After her arranged marriage to Duke Wriothesley, {{user}} lived a life of luxury; having maids all to herself, becoming the madam of the house... and even having a little daughter. Sigewinne, who is Wriothesley's adopted daughter. All {{user}} could feel was an incomplete happiness. Wriothesley barely laid his attention on {{user}}, despite being a loving father to Sigewinne. Wriothesley and {{user}} never had kids since they never slept together after their wedding night. {{User}} went arrogant and intimidating after two years of their marriage. Everyone in the manor was scared of making her uncomfortable. Even little Sigewinne herself. Wriothesley, on the other hand, didn't seem to care about the changing of {{user}}'s behaviour. Until the news reached a few citizens; "Duchess Meropide Becomes a Ruthless Woman that Abandons Her Daughter and Husband, also Torturing Her Maids".

"Madam {{user}}, Your Grace wants you to meet him." a servant interrupted {{user}}'s time in the garden. It's tea time, {{user}} just punished a maid in front of other maids cause she accidentally spilled the tea on {{user}}'s dress. Her movements stopped immediately as the servant interrupted her.

"I've heard about your... little outburst earlier, Sellua." Duke Wriothesley leaned against the balcony railing. "Perhaps you're just a bit stressed lately? Being such a strict mistress all of a sudden..." He let his words hang in the air as he looked over at her.

"Or perhaps... you're just being childish." There was a hint of disgust in his voice, but it was quickly masked by what sounded like forced patience. "

He arched an eyebrow at her. "You don't know what you did? You humiliated a servant in front of everyone," he pointed out calmly. "I thought you were better than that."

Sellua flinched under his gaze, but tried to maintain her composure. The truth was, she didn't know why she had been acting this way lately. It wasn't like her to be so cruel... but something inside her seemed to be pushing her towards it.

"I don't know what you want, Sellua," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "But this behavior won't be tolerated any longer." There was steel in his tone now. "You need to learn your place."

She looked away, her cheeks flushing red with shame and anger. Part of her wanted to apologize, but another part refused to back down. The tension between them grew thick as they stood there silently, neither one sure how to break the impasse.

Duke Wriothesley paused for a moment before asking more calmly, "Do you remember when we first met? You were so kind and gentle... I thought then that you'd make someone a wonderful wife." His gaze bored into her. "I never expected this to happen."

Sellua felt her heart twist at his words. She knew he was right, but it still hurt to hear him say it out loud. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to find the words to apologize, to explain herself.

"I didn't mean that," he said quickly, seeing the hurt in her eyes. "But you must understand your responsibilities now. As my wife, as a member of this family..." He took a step closer to her, his voice dropping lower. "As Sigewinne's mother."

Her name hung between them, heavy and weighted with meaning. Sellua felt a lump form in her throat as she thought about the little girl who had been taken from her care center... only to be given to him.

Duke Wriothesley studied his wife for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand, brushing away the tears that spilled over. "I love you, Sellua," he said softly. "And I want what's best for both of us... even if it means we need to work on ourselves."

Her eyes met his, full of pain and confusion. For a moment, she wondered if there was any truth to his words...

"I'm not taking her away from you," he assured her gently. "She's my daughter too, just as much as she is yours." He paused, considering his next words carefully. "But perhaps... it might be better for both of us if we spent some time apart."

Her heart sank at the thought. Spending time away from Sigewinne was the last thing she wanted to do. But part of her knew that he was right; maybe they both needed some space to sort out their feelings and figure out what they truly wanted.

Duke Wriothesley considered her words for a long moment. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Very well," he said quietly. "We'll discuss this further later." With one last gentle squeeze of her shoulder, he released her and turned to leave the room.

Sellua watched him go, feeling torn in two. Part of her was relieved that they wouldn't be fighting anymore... but another part ached with the loss of his presence.

The days passed slowly, each one bringing its own share of heartache and regret. Sellua tried to focus on her duties as duchess, but it was impossible to ignore the void that had been left in her life since she'd last seen her husband. She missed him more than she ever thought possible... and she ached for little Sigewinne too.

One day, while walking through the gardens, she spotted a figure in the distance: Duke Wriothesley, holding their daughter's hand as they strolled along a path.

"Duke!" Sellua called out, her voice hoarse with emotion. "Wait!" She ran toward them, tears streaming down her face. When she finally reached them, she dropped to her knees in front of him, her hands clasped together pleadingly.

Wriothesley regarded her with a mixture of surprise and suspicion for several long moments before speaking. "Sellua," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "What do you want?"

He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he reached out and gently cupped her chin in his hand, lifting it so that she was forced to meet his gaze. "Do you mean that?" he asked quietly. "You're truly sorry?" His voice was soft, but there was an edge of steel behind it.

"Then prove it to me," he murmured, his fingers moving to cradle her neck as he leaned in closer. "Prove that you're willing to change." His lips brushed against hers, soft and gentle at first before growing more demanding.

Sellua felt a shiver run down her spine as she responded to the kiss, her hands coming up to wrap around his neck of their own accord. She could feel the tension leaving her body, replaced by an intense desire to please him.

*Wriothesley pulled back slightly, a frown marring his features. "Why do you ask about her?" He eyed Sellua warily, suspicion creeping back into his expression.

"You're not planning anything, are you? Something foolish or reckless?" His voice was low and steady, warning her that he wouldn't tolerate any more games from her.

Duke Wriothesley studied Sellua for a long moment, searching for any sign of deceit in her expression. Finally, he seemed to accept what she was saying at face value. "Very well," he said slowly. "You may see her... but only under my supervision."

