CHAPTER 44: NEVER

Willabelle’s words sliced through the silence in the room like a dagger. Her white eyes had dulled under the dim light filtering through the window; it was as if the storm within her was fiercer than the wind outside. My heart felt like... it stopped for a moment. Leave?

"Leave?" I whispered, the mix of shock and pain in my voice muffling the words. I rose from my seat, but my steps were heavy, as if my feet were nailed to the ground. I approached her, this time without hesitation; my hand gently touched her shoulder. She didn’t pull away this time, but her body was tense, like a bowstring drawn taut.

"My lord..." she began, her voice trembling. She turned her eyes to me, but there was a wall in her gaze, high and insurmountable. "I’m sorry, but I had to make this decision for Magnus."

"For Magnus..." I whispered, loosening my grip on her shoulder. "I understand."

What could I say anyway? Beg her not to go? We weren’t that close, and even if we were, I wouldn’t stop her from leaving. I wouldn’t stoop that low.

Besides, how could I blame Willabelle? First the vampire attack, and now the potential assault from neighboring houses. She couldn’t leave her son in such a dangerous place. So she wasn’t guilty, but damn it, for some reason, I felt like shit. I guess this was a kind of first abandonment for me.

The anger, disappointment, and helplessness inside me mingled together. My tongue twitched to utter accusing sentences, but they knotted in my throat. Even if I said it, I’d be wrong. Because she was right. Because as a mother, her priority was clear. But that didn’t fill the emptiness inside me.

I looked towards the darkness. "I wouldn’t want you to go," I said in a low voice. "But I have no right to say that to you. Just... if you leave, this place will become a little empty, Willabelle."

Willabelle parted her lips but chose silence. The flickering gleam in her eyes was an echo of a vulnerability she had never shown me before. Still, her resolve was firm; I couldn’t breach that wall.

In that moment, something inside me broke. Something small, invisible. Perhaps a bond I hadn’t noticed until now, or maybe the illusion of something I’d never truly had. But it broke. And I knew I couldn’t pick up the pieces.

I turned my head, looking at the city beyond the window. Stone streets, wounded walls, people trying to rise again... This was my chain, my burden. She, on the other hand, had a choice: to leave.

"Why does it feel so heavy?" I asked myself, but my voice carried outward.

Willabelle bowed her head, as if she hadn’t heard. Then she whispered: "I have to go for Magnus’s future. But... My lord, I apologize for seeming to take advantage of your kindness. And I am grateful that you have allowed me to serve you."

Grateful... the word twisted in my heart like a dagger. Not gratitude. I wanted more, but I couldn’t say it. If I did, I’d lose both her and myself.

I took a deep breath and turned my face to her. I could only manage a smile on my lips, an empty, fake one. "Then..." I said, my voice struggling to emerge. "I hope you make the right decision for Magnus."

And in that moment, I realized: This wasn’t just a parting; it was also my first true defeat in this world.

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A few days had passed since Willabelle’s departure. Strangely, Willabelle’s companions continued to stay here. Honestly, this should have made me happy, but instead, it irritated me the opposite way. Even men who had almost no connection to me were showing their gratitude just because I had accepted them into my lands. Willabelle, on the other hand... Her!

No, I’m not in a position to blame her. And now I need to forget her. Yes, when I first came to this world, the thing that excited me the most was acquiring Willabelle, whom I thought was the woman of my dreams. But now I know I won’t fulfill that desire.

"My lord... are you still upset?"

Annabel’s voice woke me. She was sitting beside me, her head resting on my shoulder. She held a book about techniques, and this sight struck me as oddly sweet. The way she looked at me with those big, watery eyes...

"Don’t worry, I’m fine. Besides, what do you mean by *still*?"

Annabel smiled lightly, a tiny spark of playfulness in her eyes, but a faint shadow of seriousness lingered on her face. "It’s not hard to observe you, my lord. You’re distracted at meals, the light stays on in your room for long hours at night... Sometimes, when you stare out the window, you have such a look, as if your soul is wandering far from here. And it started after Lady Willabelle left."

Her words caught me off guard. I hadn’t thought the girl could keep such close attention to me. I slowly raised my hand and placed it on the book, my fingertips lightly brushing her delicate hands. She didn’t pull away; she just looked at me, and her mouth curved into a beautiful smile.

"So you noticed," I said in a hoarse voice. "I’m sorry. For thinking of another woman while by your side."

Annabel’s smile trembled a bit. For a moment, that innocent light seemed to fade from her eyes, then it reappeared. She shook her head lightly. "I accept your apology. I can get used to you being with other women, but at least... when you’re with me, just... me."

As she finished her words, she blushed so much that she bowed her head and hid her face from my view. When she lowered her head, her hair covered part of her face. Her slender shoulders were trembling; was she embarrassed, or regretting what she said? I couldn’t tell. But the words I heard echoed in my heart: "When you’re with me, just me."

Without hesitation, I brought my hand under her chin and gently lifted it. She didn’t resist. Her eyes locked onto mine again; large, sparkling, but hiding a fragile determination in their depths. She was right. What I had done was truly unacceptable. With such a beautiful and attractive woman by my side, I couldn’t think of another woman anymore.

