戒め | 𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐍 ━━
( dark! reverse harem x fem! reader )
Y/N wanted her arranged husband dead. Who could blame her? After she was forced to marry the Grand Duke, she knew that she'd live a miserable life, especially if it meant being tethered to h...
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Y/N wasn't born for greatness. It was the repeated mantra her mother and father cooed to her younger self, each time they prepped her with powder and wealth, reading off her marriage requests like birthday presents. It was the mantra her maids whispered to her in code on her wedding day when they praised her soon-to-be husband; his feats, strength, and beauty.
"Why the frown, my lady?" the maid asked that day, tightening the corset until her lungs threatened to pop. "You're going to be the grand duchess!"
Y/N remembered vividly that she couldn't respond. The title of Grand Duchess was pretty on paper, it had far more power than a simple baroness, but in reality was much more grim. It was a promised life with a man she didn't love. The day she kissed him at the altar was the day she realized titles didn't mean happiness. But of course, it wasn't like she had any say in the arranged marriage she was pushed into.
Just like this stupid ballroom dance.
Sucking in a sharp breath, Y/N glanced down at her wine glass. It was empty. Just how many glasses had she had by now? She sorrowed over the fact that she wasn't a lightweight. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw lurking men frown at her behavior. Familiar eyes that never left. The very same men who begged for her hand in marriage before she was handed off to the Grand Duke.
She was quick to grab another glass.
A face peered back into the depths of the murky red wine. Contempt bubbled up at the sight of those boring lackluster eyes, eyelashes darkened with heavy amounts of kohl, and powder-caked skin. Y/N fiddled with the pearled noose wrapped around her neck. It was 1850 and yet they still put an ungodly amount of blush on her cheeks. She much preferred no makeup, but men said that was no better than conversing with an animal.
Normal male thoughts, she supposed. She didn't know why they complained. They were the ones who enjoyed anything they could put their hands upon.
"Oh my! Your Grace!"
Y/N's muscles ached when she smiled. After being married to the Duke for a year now, she was quick to learn how to smile for any occasion. Never with her teeth, mind you, because only savage ladies did that.
Lady Selon lowered into a shallow curtsy. Her dress was loud; the neckline dipped below her collarbone and exposed her cleavage, her earrings the size of rocks, and her makeup packed in layers. All of it was bought by her husband's inheritance after he was killed in the war. There were many rumors that she was the one who got him killed, but Y/N wasn't one to judge. Especially if the rumors regarding him were also true.
