The Lady’s Survival Method Chapter 0 - Prologue. A Pretty Lady and a Bastard

 

 

‘Ah, what a damn mess this is.’

 

“Lady Avelan. I’m not exactly known for my patience, you know.”

 

Rachel slowly lifted her head. In front of her were long legs clad in sleek, polished shoes. As her eyes trailed upward, she saw a crisp, starched shirt stretched across a broad chest.

 

‘Broad shoulders. Just my type… but seriously, do I really have to keep kneeling on this cold stone floor? My knees are killing me.’

 

“Are you ignoring me, my lady?”

 

“N-no, not at all! But, Your Excellency, would you mind untying me…?”

 

“Absolutely not. What happened the last time I untied you? You ran off with your tail between your legs. And now you’re asking me to untie you again? Seems like every member of the Avelan family sold their conscience long ago.”

 

His voice carried a dismissive sigh, as if he genuinely pitied her. That only made Rachel bristle with anger.

 

“And what about you, Your Excellency? You’re the real scum here! A conman with zero conscience!”

 

“…”

 

The moment the words left her mouth, silence crashed down like a heavy weight. Crap. She didn’t dare look up. She’d just insulted his family. Of course he was furious.

 

“Scum, huh…”

 

His low, menacing voice sent a chill down her spine. Rachel wanted to shout, ‘Yes, yes, we Avelans sold our conscience ages ago!’—anything to defuse the situation. But it was too late. The man yanked hard on the rope tied around her neck.

 

“Ghk—s-sorry—kghk…”

 

Her breath was cut off. She gasped and sputtered like a dog being strangled, blood pounding in her head. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and panic flooded her mind—she might actually die here.

 

She tried to raise her hands in surrender, but they were bound too tightly to move.

 

‘You psycho! The least you could do is let me signal before trying to kill me!’

 

“If you’re really sorry, then lower your head.”

 

‘You son of a bitch! Bastard! How the hell am I supposed to lower my head when you’re choking me? Try it yourself, you crazy bastard!’

 

Rachel screamed every curse she knew—internally, of course. Her trembling head slowly began to dip. Pride meant nothing when survival was on the line. Tears welled in her violet eyes.

 

“S-spare… me—khk!”

 

Thankfully, with a sudden snap, the rope slackened. Air flooded back into her lungs. Rachel gasped and broke into sobs. Tears and snot streamed down her face. She must have looked completely pathetic.

 

Above her, the man laughed.

 

“What a beautiful sight. The proud lady Avelan, reduced to this. I wonder what others would say if they saw you now. Truly something to behold.”

 

“And what would people say if they knew what kind of man Your Excellency really is?”

 

Rachel asked, lowering her head as gracefully as she could. His laughter stopped cold.

 

‘Sister Jane always warned me to watch my mouth…’

 

She cursed herself. Why did she never listen? His hand moved again.

 

‘No! I can’t die here!’

 

“Your Excellency! I was wrong! Please—I’m sorry! Forgive me!”

 

Rachel clung to his leg, begging as pitifully as she could manage. Then, with wide, tear-filled eyes, she fluttered her lashes at him. No man had ever resisted that look—not even this bastard. She knew exactly how beautiful she was, and she wielded that beauty with confidence.

 

Sure enough, the man hesitated.

 

Rachel silently cheered and pressed herself closer.

 

“Forgive you?”

 

“Yes, Your Excellency. I spoke out of turn. Please, forgive me… with your boundless generosity.”

 

“Then suck it.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Rachel looked up at the man and saw a smirk on his strangely red lips.

 

“A woman like you, always so skilled at seducing men… Don’t tell me you don’t know what I mean now.”

 

He grabbed her chin with his long fingers and lifted it. His cold, dark eyes looked down at her, shining with cruelty.

 

“Your Excellency, I truly don’t understand what you’re implying,” Rachel said with composure, pulling back and adjusting her posture as if trying to reclaim some semblance of dignity. She played the role of the innocent flawlessly.

 

‘Fucking bastard.’

 

She hadn’t even done something like this for Isaac—her lover. There was no way she would do it for this arrogant piece of trash. He wasn’t even worth a one-night stand, let alone her love.

 

“Looks like I don’t have a choice.”

 

With a sharp tug, he pulled the rope tight again, choking her.

 

“I’ll do it! Just tell me what you want!”

 

Rachel gasped. She couldn’t afford to die here—not like this. Though shame burned in her chest, she averted her gaze, trying to preserve even a shred of justification.

 

He wiggled his fingers, gesturing for her to come closer. Slowly, Rachel crawled forward on her knees. When she got close, he ran a finger along her cheek—a soft touch that stirred a faint glimmer of hope in her chest. 

 

“Crying already? No, that won’t do. I like it when you cry under me. Ah, come to think of it, you’re already beneath me. Perfect. Go ahead and cry—I give you permission.”

 

Rachel wanted to scream, “This is a crime!” But her survival instincts forced her lips shut.

 

‘If I’d just said what he wanted earlier… maybe none of this would’ve happened.’

