Governor's Bride - Chapter 32

‘Open up? What?’

As she panicked internally, Lachlan’s fingers tightened further. At this, her mouth opened wider. She seemed like a bird that was opening its beak. Lachlan laughed lightly before pushing a piece of meat into her mouth.

“…Urk!”

What the hell is happening? Deertes froze, surprised by the piece of meat now in her mouth. Her eyes widened as she realised his finger now in her mouth.

His finger moved in her mouth, as if searching for something. It slowly pressed her tongue, touched her teeth, and gently brushed the inside of her cheek.

Finally coming back to her senses, Deertes bit down on what had entered her mouth.

“Stop biting.”

“Mm!”

He opened his mouth slightly, surprised by her reaction.

“Don’t even think about spitting it out.”

“Mmm…!”

What else could she do? She could only follow his low voice. The finger in her mouth pushed around the piece of meat that had gone past her lips and onto her tongue.

Wet sounds seemingly filled the room and clung to her ears.

Moments ago, only the rustling of leaves from the cool morning breeze and the chirping of birds could be heard. Yet now everything seemed to be much more hectic than when she was in the desert. The only thing Deertes could focus on now was Lachlan’s voice.

“Taste it, slowly.”

His voice was like the only command in the world. And Deertes obeyed. Slowly, she pushed the meat to the side using her tongue and chewed it. Immediately, the taste of meat exploded in her mouth. Followed by a slightly salty taste from the sauce.

This flavour was one she couldn’t get the hang of whenever she ate it. Well, instead of disgusting, a better word to describe this taste was unfamiliar. As compared to the vegetables she would always eat, meat has an intense and thick flavour. When Deertes chewed on it, oils and juices would flow out, making the taste even stronger. She had to chew carefully, slowly savouring the taste.

Lachlan’s eyes stayed fixated on her, not missing a single change in her expression. After chewing for a long time, Deertes stared back at him, as if asking what she should do next. He obliged, he made another command.

“Now, swallow.”

Deertes’ eyes trembled slightly at his words. The meat was similar yet slightly different from what Ramedes had to offer. Here, the taste was much more intense. The rich oil was like a strange beast, one she hasn’t tasted before then.

If she were to do that… She didn’t know what would happen, but she thought doing such a thing would be irreversible. As fear swirled around in her mind, Deertes started shaking her head. But Lachlan’s hand refused to budge and his finger remained on her chin.

“Come on.”

Though the word was supposed to urge her, his tone was soft. It made Deertes feel as if following his words and doing as he said would be something she wouldn’t regret. He will continue to coax and coax until she eventually swallows. If that were the case, then…

Deertes tightly shut her eyes. And swallowed what was left in her mouth. Lachlan could see her pale neck bob. Satisfaction spread across his face. The hand that was holding onto her face let go and swept across her neck.

“Good job”

Lachlan said as he pressed his forehead to Deertes’. He smiled as he lightly rubbed his head against hers.

“You’re eating well. I really want to feed you more.”

The sound of his voice and laughter seemed as if praising a child. Deertes pushed away Lachlan’s body. No, actually it was never like that. His words and actions now were not those used when dealing with a child who’s a picky eater.

She didn’t know exactly what that thought meant but her face and body suddenly felt way too hot. The wave of fear that had swept past Deertes this time around was much more immense as compared to when Lachlan’s arm was wrapped around her waist.

Deertes, now free of Lachlan’s grip, ran towards the door. Her instincts screamed at her to quickly escape from this situation.

“I’ll take care of the dishes.”

Behind her, Lachlan’s voice filled with laughter rang out but Deertes could barely hear him as she sprinted away.

Slam.

The door closed with a long bang. Lachlan sat down at the table as he listened to the sound of fading footsteps. He had simply fed her a piece of meat and she had run away.

He knew that her father fed her just enough meat to keep her healthy.

Having been in an atmosphere where she is constantly watched while eating meat, she didn’t know to season the meat, removing the fishy taste of the meat.

And Lachlan knew why Count Russell did so. He had found out through a story from a subordinate, stationed in Ramedes, who had paid a huge sum to a maid who had retired after working at the count’s estate for a long time.

“The count pays close attention to everything she eats, everything she wears, and everyone she meets. One day, a new chef had placed a meat dish on the lady’s table, having said he wanted to showcase his skills. It was a mess. That day, the count was so enraged that he shouted at and threatened to kill all of us.”

The retired maid trembled as she spoke, recalling that dreadful day.

“Later, when I took care of the drunk count, I heard him say. ‘If she eats a lot of meat, she’ll end up becoming more like a human.’ I guess the count must think that she really was a forest fairy. He really cherished and protected her way too much.”

