The Khardes Family's Mansion
Khardis sat hunched over a cluttered desk, his eyes scanning through documents, while his other hand clutched a bottle of alcohol. The more he thought about Evangeline, the harder his grip became until, in a fit of frustration, he slammed the papers onto the table, teeth gritted.
"That bitch rejected me again," he muttered through clenched teeth. He poured himself another drink, the liquid sloshing messily into the glass. "And now these damn fines. Vincent's sharp mouth... losing an ear wasn't enough punishment." His thoughts spiraled as he drained his cup, each sip sinking him deeper into his drunken haze.
The door to the study creaked open, and Khadriane stepped in, immediately noticing the strong smell of alcohol. Her eyes narrowed as she rushed to him, snatching the cup from his hand just before it reached his lips.
"Khardis! What are you doing?" she scolded, her voice sharp as she slammed the cup onto the table. Without missing a beat, she grabbed a jug of water and poured it over him, forcing him to blink out of his stupor.
He gasped, wiping his wet face with a hand, but before he could react further, she smacked him on the head, her frustration clear. "You're drinking again. I've told you a thousand times—stop drinking like this!"
Khardis wiped his forehead, still dazed, but defiant. "Tch... it doesn't matter," he muttered. "We can't pay the fines. We'll have to give up more of our properties, and now the Royal Family's gone and shut down our importing business."
His hand reached for the cup again, but Khadriane smacked it away, her patience wearing thin. "And do you think Edward's going to let you sell off another property? Have you forgotten what he told you?" She grabbed the cup and downed the alcohol herself, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, glaring at him as if daring him to argue.
Khardis chuckled, grabbing her wrist, pulling her closer. "But you just drank from that cup yourself. You smoke like a chimney, too. The irony isn't lost on me."
Khadriane scoffed, yanking her hand away, trying to keep her composure. "I don't need a lecture from you—especially not when you're like this." She moved to walk away, but Khardis grabbed her again, pulling her close enough for their lips to nearly brush.
His heart raced, but the tension broke when he felt the sharp sting of cold metal against his neck. He glanced down to see a stiletto blade pointed at him, Khadriane's hand steady, her eyes glaring with the cold intensity that warned she wouldn't hesitate to use it.
"Don't test me, Khardis," she warned, her voice low. "You may be my brother, but you're not above getting yourself hurt if you keep pushing."
"I know you killed Father... You think I wouldn't notice?" Khadriane's voice was cold, her eyes piercing as she confronted him. Khardis, however, only chuckled, unafraid of her accusation. Without hesitation, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto his lap, facing him. The stiletto she had been holding slipped from her hand, clattering to the floor as he tilted her chin up to meet his gaze.
"I killed him, so what?" Khardis said with a smirk. "The old man deserved it. He found out about my alliance with Edward, and he was going to ruin everything. You think I'd let that happen?"
His hand trailed down from her waist, lingering on her lower back as he pulled her into a sudden, intense kiss. Khadriane gasped against his lips, but instead of pulling away, her hand found his cheek, while the other gripped the back of his head, fingers tangling in his hair. The kiss deepened, raw emotions colliding between them. Khardis' hands began to move under her dress, lifting the fabric slightly, but just as the tension reached its peak, she abruptly pulled away, standing up from his thighs.
"I'm going back to my family, Khardis," she said suddenly, her voice steady as she picked up the stiletto from the floor and spun it in her hand. Her words hit Khardis like a slap.
"Already?" he asked, rising from the chair, his tone betraying a flicker of uncertainty. "Are you really going to leave me?"
Khadriane turned, not meeting his eyes. "My real name isn't Khadriane," she said quietly. "It's Leinya... from the Yeinin family. I was adopted by your father, Khan, when I was four years old, and you were just a toddler. I've never been your sister."
Khadris froze, her words cutting through the fog of his mind. "The Yeinin family…?" he echoed, his voice low, almost disbelieving. "But Father told me you were my elder sister. I always thought it was strange, you looked so much like me. I didn't want to believe otherwise…"
Khadriane—no, Leinya—rolled her eyes and scoffed, spinning the stiletto again before pointing it at his neck. "If I were truly your sister," she said with a glare, "would you have kissed me like you did just now?"