 

She let out a long, bitter sigh filled with regret.

 

“What are you waiting for?”

 

When Rachel hesitated, he tilted his head mockingly. She noticed the obvious bulge in his pants and immediately looked away, disgust curling in her stomach.

 

“Or are you too helpless to do it on your own?”

 

That was when Rachel remembered—her hands were still tied. As she hesitated, unsure whether to nod or speak, something moved into her line of sight.

 

The grotesque thing was already far too close to her face.

 

“All set? Then start.”

 

‘No. I don’t need this kind of mercy.’

 

Rachel involuntarily sighed at the thought of such a thing entering her mouth. It was dreadful.

 

“But…”

 

As she hesitated, a voice filled with irritation came from above.

 

“I hate waiting. So hurry up.”

 

‘As if you’ve ever thought of anyone but yourself. Selfish bastard.’

 

Rachel had no choice but to push her head between the man’s legs. The moment the hard object pressed against her soft cheek, a strong, masculine scent filled her nostrils. As she felt the object pressing against her cheek, she tentatively licked it with her tongue.

 

“Hngh…”

 

How much time passed like that? As she endured the strange bitter taste and continued to lick with her tongue, she heard a low grunt from far above.

 

‘His personality is dogshit, and his moans are just as pathetic. Bastard.’

 

Rachel cursed the man internally and swallowed the object into her mouth little by little. Her lips felt like they were stretching beyond their limit, and only the tip of the enormous thing barely filled her small mouth. In that position, she slowly moved her head back and forth, her tongue exploring the fleshy pillar.

 

“Hmm… it’s worse than I expected. Not up to the rumors.”

 

‘Aren’t you being too shameless to say that, given your state?’

 

His taunt caused Rachel’s brow to furrow. He chuckled softly at her reaction, then raised a hand to stroke her bright platinum-blonde hair. As his large hand brushed her head, an unwelcome feeling washed over Rachel: she was being treated like a pet.

 

‘Since I’m already being treated like a pet, would it be okay to bare my teeth a little?’ she mused, and then, with a feigned accidental touch, she grazed his member with her teeth. A deep groan tore from him, his firm thigh spasming violently. She glanced up to find him with his head thrown back, breathing in ragged gasps. 

 

‘Serves him right.’

 

His deeply furrowed brow and clenched jaw betrayed his pain. Rachel laughed, a wave of triumph washing over her.

 

“Did you do that on purpose?” the man asked fiercely, hearing Rachel’s laughter. Rachel’s gaze flickered to the bulging veins on his hand before she shook her head, adopting her most pitiful expression, making sure her eyes glistened with tears.

 

He stared at her silently for a moment. Just as she was inwardly sighing with relief, believing he was falling for her act, his hand clamped down hard on her head.

 

“Hngh!”

 

The thought that she was doomed flashed through her mind as the man’s member plunged so deep into her throat that she struggled to breathe. The sheer brutality of its presence, completely filling her throat, was terrifying. Rachel thrashed, arching her back desperately for air, but the man tightened his grip, refusing to let her move.

 

“Ugh… ugh… ugh…”

 

If only her hands were free, she’d push him away. Rachel internally cursed her bound hands. Each time the tip of his penis brushed her uvula, transparent saliva dripped onto the floor. But the man moved his hand as he pleased, as if he couldn’t care less about her suffering.

 

As breathing became increasingly difficult, tears welled up involuntarily. Resigned to ending it quickly, Rachel entwined her tongue around it, stimulating his member as much as possible. She tightened her lips around the engorged shaft, her rough tongue rubbing against the throbbing, veined flesh, making it writhe and swell with arrogant presence.

 

“Hngh…”

 

A long groan escaped from above, and Rachel immediately began sucking the man’s penis with all her might. He gripped her head urgently, holding her in place as he ejaculated into her mouth. With a sticky, unpleasant sensation, she opened her mouth and turned her head. A coughing sound accompanied the white semen spilling onto the floor.

 

‘Fuck.’

 

A curse escaped her, but Rachel didn’t express her emotions out loud. Instead, she choked and tried to clear the semen filling her mouth.

 

“I take back what I said earlier. You’re quite skilled. Isaac must be proud.”

 

Rachel opened her eyes wide and looked at the man at the sudden mention of her lover’s name. The man raised his eyebrows at her dumbfounded expression and reached out his hand. His hand gently wiped away the traces of semen from her small mouth, his touch surprisingly tender.

 

“Isaac said… your bedroom skills are quite impressive.”

 

The man’s voice carried an inexplicable anger. However, Rachel, consumed by a sense of betrayal towards her lover, didn’t notice it. She trembled and shuddered.

 

‘That face! Those kind eyes!’

 

To think he was betraying her behind her back. Although it was common in high society to openly discuss sexual partners, detailing one’s experiences with a partner was a great insult.

 

“Are you cold?” the man asked as Rachel shivered. Despite his concerned tone, Rachel glared at him, her violet eyes narrowed and filled with tears.

