The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 717: I Am That Bastard

"Once outside, she spoke softly, "My Lord, I am here."

"Enter," came the man’s deep, cold voice.

She opened the door and stepped inside, only to see Lord Mortem seated in a chair by the fireplace, sipping wine. Unlike the noble clothes she had seen him in the previous day, he now wore a night robe. Despite his age, he looked dignified, though there was an unsettling, intimidating presence about him.

Unsure of what to do, she bowed shakily and said, "My Lord."

"Take off your clothes and lie on the bed," he ordered, his tone devoid of any emotion.

She removed her clothes and lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, feeling nervous about what was about to happen. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lord Mortem empty his glass and stand up, making his way toward the bed.

With each step he took, her heart raced faster. He reached the bed and looked down at her, his predatory gaze roaming over her naked body. "Indeed, beautiful."

She gulped and dared to look at him, only to be met with his terrifying eyes. His voice cut through the silence. "And I love to conquer beautiful things—and break them."

A shiver ran down her spine as she watched him chuckle darkly. "But I won’t break you... yet. You’ve been chosen to bear my next child. If you fail to do so, only then will I break you in ways you can’t imagine."

She felt an overwhelming urge to flee, but Lord Mortem had already climbed onto the bed, pressing her body beneath his. "Soft and delicate just like I prefer."

He nuzzled into her neck. "You will produce a son for me. I know you’re meant to."

She felt his tongue as he licked and sucked her skin, his bites harsh, sending sharp pain instead of pleasure. His mouth moved down to her chest, wildly exploring her breasts with a rough hunger, making her wince. His actions were devoid of care, treating her body like a mere object.

Unlike with Nathaniel she enjoyed that roughness of his, she felt disgusted with this man.

Meanwhile, his hand slid between her legs. "Let’s see how sensitive you are. The more, the better."

She inhaled sharply as his hand roughly explored her, only for him to suddenly freeze. His brows furrowed as he pulled back, staring at his hand, now drenched with something he hadn’t expected.

His gaze grew cold as he looked at her, realization dawning in both of them.

She realised Nathaniel had deliberately done this so that his father would find out.

"Who did you let defile you?" Lord Mortem asked coldly, fury rising in his voice. "Which bastard dared claim what belongs to me and empty his dirt inside you?"

At that moment, the door opened, and Nathaniel entered the room. "I’m that bastard," he said coolly. "The son of another bastard." He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest, watching the scene unfold with amused smirk playing on his lips.

Noel glared at his son, "You...how dare you...."

Nathaniel chuckled, "Before you had never objected whenever I fucked your mistresses, then why angry this time. For a change I just felt like fucking her first and then letting you have her. What does it matter, after all it’s the same place we both would be fucking."

"She was not meant for you to fuck..."

"Yeah, she was meant to give me a sibling," Nathaniel interrupted him, "but who knows, she might end up giving you a grandchild instead? Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? An heir to your bloodline? What does it matter whether you father it or I do?"

Noel stepped off the bed and looked at the woman. "Get out of here. I’ll deal with you later."

Terrified, she scrambled to gather her clothes and hurried out of the room.

"But you know, Father," Nathaniel continued calmly, "she won’t be giving you a grandchild either. After I fucked her last night until she was nearly dead, she was given a medicine that will prevent her from conceiving. But one thing I am sure, she did enjoy being fucked by me all night that she easily gave up when I fucked her right outside of your chamber and she didn’t made sound despite knowing she could be killed."

Noel’s anger flared, his face darkening. "I’ve been lenient with you for too long, and it seems you’ve forgotten your place."

"So what? Do you still expect me to be your little slave? Dream on, Noel Mortem. I’m free now, and I can mess with you as much as I want. This is just the beginning. Soon, you’ll regret ever having me as your son."

"Challenging me?" Noel scoffed. "Your own father? It seems you’re underestimating me. Have you forgotten you still owe me one last favor in exchange for your friend Aaron’s life? Or are you planning to go back on your word? You can, of course—if you’re willing to see your friend in trouble just as he’s begun his life as a lord."

"He’s a lord now. You can’t touch him. He has the King’s protection," Nathaniel countered.

"There are some matters even the King can’t interfere in," Noel replied smoothly. "Do you really think I let your friend walk away without some leverage? I have a gift for you as well, and it seems the time is right to reveal it."

Nathaniel, who had been confident moments ago, now felt a twinge of unease. His father was more cunning than a fox, and he knew all too well how to exploit his son’s weaknesses.

"Come to my study if you want to know more," Noel said as he left the room, heading toward his study.

Conflicted, Nathaniel hesitated before following. What exactly did his father have against Aaron now?

Reaching the study, Noel sat behind his work table, pulled out a small scroll from the locked drawer chest and tossed it at his son.

Nathaniel caught it and opened to read it.

"It’s a pack between his grandfather and me in exchange for once helping his grandfather in dire situation. Such pacts can’t be broken. I kept it as useless thinking Aaron would never get anything back, but now he is a lord, I am sure I can use it. I can chose to turn his life hell, if I want to.," Noel said. "The one in your hand is just a sample, the main document is kept really safe."

Nathaniel’s hands shook and he looked at his father, "What do you want in exchange for this? But this is the last time."

"Marry the woman I ask you to and I will break that pact right after that," Noel replied, victorious grin on his face.

"That’s it?" Nathaniel asked.

Noel nodded, smirk on his lips widening.

"Alright," and tossed that scroll back to his father. "Do you think making me marry someone, you will get your heir," Nathaniel smirk.

Noel laughed, "You truly underestimate me, don’t you. Soon you will know, I am a father and you will always remain my son, my little obedient son."

His father rarely laughed this way, and it meant he truly had something under his sleeves that would be troublesome for Nathaniel.

"Who am I getting married to?" Nathaniel asked.

"You will know soon. Now get out of here and leave my estate." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"I am taking my mother’s ashes and her memorial slab. If you stop me..."

"Go take it with you. As long as you are going to marry, I allow you anything."

Nathaniel truly felt conflicted now. He wondered was he the one to trouble his father or he was the one to be caught in his father’s trap?

Having bad feeling about what his father planned, Nathaniel retuned to his residence. Not having a wink of sleep he continued to drink the entire night. Next by the crack of dawn, he left the Mortem estate with his people and what he was there for- His mother.