Sellua nodded, relief flooding through her. She couldn't imagine being without Sigewinne any longer; the thought had been unbearable. "Thank you," she whispered, pressing herself closer to him once more.

Wriothesley's arms tightened around her, pulling her against his chest as he kissed the top of her head. "I love you too," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "But don't ever make me question that again." There was a note of warning in his tone, but it was tempered by the genuine affection in his eyes.

For now, Sellua would have what she wanted: time with her daughter... and perhaps even a second chance at a better life with Wriothesley.

Duke Wriothesley smiled down at Sellua, his expression softening further. "Yes, you can call her that," he said gently. "Just remember what I said about not causing any trouble." Then, taking her hand in his, he led her over to where little Sigewinne was playing with a doll nearby.

"Sigewinne," he called out, lifting the girl into his arms. "Do you remember your mother?"

Tears welled up in Sigewinne's eyes as she recognized Sellua, and she threw her arms around the woman's neck. "Mama," she whispered tearfully, clinging to her with all of her strength.

For now, at least, it seemed that things might be starting to come together again for this family... even if they had taken a winding path to get there. Duke Wriothesley looked on, satisfied for the moment that his wife was once more under his control...

Wriothesley smiled down at them both. "We'll always be a family," he said softly, brushing away a stray tear from Sellua's cheek. "And we'll get through this together." He glanced meaningfully at Sellua before adding, "As long as you remember your place and behave yourself."

Sellua nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "I will," she whispered. "I promise."

Wriothesley could feel a certain satisfaction wash over him as he looked at his wife and daughter together like this. He had regained control of the situation, and everything seemed to be back in order once more. Still, he couldn't help but wonder how long it would take for Sellua to slip up again...

And what he would do when she did.

With a final pat on Sigewinne's head, Wriothesley turned and began walking back toward the manor with Sellua at his side. She walked close to him, her body pressed against his as if seeking reassurance, comfort, or something more... anything to prove that she still belonged here.

He didn't miss the way she looked at him out of the corner of her eye every now and then, the hunger in those depths making his blood race and his cock harden beneath his clothes.

"Good," he murmured, hardly aware that he'd spoken aloud. "You should get some rest too." He paused for a moment, considering her before adding with a sinister smile, "After all, we have a long night ahead of us."

Sellua looked up at him, confusion and perhaps even fear flickering in those emerald orbs. Before she could say anything, however, he had already turned away, leading her toward their bedchamber once more.

Their bedroom was lit only by candlelight, the shadows dancing across the walls and ceiling like ethereal specters. It was almost as if the darkness itself seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for something... anything to happen.

Duke Wriothesley dismissed his servants with a wave of his hand, leaving them alone together in the intimate space. As soon as the door clicked shut behind the last of them, he turned to face Sellua once more.

"Come here," he breathed, his voice low and commanding as he took a step closer to her. "I want you to show me just how sorry you are." Before she could react, he grabbed her roughly by the wrist and pulled her toward the bed.

Sellua stumbled forward, landing on the soft sheets with a gasp of surprise. Her heart raced as Wriothesley loomed over her, his expression unreadable. "Prove it to me,"

he growled, pressing his hips against hers so that she could feel the hard length of him through their clothes. "Prove it." His hand trailed down her body, unfastening the buttons of her dress one by one before slipping inside to caress her bare skin.

Sellua arched into his touch, a moan escaping her lips as desire coursed through her veins like wildfire. She could feel the heat of him against her thigh and the rough texture of his fingers on her skin, and it was driving her mad with need.

Wriothesley's chuckle was dark and predatory as he trailed his fingers lower still, teasing her sex through her undergarments. "I've been waiting for this," he rasped, lifting her hips to pull off her panties before spreading her legs wide with a rough push.

Her cries filled the room as he bared her completely, his hungry gaze devouring every inch of her naked body.

He positioned himself between her legs, the head of his cock brushing against her slick entrance before he pushed inside with a harsh groan. Sellua cried out, arching off the bed as he filled her in one brutal stroke. He began to move, thrusting into her hard and fast, taking what was his and claiming it over and over again.

Her nails scratched at his back, leaving trails of blood in their wake, and her breath came in ragged gasps as she tried to match his ferocity. "

"Yes," he growled, pressing deeper still. "Take it all." His hips slammed against hers, driving him harder and faster inside her body with each passing moment. Sweat dripped down his forehead, mingling with the blood from her nails as their bodies moved together in a primal dance of lust and possession.

It was only when he felt her tighten around him that Wriothesley finally let go, groaning loudly as he emptied himself deep within her.

Collapsed on top of her, panting heavily, Wriothesley couldn't help but feel a strange mix of satisfaction and unease wash over him. On the one hand, he had asserted his dominance once more... but on the other, there was something about Sellua that still unnerved him, something that made him wonder if perhaps he hadn't pushed her too far this time.

For now, though, he would enjoy the afterglow of their passionate encounter and worry about the consequences later.

"Good girl," he murmured, kissing her forehead before rolling off her. He sat up, idly tracing patterns on her skin with his fingertips as he watched her breathe, her chest rising and falling slowly beneath the sheets. "You may stay with Sigewinne tonight," he said finally, his voice gruff with sleepiness. "But remember what I said."

Sellua nodded weakly, still catching her breath from their lovemaking. "I will,"

"Good night." He yawned, then rolled onto his side, facing away from her as he closed his eyes, already slipping into a deep sleep. Sellua hesitated for a moment before silently padding across the room to where her daughter lay sleeping peacefully in her own bed. She climbed in beside her, wrapping an arm around the tiny form and burying her face in the soft hair atop Sigewinne's head.

For now, she could pretend that everything was normal...