 

“Lady Avelan?”

 

“What is it, you bastard!”

 

The man’s bewildered tone met Rachel’s outburst. The moment he called her name, Rachel burst into loud sobs.

 

“Waaaaah!”

 

Jumping to his feet, the man watched as Rachel’s cries reverberated through the room. Despite having just finished, his still-erect member swung freely, a testament to its stubborn vitality.

 

“Rachel? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

 

‘Disgusting, you bastard. Pull up your pants first.’

 

The man looked visibly flustered. He hastily adjusted his pants, then moved behind Rachel, fumbling with the rope to untie it.

 

But once the tears started, they were impossible to stop. Rachel covered her face with her freed hands and cried even louder. Comfort always seemed to make the pain worse.

 

“Rachel. Please stop crying.”

 

The man’s large hands hovered around her, hesitant to touch her. His once arrogant demeanor now replaced with genuine concern.

 

“Hic… Is it true…? Did the Count… really talk to Your Excellency about… about what we did in bed?” Rachel sobbed, seeking confirmation from the man.

 

‘Isaac, that bastard. He’s going to hell.’

 

Inwardly cursing her lover, she awaited the man’s response.

 

“Was that the problem?”

 

Something felt off. When Rachel looked up, he was glaring at her as if he had never been flustered. His icy gaze silenced her tears.

 

‘Wait, this isn’t right. Why the sudden change? Weren’t you comforting me?’

 

Rachel’s nervous hiccups filled the room. The man threw a rope loudly behind her. With a sharp swish, the rope hit the wall and fell. The sudden shift in atmosphere froze Rachel in place.

 

‘I don’t know what else to do—should I just beg him to spare me again?’

 

“Of course. Did you really think Isaac wouldn’t talk about his night with a mere baron’s daughter? What made you so confident? It’s not like you’re his fiancée or anything.”

 

“…”

 

“At best, you’re just warming Isaac’s bed!”

 

Rachel was stunned. While it was true that Isaac hadn’t publicly declared her as his lover, and she had indeed shared his bed, hearing such words thrown at her felt like an insult.

 

“Besides, if you’ve been fooling around with every man you come across, you’d better be ready to hear people talk about it. Don’t act all innocent in front of me. What, do you think I’m your parent?”

 

‘No, a real parent wouldn’t do something like this to their child… And when have I ever been so promiscuous…?’

 

Rachel felt wronged. How many years had it been since she’d been in the social circle? There weren’t many men she’d had physical relations with. What about the men she’d kissed?

 

‘Five…? No, six?’

 

Considering her looks and reputation, Rachel felt the count was rather low, especially compared to this man. She hadn’t even reached double digits yet.

 

“Your Excellency, you’ve seduced every young lady in society—or perhaps even married women too? In any case, you’ve been seducing every woman in high society. Do you really have the right to say such things to me?”

 

“Do you think I’m like you? I’m a marquis! And I’ve never seduced anyone. They came to me first.”

 

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Then I’m the same. Am I pretty? Am I popular? Why are you blaming me for the gentlemen not leaving me alone!”

 

“Y-you insolent wretch!”

 

“What?! You gonna hit me?”

 

Furious, Rachel didn’t hesitate—she charged at the man. Seeing her sudden burst of rage, he let out a sharp breath and kicked a chair aside. It crashed loudly to the floor right next to her.

 

‘This bastard seriously needs a lesson in manners!’

 

The sound startled her slightly, but Rachel didn’t flinch. The damage was already done—there was no use crying over spilled milk now.

 

“Go ahead and hit me then! Just do it! I’ll sue you and get a hefty compensation! Argh! Do whatever you want! Come on, hit me, you crazy bastard!”

 

Rachel stomped her feet and shouted with everything she had. The man glared at her before storming out of the room, clearly defeated by her fearless outburst.

 

“You bastard!” Rachel shouted after him.

 

Once he was gone, she stood up and adjusted her dress. The room echoed with a series of loud bangs and curses.

 

‘Yeah, that’s right. Get lost—and let’s never meet again.’

 

She walked over to the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was barely recognizable. Her hair was a wild mess, and her dress looked like it had been shredded in a windstorm.

 

“Oh my god,” she gasped involuntarily. She quickly began fixing herself up, stealing glances at the mirror. Every encounter with that man left her looking like a complete mess.

 

“Rosalyn. That crazy woman! Why did she leave me with that insane guy and run off?”

 

Rachel cursed her old friend who had set her up to meet the man.

 

‘Damn her. Damn that two-faced snake!’

 

Why had she put her in this situation back then? The curses flowed freely.

 

‘But wait, how do I even get home?’

 

Rachel had been stomping around, cursing Rosalyn’s name for several minutes when it suddenly dawned on her—she had no idea how she’d even arrived here in the first place.

 

“Ethan Mylan!!!” Rachel yelled the man’s name loudly. 

 

If he was the one who dragged her here, the least he could do was take her back. Still muttering curses about the arrogant jerk, Rachel stormed out of the room.