As Lachlan recalled what his subordinate had told him, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly. To think that even the maids who cared for Deertes when she was in the mansion weren’t aware of her abilities. And how greedy Count Russell is.

His gaze turned downward, to the arm that had held Deertes waist the whole night.

“Skinny like a skeleton…”

When listening and talking to people from the home country, Deertes was a common topic. Especially on days where royal banquets are held and people were able to see her. Everyone would gather and hear descriptions of Deertes from those who saw.

They would talk about how mesmerizingly beautiful Deertes is and how elegantly she behaves. Their discussions would always be filled with praises of how she has all the virtues a model aristocratic woman in Ramedes is expected to have. Lachlan clicked his tongue as he secretly listened in.

Compared to the last time he saw her, Deertes’ body was thinner. Lachlan swore to himself over  and over again as he looked at her way beyond skinny arms and legs as she changed her clothes. Even without touching them, you could easily tell that the bones of her rib cage were protruding too much.

Red marks marred her skin due to all the dresses she had been made to wear. He remembered how he had been able to hold half of her waist with his hands and told himself once again that he should feed her slightly more tomorrow. She needed to gain more weight…

“So she can be closer to being a human being…”

He couldn’t help but sneer.

“Were you that afraid of losing the blood of a forest fairy?”

So much so you starved and locked up your own daughter. Her only use was to garner praise and compliments.

Sauce was still smeared across his hand.

The meat served today was buffalo that can only be raised on this continent of Saul and not in Ramedes. It has a much oily taste and a stronger scent compared to those in Ramedes. Perhaps the meat was more stimulating for Deertes as compared to the spices.

Lachlan had put a finger into his mouth. It’s a taste he has gotten used to after having it almost every day. However, today’s was slightly different. Maybe it’s her taste.

The feel of her mouth he experienced moments ago were still incredibly vivid. He enjoyed the warm, soft, and wet feeling. She had bit his finger in a flurry of panic as she stared at him with reddened eyes. The way her throat bobbed as she swallowed and her body trembling as she took in the new flavours.

“Haa…”

A sudden desire oozed from his body. If he wanted he could easily open the door and bring Deertes back. Then, Lachlan would be able to once again wrap his arms around her waist, pull her close to him, and bury her face in her neck. And he would be able to do it as long and as much as he wanted.

“I need to hold back.”

This wasn’t the right time. Lachlan murmured as he stared at the door Deertes had left through. She might not remember their first meeting, but he certainly did.

That day, she had a terrified expression as her hands were stretched out towards him. She moved trees aside and made a space for them to hide in. She had called out his name several times as she cried. Lachlan had no idea why she didn’t remember that day at all.

That day was truly life-changing for him. Not a day goes by where he doesn’t think of her. It is somewhat unfair but that doesn’t matter anymore. She was finally in his arms.

“Deertes.”
Lachlan called out her name again. Maybe she’ll never find out. The fact that her name was the first thing he learnt of her. 

In the end, that day at the auction house, was the day he experienced heaven.

***

Brian still couldn’t calm himself down from the incident this morning.

Worried staff stared at Brian as he continued pacing from his desk to the window, eyes wholly fixated on the document in hand. Everyone couldn’t help but be worried. If both Lachlan and Brian start acting weird, things would not turn out well for them.

Plus, this wasn’t the first time Brian had been acting off. He had become this way after returning from passing numerous documents to Lachlan. He turned to glance at a distant mountain and sighed deeply.

While he continued pacing, someone entered the office. It was a soldier who had accompanied him in the desert. That night, he had gotten a bride and was only able to get married in church just recently. He must’ve sensed the strange atmosphere, and paired with the strange looks the staff outside had, the soldier spoke to Brian in a knowing expression.

“Are you having a hard time with your new wife too?”

Brian frowned, thinking back on the rumours that had recently been circulating around. About how both Lachlan and Brian are not functioning well as men…

Bam!
Brian’s fist struck the soldier’s stomach.

“I’m dying, seriously.”

The soldier doubled over and fell to the ground. With his annoyance having built up for a long time paired with the pain, the soldier shouted back.

“No, if that’s not it, then why else would you be walking around like a puppy who desperately needs to use the potty… Ack! I’ve wronged you! Don’t step on me!”

City hall staff who took in the sight clicked their tongues in disapproval. ‘Why would you want to bother Brian when he was already out of it?’ they all seemed to think. As the chaos ensued in Brian’s office, suddenly, a horse’s whinny could be heard from outside.

Brian frantically ran up to the window before muttering despairingly.

“…You really brought her here.”

Atop the horse was Lachlan, who smiled back at Brian, and a woman shivering on the other horse. Her head had a veil covering it, so that not even her hair was visible, let alone her face. Even so, Brian instantly knew who exactly it was.

Lachlan had brought Deertes.