Suddenly Reincarnated Into R-19 Novel

Henny, we need to prepare; Master Raymond's wife is arriving soon." I nodded immediately, and we began to get ready. Shortly after, Master Raymond descended the stairs, his face beaming with joy. However, a pang of pain shot through my heart at the thought of him reuniting with his ex-wife. Would she overshadow me?

"Thank you both," he smiled at Lucy and me before heading to the guest room where his wife awaited.

Lucy approached me and instructed me to brew tea for Madam Thessa. I followed her lead and brought the tea, but I froze when I saw Thessa throw the flowers aside in disgust.

"I don't need that, you moron! What I really want is new jewelry! Is it so hard for you to buy it for me?" she snapped at Viscount Raymond. Anger bubbled within me at her disrespectful tone; didn't she realize that Master Raymond's finances were limited?

"Thessa, I don't have enough money to buy jewelry for you—"

"Then I'm leaving now." Madam Thessa stood abruptly, and as she turned to leave, her eyes landed on me.

"What a surprise. I didn't expect to find Duke Felix's little plaything here." My heart raced at the mention of the Duke's name. Had he tracked me down?

"I don't understand why the Duke is so infatuated with you. Do you have any idea how many women have rejected him because of you? I wonder why—you're not even attractive," she said, gripping my chin tightly.

"Thessa, stop that," Master Raymond intervened, pulling her away from me as he noticed how painfully she held my face.

"Fine... then I'll leave," Thessa huffed and stormed out. I glanced at Master Raymond; his expression was one of sadness.

"Are you okay, Master?" I asked, concerned. He smiled faintly and patted my head.

"Don't worry about me, Henny." His gentle gesture made my heart race even more.

"Is it true that the Duke is looking for you?" A wave of anxiety washed over me at the thought.

"Henny, are you alright?" he asked again when I didn't respond. I kept my mouth shut, afraid of what might spill out.

"I will listen to you, Henny; just tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help," he offered sincerely.

I remained silent and hugged myself tightly. Master Raymond didn't press further about the Duke. Why had he found me? I needed to escape before he caught up with me.

I dashed to my room to gather my belongings but stopped abruptly when I heard a commotion outside. Peeking through the window, my heart sank as I spotted the Duke standing below.

I hurried down the stairs but froze when I saw all the exits surrounded by his men. Not knowing what else to do, I hid inside an old wardrobe.

Tears streamed down my face from fear as I struggled to breathe quietly. The Duke's voice echoed from below.

"Where is Henny?" he demanded.

"I don't know where she is, Your Excellency," Master Raymond replied. My heart raced; did he understand my plight?

"You dare lie to me?" The Duke's voice dripped with anger.

"You know Viscount Raymond? I have two choices for you: I'll give you any amount of money you want if—" Suddenly, the wardrobe door swung open.

"DUKE! SHE'S HERE!" someone shouted, nearly deafening me with panic as the Duke's cold gaze fell upon me. It was over!

He approached me slowly, studying me intently. As he drew closer, laughter escaped him unexpectedly.

"I'm getting mad, Henny; you're so cold towards me." He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of hiding. Concern etched across Viscount Raymond's face as he watched helplessly.

"Wait!" I managed to stammer out before breaking free from his grip and rushing toward Viscount Raymond. Bending slightly in front of him, I spoke earnestly.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble, Master; please understand that I'm truly grateful to be your servant. This may be our last meeting. Goodbye." With that, I turned and walked toward the Duke without looking back.

I didn't want to see his reaction; instead, I stepped into his carriage without hesitation. He climbed in across from me and assumed a defensive position on all fours.

"Answer me, Henny: Are you in love with him?" His question stunned me into silence.

"The way you look at him is completely different than how you look at me! Is that old hag truly better than me—"

"Don't ever humiliate my master! He's a great man who deserves respect; you know nothing about him!" The words spilled out before I could think twice about them.

His surprise was palpable as he stared at me in disbelief.

"I guess your taste in men is terrible if you're blinded by such arrogance! Are you blind or what?" He seemed genuinely perplexed by my response.

"Maybe because I prefer a man with dignity over one who relies solely on looks but lacks morals," I retorted boldly.

"Are you mocking me?" His irritation was evident now.

"No Duke; I'm merely speaking the truth."

"You..." It was clear that his anger was escalating rapidly.

"And even if my body belongs to you, my heart will never be yours," I declared defiantly.

"I'll wait until the day you decide to throw me away," I continued fiercely since there was no escaping him now.

"F*ck you, Henny." He clenched his fists tightly as if struggling against his fury at my words.

"I'll ensure that once you're in my bed, you'll forget all about him! Huh? A gentleman indeed!" His temper was flaring up more than ever before—was this how authors described him as short-tempered? Had I truly provoked him beyond reason?

Henny was truly testing my patience beyond limits! How dare she defy me like this? Once we arrived at the mansion, I pulled her inside forcefully.

"It hurts, Duke Felix! Let go of me!" So she finally learned to say my name!

"Why would I? As if I'm going to let you go! Remember that you've started losing my patience." Upon reaching my chamber, I flung open the door with determination.

I leaned in to kiss her but received a sharp slap across my cheek instead.

"Get away from me, you lunatic!" Her eyes were filled with disgust directed at me.

"Can you please behave for once while I'm still trying to be nice?" My patience was wearing thin as it was!

"No! Just stay away from me! I can't endure your lewdness any longer! Even if it means dying in front of you, I'll never surrender myself!" Her words struck a nerve deep within—I could no longer hold back my anger!

"As if you're not afraid of death—" My voice trailed off when she approached my sword cabinet and pointed one of them toward herself. In an instant reflex action, I snatched it away from her grasp!

"What's wrong with you?!" My shout echoed through the chamber as shock washed over me—there wasn't even a hint of hesitation in her eyes!

"If death will free me from your grasp then so be it; I'll do it without second thoughts."

"No! You can't do this!" Calmness washed over me as panic surged within her instead!

"I'm sorry," slipped from my lips unexpectedly—her eyes widened in disbelief at what I'd just said. What had come over me?

What?! Is this real? Duke Felix is apologizing to ME? From everything I've heard about him—he never apologizes even to Miss Peneloppe!

It dawned on me then: this male lead was nothing but trash beneath all that charm!

"Here... wear this." He handed over his shirt which felt oddly intimate as I took it and slipped it on while feeling his intense gaze upon me.

"I hope you'll understand that if you force yourself upon me again—I will commit suicide right here." Anger flashed across his face at those words!

"You really take advantage because deep down inside you know how much I love you—" he started but quickly cut himself off when he realized what I'd just claimed!

"No Duke! That isn't love; if you truly loved me then you'd respect who I am! This isn't love—it's obsession!"

He fell silent momentarily as disbelief washed over him regarding everything I'd just laid bare before him!

"In all honesty—the Duke doesn't attract me! Maybe others admire your looks but not everyone sees beauty solely based on appearance alone! Looks fade away while character remains!"