Chapter 67: Do Not Provoke Me
I think I have the right card to make a deal with the judges now. A deal for freedom.
And honestly, I think this way will prove useful. Starting like this rather than jumping head in should benefit me more.
With what I have, the judges will for sure comply.
And it shouldn't be long before Kanstiv returns now. Then I'll start planning my journey to the academy.
As Koul thought things out about how to handle the judges, a loud knock came on the office door.
It was a bit fierce which seemed rude to Koul. He didn't say anything. His guess was on it being Iske since he was the only present person in the palace who didn't care for Koul's status.
But after a moment of him not speaking up, the door slowly creaked open. And in came one of his wives.
The tall lady always seen with Remi whom Koul had resurrected with the help of Nienai.
Koul's face instantly turned flat with fatigue. Her whole demeanor spelt trouble.
What was her name again? He searched his memory because his system had told him before.
"Delma," he whispered.
Yeah.
Delma's face instantly contorted with irritation when her name came out of Koul's mouth. But despite this, Koul said nothing.
He simply watched as Delma slowly walked up to him and stood confidently in his front.
He said nothing, waiting for her to tell why she was here. But Delma herself also said nothing.
They both remained silent, staring at each other.
Seriously?
Koul was stressed by this.
After a while, Koul decided to finally speak. He hoped to solve whatever problems she brought to him so as to have her leave the quickest she could.
"What is it? Is there a problem with the new house?" He asked with a lazy voice and expression.
"You think by giving us a comfortable place, we'll start looking at you in a different light?"
Her tone was harsh.
Koul was a bit taken aback. But considering how the real Koul had treated them, he wasn't so shocked.
Still, his intention for now trying to treat them better wasn't entirely for the advantage it came with.
….
Maybe it is… but still…
"Giving us good clothes and telling everyone to treat us with honor won't change our view of you. I'll let you know now it's all a waste of your time. So stop it."
Koul's eyes turned cold instantly at her rudeness. He was going to let it slide. He thought he could let it slide because they've gone through a lot, but he wasn't Koul.
And even if he was the real Koul, it doesn't excuse her impolite way of speaking to him, a king.
A loud sigh escaped him as he threw his head back to think.
I think I've been too lenient, he thought.
Ever since coming here, I've tried to play my cards right. Tried to be gentle, tried to sympathize with them, but now… I think it was all a waste of my time and effort.
They're my wives. I have every right to them. Being a good person won't get me far for long.
With another loud exhale, Koul rose from his chair.
I should've done this from the get go. Should've been like this.
He pushed the chair back to walk out and started approaching Delma.
His expression was calm but oddly cold.
Seeing the change of countenance, Delma was a bit nervous.
As Koul approached, she stepped backward.
"W-what are you doing?" She shuttered nervously.
But Koul simply walked up to her. He stood gallantly before her. And in one abrupt move, he yanked off her clothes.
A shocking gasp rippled from her as the clothes ripped apart to reveal her delicate skin.
She was utterly shocked. Her eyes were opened wide with disbelief.
A wave of warm air brushed through her bare skin, and broke her out from her shock. She immediately crouched and clasped her hands around her body to hide herself.
"What are you doing?!" She screamed out loud desperately.
Some parts of her clothes still clung to her body, but they could barely cover much.
Koul's gaze remained cold. He kept silent, staring calmly at her while she was distraught.
"What do you mean what? I'm your husband so why hide your body from me?"
He turned swiftly, and gazed toward the door.
"Are you there?" He asked.
"Yes, your highness,"
The knights outside chorused.
"Get me a strong rope."
Delma's gaze snapped up at him with confusion. Fear could also be sensed from her.
Her heart pounded heavily out of fear and frustration. She was nervous, afraid of what Koul intended to do to her.
"W-what do you want to do?"
Her lips quivered. Her pale body trembled slightly as her steps slowly inched backward.
Before long, the knight announced from the outside that he had brought the rope.
Koul turned and walked to the door quietly. He opened the door halfway, small enough to restrict how much they could see inside the office.
Then he took the rope. Before dismissing the knight, he had a small conversation with him.
Since they were far away and were talking in low voices, Delma couldn't make out what they were saying.
But after some moments, Koul slammed the door shut and turned back.
As he walked back toward Delma, he unraveled the rope carefully like an expert.
Delma's heart lurched. The fear was overwhelming.
She slowly pushed back as Koul approached, whimpering.
"D-don't come close…. I'll scream."
At this, Koul paused. He raised his gaze to look at her trembling appearance.
"Scream?" He asked.
His tone was casual like he didn't think much of it at all.
Then he continued with unbothered calm.
"Sure! Scream at the top of your voice. When they come running in to check what happened, I'll make sure they have a good look at that body you're trying to hide."
"In fact, I'll make sure to open those legs to give them a better view."
He resumed walking, his pace steady.
"Keep still, and don't provoke me more," he chided as she kept inching backward.
Before she could put any more distance between them, Koul upped his pace and got a hold of her.
He held her tight by the arm and pulled her to himself. She gasped at the rough way he handled her.
Without minding the tears that had gathered in her eyes, Koul pulled her toward the chair in the middle of the office.
With one hand, he held her firm in place. And with the other, he ripped away the remaining piece of clothes that clung to her skin to reveal her entire body.
Delma's temperature rose from fear and embarrassment. She couldn't bear to see herself fully naked in front of him.
Koul said nothing. He held her by the shoulders and pressed her down to sit on the chair.
Then with ease like he was used to this, he wrapped the rope around her.
When Delma tried to protest and struggle, Koul would shoot her a cold glare that stilled her in place.
He tied her to the chair, arms behind. Then he proceeded to spread her legs. No matter how much Delma struggled to keep her thighs closed, Koul's strength easily overpowered hers.
He forced her legs open, placed each on the chair's arms and secured them tightly with the rope.
Delma was now completely vulnerable.
Koul tied her to the chair in such a way that her most treasured part was opened wide and exposed.
He pushed back a little, though still squatting in front of her. He rested his cheek comfortably on one hand, and across his face was a proud smirk as he leered at her.
"Shall the fun begin now?"
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