Just her. I must think only of her.

In that moment, the air in the room changed. It was as if the surrounding atmosphere had grown heavier, drawing us closer with every breath. The sparkle in Annabel’s eyes had already begun to fill the emptiness inside me. I didn’t pull my hand from her chin; my fingers slid over her soft skin, descending toward her neck. I could feel her heartbeat. Fast, rhythmic, pounding like a drum, accelerating mine as well.

"Annabel," I whispered, the desire in my voice thickening the words. "You... you’re here... with me. And I’m thinking only of you. Only you."

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t flee. On the contrary, her lips parted slightly, releasing an inviting breath. She set the book aside and placed her hands on my chest. Her fingers seemed to seek my skin beneath the fabric. "My lord... yes, just... my name."

I whispered her name like a prayer: "Annabel."

And in that moment, our lips met. The kiss began with a gentle touch, soft, exploring. But the fire inside me quickly ignited it. I pressed my lips against hers, my tongue licking her lower lip before slipping inside. She was sweet as honey, and she moaned.

Her moan was small, muffled, driving me wild. Her hands got lost in my hair, pulling me toward her, as if she wouldn’t allow us to separate.

The kiss deepened, flared up. My body pressed against her delicate curves; when my hardness touched her hips, she trembled but didn’t pull back. Instead, she rubbed her hips against me, like an invitation. "My lord," she moaned between my lips, "touch me. Everywhere."

It wasn’t a command; it was a plea. And I obeyed. My hands untied the laces of her dress without rushing, but making my desire clear. The fabric slipped from her shoulders, revealing her milk-white skin. When her breasts were freed, they took my breath away: full, nipples hardened, inviting. I traced circles over them with my fingers, and she moaned, arching her back.

"Oh God," she murmured, her eyes half-closed. "Yes... like that."

I lowered my mouth, taking one nipple between my lips, sucking. Like a hungry wolf. I nipped it lightly with my teeth, and she cried out in pleasure. My other hand delved under her skirt, parting her legs. My fingers touched the damp fabric of her undergarments; she was wet, ready.

"You... you’re mine," I growled, sliding my finger inside. Tight, hot, and she writhed, lifting her hips.

"Yes, I’m yours," she moaned, her hands unbuttoning my pants. "Take me... Now... please"

Our clothes scattered on the floor hastily, with passionate fury. She was naked now, my body melting beneath hers: long legs, curvaceous hips, and those watery eyes burning with desire. I lowered myself onto her, kissing her neck as my hardness found her entrance. I entered slowly, inch by inch, listening to her moans. She was tight, wet, and she screamed, digging her nails into my back.

"Faster, Ahhhh!" she begged, lifting her hips. "So fast, my lord... Hngggh-ahhh...."

And I didn’t stop. I thrust in and out rhythmically, wildly. Her breasts bounced with every movement; my hands squeezed them, pinching her nipples. She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper. Our sweat mingled, our breaths merged.

With a fiery, animalistic urge, I thrust into her relentlessly; each stroke made our bodies collide, the wet sounds echoing off the room’s walls, forming the symphony of our passion. Annabel’s moans grew louder, turning from muffled whispers to wild screams.

"My lord... ahghh, yes... AHH-hhnng... harder... please..." she begged, her voice broken, breathless.

My body melted beneath hers; her tight walls enveloped me, drawing me deeper with every movement. My hands gripped her hips, pressing her against me as I quickened my rhythm. Her breasts danced rhythmically with each thrust; her nipples, hardened and sensitive between my fingers. I buried my lips in her neck, sucking and biting her skin, leaving marks. These were signs of possession, marks that she was mine alone.

Annabel’s body tensed like a bow; her legs wrapped tighter around my waist, her nails carving deep scratches into my back. "I’m coming... oh, God, I’m coming! AHHNnnn-Ahhhh!" she cried out, her voice exploding in the room.

Her orgasm hit her like a storm. Her body shook, her muscles contracting rhythmically around me, tightening, trapping me in her hot, wet vortex.

Her eyes closed, her head fell back; the moans spilling from her lips turned into muffled screams, her breath coming in ragged gasps, as if her soul was leaving her body.

Her hips lifted involuntarily, trembling, as waves of pleasure overtook her; her skin flushed, sweat droplets trickling down her breasts. In that moment, she was so beautiful... fragile, ethereal, completely surrendered, like an angel.

Her inner walls squeezed me, milking me, prolonging her orgasm; as if it would last forever, every cell in her body vibrating with pleasure. I couldn’t hold back; her contractions drove me to the peak.

"Annabel..." I growled, filling her with warmth as climaxed, my body shuddering with each release. We collapsed together, our breaths intertwined, our bodies slick with sweat. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, but the peace in that moment made me forget everything.

Annabel slowly opened her eyes; her large, watery eyes still sparkled with desire, but now there was a deep softness in them. She placed her hand on my cheek, her fingers trembling as they caressed my skin. She was still under the influence of her orgasm, looking almost intoxicated.

"My lord..." she whispered, her voice still breathless. "I... I love you. This... This isn’t just a momentary passion. My heart is full of you... And... Please, never leave me... Never!"