target chapter 1 – r-18

Chapter 1 – Prologue

Lynne gasped, breathless, overwhelmed by the man pressing down on her.

“Y-Your Grace…!”

His hands, which held the empire in their grasp, were strong yet gentle, and his fierce, golden eyes, nimble as a predator’s, were as brilliant as the fiery sun. Grand Duke Miller von Ferihertz. He was a man of absolute power, who could arrange a marriage with a foreign princess if he wished, a man who could have found love with the original heroine of this novel if he so desired.

So why on earth was this man sharing his bed with her, the woman who had won first place in the [Webnovel Villainess Contest] for [Most Pathetic Villainess]! Her eyes, already glazed with pleasure, searched for his true feelings, but it was a futile effort.

I can’t figure him out at all.

If she could so easily read the mind of the man who stood at the empire’s pinnacle, that too would be part of Miller’s design. It was impossible to predict his moves. And if he were a man foolish enough to let her see through him, wouldn’t he have already been torn to shreds by the hyena-like nobles? A man who feared nothing in the world was suffering from anxiety; had the nobility discovered his secret, he would have become their perfect puppet. It was faster to just give up trying to understand him.

As if by some supernatural intuition, this perceptive man knew Lynne was not focused on him and left a deep kiss on her soft skin.

“Ah…!”

Her vision went white once more. Lynne’s curled toes pressed hard against the bedsheets.

“Lynne.”

His low voice was tinged with sensual roughness. How could the mere act of saying a name be so erotic? It wasn’t the first or second time he had called her name, but it was more tender than ever before, and yet, it was also stern.

“Your hair has grown, longer than before.”

Miller tenderly smoothed Lynne’s disheveled hair. As if it were a matter of imperial security, he handled each strand with the utmost care. As her hair moved through his fingers, Lynne felt a pleasant tickling sensation that made her eyes flutter shut. Every time his fingers tucked the fine hairs framing her face and straightened her bangs and long locks, his well-defined muscles cast shadows in the dim light.

“……”

A strange tension enveloped them. It was because this man, who was never hesitant, was hesitating now. This was a man who stamped the ducal seal on documents that held people’s lives in the balance without a moment’s pause, yet he was hesitating. Lynne’s gaze shifted to meet his.

Is he… waiting? No, is he asking for my permission?

Lynne’s eyebrows furrowed at the unbelievable sight. The man who, in the original novel, didn’t possess a speck of consideration, was asking for permission from her, a mere extra. It was incomprehensible. Did he even need to be considerate in the first place? Who would dare gossip about him lacking courtesy? They would only be chided for speaking nonsense, unable to find sympathy from any other noble. That such a man was being considerate in bed… a dry laugh escaped Lynne’s lips.

What does it matter?

As long as we both enjoy it. With a feverish breath, Lynne lightly wrapped her arms around Miller’s neck. It was her consent.

“……”

Miller, pleased by her permission, smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting. It was a smile so precious one could almost hear the wails of the noble ladies and wives who fought so desperately to see it. Why was he smiling like that over a simple one-night indulgence? It was a smile so pure it made her uncomfortable. At the same time, the sight of this arrogant man fumbling before her was quite satisfying. If their lips hadn’t been locked together, she might have let out a snort of laughter.

“A sweet fragrance wafts from you. Are you aware?”

How could he possibly ignore the trap this adorable woman had set? Miller’s full lips delved into the nape of her neck. Everywhere he touched, he left a languid kiss, making her slender waist arch. His movements were clear in their purpose, yet the process was gentle.

“Slo-slowly…!”

Could he be any slower? Not even a sage could be slower with her than he was now. Miller brushed her messy hair behind her ear and smiled like a boy.

“Your wish is my command.”

The moonlight cast a cool glow on his broad back, but it was far too weak to cool the heat between them. As she looked up at him with eyes glazed with pleasure, a low groan escaped Miller’s lips.

Miller’s large frame slid fluidly to settle at her core. Only then did her half-lidded pupils dilate. Did the Grand Duke of the Empire have to be perfect not only in face and body, but even there? What a difficult position to be in! Lynne could only gasp at a sight she had never before witnessed in her entire life.

Is… is he human?

It was impossible. She knew a virile man was the best, but…! Now that it was happening to her, she was at a loss for words, biting her lip.

Just then, Miller lowered his upper body enough to envelop her, and Lynne squeezed her eyes shut. Fearing that terrifying thing would split her in two at once, her small body trembled.