TNDHD 9

Chapter: 9

A clean, soapy scent drifted from him. His dark, night-colored hair was still damp, appearing jet-black even under the moonlight. Beneath the collar of his pure white silk shirt, the necklace I had given him as a wedding gift faintly glimmered against his neck.

“Have you been well?”

At his serious greeting, I couldn’t help but hide my smile as I met his gaze.

During our engagement, we had kept our distance, and there had even been days when we didn’t see each other for two days. But now we were officially husband and wife, sharing a bed, so his greeting felt almost distant. Especially since we had been together since dawn, seen each other during the day, and even had dinner together.

“Yes, thanks to you. Have you been well?”

I only meant it playfully.

But Kaigan seemed caught off guard, rolling his eyes slightly as if thinking it over. He frowned, as though recalling something unpleasant, then answered in a resigned tone.

“Yes. Overall, it was uneventful.”

His low voice vibrated through the space and reached my waist. It was probably just my imagination, but it tickled slightly, and I shifted my body a little. Turning away felt awkward, so I lay facing him.

“You must be tired, right? Prince Zeke took you around the castle from early dawn, and Princess Shulia apologized for it.”

With every rise and fall of his chest, the blanket over us shifted slightly, brushing my skin. Even the faintly warming air inside the covers made the reality of lying beside him more vivid.

“I am not particularly tired.”

He denied it immediately and glanced at me. Having just washed with hot water, his lips carried a faint reddish warmth; they closed as if hesitating, then opened again.

“But if you are unwell, then today….”

Unwell? After one exhausting night, to describe it like that.

“I’m not a patient, Kaigan.”

I laughed and gently placed my hand on his arm.

“I told you, I feel fine now.”

Through the thin, smooth fabric of his shirt, I could feel his body—solid like leather upholstery, warmer than mine. It felt strange, so I absentmindedly stroked it, until he caught my hand and stopped me.

“Ruwan.”

My hand was lightly enclosed in his large one. His hand was big enough to hide my long fingers completely, which felt strange.

As he pulled me close and kissed me, he was a completely different man from the one I saw during the day. My heart pounded violently. The cold, emotionless man I knew did not exist on my bed. Every place his lips and tongue touched sent waves of pleasure melting through me, spreading to my stomach.

Before I realized it, he had taken off his shirt and was bare. The weight of him pressing down on me made a hot breath escape my lips.

“Kaigan….”

I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, longer and thicker than mine. His wet hair brushing my ear sent a chill through me, but I clung to him even tighter.

His hands slipped under my tense shoulders, pulling me closer so there was no space between us. Held so tightly it was almost suffocating, my eyes grew warm.

I had never known this feeling before. I couldn’t have understood it before becoming one with him.

“Ruwan. If I end up hurting you….”

Half-listening to his words telling me to stop if needed, I nodded without thinking.

Of course, I had no intention of stopping. Time like this—time this close to him—felt too precious to let pass. From my short experience as his fiancée and now wife, I had realized we probably could not spend days simply talking and living together like peaceful noble couples in Tesena.

Like a tree drenched in a storm, I drifted and swayed before finally opening my eyes in the quiet darkness.

Beside me, I saw his broad back as he quietly rose. His back moving away from my bed. I stared, dazed, at his golden skin glistening with sweat.

Then I barely managed to speak.

“Today… before sleeping, I’ll wipe you down.”

Even while struggling against sleep, I think I managed to say it aloud.

He glanced back at me.

“You don’t need to concern yourself.”

He crossed the bedroom naked, picked up the kettle placed by the fireplace, and replied casually. His drowsy voice urged me toward sleep like a lullaby.

“You don’t need to do anything. You….”

Will I get used to this after a few more nights?

I blinked blankly, unable even to fix my messy hair, and thought. At least I hoped I would grow accustomed enough to conserve my strength until after those solemn nightly duties—enough to walk on my own and wash myself afterward.

When I woke, I was alone again. I absentmindedly brushed my fingers over my skin and sheets, which were once again dry and neat, then hugged my knees in despair and buried my face.