Khardis held her gaze, defiant. "What are you talking about? You gave in to the kiss... You could have resisted."
She narrowed her eyes, her grip on the stiletto tightening. "I could've, but part of me wanted to test you. And now I see what kind of man you are."
Khardis sighed, dragging a hand down his face, suddenly weary. "The reason I kissed you was because, deep down, I always felt something was different about you—something that didn't fit with the rest of the family. But Father insisted you were my sister, so I kept my feelings hidden. I tried to bury them."
He reached for the stiletto, gently moving it aside, but instead of pressing the issue, he turned away shoulder tense . The air between them was revelations and confusion, their twisted connection now complicated than ever.
"And then you started eyeing Evangeline," Khadriane sighed, setting her stiletto down on the table as she walked toward Khardis. "She's married now. You should move on."
Khardis, still fuming, rubbed the sore spot on his face. "She's having an affair with her bodyguard... That doesn't change anything. The bastard punched me in the face," he muttered, his voice laced with frustration.
Khadriane's eyes softened as she gently caressed the hand he was using to nurse the injury. "You mean Richard?" she asked with a small smirk. "Pfft... You could be right, but not entirely."
Her words made Khardis pause, confused. He turned to her, frowning. "What do you mean? He beds Evangeline in her chambers. Everyone knows it."
Khadriane leaned in, her hand gliding down his chest to his torso, fingers brushing dangerously close before she grabbed his tie, pulling him closer. "The day before Vincent was caught, I had a little... chat with Richard," she said, her voice teasing. "I invited him to have tea with me at a café. He told me everything about his 'affair' with Evangeline." She released his tie, letting it fall against his chest.
Khadris' eyes widened slightly, his mind whirling. "So this lackey... has large connections, huh? It's not just the Bruswards he's involved with?" His thoughts raced as he tried to comprehend what she was saying, tension building within him.
Khadriane's voice broke through his spiral of thoughts. "He didn't recognize me as someone from the Khardes family, but Richard has connections with the Yeinin family. That's because of Bruno Berbill. That's the only reason I was able to get close enough to talk to him."
Khardis looked at her in shock, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Richard? Connected to the Yeinins?" His hands clenched into fists as he processed the implications. "So he's more dangerous than I thought..."
Khadriane's gaze flickered with jealousy as she watched Khardis, her lips curling slightly. "He's clever, I'll give him that," she muttered, her voice dropping. "But don't forget who you're dealing with, Khardis. You're so fixated on Evangeline you've overlooked the real threat. Richard isn't just some simple bodyguard—he's capable of much more than you think."
Khadris stared at her, trying to push past his shock. The jealousy in her voice didn't go unnoticed. "You don't like that I've been distracted by Evangeline, do you?" he asked, his lips curving into a sly smile.
Khadriane's eyes darkened, and she stepped closer, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "She doesn't deserve your attention, Khardis. You're playing with fire. Richard might just be the one who burns you
Flashback of Khadriane's Conversation with Richard
Khadriane sat at the small café, her assassin's attire concealed beneath a heavy coat. She delicately sipped her tea, her eyes glinting with amusement as Richard, sitting across from her, pushed a bundle of cash toward her with his fingers. She slid the money beside her saucer, barely glancing at it as if it were of little consequence.
"So, tell me, Mr. Berbill," she began, her voice smooth as silk, "what's going on between you and Lady Evangeline? I've heard some... interesting rumors about your affair with her. Not everyone knows the full story, of course, but... did you take her innocence before the husband?"
Her pointed question caused Richard to choke, spitting out his tea in shock. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "What? Of course not!" he exclaimed, setting his teacup down with more force than intended. "I would never do that. She hired me, that's all. I'm there to protect her from Mr. Brusward."
Khadriane stirred her tea casually, her painted nails catching the light as she gave Richard a sly smile. "And... you're her emotional support, too?" she teased, arching a brow.
