DYWD 42

Chapter : 42

“Madam… what do you mean?”

Luciano couldn’t hide his bewilderment at my words.

“Let’s sleep together….”

Even I couldn’t tell whether I truly meant what I said or if I was just half-asleep.

“Forget it if you don’t want to.”

Feeling embarrassed to look at his flustered face, I turned my body away from him.

“No! I mean—no!”

As soon as I turned away, Luciano hurriedly spoke, quickly stripping off his cumbersome clothes until he was only in a comfortable shirt.

“Let’s sleep together, Madam.”

Luciano lay naturally beside me.
The bed was so wide you could kick a ball around on it.

Yet, maybe because he lay close, I could hear his breathing right next to me.

Should I not have said anything?

Regret washed over me for a moment, but I soon succumbed to the sleepiness weighing down my eyelids.

Completely forgetting that Luciano was lying next to me.

Luciano felt like his face was going to explode with embarrassment.

To sleep together—sharing the same bed—he had never imagined such words would come out of the mouth of a woman of noble birth, who should always be dignified and solemn, and on a night that wasn’t even marked for consummation.

Especially her—even when she threw tantrums, she was always proud of being a noble. He couldn’t understand what made her say it.

As he debated whether to accept the invitation or not, Estellin turned her back.
That was enough—Luciano slipped into a light shirt and lay beside her.

She lay facing away from him, trying to fall asleep.
But as if it were just her sleeping habit, she slowly turned back toward him again.

Knew this would happen.

Once having shared a bed with her, he already knew her sleep habits.

Watching Estellin sleep, her face perfectly unaware of anything, he couldn’t stop smiling and felt too awake to sleep.

“Sleep well, Madam.”

Kissing her forehead as she burrowed closer into his arms, Luciano finally closed his eyes.

Outside, servants unaware that the two were sleeping together wandered nervously.

“Why aren’t they coming out?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Could they possibly be sleeping together?”

The countess’s personal maids, fluttering with excitement, whispered over the fact that the lord and lady were sharing a room—even though it wasn’t a scheduled night.

“What’s going on here?”

“Oh—Butler, sir! You’re here?”

Edgar approached, taking in the unusual scene of servants chattering in front of the mistress’s bedroom—where they should be quiet and composed.

“I asked what you’re doing in front of Madam’s chambers at this hour.”

“The Grand Duke entered the room with Madam, but they haven’t come out… what should we do?”

Realizing the situation, Ed shook his head.

“Do nothing. Go prepare for morning. It seems His Grace is sleeping with Madam.”

“Yes, Butler!”

The next morning, Luciano woke before Estellin.

“Madam?”

As he watched her still asleep, he quietly rose and walked to the mirror.

“Hm… Luciano…?”

Sensing the movement, Estellin murmured his name half-asleep.

“Madam, you’re awake?”

Seeing her perfectly normal—and not shocked or flustered like she’d been on consummation night—Luciano smiled.

“Yes. Since when have you been awake?”

“Just now. If you’re tired, you may rest more.”

“No, no.”

Rubbing her eyes, Estellin got out of bed and threw on a shawl.

“You’ll eat breakfast, right?”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Good. Let’s go together.”

When they tugged the bell cord, waiting maids entered with wash water.

“Water for washing, Your Grace, My Lady.”

“Leave it and go.”

Dressed comfortably, they headed to the dining room, where a light breakfast awaited them.

“You may all leave.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Once the attendants withdrew, Luciano paused mid-meal to ask:

“Would it be all right for us to visit Madam Floria today to make your dress for the Spring Rite?”

“I’m fine anytime.”

“Then let us leave at eleven. We can take our lunch outside as well.”

“All right, Luciano.”

After breakfast, he excused himself for urgent work and went to his study.

“Luciano and I will be going out for lunch today, so take note.”

“Yes, Madam!”

“Oh—also! Letters arrived for you from the children staying at the orphanage.”

“Letters?”

“Yes, Madam.”

