CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: I’M A WHORE,

Her words echoed with authority, but there was an undercurrent of something else—desperation, perhaps, or desire?

No...lustful jealousy.

Catherine’s head snapped toward her, rage flaring anew. "It’s his right—" she began, but Aiden’s grip on her hand tightened, a silent command to stay calm.

He wasn’t done with Catherine—not by a long shot. He had plans for her, cravings he hadn’t yet indulged, visions of her yielding to him completely.

But Sabrina’s interruption was a wrinkle he hadn’t anticipated, though it didn’t anger him. If anything, it amused him. He could wait, attuned knighthood, but he wouldn’t tolerate being treated like a possession.

He turned to Sabrina, stepping closer, the faint scent of her soap and the lingering steam of a recent bath hitting his senses.

"Lady Sabrina," he said, his voice low, almost a growl, "we had an agreement. Lord Augustus was there. The plan continues....after its done, everything’s back to normal..."

Sabrina’s lips curled into a smile, sharp and knowing. "What plan? Chasing a ghost? You might not know, Aiden, but it wasn’t the garrison who squandered the funds—it was your precious mistress, Lady Catherine herself." Her words were a blade, aimed to cut, and she relished the moment, her eyes glinting with triumph.

Catherine’s face paled, her voice erupting in a furious shout. "You... you bitch!" She lunged forward, but Aiden’s hand shot up, stopping her in her tracks.

Sabrina’s gaze flickered to him, searching for disappointment, for betrayal. But all she saw was that same infuriating calmness—and that smirk, bold and unapologetic, as if he were three steps ahead of her.

’He already knew,’ Sabrina realized, her breath catching. "You already knew..." she said aloud, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Catherine froze, her eyes darting between them, confusion mingling with her anger.

Aiden’s smirk widened, his voice steady and confident. "Lady Sabrina, did you think that little slip of paper during our oh-so-pleasant tea time was a mistake?

No. I know the ins and outs of the fief’s budget. But..." He paused, his tone softening, a lie woven into his words with expert precision.

"I didn’t want Lady Catherine to bear the wrath of that loss. I didn’t want to see her in trouble."

Catherine’s breath hitched, her cheeks flushing crimson as she stared at his back, his figure seeming to grow broader, more imposing. "A-Aiden..." she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Sabrina’s eyes twitched, her composure fraying. "So what?" she snapped, her mana flaring again, a wave of pressure that made the air hum. "You’re still mine, Aiden. You swore an oath—have you forgotten?"

The brunt of her mana hit him like a tidal wave, his heartbeat thundering in his chest, his insides twisting under the pressure. But his face betrayed nothing—no pain, no fear. He stepped forward, undeterred.

"Lady Sabrina," he said, his voice no longer humble, carrying a weight that made the room feel smaller.

[Aura of Allure, activated.]

[Target: Sabrina... Charmed Possession.]

"Restrain yourself," he commanded, his words sharp and resonant, like a spell woven into the air. Sabrina’s mana faltered, dimming as if obeying his will. He stepped closer, his chest nearly brushing hers, his presence looming over her.

"H-how dare you..." she stammered, her voice faltering, but her body betrayed her, leaning toward him, drawn in by his scent, his gaze.

Aiden’s golden eyes bore into her, predatory and unrelenting. "What oath?" he asked, his voice low, dangerous.

"What honor?" Aiden asked.

"....."

"Was there an audience?"

"....."

"A priest to record it?"

Sabrina took a step back, her confidence wavering. "I... I have the documents—"

Before she could finish, Catherine’s throat glowed, a fiery light coiling within. With a snarl, she unleashed a burst of flame from her mouth, the fire consuming the papers on the table, reducing them to ash.

Catherine’s lips curled into a satisfied smile, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

Step.

Aiden stepped closer, seizing the moment while Sabrina’s attention wavered, her eyes flicking to the smoldering ashes of the burned documents.

Aiden turned tired, her pride leaving him no choice. If she was just honest, heaving her pride down, all would be good, all would be peaceful, but he had to press now, press harder, harder until she squeeked.

"Why?" His voice slid into the silence like a knife. "Why do you want me, Lady Sabrina? Why did you go this far?"

The title he used dripped with mockery.

She turned to him, his face suddenly close—too close. Her chest rose and fell, her body heating as though his very breath scorched her skin. Instinct forced her back a step, her spine nearly trembling with restraint.