Richard sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Kind of... I guess. I care about her, yes. I have feelings for Evangeline, but I'd never cross that line. Her husband, Dominic, made sure I knew the consequences. He told me not to get her pregnant, as if that's something I'd ever try to do." He rubbed his forehead, frustration creeping into his tone. "Dominic should take her innocence himself. I'm just doing my job—being there when she needs me. It's not easy, but someone has to protect her. It's normal to hate a Brusward."
Khadriane leaned back, her eyes dancing with mischief. "So... how do you satisfy your urges, then? Since you can't be too intimate with her," she asked, her smirk widening.
Richard rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed with her line of questioning. "Tsk... There's a brothel for that," he replied dryly, gripping his teacup like it was a mug of beer.
Khadriane chuckled, leaning forward to run her fingers along Richard's shoulder, her touch trailing down his chest. "You know..." she murmured, her lips curving into a teasing smile as she held his chin with her fingers, "I like honest men. You've got a good heart." Her wink was playful, her tone sultry, not caring if anyone nearby was watching.
Richard, not amused by her advances, yanked her hand away from his face, his expression serious. "Stop being sarcastic. I've made the payment as usual. Let's stick to business, Miss Yeinin." He straightened himself, regaining his composure.
Khadriane leaned back, a small laugh escaping her lips, though her eyes remained sharp. "Business it is, then," she said, though her amusement at his discomfort remained.
Back to the Present in the Study Room
"And voilà!" Khadriane said playfully, poking Khardis on the forehead with a giggle.
Khardis sighed, shaking his head in frustration. "Dominic still tolerates it. Either he plans on getting rid of Richard or using Evangeline against him. A Brusward handles situations like this easily—it's nothing more than a piece of cake to them." He clenched his fists in irritation as Khadriane nodded, yawning.
"Well... that's it then. I'll be departing from the Khardes house tonight," she announced, but as she moved to leave, Khardis grabbed her arm.
"You're not going anywhere... stay a little bit longer," he murmured, his voice huskier than usual as he pulled her closer.
"Now that Khan is dead, there's nothing else left to tell you. My mission is complete," she replied, locking eyes with him.
"What mission?" Khardis blinked, confused.
"Khan's death was the Yeinin family's wish," Khadriane explained, her tone calm but serious. "Because of me, they spared your life. Otherwise, you'd have been dead a long time ago." She caressed the stiletto along his cheek, dragging it down to his neck, letting the sharp edge linger against his skin.
Khardis stared at her in disbelief, trying to process the weight of her words. "What?" he asked, his voice a mixture of shock and disbelief. Khadriane smiled, savoring his reaction as she pulled the stiletto away from his neck, spinning it skillfully in her hand, the blade making a soft whooshing sound through the air.
"This will be the last time we see each other. I'll deliver the news to my family. Farewell, Mr. Khardis Khardes." She poked his nose playfully and turned to leave, but Khardis grabbed her hand again, unwilling to let her go.
Reacting instantly, Khadriane kicked toward his face, but he dodged, feeling the rush of air as her heel grazed past him. Undeterred, she threw a series of punches at him, but Khardis deflected each strike, his movements fluid. Khadriane spun, delivering a sharp kick to his thigh with her heel, making Khardis groan as the force nearly knocked him off balance.
"She's good... terrifying even," Khardis thought, impressed by her assassin skills. The Yenin family must all be born killers. As she charged at him again, her stiletto slashed across his arm, drawing blood. Khardis gritted his teeth and snatched the weapon from her hand, throwing a quick punch to her shoulder. Khadriane staggered back, nearly losing her footing.
Before she could fall, Khardis grabbed her wrist and slammed her against the wall, pinning her there. Both of them were breathing heavily, their eyes locked in an intense gaze. Khardis could feel his pulse quicken, not just from the fight, but from something deeper—something primal. His gaze drifted down to her chest, watching it rise and fall as her breathing steadied. Her skin glistened with sweat, and he found himself drawn to her in a way he hadn't anticipated.
Damn it, he thought, his grip on her wrist tightening as he felt a sudden surge of desire.
Khadriane, pinned against the wall, stared back at him, her eyes narrowing as if she sensed the shift in his energy. She could feel the tension crackling between them, and though her body was poised to strike again, she couldn't deny the sudden heat in the air.
