홈 / Imagination 단편 작품 & 소설 / My Husband Is An Open Book / 챕터 1 - 챕터 9

My Husband Is An Open Book의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 9

9 챕터

Chapter 1

At the marriage alliance banquet, Zachary Pendleton, the only son of General Alfred Pendleton, publicly declared that he had no interest in women.“I cannot enter such an alliance. Any young lady marrying me would be ruined by our union.”The hall lapsed into silence as all eyes turned to him at once.Still, Zachary stood there with an air of indifference, as though he saw nothing improper in his words.I studied him with curiosity and found my interest unexpectedly piqued.Never had I expected to find another person as opposed to marriage as I was.Although I had no intention of attending this banquet, I had ultimately yielded to my parents’ persistent persuasion.Meanwhile, murmurs spread throughout the crowd.“Has Zachary lost his mind? If he doesn’t like women, does that mean he prefers men?”“Besides, if he has no interest in women, why did he attend this banquet in the first place? Is he not wasting everyone’s time?”“Exactly. My father had hoped for a match between us.

Chapter 2

My heart gave a jolt, and I suddenly felt on the verge of breaking down.I could not understand how I had inadvertently brought such trouble upon myself.Wrapping the blanket tightly around myself, I withdrew to the inner side of the bed and spoke with clear resistance.“I agreed only to the marriage, nothing further. We shall sleep under separate blankets tonight.”For some reason, Zachary hesitated for a moment while looking at me intently before saying, “If that’s what you wish, I won’t refuse it.”Yet he thought, “I had planned to proceed gradually and spend the first night in the study. It would not do to reveal my intentions so soon. But since she has proposed to sleep under separate blankets, I cannot leave and keep calling myself a man.”His inner remark left me filled with regret.“Well, if that does not suit you, we can also sleep in separate rooms,” I added.Sadly, Zachary’s eyes were already closed, and he appeared to be asleep. However, his thoughts still reached m

Chapter 3

As soon as my words landed, Zachary froze.He thought, “She truly intends to leave me? How is that possible? Even at this moment, she still wishes to leave? Preposterous!”Even Alfred appeared somewhat taken aback.At that moment, a servant nearby reported softly, “It appears the young Mrs. Pendleton went alone to the adjoining room to rest in the middle of the night.”Alfred’s expression darkened at once.“Zachary, you scoundrel! How could you allow Harriet to sleep alone in the adjoining room on your wedding night? How is she to be expected to share a life with you after such treatment? After all the difficulty it took to secure a bride, you still don’t cherish her properly!”Zachary pressed his lips together.“She wasn’t alone,” he said. “I went over in the latter half of the night.”He thought, “It wasn’t that I drove her way; she simply refused to speak to me… I would far rather have her in my bed, at my mercy, until she’s entirely spent.”So indecent were Zachary’s thoug

Chapter 4

One who had accepted another’s generosity found it difficult to speak against them.Since Alfred had arranged for the aphrodisiac perfume to be prepared, I naturally found myself unable to object, especially with the gold and jewels he had bestowed still heaped to one side.Our garments gradually fell away, and the instant our bodies drew close, Zachary’s thoughts were laid bare to me.“How exceedingly pleasant. So this is what it’s like to be joined with one’s wife. I do not wish to let go. Her voice is like music to my ears. Her eyes are red with tears, and she softly begs me to be gentler. I wish this moment could last forever.”Zachary, being the only son of a general, possessed remarkable endurance. He did not release me until well past midnight. Even when I could scarcely lift a hand from sheer exhaustion, he remained composed and untroubled as he gathered me into his arms and tended to me.“I enjoyed it immensely and would gladly return to such moments with her again and ag

