Viden’s gaze sharpened as he stared at the man with gray hair who bore no resemblance to him.
Though Viden shared features with his cousin Liam, his own brother was so starkly different he seemed a stranger.
The good-natured smile vanished from his face as he looked at Lester, whose own features were obscured by a fall of curly hair.
“You morose little bastard.
This is precisely why you will never measure up to me.
You just bury your nose in books, oblivious to the world, and so you only ever hear such foolish gossip.”
Lester offered no reply, his gaze remaining fixed on his book.
A moment later, a clamorous noise grew closer, overwhelming the brief silence.
The rich scent of roses and spring blossoms saturated the vast ducal grounds.
The distinguished guests had gathered in the central hall of the annex, which was nestled against the forest beside a sparkling blue lake.
The hall was so densely packed it seemed all of Stoneburn’s nobility was in attendance.
As guests passed through the large doors, they were met with a scene of breathtaking opulence.
No expense had been spared; the wedding was a spectacle of such lavishness that it overwhelmed its own sensational reputation.
The high ceiling was adorned with a painting said to hold a saint’s blessing, and a line of crystal chandeliers cast a brilliant, incomparable light.
The well-dressed guests, sipping champagne, let their eyes roam, taking in the sheer grandeur.
It was clear an astronomical sum had been spent, and they felt they were witnessing the Crawford family’s immense wealth firsthand.
To be invited to such an event was a source of pride, as if their own status had been elevated by association.
Amidst the soft melody, the orchestra’s performance came to a sudden halt.
Conversations ceased as every head turned.
The heavy doors of the grand banquet hall slowly swung open, and a breathtaking couple entered side by side.
Those who had been eagerly anticipating a glimpse of the woman who had ensnared Liam Crawford were left speechless at the sight of the pair.
As countless eyes focused on her, Arlen steadied her frantic breathing.
“I’m… so nervous….”
“The guests have arrived.
Relax,” Liam murmured, placing a hand on the small of her back and offering his left arm.
His gaze met hers, and the gray-blue eyes in his strong, handsome face were as deep and inscrutable as an abyss.
“Okay.”
A shy smile bloomed on Arlen’s cheeks as she placed her hand on Liam’s arm.
Clad in a mermaid-style gown that shimmered with the luster of pearl, she shone like a rare jewel.
Atop the reddish-brown hair that flowed gracefully down her back, the diamond tiara Liam had gifted her radiated a dazzling light.
They walked forward, treading upon the red carpet.
With every step she took, leaning on him for support, the hem of her pure white skirt rippled like a wave.
Their stride was steady as they advanced toward the officiant, and her heart swelled with emotion.
The radiant lights and the fragrant scent of flowers seemed to herald the bright future that awaited her.
A tranquil air settled over Cloud Hill as the boisterous wedding came to an end.
The ceremony had been a success, and by its conclusion, a dim sunset enveloped the mansion in a warm glow.
As soon as it was over, the maids led Arlen to the duchess’s chambers.
She was stunned by the sheer size of the room, which was incomparably larger than any at the Sermont estate, but before she could take it all in, she was whisked away to the bath.
After being diligently attended to, she was dressed in a sheer slip that clung to the lines of her body.
When she returned to the bedroom, she found the room was already occupied.
Arlen held her breath upon finding Liam Crawford, the master of the mansion, already there.
He, too, wore a light robe, evidently having just showered.
The lamp on the side table cast intimate shadows across his profile as he gazed out at the silent, empty garden.
He must have heard her enter, for he turned from his seat by the balcony.
Their gazes locked, and a strange, palpable tension filled the air between them.
The silk curtains billowed in the night breeze that drifted in through the open doors.
The wind, blowing in from the distant lake, stirred the hem of her slip, drawing his eyes to the smooth line of her thighs.
His cool gaze slowly raked over her body.
“You’re late,” he said.
“Yes.”
Liam leaned back, propping his chin loosely on his hand.
The movement caused his robe to part, faintly revealing his firm chest and powerful thighs.
Her face flushed, and Arlen averted her gaze.
If the man in the tailored suit exuded a lofty dignity, this man radiated the languid aura of a predator resting after a successful hunt.
Watching her pale cheeks turn pink, the corners of Liam’s mouth pulled into a lazy curve.
“How long are you going to stand there?”
“Oh… right.”
Swallowing hard, Arlen took a hesitant step forward.
A smirk touched Liam’s lips as he quietly watched the graceful line of her arm, her delicate collarbone.
In the soft moonlight, her body was exquisite.
The voluptuousness of her figure, hidden beneath a face that still held a trace of youth, was unexpected.
The supple line that began at her full breasts, tapered to a slender waist, and curved into lovely hips was a thing of beauty.
He imagined the vivid red of her nipples against her milky-white skin—a magnificent harmony of colors.
Seeing a vulnerability in her he had never witnessed before, Liam rose to his feet.
He crossed the room with a steady gait and lightly tugged on his shy wife’s wrist.
As the distance between them vanished, Arlen’s eyelashes fluttered.
“Nervous?” Liam asked, his fingers gently closing around her chin, tilting her face up to his.
Despite his neutral expression, his handsome features radiated a raw, sensual energy.
“…Yes,” she breathed, her voice emerging a beat too late.
The line of Liam’s well-shaped lips curved slightly.
It was an expression she had seen several times before—a hint of softness that sometimes broke through his cold facade.
That subtle shift made her heart, which had been beating steadily, begin to pound erratically.
“Then I suppose I shall have to ease that tension first.”
Arlen had no time to wonder how.
The next moment, he tilted his head, and their lips met.
She flinched, freezing on the spot.
Her body’s reaction to her first kiss held none of the thrill she had always imagined.
The touch was unfamiliar, yet soft and strangely intimate.
His lips teased and tugged at hers, making a soft sound before parting them to trace their seam, then slipping his tongue inside.
A soft sound caught in her throat.
As he pressed against her, savoring the texture of her flesh, a faint moan escaped her.
Her held breath burst out, their hot breaths mingling.
Her tongue, at first frozen in surprise, was soon coaxed into a dance with his, tangling until it tingled.
Their bodies pressed flush, they tumbled onto the bed.
“Aah… Liam… I can’t… breathe…”
Arlen’s lowered eyelashes trembled.
His fingers slipped smoothly under the thin strap on her delicate shoulder and pulled the garment down.
As the fabric slid away, her pale breasts were shyly revealed.
Unaware of her exposure, she surrendered to the deepening, lustful kiss.
Supporting the back of her head with his broad hand, Liam tilted his again, their mouths moving together, rubbing and shifting.
A small whimper escaped her.
As their tongues danced, Liam used the tip of his to gently trace the soft inner lining of her lip, his free hand beginning to roam.
His long, elegant fingers caressed her nape before slowly descending to cup her breast.
At the sensation on her bare skin, Arlen finally realized she was exposed and flinched.
“Stick your tongue out further.” A thick whisper coiled around her ear, arresting her movement.
Liam applied just the right amount of force, laying her back on the bed.
As her delicate body yielded, her long brown hair fanned out across the pillows.
He kneaded the flesh that filled his hand, savoring the feeling of it yielding to his pressure.
Arlen flinched every time he stroked the flesh beneath her full breasts, and when his fingertip flicked her nipple, her hips hitched.
“Ahh… mmhmm…”