Khadriane grabbed Khardis by his shirt and kissed him fiercely. He responded immediately, pulling her closer as the stiletto slipped from his hand, clattering to the floor. Their lips pressed together in a heated, desperate kiss, groaning between breaths as he pinned her harder against the wall. Khadriane gasped slightly, feeling his growing arousal against her thigh, fueling the fire between them.
Without breaking their kiss, Khardis scooped her up in his arms, carrying her away from the wall toward the nearby sofa in the study room. He laid her down gently, their lips never parting as he positioned himself over her. Khardis kissed her deeply again, his hands sliding under her dress, pushing the fabric up slowly. His lips moved from her mouth to her neck and down to her cleavage, planting soft kisses along her skin. Khadriane bit her lip, letting out a soft moan, her fingers running through his hair.
As the intensity between them built, Khardis sat up slightly, quickly unbuttoning his shirt. Khadriane's legs parted willingly, her body welcoming him as he hovered over her, his heart pounding. He leaned down brushing his lips against hers with gentleness that contrasted with the desire between them. His fingers stroked her hair and their eyes met unspoken tension lingering in the air, ready to ignite fully. His desire surged forward and kissed her again, this time slower savoring the connection building between them.
"Khardis..." she whispered, her voice trembling as her fingers caressed his cheek. Her breath came in heavy gasps, feeling the rapid thud of his heart beneath his chest. Khardis pulled her closer, adjusting her body beneath him so that she fit perfectly against him. Khadriane's hand slid up his arm as she kissed his neck, but the soft sound of a zipper being undone made her pause, her gown hand slipping from her shoulder.
Khardis wasted no time, his desire overwhelming him as he positioned himself, sliding his manhood into her with a slow, deliberate force. Khadriane gasped, her body responding to the hardness now making its way inside her, a mix of pain and pleasure coursing through her. Her fingers tightened around Khardis's arm as a sharp cry escaped her lips. This was her first time, and the sensation was overwhelming—intense, raw, and unfamiliar.
Khardis moaned deeply, his fingers grazing her lips as he noticed the pained expression in her eyes. "Your first time?" he muttered, his voice low and almost predatory. "No wonder you're so tight... and so damn moist." She nodded, biting her lip as he gently wiped away the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, the mix of pain and pleasure heightening every sensation.
As Khardis thrust deeper, his hips moving with a primal rhythm, his breathing grew heavier. He watched her face, entranced by the way she surrendered beneath him. His pace quickened, his grunts becoming more forceful as he placed one hand on the sofa's armrest to steady himself. Each thrust sent waves of heat through Khadriane's body, her legs rising to wrap around his waist, pulling him in deeper. Their mouths collided in a desperate kiss, his lips muffling her moans as she whimpered into his mouth.
Khardis grabbed a fistful of her hair, tugging gently as his thrusts grew rougher, more urgent. Khadriane kissed him back fiercely, her muffled cries of pleasure filling the space between them. His lips trailed down to her neck, brushing lightly against her skin, and he whispered breathlessly into her ear, "I love you... Khadriane." His voice was strained, filled with both passion and desire as he continued to move inside her, his body shuddering with every deep thrust.
Their movements became frenzied, their bodies entwined in a heated tangle as Khardis's desire reached its peak, his lips lingering on her skin as he lost himself to the intensity of the moment.
After a while, Khadriane straddled Khardis, her body completely naked as she rode him, her soft moans filling the room. She arched her back, hands resting on her shoulders, savoring the sensation of him inside her. Khardis, sitting comfortably on the sofa, let his hands roam her waist and up the delicate curve of her spine, his fingers tracing every inch of her skin. His experienced touch sent shivers through her body as she leaned in to kiss him deeply, her teeth playfully biting at his lower lip.
As Khadriane moved atop him, her hips rolling in a steady rhythm, Khardis's grip tightened around her waist, guiding her movements with a practiced ease. He could feel her body reacting to every thrust, her wetness enveloping him and driving him wild. His manhood throbbed harder with every bounce, and the intensity between them grew. She kissed his neck passionately, her fingers threading through his hair, tugging gently, causing him to grunt in pleasure.