But what could she say? That she wanted to tear the towel from her body and beg him to take her? That she was a duchess, yes—but also a starving woman craving a man who wasn’t her aging husband?

Her lips refused the truth. Her pride chained her tongue.

But Aiden wasn’t patient. He never was.

"Come on," he pressed, his tone dropping, stripping away respect like peeling skin. "Tell me, Sabrina."

Her heel caught the rug—her balance faltered. She toppled into the sofa, landing hard, the towel slipping treacherously from her chest to bunch around her waist.

Her hands flew up to shield her breasts, her thighs clamping together in instinct, clutching tight as if her body still had some defense left.

But she was exposed.

And Aiden didn’t stop. He never stopped.

One leg pressed onto the sofa, his body leaning forward, caging her in. His shadow swallowed her, his scent—masculine, intoxicating—wrapped around her, suffocating.

"Tell me..." His whisper burned against her ear, heavy with venom. "Tell me you just wanted me for a taste. Don’t lie. I know...I know what you say to your daughter about me."

Her eyes widened, terror blooming.

"Luna told me everything." His smile was cruel. "She told me how you soaked yourself whispering my name."

"...No," Sabrina stammered, her denial fragile.

"She told me you didn’t even flinch when you learned I fucked her, your own daughter. That instead of outrage, your body burned hotter."

"N...no..." Her voice quivered, but it was weak, collapsing under his weight.

"In fact—" he pressed harder, his hand snaring her chin, tilting her face up until she couldn’t escape the molten gold of his eyes, "—she told me you got wet just imagining it."

The words gutted her. Her pride, her status, her duchess mask—it shattered under his gaze. He didn’t see a duchess. He didn’t even see a woman. He saw prey.

And worse—she felt like prey.

Panic should have frozen her. Instead, heat licked down her spine, pooling between her thighs. Her shame only sharpened it.

The quiver running through her wasn’t fear. It was desire.

And she hated that she wanted more. She hated that he called her Sabrina—just Sabrina—with no honor, no title. She hated it... but, her heart relished on it.

Her lips parted, but no words came.

"Catherine," Aiden said suddenly, not looking at her, his voice still cruelly calm, "at least had a shred of a heart. She tried to protect her daughter."

His gaze fell back on Sabrina. Hard. Unforgiving.

"But you? In and out, you’re nothing but a fifthy whore."

Her stomach dropped.

"You wanted me so badly," he continued, his words sharp, relentless, "you stopped caring about your daughter. You imagine me pounding you every night.....Admit it."

"...no..."

"Say it." His grip tightened on her chin.

"...no."

"SAY IT!" His voice cracked like a whip, commanding.

[Aura of Allure used.]

The shout hit her harder than any mana pressure. Her heart thundered, her body betraying her as heat rushed between her thighs.

Even her old husband had never dared raise his voice like this—never forced her to bend.

But Aiden... Aiden broke her. The young man....forcing her pride to crumble. And crumble she did.

"I... I am a whore..." she whispered, barely audible.

His golden eyes gleamed. "What was that?" He leaned closer, dragging the words out of her like a confession.

"...I am a whore..." she repeated, the words trembling, poisoned with shame—and yet, beneath it, an undeniable shiver of pleasure.

Her voice echoed in the chamber. Catherine’s eyes widened, her breath hitching in awe.

Sabrina, the iron duchess, the woman who had nearly started a war—was submitting. Submitting not to a lord, not to a king... but to a... servant.

Aiden’s expression didn’t soften. His disappointment carved deeper.

"Louder."

"...I am a whore!"

"LOUDER!"

"I AM A WHORE!!" Her scream tore from her throat, echoing like thunder.

"And?"

Tears of rage and lust glimmered in her eyes. Her pride was ash. Her thighs trembled. She could barely breathe.

"And... I want your rod!!" she cried, her voice breaking into desperate acceptance.

The silence that followed was deafening. Catherine’s breath caught. Akidna, unseen at the door, pressed her lips shut in shock.

Aiden sneered—not smiled. Sneered. The hunter looking down at his caught prey.

"Good," he said coldly, his fingers sliding to his belt, the sound of the zipper slicing through the silence like a blade.

"You wanted it so badly, Sabrina..." He leaned closer, his breath hot against her ear. "...then you’ll get it."