What is this. I failed again today. I just fell asleep again. I thought my stamina had improved after learning dance and horseback riding since coming to Weiriver, but I was wrong.

“Haah….”

Sunlight slanted into the room through the eastern window. At least it was still early morning.

“Good morning, my lady?”

Mila entered at just the right moment, pushing a cart. A savory, appetizing soup aroma filled the room. My gloomy mood collapsed helplessly in front of that strong hunger.

I gladly accepted the tray she offered. Fine. I’ll eat well and keep moving today. My stamina will improve bit by bit.

After breakfast, I quickly dressed and left the room. I intended to see off Prince Zeke and his wife. That would be the end of today’s schedule. The other guests had already left somewhat awkwardly, clearly sensing the princess’s mood. It was the first “real day off” since the wedding.

Should I suggest a walk by the river with Kaigan? We needed time alone as husband and wife to talk properly.

“Where is the duke, Sir Ben?”

I asked Ben as I met him on the landing.

He bowed and hesitated as if calculating something before answering.

“He likely left Weiriver by now. Though there may have been some delay depending on travel conditions.”

Travel?

“Did something urgent come up? I thought he would be seeing off Prince Zeke with me today.”

What was this? He left the territory?

Seeing my confusion, Ben looked embarrassed.

“Did His Grace not inform you?”

“Inform me of what?”

“His Grace left for Dubon this morning. He is scheduled to attend the Western regional lord’s council in two days.”

“Dubon… the count’s territory?”

Dubon?

How far was that again? It was a southwestern domain. Not nearby. I recalled the empire map from my history lessons and compared the distance between Weiriver and Tesena, and then Weiriver and Dubon….

“It usually takes about ten days of travel. His Grace said he would return early, so it may be shortened by a day or two compared to usual.”

Even so, even if he returned immediately after the meeting, it was still a four or five day journey. In reality, including the meeting, it would be at least a week-long trip.

It was not something one left for suddenly, like going out for fresh air.

A dull sense of isolation hit me, as if I had been left alone without knowing anything. I hadn’t even learned how to manage anything yet as the duchess.

“This is a regular meeting held every spring and autumn. This spring’s date was announced a bit late. And it happened to overlap with a particularly busy time for wedding preparations. His Grace was fully focused on the wedding, setting everything else aside, so he must have forgotten to inform you.”

Ben explained at length, clearly thinking it was not a minor mistake.

“I’m truly sorry. I should have reported this to you separately….”

“It’s fine. Everyone was quite overwhelmed.”

Still, it didn’t feel pleasant to have not been told anything as the lady of the house about a regular annual trip.

But when I thought about it, I could understand. It had only been four months since the engagement talks began. Three months since Kaigan came to meet me in person. We had decided to marry that very day. And only a month ago we began living separately in Weiriver before finally marrying.

Everything had happened at lightning speed. It was natural there had been little time to even properly look at each other or talk. In fact, I had it easier. My only responsibilities were learning the new lifestyle and acquiring luxuries, while he had taken on almost all the actual responsibilities and wedding preparations.

Kaigan probably hadn’t even had time to sleep.

“Maybe he’s rushing because he’s worried about Lady Ruwan being alone?”

A nun from Tesena had once said that to me when I felt anxious about the rushed wedding schedule. It might have been a kind interpretation from a kind person’s perspective.

But from my own experience during the engagement period, it didn’t seem like Kaigan had married for political urgency. Even guests who received invitations, and even Mila, had been surprised that their master had suddenly found a bride.

“I suppose I should start keeping track of his schedule more carefully as well. Thank you for telling me, Sir Ben.”

Honestly, I felt embarrassed and awkward that I hadn’t even realized my husband was away, but there was no need to make Ben feel worse.

So he had left Weiriver.

Just when I thought we might finally have time alone, it was a little disappointing. I had been looking forward to walking around the estate together and visiting the Ingestan parish to give thanks.

“Hmm. Then I suppose I’ll postpone going out.”

It would be improper for the new duchess to wander outside alone while the lord was away for a long period.

After seeing off Prince Zeke and his wife as planned, I went down alone to the chapel.