Khardis, ever the seasoned lover, wasn't content with just letting her ride him. His hands slid down to her butt cupping her as he lifted her slightly, controlling the pace. "Slow down," he whispered, his voice husky with desire. He lowered her back down deliberately, savoring the way her body clenched around him. He teased her with a deep thrust, grinning as she whimpered with need, and then pulled back, making her crave more.
Their bodies moved in sync, and Khadriane's breath hitched as she began to lose herself in the overwhelming pleasure. "I'm glad I did it with you..." she thought, her heart swelling with emotion. "You're the only person I trust. Thank you." Tears welled in her eyes, and she stared deeply into Khardis's gaze, feeling an unexpected connection. "I love you, Khardis..." she whispered, laying her head on his shoulder.
Khardis smiled, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Mmmmm." His hands slid back down to her hips, gripping her tightly as he began to thrust upwards, meeting her movements with an even deeper force. His control over her body was undeniable, and his skill left her trembling. He supported her rhythm, his fingers pressing into the flesh of her behind as she moaned in pure bliss.
"Ride me, Khadriane," he groaned, his voice filled with both command and desire. He tilted his head back slightly, watching her intently, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction at how she surrendered to him completely. The pleasure between them built to an intoxicating crescendo, their moans intertwining as they lost themselves in the intensity of the moment, his experience and lust driving them both over the edge.
A blonde-haired bodyguard approached the study room, an envelope in hand meant for Khardis. As he neared the door, he paused, hearing strange, unmistakable noises—a mix of a man and a woman's voices, followed by soft moans and gasps. His eyes widened in shock as the sounds became clearer. He stood frozen for a moment, processing the intimate scene unfolding behind the door. his face flushing slightly. The moans from within only confirmed his suspicions. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby.
"Young Master must be... busy," the bodyguard muttered under his breath, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him. Quickly deciding that this was not the right time to interrupt, he carefully slid the envelope into his jacket pocket. "I'll just come back later."
With a swift turn, he walked away from the door, his footsteps quiet as he left the hallway. His mind raced, half-amused and half-determined to forget what he had just overheard. As he rounded the corner, he let out a long sigh, shaking his head"Not my business...."He muttered to himself doing his best to maintain a professional demeanor while vowing to return until things had calmed down.
An hour later, Khardis lay sprawled on the sofa, breathing heavily. Khadriane was draped over him, panting just as hard, her legs vibrating slightly. Khardis rested a hand on one of her legs, feeling the tremors, and chuckled, "Be glad... you didn't end up in a wheelchair."
He sneered at Khadriane with a grin, but she shot him a furious pout and stood up, with all her might, used the heel of her foot to deliver a swift kick right to Khardis's nuts. His yell of pain echoed off the walls.
"Hmmph... the audacity!" she huffed, hands on her hips, while Khardis clutched his groin, groaning in agony.
"You're a strange woman, but you liked what happened, didn't you?" Khardis managed to say, panting as he steadied himself by gripping on the sofa for support and sat on it.
Khadriane chuckled, putting on her gown and underwear. She then walked over and held his chin, teasingly. "Maybe... maybe not... but it felt good," she said with a sly smile. When he yanked her hand away, she shook her head, amused.
"Tsk... crazy woman," Khardis muttered, avoiding her gaze. Khadriane picked up his trousers and tossed them onto his thigh, then planted a quick kiss on his forehead.
"Farewell, Khardis! Hopefully, we'll meet again. I'll notify Edward about the fines!" she exclaimed, blowing a kiss with a finger heart gesture before turning away. She staggered slightly as she picked up her shoe and stiletto, struggling to maintain her balance. She unlocked the door and walked out, closing it with a decisive thud.
Khardis sighed deeply, contemplating, "Or maybe it's because you're my adopted sister. We grew up together, and I didn't even realize you weren't Khardes family blood. I hope we meet again, Khadriane, or should I say Leinya Yeinin?" As he sighed heavily, he noticed she had forgotten her panties. With a smirk, he picked it up and held them close to his cheek, closing his eyes as if savoring the moment. "Note to self: Next time wear a cup" He thought chuckling to himself at the absurdity of it all