"Come, wife, recite after me. Did I read it correctly just now?"
Alaric flipped the page back and started to recite, "Green locust and tall willow swallow the new cicadas' cries, the fragrant wind just enters the strings…"
His deep and pleasant voice had a good rhythm and he recited very well.
After finishing, Alaric smiled, "Wife, see how amazing I am? This poem is what I learned when I was young. After all this time, I can still recite it perfectly, word for word. Isn't that impressive?"
His look, waiting to be praised, was just like a child asking for candy.
Pearl rolled her eyes secretly. Poems learned in childhood—who wouldn't remember a few when grown up?
Pearl showed no expression, flipped to the next page holding the book.
"Why won't the wife praise me? Your husband is so amazing, the wife should reward me."
Pearl...
"Since the wife won't reward me herself, I will take it myself."
Alaric grabbed her chin and kissed her softly, gentle like spring rain, until Pearl pushed him away and he stopped.
Outside came a report, "Lord, wife, dinner is ready."
Alaric looked at Pearl's angry eyes and smiled warmly like spring, "Wife, let's go eat."
Pearl glared at him, got out of bed, and sat at the table.
Dinner included: sliced deer meat, roasted lamb, golden roast pork, mint ribs, stewed chicken with mushrooms, sea cucumber and jade bamboo soup.
Pearl finished dinner quickly and did not wander around anymore. She returned to bed to rest.
After bathing and resting at night, Alaric did not ask Pearl how she was feeling but just held her as they fell asleep.
The next day, Pearl woke up knowing this was her last day left to reply to him.
After breakfast, she sat on the bed reading, but could not focus on a single word.
The more she thought, the more restless she became, recalling everything with him, feeling she brought this misery on herself, falling into this situation!
When Alaric came back from duties, Pearl still could not calm her mind.
Alaric silently watched as if nothing had happened. After lunch, he held her as she rested.
In the afternoon, Pearl woke still troubled and did not want to stay indoors. Feeling stuffy, she went outside to sit under a big tree to cool off.
The cool breeze blew away some heat and a little of her irritability. If only she could have an iced drink, it would be perfect!
Pearl missed the old days but had not been able to return for so long. She wondered when she could go back!
Was she really going to be trapped in this mansion forever?
This was definitely not what she wanted. In this predicament, she had to open a crack. So what should she do?
He said, if she agreed, he would let her leave the mansion. If she wanted to escape, she needed a chance to get out of this iron bucket of a house. Without that chance, it was useless to talk.
So now the only way out was sacrifice. Only then could she have a chance to escape.
Yes, she agreed it was only a temporary sacrifice to exchange for greater freedom. Thinking about it, it was worth it.
Understanding this eased her restless mood a lot. She called out to the air, "Someone."
A person quickly appeared before her, respectfully said, "Wife, what are your orders?"
Pearl looked at the person, her thoughts passing by. She didn't know where they were secretly hidden.
When she escaped, would they quietly follow her? If she couldn't shake them off, what would her escape mean?
She put away her thoughts and calmly said, "Is there any ice in the house? Make me a cold drink."
"Replying to wife, yes, I will have someone make it right away."
The cold drink arrived. It was a bowl of green bean lily soup, chilled on ice cubes.
Pearl looked at the mung bean lily soup and frowned slightly. She wanted to drink a fruit beverage, but knowing there probably wasn't any here, she gave up and let it be.
Pearl rested outside the house all afternoon. When the time seemed right, she went back inside.
Not long after, Alaric returned and came over to hug her. Pearl held back the urge to push him away and calmly continued reading her book.
At dinner, she quietly ate the food Alaric picked for her, which made him look at her in surprise.
Pearl kept a calm expression that gave nothing away.
After Alaric finished bathing that night, he came over and hugged Pearl. He said, "Wife, have you thought about it?"
"Are you sure you will keep your word?" Pearl asked calmly.
"Wife, what do you think?" Alaric looked at her eagerly.
"I agree, as long as you let me leave the manor. I accept your conditions. But if you break your word, I will make sure you cannot live or die!" Pearl said coldly.
"As long as you keep your word, I will definitely keep mine," Alaric said with fire in his eyes.
"Good, remember what you just said," Pearl said coldly again.
Alaric smiled, "I swear it here."
Pearl calmly closed her eyes, acting like she was resigned.
Alaric smiled, "I hope wife will take the initiative to come to me."
Pearl opened her eyes and gave him a deadly look, telling him not to take advantage and act clever.
Alaric laughed awkwardly, "I think it is better if I take the initiative in this matter."
Pearl withdrew her deadly gaze.
She once thought Alaric was wild enough before, but she never expected there was an even wilder side.
If before he still held back, now he had completely let go and showed all his desire to her.
Previously, maybe because of her body condition, she felt it but not very strongly.
Now, with all her senses fully alert, she strongly felt everything about him. This dog of a man was simply too wild!
The next day, near noon, Pearl tiredly opened her eyes. Her soft skin clearly felt the strong body pressed against her.
Pearl tried to move but felt weak and had no strength.
Her throat was dry. She wanted to drink water but couldn't make a sound. In this state, she could only silently curse the dog man.
"What's wrong, wife?" Alaric noticed her slight movement and asked with satisfaction in his voice.
"Thirsty," Pearl said with difficulty.
"Wife is thirsty. I will get you water right now. Please wait a moment."
After drinking water, Pearl relaxed and closed her eyes to rest.
"Wife," the body beside her pressed close again.
Pearl closed her eyes and ignored him.
"Wife..." the voice came again.
"Mm."
Fearing he might cause trouble like last night, Pearl answered with eyes closed.
"Wife, are you satisfied with my performance last night?"
A big hand was kneading her slender waist.
Last night left her exhausted. Now he asked if she was satisfied. Pearl thought this dog man was so shameless! How could he ask such a question? How could he say it out loud!