Without River responding, she turned sharply toward Ryder.

“I know you are not comfortable being with me, Duke. I was hoping Lord River was right. I hoped I could soothe the Duke’s heart, and you are really a little interested in me. But now that I know it’s not true, I won’t show you my ugly stature from now on. So don’t talk to Lord River like that. I know you don’t want to. I know it’s a silly idea that I wanted to be of help between you two! I wish I could be of service to both the Duke and Lord River, just like Her Majesty the Queen… but I guess it was a foolish idea.”

She shook her head and clutched her dress. Ryder stared blankly at her for a moment and looked at River. River also frowned and looked at Ellen, then at Ryder before he slowly stood up from the sofa.

“Did you just hear that?

River pointed his finger at Ellen and asked Ryder.

“You are not beautiful. You are ugly. You’ve been talking about all these things. Is that what you think it is? At least I don’t think so, I think I’ve definitely shown it so far, but then I guess it’s still not enough.”

Ryder slowly crossed his arms and nodded. His gaze turned to Ellen, who was clenching her dress tremendously.

“Ah, that’s right. I think you really failed, River. Ellen still doesn’t know how beautiful she is and how comforting she is to us.”

River sighed dramatically.

“It’s hard to be alone because Lady Ellen is a very stubborn woman. As expected, I need someone to help me. In fact, she needs someone to devote their whole lives for her.”

Ryder looked at his brother for a moment and looked at Ellen, who had a puzzled look on her face. And then, he slowly turned to River again.

“It won’t be easy.”

“Yes, it won’t be easy. But I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Ryder rubbed his face with one hand. Then he nodded slowly.

“Yeah, it’ll be a lot of fun.”

He suddenly strode forward and took the dress from Ellen’s hand. Her pupils dilated.

“Duke?”

“What did you say River would do if you said you aren’t beautiful and that you are ugly again, huh?”

He whispered closely unto her face. Ellen blinked her eyes.

“Uh, but… but…”

“Ellen?”

River also asked in a low, determined voice. Ellen swallowed her saliva nervously.

“Uh, uh… I’m going to hit your buttocks, you said?”

“River, get the pearls.”

Ellen faltered and tried to retreat, but Ryder grabbed her by the arm and pulled her. Ellen gasped as he touched her body.

“I don’t think you’ll remember anything just by getting hit on the buttocks. Lady Ellen has a bad memory or is determined not to listen to us, so if we give her both pleasure and pain, she might remember.”

Over Ellen’s shoulder, River grinned and stroked her hips.

“Oh, that’s a good idea. Keep Ellen’s cute little hole wet.”

River shot into his room.

“Argh! Ack, ah!”

Ellen’s whole body trembled whenever his big hand hit her flesh. Her pale hips had already been entirely pinkish, but Ryder did not stop.

“Now, shall we check how hot it is?”

River muttered, then put his finger between her legs. When his finger came in, she flinched, and her inside tightened as if it refuses to let go. Ellen gasped, and River whispered towards her satisfactorily.

“It’s very hot. Our Lady Ellen seems to like this too much.”

“Then it isn’t a punishment.”

Ryder said in a growling sound. River’s fingers moved back and forth, rubbing the inside wall of her, and she flinched along with her hips. Ryder’s hand slapped her on the hip again.

“Now we’re trying to change your wrong idea, Ellen. I’m not asking you to enjoy it, okay?”

“I… I don’t know.”

Tears dropped from her eyes. Suddenly, Ryder lifted her body on her lap like a toy and sat on her thigh. The skin they hit stings and the pearls deep inside her hips stimulated her every time she moved.

“Ellen.”

Ryder looked at her with a stern look. Ellen raised her hand and tried to wipe her eyes, but he grabbed her by the wrist and got her stuck.

“I’m attracted to you. And I’m very afraid of that.”

Ryder’s eyes turned to River, who was sitting behind Ellen’s back and stroking her scarred back and then came back.

“I’m afraid I’m interrupting you and River. I’m afraid you don’t think of me as River. I’m afraid one day I’ll take you away from River.”

Ellen blinked her eyes.

“But…”

“I don’t know if the first thing you see in the mirror is a scar, but I see your eyes, the smile you give to River; that’s the first thing I see in your eyes. The first thing that comes to mind when I see myself is the fact that I don’t smile so much, so I get upset. My brother, I want to beat the opponent. I have to protect you right away.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not weak enough to be beaten so easily. To be honest, I’d be stronger than the duke in front of the fragile desk.”