Chapter 36
Deborah bit her lip, her delicate brows knit tightly together.
It hurt so much. She wondered, ‘Why has he suddenly become so wild?‘ She hadn’t even finished speaking when-
His lips crushed against hers, cutting off her words, devouring her in a frenzy.
She couldn’t get another word out. He flipped her over, his burning–hot body pressing down hard against her.
Gripping the bedsheets beneath her, Deborah bit her lip harder, trying to endure.
She had so much she still wanted to say–about Damian. But right now, she couldn’t even get a single word out.
The moment she opened her mouth, all that would come out were shameful cries. She wondered, ‘Why does he always like being behind me…‘
The man behind her was no longer the gentle person she knew. The warmth in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a fierce, beast–like glint. If she had seen the cold, predatory look in his eyes, she would’ve been terrified.
But the madness had only just begun. Deborah already felt her strength slipping away. Wave after wave of dizziness hit her with every punishing thrust. In the end, she couldn’t hold back–she screamed until her voice went hoarse, until she had nothing left.
Through the haze, she seemed to hear Simon’s voice, rough and low, echoing in her ears. “If you’re ever in danger, go to Damian. He’ll protect you. He’ll… cherish you like his own life.”
Dawn broke. When she woke, just as she’d expected, she was alone in bed.
Even though she had felt it coming, it still hurt. She wondered, ‘Everything was fine before the wedding–why has it all changed so suddenly?‘
“My lady?” Zyla’s voice came through the door, followed by a soft knock. “My lady, I’m coming in.”
Before Deborah could respond, Zyla entered with a basin of water, closing the door behind her.
Deborah pulled the blanket tighter around herself. After everything last night, she was so exhausted she could barely lift her arms. Turning her head, she saw Zyla quietly picking up clothes from the floor.
Her cheeks flushed. It was obvious–Zyla had figured everything out.
“He…”
“Prince Simon left after sunrise,” Zyla replied with a shy smile, but it was clear she was in high spirits.
“My lady, he left this for you.” She held out a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Flowers from Simon…. Deborah looked at the blooms in her hands, and the gloom that had weighed on her heart for days slowly began to lift.
She had once told him–one of the ways a man showed love to a woman was by giving her flowers. He remembered.
Even though he had left, Deborah believed he must’ve had his reasons. He had promised to give her an explanation one day. All she had to do was wait for him–and believe in him.
“My lady, are you feeling better now?” Zyla tilted her head, watching her closely.
“I wasn’t feeling bad,” Deborah replied, still gazing at the flowers in her arms. A soft smile curved her lips, and even her eyes seemed to smile. She truly did feel better.
Zyla knew Deborah well. After a year of watching her grow close to Simon, she understood just how deeply Deborah cared for him.
“Good. Then just be happy, My lady. I’m sure once Prince Simon takes care of everything, he’ll come back to be with you.”
Deborah nodded. “Zyla, help me get ready. I want to get up–I’m starving.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Just then, someone knocked at the door.
Zyla stepped out and returned shortly after. “My lady, Thomas is here. He’s invited you to join Prince Damian for breakfast.”
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9:23 AM
Chapter 36
She hesitated, then added with some surprise, “If I hadn’t seen them with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe two people could look so alike.
“If it weren’t for the beauty mark near Prince Simon’s eye, I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.”
Deborah said nothing. But in her mind, she kept replaying what Simon had said last night. “If you’re in danger, go to Damian. He’ll protect you. He’ll… cherish you like his own life.”
She thought, ‘Cherish me like his own life? Did Simon say the wrong name–or have I simply heard it wrong?‘
