Revenge Of The Reborn Northen Duke

4

“Y-Y-Young Master?!”

Kael, who was accustomed to beheading enemies on the battlefield, was momentarily stunned for a fraction of a second. It was not because he hesitated, but because the brutality of that order transcended the bounds of any political reason. Castrating the Prime Minister’s only son was tantamount to declaring open war on the most powerful bureaucratic faction in the palace.

However, upon seeing Theodore’s pair of black eyes—as dark as a bottomless abyss—Kael knew this was no mere bluff. His young master had shed the last remnants of his naivety and been reborn as a conquering demon.

“Carry it out.” Theodore’s voice was no more than an icy whisper, yet its authoritarian resonance compelled Kael’s body to move instinctively.

“As you command!” roared Kael.

Gerald’s eyes widened so much they nearly popped out of their sockets. The pain in his ribs suddenly vanished, replaced by absolute terror that froze the blood in his veins. His once handsome face was now as pale as paper.

“W-Wait! Theodore! You can’t—Mmph!”

Kael clamped his steel-hard hand around Gerald’s jaw, forcibly silencing him. His right hand deftly drew a curved hunting dagger from his waist. The silver blade reflected a dim light, ready to spill blood.

“NOOO! PLEASE! THEO—AAAAAAARRRGGGHHHHHH!!!”

An unbearable, shrill scream erupted within the mahogany chamber. The sound was so horrifying, laden with suffering and despair that it tore at Gerald’s own vocal cords.

Watching her secret lover being dragged away like a pet, Lily’s face flushed crimson with rage and humiliation.

“Theodore, you really are a devil!” Lily screamed, pointing at Theodore’s face with a finger trembling violently. Her eyes bulged with fury as she stared at Theodore with utter revulsion.

“This marriage is off! Until the day I die, I will never consent to live with a cruel man like you!”

Hearing that threat, Theodore stopped in his tracks. Slowly, he turned and looked at Lily.

Far from looking afraid or worried at such a threat, a thin, self-mocking smirk was etched across his handsome face.

“Call off the wedding?” Theodore chuckled softly. His laughter sounded melodious but was laced with deadly venom. “A truly brilliant idea, Princess.”

Lily’s breathing quickened. She’d thought her threat had succeeded in making Theodore cower. For the past three years, this cheap tactic had always succeeded in bringing Theodore to his knees, begging her.

However, Theodore’s next words shattered that illusion into a thousand pieces.

“The door is wide open,” said Theodore calmly, his eyes scanning Lily’s body from head to toe. “But before you step out of my residence… leave everything that belongs to me here.”

Lily’s brow furrowed sharply. “W-what do you mean, Theodore?!”

“The ice-silk gown, the diamond necklace, the ring, right down to the shoes on your feet. All bought with the North’s military wealth,” hissed Theodore. He stepped forward, letting his murderous aura press down on Lily until she retreated, cornered at the edge of the bed. “If you want this relationship to end, take it all off. Right now.”

Lily’s face instantly flushed crimson. Shock and shame exploded violently within her chest. “Y-you’re telling me to strip myself naked?! I’m a princess!”

“Take them off yourself, or my soldiers will tear them off and throw you out onto the streets completely naked,” Theodore threatened without the slightest hesitation. “Choose.”

Looking into those cold, black eyes, Lily realised Theodore wasn’t bluffing. This man was truly capable of doing it.

With trembling hands and tears of humiliation streaming down her face, Lily began to remove her jewellery.

Clink!

One by one, the symbols of her false status fell to the marble floor. Finally, with her lips bitten until they bled, the silk wedding gown slid down.

Lily now stood clad only in sheer underwear. Her body shivered with cold; her self-respect had been trampled into oblivion. Not a trace of her pride remained.

Yet, amidst the shame that was burning away her sanity, Lily’s ego and delusions—as a woman who had always been adored—took hold once more.

She stared at Theodore’s impassive face. Her arrogance suddenly surged again, transforming her shame into a sickening, cynical sneer.

“Hahh… I understand now,” Lily hissed, deliberately thrusting out her chest, which was covered only by a thin piece of fabric. “You’re actually just jealous, aren’t you?!”

Her voice echoed with false confidence. “You’re doing this mad stunt because you’re jealous that Gerald managed to have my body, whilst for three years you could only stare at me like a starving dog!”

Lily stepped forward with a defiant glare, as if she’d just discovered her trump card. Faintly, Gerald’s horrified screams could still be heard echoing from outside the window.

Lily bit her lower lip, trying to use the last and cheapest weapon she had: the allure of her body.

“All right! You win!” she exclaimed arrogantly. “If you desire me so much… I’ll give you my body. Right here on this bed. Right now.”

Lily stared intently into Theodore’s dark eyes, stepping ever closer, her expression so pitiful it made Theodore feel sick.

“All right, Theodore. Sleep with me. I’m willing to be yours right now… as long as you let Gerald live!”