It had only been a month since the orphanage she founded began housing children from the slums, so receiving letters felt surreal.

“I must read them at once.”

I went to my room and opened them.

[Hello, Your Grace the Grand Duchess!
My name is Lina.
Thanks to you, I stayed warm this winter.
I learned how to read and write too!
Thank you so much!
—From Lina]

Including her, seven children had written to me.

All I’d done was suggest building an orphanage—yet they wrote to thank me.

“I hear the orphanage here in the Grand Duke’s domain inspired others. Several lands are now establishing their own, Madam.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Since it helps solve the poverty problem, even nobles who frowned upon the idea are now opening orphanages one by one.”

“I should visit someday. It would be good to see how the children are living.”

Luciano had personally chosen the director and teachers, but seeing it myself would do no harm.

“And if anything is lacking, we can supplement it.”

“I’ll notify you when there is a free day, Madam.”

“All right.”

I gathered the letters neatly and tucked them into the bottom drawer.

As eleven approached, ladies’ maids dressed me in a proper gown.

Though flowers had not yet bloomed, my dress made it feel like spring already.

Wearing a pink dress embroidered with cherry blossoms and carrying a parasol, I stepped out.

“Madam.”

Luciano was waiting by the carriage and naturally offered his escort.

After several months in this world, his hand at my side felt familiar.

“Will you wear Madame Floria’s dress for the Spring Rite again this year?”

“Yes. I like her work best.”

As the carriage stopped before her boutique, another carriage stood outside.

“Someone must be here already.”

It was ornate but bore no noble crest—we could not tell whose.

We entered together.

“Greetings, Your Grace the Grand Duke, Your Grace the Grand Duchess.”

“It’s been a while, Madame Floria.”

Just then, behind her, a familiar silhouette emerged.

“Oh my—Grand Duke Winfoste and his Duchess?”

I blinked, disbelieving.

Why was Rebecca here?

Because I stood speechless, Luciano replied in my place.

“We pay respect to Your Highness the Princess.”

Madame Floria glanced back and forth between us and Rebecca, eyes darting.

We had been her regular patrons for years; Rebecca was newly arrived. She clearly weighed her choice.

But her hesitance didn’t last long. She smiled brightly at us.

“Allow me to assist you, Your Graces.”

Leaving us to attendants, she approached Rebecca.

“My apologies, Your Highness the Princess. I fear I cannot take on your gown for the Spring Rite this time.”

“But…”

“My muse is Her Grace the Grand Duchess. I beg your pardon.”

Hearing the polite refusal, Rebecca wilted and nodded.

Well—what could she do? She was a princess dragged here from another kingdom, while I was a grand duchess and sister to the Empress of the Empire.

Choosing us was inevitable.

“I understand. I’ll visit again if another chance comes.”

“Forgive us, Your Highness.”

With a wry smile, Rebecca left the shop.

Watching her expression dampened my mood—but we had to continue the fitting.

“How about a floral theme for the gown?”

“I don’t mind. I trust your skill.”

“His Grace will have a sky-blue outfit to match Your Grace.”

“As you wish.”

Luciano clearly had no interest in his clothing.

Then again—with that face and physique, he would look good in anything.

After leaving Madame Floria’s shop, Luciano took my hand and led me into a jewelry store.

“I’d like to buy you something.”

“I already have plenty of jewelry.”

He ignored my protest and carefully examined pieces for me.

Seeing him more focused here than while choosing his own clothes made me smile.

“How about this, Madam?”

He pointed at a necklace shaped like a flower set with purple topaz and red garnet.

Even at a glance, it was dazzling.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Then we’ll take it.”

And he kept asking—which ones I liked.
Whenever I said something was pretty, he bought it.

“Stop! We should stop now!”

In the end, I had to drag him out by the hand.

Let me know if you’d like:
✨ a more literal version
📚 glossary of key Korean terms
🎙️ a dramatic reading tone rewrite
📝 summary or character notes