Chapter 42

The raw sounds of unabashed mo*ns and the rhythmic slapping of bodies filled the annex, making the staff restless and anxious, each of them straining to remain silent. The piercing cries of pleasure reverberated through the narrow space, so intense that a young page, face flushed red, hurried out, overwhelmed by the scene’s indecency. Meanwhile, the man and woman at the center of it all—brazenly entwined in the corner of the room—seemed oblivious to the disruption they caused.

“Impressive energy for the middle of the day,” Odelliana remarked dryly, an eyebrow arched. “To be going at it like that in such sluggish weather—remarkable, really.”

Malena, usually unflappable even in the face of the grimmest tasks, openly grimaced. “Why do they have to do this here, of all places?” she muttered, barely concealing her disgust.

Odelliana gave a half-shrug. “It’s probably the best place for them to avoid prying eyes, wouldn’t you say?”

“People come here now. They barged in as if they owned the place,” Malena hissed, glancing away in irritation. “Shameless doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

Odelliana let out a bitter laugh. “And that’s the real joke, isn’t it? They say all sorts of lewd, filthy things about Matthias and me, yet there’s my own sister, pressed against someone in broad daylight, all while people go on venerating her as some virtuous, saintly woman.”

Odelliana felt a wave of resentment, hearing her sister’s loud cries from the adjacent room, while she herself had never once conducted such impropriety, let alone uttered a single mo*n. 

“Some get treated as virtuous ladies despite how sordid they are, while others, even in stillness, are deemed filthy,” she continued, glancing back at Malena. “Can you blame me for feeling wronged?”

Malena rolled her eyes. “I just wish they’d finish already. They’re going on forever. Don’t they feel any shame?”

“They must have pent up a lot during their so-called charitable rounds,” Odelliana replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Let them have their moment. It’s not as though they’ll keep at it all day, surely?”

But “surely” is a word often betrayed, and indeed, it wasn’t until dinnertime that Odette finally emerged from the room. Disheveled and unperturbed by her appearance, she seemed only then to remember her sister’s presence. Without hesitation, she sought out Odelliana, striding into her sister’s quarters with the air of one who owned the place.

“It’s been a while, Sister,” Odette said, her voice casual.

Odette’s appearance was a sight—her clothing hung loosely, revealing not only the telltale marks of her recent rendezvous but also ample curves without a hint of modesty. Despite her disheveled state, she held herself with the kind of shameless confidence that declared her anything but ordinary.

Odelliana narrowed her eyes, biting back her distaste. Birds of a feather, she thought bitterly. Indeed, Jocelyn had been no better.

His public reputation was spotless, unmarred by any scandal involving women, and he was widely regarded as a gentleman of impeccable standing. Yet in private, he was a frequent visitor of brothels, embracing courtesans as routinely as taking a meal. Discovering this only after their marriage had been a harsh blow, one that haunted her still. Even his closest knights had been oblivious to his double life, which made his deceit all the more bitter.

And yet, in spite of it all, she couldn’t stop herself from loving him. Odelliana was painfully aware that most men in their society kept up the appearance of righteousness in public while indulging freely in private. It was the accepted order of things, leaving her no choice but to feign ignorance, forcing herself to think, This is how it is, while clinging to him in quiet resignation.

“Well, you must have been in quite a rush,” Odelliana remarked dryly, her tone edged with disdain. “You holed up in that room the moment you arrived and didn’t come out. I was practically bored to death waiting.”

“Are you angry?” Odette asked, an almost playful smirk on her lips. “But really… this place was meant for these kinds of affairs from the start. You’re the one who’s taken over my little private sanctuary.”

Without waiting for an invitation, Odette settled herself into a seat, all too comfortably. “Bring me a glass of water, will you?” she said with a satisfied sigh. “I’m parched after such effort.”

Odelliana, struggling to conceal her disdain, directed Malena to fetch the water. As Odette’s eyes fell upon Malena—remarkably large and strong for a woman—she raised an eyebrow, her expression tinged with disbelief.

“And that’s supposed to be a woman?” she scoffed, her tone casual yet cutting. “Are we sure it’s not just a man in disguise?”

It was pure, unfiltered malice, as though she’d spoken without the slightest awareness of her cruelty. Odelliana couldn’t help but notice the ease with which her sister could deliver such words, reminiscent of a heartless noblewoman sneering down at a wounded rival with cold eyes.

Odelliana let out a bitter laugh. Yes, people don’t change that easily, do they?

“So, it really must be true that something’s off in that head of yours,” she said. “Pretending to act so lofty and dignified.”

“Oh?” Odette’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with mock innocence. “Seeing you behave this way, perhaps I’m beginning to remember a thing or two about you.”

