Chapter 55

"Do you think the Bria diamond mine is a worthwhile investment, Your Highness?"

Unlike most men who would first look at a woman's figure or face when they first met, Jerome always started with a test of the mind. It was more of a provocation than a test, and it usually ended with the woman being reduced to an empty doll in front of everyone.

Leon checked his wristwatch, thinking that this was typical of Jerome, who was as arrogant as ever, planning to do the same to the daughter of a duke, who was to be the next mistress of his family.

"I have no interest in mining investments."

"Oh, I see."

His reply was laced with mockery.

"There's something else I'm interested in. Actually, I had something to discuss with you today, and it's a good thing you're here."

"With me...?"

The duchess was clearly here because of the engagement. For Jerome to have business with him rather than his brother, the fiancé, was unexpected.

"I read yesterday's Winsford Herald."

"Oh, what an honor…."

"The article harshly mocked Professor John Chadwick's rocket engine theory, calling it a ridiculous science fiction script written by someone who doesn't even understand high school physics."

"That's…."

"Since you're the editor, do you share the same opinion?"

"…."

"I, on the other hand, see the journalist who wrote that article as a mediocre outsider, full of inferiority, trying to hide his lack of intelligence by mocking a pioneer in science."

"Tate has a bachelor's degree in physics…."

"But the article showed a complete lack of understanding of rocket engineering. Isn't it basic to thoroughly research and write an article based on understanding? It's a great disappointment that the editor, you, didn't even check it before passing it."

Jerome adjusted his slipping glasses, which had slid down his sweaty nose, and gave an awkward smile.

"Given the number of articles to check… I'll instruct the journalist to conduct a follow-up investigation and correct the article."

"A retraction and an apology on the front page would be better."

"…I'll do that."

As Jerome's gaze towards the duchess gradually changed, Leon recalled an incident from about a year ago in this greenhouse.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Sally Bristol, Doctor."

The maid who came to inform that Mrs. Winston would be a bit late for tea. That was the first impression of 'Sally Bristol.'

At the time, 'Sally,' who was the personal maid to his mother, was just one of the many accessories in the mansion, leaving no lasting impression.

And Jerome Winston was a man who even tested the intelligence of such accessories.

He couldn't remember what esoteric things Jerome had said back then. What he remembered was the maid's cheerful but oddly uncomfortable response.

"Wow, I don't understand a thing even though I'm not smart, but that's really impressive. Did you discover this, Doctor? Oh… you just read it in a book. Reading books is fun, isn't it? Haha. I thought you had discovered it through your own research."

Leon burst into laughter a year later. He finally realized that the woman had been mocking Jerome while pretending to be stupid.

From then on, she had shown a rather eccentric side, but he had dismissed it as unimportant, being a mere maid.

"Do you think the Winston family will cover the losses if the research funding is cut off because naive readers believe that article?"

"I'll take responsibility for that. By the way, I didn't know you were interested in such things."

"I have a degree in astronomy."

"Oh…."

"So, you must have read that article yesterday. According to the journalist's ridiculous claim, when the rocket leaves Earth's atmosphere…."

The roles have switched.

Leon quietly observed the two, a smile creeping onto his face. Today's tea time was quite entertaining. Jerome Winston was being verbally outmatched by a woman.

He wanted to watch this rare spectacle to the end, but he had more important matters to attend to. Checking his watch again, Leon suggested to Jerome.

"Doctor Winston, how about showing Her Highness your laboratory?"

He thus handed over his intended fiancée to his brother and left the greenhouse.

While walking down the endless avenue of lindens, Leon did something incredibly foolish.

He tried to recall if he had ever met 'Sally' again when she was his mother's maid.

'Just be appropriately obsessed.'

His strange obsession was directed only at that woman. Other women were still just pieces of meat to him, even when they were naked.

He thought those who fell for seduction were fools. Although he respected his father, he considered it a foolish mistake to be deceived by a prostitute.

Yet, he frequently visited the daughter of that prostitute, driven by his sexual desires. It was a situation where he had to admit he was a fool like them.

'No, I'm not like them.'

At least, he wouldn't risk his life or everything he had for that woman.

She doesn't know. She doesn't know that I fear her as much as she fears me.

Despite his calm and indifferent demeanor, he reacted intensely to every word and gesture of that woman. He thought he had conquered her, but now he felt like he was the one being conquered.

So, I must keep her locked up forever. To prevent her from conquering me.

* * *

Click. Thud. Whir.

"Haa, haa."

The heavy breathing was as regular as the sound of the ventilator.

The room was pitch black, so dark that she couldn't see her own hand. But even if the lights were on, Grace wouldn't have been able to see her hand.

Her arms were bent backward and tied together.

Not only that, her wrists were tied to the ceiling with a rope, forcing her to bend her waist at a right angle, shifting her weight toward her head.

Holding her balance with her feet touching the floor and her arms tied to the ceiling, Grace muttered a curse.

"Damn brat…."

There was no slack in the rope that tied her arms. He had tied her this way so she couldn't stand up straight. All she could do was twist her aching body slightly, fearing her arms would slip out of their sockets.

"Aah…."

Damn pervert. He hadn't forgotten to tie a rope between her tightly bound legs, knotting it thickly over her clitoris.

Every time she twisted her body, her clitoris brushed against the knot. Startled by the sharp sensation, she would lift her head, only to have her arms pulled, causing her to moan again. The continuous stimulation made her legs tremble, making it increasingly difficult to stand.

Grace tried to clear her mind, which was gradually becoming hazy, and recalled the moments leading up to this situation.

The newspaper arrived at 2 PM every day, and 'training' started at 10 PM every night.

Winston, who was always punctual, arrived at 1 PM today.

"Get undressed and wait."

Of course, she couldn't follow the new rules he had set a few days ago. As soon as he entered, he stripped Grace and tied her to the wall in an X-shape.

"Who is your master?"

A question she had heard countless times, but one she couldn't answer even after countless attempts.

Grace gritted her teeth. In front of her, Winston's hand flexed the riding crop with a fluid motion.

She looked at his fingers pressing the tip of the crop with fear. The moment he released it, she would feel the burning pain somewhere on her body.

"Leon Winston…."

Just before Winston's fingers released the crop, Grace reluctantly answered. When he tilted his head as if waiting for something, she had no choice but to add:

"Sir."

"You know, don't you? But why doesn't my cute little mouse listen to her master…."

The tip of the crop grazed her neck, making Grace shudder and bow her head.

"Do you think a revolution led by a small group of people is possible?"

As usual, Winston started the interrogation by criticizing the revolutionaries. It was a tactic to shake her mind with seemingly logical speeches, making her doubt her comrades and the cause.

"A revolution without the support of the people is not a revolution, but a rebellion."

Grace only sang songs in her head, no matter what Winston said.

"Even revolutions that gained popular support ultimately failed."

The tip of the crop moved from her neck to her collarbone and then to the valley between her breasts.

"Because of the corrupt and disorderly leaders of the revolutionary government. You must know this from history lessons in school."

The fabricated textbooks of the royal pigs.

"Haa…."

The tip of the crop pinched her nipple.

"Your attitude in receiving such valuable teachings is poor."

"Aah!"

The hard leather piece pushed her nipple into the flesh and twisted it. The unbearable pain and pleasure made her body convulse, causing the heavy flesh hanging below her shoulders to swing mercilessly.

As always, his gaze towards her changed, and the purpose of the interrogation shifted instantly.

'Yes, get aroused. Erase the interrogation from your mind.'

But today was different. Winston checked his wristwatch, sighed, and continued the interrogation.