light at that time?

“Urgh, Schu…”

His hold on her back had tightened. It was the first time someone called him by that nickname, and the first time a woman had held him like this. Valia wrapped her arms around Schuden’s neck and panted as if she was crying. In his head, he wanted to comfort her, but the bottom of his waist did not listen to him. Her moaning sobs sounded suffocatingly sweet to him.

Schuden’s erection penetrated so roughly as if it was really going to pierce Valia. He came out tightly.   

Is this what it feels like to be skewered on a huge, hot stick? Does this man also feel the temperature of his body?

Valia’s waist bent. She already had tears in her eyelashes, if the light had been on, Schuden would have wiped it off with his lips.

But now, it was dark enough that nothing could be seen. Only the touch and sound were clear in this dark bedroom. Schuden’s low moan sounded too erotic and the inside of Valia’s body tightened. For a moment, he took a breath.

“…Valia, loosen up.”

How could that one name sound so lewd? 

It was not easy to keep going. Holding Schuden’s penis, Valia’s slippery vagina was tight without her even doing anything. And her vagina’s inner folds were tightening his bulging shaft. Schuden felt dizzy, the only minor problem he had was how he was going to blow a load. 

“Ah, Schu! Hmph!”

Schuden’s hand squeezed Valia’s chest. His fingertips that were holding and rolling her aroused nipple felt much rougher than before. His head was hot. The love fluid that flowed and burst out from within Valia’s body was now splashing up to Schuden’s thighs. The squelching could be heard nonstop, making even Valia’s toes shiver.

On this bed, where Schuden and Valia only had each other in their heads. Valia could no longer count how many times she had reached climax. She moaned Schuden’s name. 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The next day, a guest visited Marquess Garth’s manor.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Marchioness Garth.”

It was the chief lady-in-waiting sent by the Emperor himself. Looking similar in age to Paul, she was someone Valia had seen in the Imperial Palace before. Although a little strict, she was not a bad superior who had a groundless temper. She was a person who remained well in Valia’s memory.

Valia smiled brightly.

“I can’t believe His Imperial Majesty sent you directly. Tell him that his grace is as vast as the river and sea.”

“Yes, of course. His Imperial Majesty is also very sorry that the date of your visit to the palace has been postponed.”

The entrance date, originally scheduled for three days later, was delayed further to a few days later. Valia did not care much because it was common. However, in the meantime, she could see through the Emperor’s intention of sending the chief lady-in-waiting.

It was not uncommon for the bride to be a foreigner, but it was also very rare for the Emperor to personally send his chief lady-in-waiting just because the date for the visitation had been set. It meant two things; the first was that it was a sign that he cared for Marquess Garth, the second was that he wanted to find out about the Marchioness in advance. All of Valia’s words and actions would be passed on to the Emperor.

Although Valia did not need to walk on eggshells around the chief lady-in-waiting, she also did not need to be arrogant. In the first place, Valia was also a person who was far from the word ‘arrogant’.

The most important thing was the fact that there was nothing new to learn.

“So, you’re already perfectly acquainted with Imperial etiquette.”

Because Valia was a noble from a foreign country, the chief lady-in-waiting visited with some concern. The continent used a common language, but the high-level etiquette, such as the Imperial etiquette, differed greatly from country to country.

“You know all the etiquettes of Gel and you have memorized all of the current imperial genealogy. You’re the epitome of the nobles.”

 The chief lady-in-waiting’s words were half flattery and half sincere. Valia, who had once worked as a lady-in-waiting, simply smiled softly. 

“I guess it is helpful to read the etiquette book and the imperial genealogy beforehand.”

In fact, she memorized it while working as the escort lady-in-waiting in the Imperial Palace in the past. The chief lady-in-waiting earnestly marveled at her.

“Usually, it is hard to learn that much with just books. You’re really amazing.”

“That’s a generous compliment. Thank you.”

Valia’s demeanor was impeccable. The chief lady-in-waiting, who really had nothing more to teach Valia, went back to the palace after having a short chat with her.

“Madam, would you like a cup of tea?”

“Sure.”

 Sarah stood quietly while the chief lady-in-waiting was there, she poured a cup of tea for Valia. A sweet scent brewed with dried fruits and herbs spread throughout the drawing-room. Valia took a sip of the well-brewed tea. After having been empty due to the class all morning, her stomach became warm.