“Is that so?” Odelliana replied, her smile hardening. “If those memories do come back, I doubt you’ll be able to keep up that arrogant face.”

“Then I suppose I should pray that those memories stay lost forever.”

When the water arrived, Odette took it in her hand and gulped it down, her gaze steady on Odelliana with a look that bordered on contempt. She watched her sister as though Odelliana were nothing more than a piece of meat laid out in a butcher shop, ripe for inspection.

“You truly don’t remember anything, do you?” Odette said, her voice laced with a mockery that barely concealed her disappointment. “Sister, I’m wounded. You used to beg me to play with you, sobbing for my attention. How could you forget all those delightful memories?”

Odelliana remained silent.

“I always hoped that you, of all people, would never forget me,” Odette continued, a smirk pulling at her lips.

“Yes, it’s a real shame,” Odelliana replied, her voice as cold as her gaze. “If I could remember even one thing about you, I might’ve been spared the disappointment of seeing you like… this.”

“A whore?” Odette laughed, an airy, dismissive sound. “Oh, come now, Sister, that’s not quite accurate. A whore sells her body. I’m the one buying bodies.”

“Fine,” Odelliana conceded with a dry smile. “Then let me correct myself—the madam, conducting business in her own flesh. Is that better?”

“Wrong again,” Odette chided with a shake of her head. “How could it be business if I don’t charge? I may not be in commerce, but I do keep certain… clients pleased. Plenty of noblewomen among them. I’ve introduced them to young, able men, and let me tell you—they were most satisfied.”

“And is that truly something to be proud of?”

“Oh, but you wouldn’t understand the pleasure of being the object of desire,” Odette taunted. “A woman who’s never known a man’s touch like you could never understand.”

She reclined more fully, her smooth legs stretching languidly as the loose fabric slipped away, leaving her radiant figure openly displayed. Her ample curves, slim waist, firm hips, and toned thighs seemed crafted for this display, yet even this bold, vulgar exposure didn’t feel cheap. With her flawless body and striking beauty, she exuded an allure that seemed almost artful, leaving Odelliana no choice but to feel both repelled and unwillingly impressed.

“Being the focus of someone else’s desire… it’s exhilarating,” Odette purred, her eyes glinting with satisfaction as she leaned closer.

“A crippled woman like you could never understand,” Odette continued, her voice softening into mock pity. “The gods cursed you and blessed me. This face, this body—they’re the strongest weapons a woman can wield over men. I was born with that gift, and you, dear sister, were born with… shame.”

Odelliana fought the urge to roll her eyes. Did Odette really need her to sit there and listen while she praised herself?

“I hear you’ve acquired a new servant,” Odette went on with a wicked smile. “A loyal young man, handsome and able, who sticks to you like a shadow.”

Odelliana’s pulse quickened at this turn in the conversation. “…What?”

“They say you picked up a charming street waif,” Odette cooed, feigning innocence. “Quite a beauty, they say—a face that could make women swoon. Your servants can’t stop talking about him. Hardly anyone left in the main house hasn’t heard of him… but I don’t see him here, do I?”

Odelliana clenched her jaw, unwilling to respond, but her expression must have given her away.

“Seems you’re quite attached,” Odette sneered, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Look at that—your stoic mask is finally cracking.”

Odelliana felt a wave of relief, remembering that Matthias was currently away. The thought of him being anywhere near Odette was… revolting. But Odette only leaned in, voice laced with taunting sweetness.

“Are you feeling a bit threatened? Afraid I might steal your loyal follower?”

Odelliana forced herself to breathe, trying to suppress the uncharacteristic ripple of doubt. She knew better than anyone that Matthias was immune to the charms of other women. Yet Odette, draped in her nearly divine allure, was captivating in a way that Odelliana had rarely seen. Her beauty was mesmerizing, an almost overwhelming presence that could make even the most steadfast feel a flicker of temptation.

For the first time, Odelliana found herself hoping that Matthias’s loyalty was as unshakable as she believed.

Odette chuckled, her voice lilting with mock sweetness. “Relax, it’s a joke. Do you really think I’d take something of yours? I’ve never taken a single thing that was rightfully yours.”

“There’s never been any need,” Odette went on, her smirk widening. “Everything has always come to me naturally. Mother and Father’s love, the sole title as the family’s lady—all of it, just like that.”

She leaned back, looking supremely satisfied, as if she had declared some immutable truth. Odelliana’s lips tightened, but before she could respond, a sudden, piercing pain shot through her head. She gasped, clutching her temple as her vision blurred.

What… what’s happening…?

The headache worsened, jagged and relentless, bringing with it flashes of unfamiliar memories—scenes, voices, fragments of a past she hadn’t known, or perhaps had forgotten.