Chapter 19: I Slept With Lucian Red?!
Cercei’s POV
I awoke to an excruciating pain coursing through my entire being, particularly in that delicate part down below. A wince of pain accompanied every movement as I struggled to rise. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, to my horror, I soon realised that my dress was peeled off.
Underneath the blanket cover, I found myself stark naked, a realisation that caused my eyes to widen in sheer disbelief. Good heavens!
The memories of the previous night came rushing back, overwhelming me with a sense of dread. I had yielded to the charms of a complete stranger! Panic gripped me as I frantically searched for my scattered garments strewn across the floor.
It appeared that my frantic commotion had awakened the man. Before I could finish dressing, he opened his eyes, prompting me to clutch the blanket tightly, causing him to roll off the bed. The entire cabin seemed to tremble as he made a resounding impact on the worn wooden floor.
“Damn!” he exclaimed, his hand tenderly rubbing his side.
Before he could regain his composure, I seized the opportunity to flee, sprinting towards the door barefoot and draped in nothing but my blanket covering.
As I made my hasty escape, I attempted to don my clothes whilst in motion, an endeavour that proved to be an ill-fated combination. I stumbled and fell, emitting a groan as I struck the ground. Glancing down, I noticed that my knees were starting to swell. What a splendid day this was turning out to be! Not only had I neglected to tend to my dishevelled hair and unbrushed teeth, but I had also awakened beside a man with whom I had engaged in a most intimate encounter, someone whom I didn’t even know.
To make matters worse, I had unknowingly left the comfort of my own home, my safe haven!
With a heavy heart and an intense disdain for my own existence, I trudged towards the grand mansion. Stealthily slipping through the rear entrance, I made my way to Maria’s quarters. I simply could not risk being spotted by Vienna; my life was already a living inferno, and I couldn’t bear any further torment.
“What in the world…” Maria exclaimed, still clad in her nightgown, as she caught sight of me standing beside her bed.
“A rabbit is chasing me,” I blurted out, immediately regretting my feeble attempt at a lie.
“A what?” she queried, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief. And rightfully so, given the absurdity of my excuse.
“May I borrow your uniform?” I asked, desperately seeking a quick solution to my predicament.
“Where’s yours?” Maria inquired, her scepticism noticeable as she regarded me with a disdainful expression.
“I… I left it behind,” I stammered, feeling a wave of embarrassment engulfing me.
“Can’t you just retrieve it?” she suggested, a trace of disdain in her voice.
I couldn’t bear the thought of returning there. I silently mouthed my response, my eyes betraying the torment within.
“I can’t,” I replied, shaking my head with unwavering determination.
“Why not?” Maria’s eyebrow arched inquisitively, her curiosity getting the best of her.
“The rabbit might come after me again,” I mumbled, desperately clinging to my improbable excuse.
“Girl, what on earth is going on with you?” Maria exclaimed, sitting up in her bed, clearly perplexed by my erratic behavior.
I bit my lip, fully aware that I couldn’t bear to return to that cabin. What if he was still there? I couldn’t bear to face him, to be reminded of the profound shame that had enveloped me.
I didn’t want to lay my eyes on his loathsome countenance.
“Please, Maria, I’m too exhausted to go back to my own cabin, and I’m already here,” I blurted out, the words tumbling out before I could fully process their implications. I knew she must be utterly bewildered by my erratic actions, but to tell the truth, I was equally perplexed.
“Fine, fine, you can find one in that drawer,” she relented, pointing towards a nearby dresser.
“You’re a true lifesaver,” I managed a grateful smile, a sense of relief flooded through me.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t let my best friend’s life be threatened by a rabbit,” she retorted, rolling her eyes at me in her usual playful manner.
“I’m going to take a bath,” I announced, eager to cleanse both my body and my troubled mind.
“Perhaps the rabbit mistook you for a carrot. You do resemble one!” she called out, her voice echoing down the hallway as I made my way towards the communal bathroom. I simply waved a dismissive hand in response, letting her jester fade into the distance.
I couldn’t bring myself to confide in her. Although I trusted Maria with my life, some secrets were too burdensome to share. Even if I did reveal the truth, I doubted she would believe me.