Thanks to Sarah quickly grasping that Valia liked refreshment with her tray, the tray was loaded with a variety of snacks. 

Valia asked as she ate an almond cookie.

“What about His Grace?”

“I have sent something that he can easily eat.”

Schuden did not go out today. But that did not mean he was resting. Early in the morning, Schuden’s aides were already visiting the manor. Though he said he had time for breakfast, in Valia’s eyes, the documents carried by the aides were too thick for someone to be so easy-going. Valia was persuaded because she also liked to dine with Schuden.

And now he had been in his office for five hours.

Originally, Valia was also scheduled to receive training on imperial etiquette from the chief lady-in-waiting until before evening. But as she had nothing to learn and the chief lady-in-waiting had nothing to teach, staying in the class was only a waste of time. With the sudden free time, Valia decided to try on her ceremonial dress.

“Madam, is there anything uncomfortable?”

“It fits me perfectly.”

As Paul adjusted the dress to the size of her wedding dress, there were no parts that were really tight. A ceremonial dress was an ordinary dress, but its purpose was to look elegant and neat. There was no fancy aspect of the ceremonial dress so it looked quite plain compared to the ball dress.

Valia picked up a headdress to match the ceremonial dress and walked around the room with her new shoes to get used to them. After that, there was something Sarah had brought. It was a small jewelry box that looked gorgeous even at a glance. Sarah even wore white gloves to carefully open the lid.

“This is the brooch that had been worn by Marchioness Garth from generation to generation.”

Valia blinked. The brooch with large diamonds and precious rubies was generously used. Valia did not know much about jewelry, but even in her eyes, it looked like a very expensive piece. The jewel crafted in the shape of House of Garth’s insignia was delicately cut and shone from various angles.

Valia suddenly wondered.

“Is this a brooch that can only be worn by the Marchioness of Garth?”

“Yes, Madam. Only the Marchioness can wear it. It has a strong symbolic element so it is mainly worn for public occasions. The date of wearing it is also recorded in a ledger.”

“…Even the date of wearing?”

It looked like it was exceptionally valuable. Valia was a little perplexed when she realized the value of that shiny brooch. She was terrified of losing it. She vowed to herself that she would stay away from that brooch except where she needed it. Even if she lost it, it was better to lose it at home. If she lost that precious thing outside, it would make her feel like she would not want to live anymore.

“Put it in the jewelry box.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The maid put the brooch in the jewelry box and sent away the ceremonial dress, headdress, and shoes that Valia had tried on. After that, there really was nothing for Valia to do. Originally, even a newly married bride had a lot of work to do. She had to check the manor’s internal budget and take over duties. The problem was that there was no elder in the Garth family to hand over the duties to the new bride, and the internal budget ledger was also less completed.

‘But then again, I got married in just five days.’

Valia could receive the internal budget ledger in a few days at the earliest. Now that she had thought that far, she realized that she was really free. At this time when someone might be bored, Valia was having fun alone because she had something to look forward to. She had a small expectation.

‘Tart.’

Schuden only went to the training ground three days a week, but it was not the same for the knights. They trained for five days and took a day off. Shaun was the knight commander, so his schedule was planned the same as the other knights. Since he had morning training, Shaun would visit the manor in a little while. He was not technically an aide to Schuden, but he sometimes had something to discuss with him.

‘It should be fine to talk to him for a second. I’m going to send him away after a cup of tea anyway.’

Valia’s heart fluttered. She had a lot of questions—did Schuden really eat the tart she sent? Did he throw it away without eating it? Did he smile a little bit? Or did he just throw it away with an expressionless face?

‘Hmm… No. Let’s cancel the last one.’

Valia once thought that it was okay as long as he did not get angry. In a few days, her standards have changed again. That was how simple a person’s heart was. She was glad that she could keep her heart only to herself.

When Valia was deep in her imagination, a maid came to inform her of Shaun’s arrival.

“Madam, Sir Shaun is here.”

“Bring him here. Brew some tea too.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Soon after, the maid brought Shaun. And after a long time, the knight was reunited. He bowed his head to the lady who had now become a married noblewoman.