Chapter 5

I had long harbored feelings for Simon, yet he had never once given me a clear response.He had taken my affection for granted, behaved with complete assurance, and had even become engaged to another woman while still leaving me in uncertainty.In my distress, I had come to think that perhaps, by marrying another, I might finally sever all lingering fantasies about him. However, as he stood before me, I suddenly realized that all my efforts had only ever been a form of self-inflicted punishment.I forced a stiff smile.“Isn’t it perfectly natural for men and women to get married when the time comes? Besides, aren’t you soon to wed Miss Angelica Wentworth, the daughter of the Royal Commissioner?”Simon seemed surprised that I would bring it up. After all, I had always been entirely compliant before him, never once opposing him or speaking against his wishes.He hesitated, then gave a short, self-mocking laugh.“Yes, that is true. Miss Wentworth is beautiful, well-educated, and ac

Chapter 6

As I turned to leave, his words made my steps falter, as though I were truly guilty of heartlessness and indifference.That night, however, something unexpected occurred. Zachary’s thoughts were so strong and steeped in desire that they seemed to pass straight through the thick wall between us.“How dull it is to sleep alone, without a soft and fragrant wife to hold. I am left with an empty room for company.”I pulled the blanket over myself, but my rest was disturbed, and sleep would not come. Before long, a cautious knock sounded at my door, followed by Zachary’s voice.“Harriet, may I sleep here with you? I promise not to do anything improper. I just feel a little uneasy sleeping alone.”At the same time, he thought, “Please let me in, Harriet.”There was no mistaking the nature of his desire. I lay on my back and sighed. In the end, I could not bring myself to refuse him.“Do you truly promise that you will do nothing improper?”His voice rang out. “I promise.”“I simply w

Chapter 7

I was watching Zachary practice his swordsmanship when I received Simon’s invitation to meet at a tea room.Zachary’s arms were strong and well-defined. As he gripped the hilt and moved through his forms, the lines of his muscles and the veins beneath his skin became clearly visible.I rested my chin in my hand, watching idly, when a maid approached.“Mrs. Pendleton, a gentleman outside named Simon Castor is requesting to meet you in the tea room.”I paused in confusion, not understanding what was left for us to discuss. Had we not already spoken at length the day before?Still, after a brief hesitation, I decided to go.The sound of sword practice in the courtyard had ceased at some point. Zachary stood upright, looking in my direction.“Is Harriet going to see that infuriating man again?” he wondered.I gave a small, somewhat exasperated smile, then turned back to him.“I’ll only speak with Simon briefly and come back. Don’t worry. I will return.”Zachary nodded.On the wa

Chapter 8

As I stood motionless a short distance away, watching Zachary defend my honor, a strange helplessness overcame me. Never before had anyone defended me so completely or taken my side with such unwavering conviction.In that fleeting moment, I saw no one but Zachary.I could even hear the steady pounding of my heart, each beat louder than the last. Simon’s scorn and ridicule no longer held any weight. His cruel opinions did not define me. They merely laid bare the man he truly was.While I was still absorbed in that thought, Simon abruptly lifted his head and looked at me. In that instant, his expression twisted into something so vicious and terrifying that I scarcely recognized him.The next moment, he turned to Zachary with undisguised contempt and provocation.“What gives you the right to defend Harriet? You’re scarcely fit to be called a man. I have never heard of a man so utterly devoid of interest in women. It is a monstrous absurdity. You disgust me!”Before he could finis

Chapter 9

I glanced at him with quiet exasperation.“It wasn’t true, of course. I only said it on impulse, under the circumstances. I felt it would be the most persuasive argument at the moment.”At once, I saw disappointment flicker across Zachary’s face.His thoughts reached me. “How I long to have children with Harriet so I could keep her beside me forever.”I fell silent and glanced at him. For reasons I could not explain, my heartbeat grew increasingly erratic. The image of him striking Simon in my defense would not leave my mind, and I could not meet his gaze without a sudden warmth rising to my cheeks.After we returned home, Zachary’s behavior became rather strange.When it was time to retire, he suddenly gathered his bedding and moved toward the door. I watched him in confusion and, finding I could not hear his thoughts, broke the silence.“Where are you going?”Zachary paused before answering.“To the study. Haven’t you once expressed your wish to sleep separately? I will resp

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