In fact, I could hardly believe it myself. What happened last night was an act of sheer foolishness. What was I even thinking? I didn’t even know him, aside from the intoxicating scent that enveloped him, driving me to the brink of madness. It was peculiar, especially the way our bodies seemed to fit together, like a perfect puzzle, as if we were meant to be intertwined.
I couldn’t help but wonder about his identity and origin. This mansion was heavily guarded, so how did he manage to find his way here? Did he emerge from the depths of the forest?
I suspect he may be the very same wolf I encountered in the cave that night. I didn’t get a clear look at him then; darkness shrouded his features. And in the morning rush, I only caught a glimpse. But his visage left an impression-a mysterious and brooding face, a sharply defined jawline, and a body that could make even the strongest of knees weak.
A blush crept upon my cheeks as I recollected the encounter. Oh, how I wished this was merely a dream. Alas, the soreness between my legs served as a painful reminder that it was all too real. My entire being felt fatigued and achy, and my mind wandered far from the world of reality. My life seemed as fragile as glass, with cracks threatening to shatter it at any moment.
“This is the third time you’ve yawned today,” Maria remarked as we swept the garden. Madame Cece had assigned me this task, keeping me away from the prying eyes of Vienna.
“I didn’t sleep well last night,” I murmured, uncertain if I had even managed to sleep at all.
“You look…” Maria paused, her gaze fixed on me, and my heart thudded anxiously, awaiting her next words. Could she sense something amiss? Was it truly that evident?
“Exhausted! Goodness, what’s gotten into you?” she inquired, scrutinising me from head to toe.
“Thank you!” I exclaimed, relief flooding through me. I discreetly pinched myself, chiding my own foolishness.
Her brows furrowed in confusion, clearly perplexed by my awkward laughter.
“I mean…” I trailed off, struggling to find the right words.
“Thank you for telling me,” I finally managed to say, mustering a grateful smile as I hugged her.
She stood there, somewhat taken aback, as I clung to her in an embrace that felt increasingly awkward. Without looking into her eyes, I released my hold and made my way to the other side of the garden, leaving her behind.
Internally chastising myself for my own incompetence, I criticised my inability to handle the situation gracefully. I felt utterly ridiculous and painfully aware of how foolish I appeared. It seemed as if I wore my secrets on my sleeve, broadcasting my inner turmoil to the world. I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that everyone could see right through me.
As I continued sweeping the garden, that familiar scent once again wafted into my nostrils. It sent an electric surge through my body, causing me to lose my grip on the broom, which clattered to the ground. I instinctively scanned the surroundings, searching for the source of the intoxicating aroma. Could it be him?
“Sire, your mother contacted me this morning,” a deep voice resonated in the air.
In haste, I concealed myself between the leaves as two men strolled past. One of them sported a uniform, his demeanour and speech suggesting he held a position of authority, possibly an assistant or a butler. However, my attention was fixated on the other man. There was something strikingly familiar about his figure.
“What did she say?” the man inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.
My eyes widened in astonishment as I recognized his voice. It was him-the man from last night. I could feel it in every fibre of my being. That body, that voice, that intoxicating scent-it was undeniably him!This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.
“She’s worried about you. She says you haven’t been in touch,” the assistant relayed the message.
I peered through a small gap in the bushes, my heart racing. His hair, the colour of sandalwood, and his eyes, though distant, appeared to be a faint blue, almost grey. Last night, they had burned with a fiery red intensity. I couldn’t help but admit that he looked striking.
“I should give her a call,” he replied, his voice deep and resonant, akin to a melodic symphony that one’s ears yearned to worship.
They began walking toward the mansion when suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.
“Wait, that scent…” he trailed off, his companion pausing alongside him. I instinctively covered my mouth, trying to stifle any sound. Could he also smell that evasive fragrance?
“Lucian!” I heard Vienna’s voice calling out. Oh, no! She was going to find me!
Seizing the opportunity, both men were momentarily distracted, allowing me to stealthily crawl out from my hiding place in the garden. I made my escape before they could discover my presence.
Lucian? Lucian Red? The distinguished guest?
I slept with fucking Lucian Red?!