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~Chapter 35~
After the rain stopped, the villa covered in fog gave off a strange and unique feeling.
The people waiting in front of the entrance made it feel even more unusual.
“Sarmant really went all out.”
At the Duke’s short remark, Elin felt confused.
It was understandable—
In front of the main building, it didn’t look like a carriage should arrive.
It felt like a beautifully decorated elephant should bring the guests instead.
“We have arrived. Please watch your step.”
As the carriage stopped gently, a man with a long white beard reaching his neck placed a step for them.
“Thank you.”
With his help, Elin stepped down and looked around with curious eyes.
“Where is this…?”
It felt like she had come to a completely different country.
The servants’ clothes looked exactly like the traditional clothing of the people of Nazar.
The women’s outfits were not as grand as the princess’s, but they were clearly the same kind she had once praised as beautiful.
Soft, flowing, and full of beautiful colors.
“Welcome to our villa. By the order of Prince Sarmant, we will serve you with all our heart.”
They treated the couple as if they were a king and queen.
Only then did Elin understand what Dominic had meant earlier.
This was a special wedding gift from the Nazar prince, who couldn’t attend the wedding.
“Did you really come all the way from Nazar just for us?”
Elin asked, embarrassed.
They smiled gently.
“We have served the prince here since he was young.”
Now that she listened carefully, their speech and manners matched perfectly with this place.
“That’s a relief.”
Elin finally relaxed and smiled awkwardly.
“We will bring you clothes to change into. Your rooms are ready, so please go upstairs.”
The two followed them inside.
It felt like they had come on a journey to a mysterious and foreign land.
They said Nazar was rich in gold and jewels—
And truly, gold decorations were everywhere, almost blinding.
“Those aren’t all real… right?”
Unlike Elin, Dominic was not surprised at all.
He seemed used to it.
As Elin looked around wide-eyed, the guiding women exchanged glances and smiled softly.
Feeling embarrassed, Elin quickly fixed her posture and followed them properly.
Instead of looking everywhere, she focused on the flowing clothes of the women walking ahead.
The thin fabric wrapped softly around their necks and shoulders, fluttering beautifully.
As they walked, the fabric moved around their legs, almost revealing their skin.
She never imagined they would give her such clothes.
Elin looked down in confusion at what was presented to her.
One woman held the outfit, and another held a jewelry box.
“What is this?”
“You got wet in the rain, so we prepared a warm bath. After bathing, please change into this.”
Fortunately, not only hers, but the Duke’s clothes were also of the same style.
Dominic showed no reaction.
He seemed used to it because of his travels and connection with Prince Sarmant.
He only looked like he wanted to wash and change quickly.
Elin held the clothes.
They were soft purple garments that felt like they would melt in her hands.
No—
To her, they looked more like light pieces of cloth than actual clothes.
“This is…?”
Inside the jewelry box were arm bracelets, a unique necklace, and earrings.
“These are a wedding gift for the Duchess.”
Her eyes widened.
They were clearly expensive, high-quality jewels.
“But this is too much…”
She looked at Dominic for help.
He casually removed his coat and said,
“It’s the prince’s sincerity, so you can accept it. Nazar is rich in jewels. If this surprises you, you’d faint if you saw what he gives his wives.”
Elin froze for a moment.
W-wives…?
After hesitating, she carefully accepted the items.
“Th-thank you.”
“They will suit you very well, my lady.”
They smiled even brighter than her and continued.
“We will help you dress after your bath.”
Elin followed them as if she were under a spell.
It felt like she had suddenly been taken from a cold, dark world into a warm southern paradise.
While the servants arranged their luggage, Elin finally looked around the room.
“Wow… it’s so beautiful.”
The entrance and hall were grand with gold,
But the room felt mysterious.
The mix of orange and emerald colors felt like a sunset over the Mediterranean Sea.
“…!”
Her eyes stopped at the bed.
It was a round bed, covered with layers of golden-threaded fabric.
A luxurious round bed that looked like it would sway like water if you sat on it.
Unlike the square beds in the mansion, this one would naturally pull two people toward the center.
Elin felt embarrassed just looking at such a romantic bed.
“Please follow us. While dinner is being prepared, we will guide you to the bath.”
“Ah… yes.”
Just moments ago, she had wanted a warm bath badly.
But now, she had a new worry.
‘What does the bath look like…? Don’t tell me…’
When she saw the bathroom, she froze.
It was not attached like in the mansion.
It was a huge bath made of marble.
The large rectangular bath could easily fit more than ten people—
And there was only one.
‘Am I supposed to go in alone…?’
Her mind became confused.
“Um… will the Duke also use it together?”
“Hm?”
When she asked, the servants looked at each other, confused.
They didn’t understand her question.
“Of course you will bathe together. He will come soon. Please don’t worry.”
They misunderstood her completely and answered with bright smiles.
It seemed that in their culture, couples bathing together was natural.
“When you are done, pull this rope. The bell will ring, and we will return.”
They smiled and quietly left.
In that strange place filled with scented candles and steam, Elin looked completely lost.
‘What do I do…?’
Just then, she heard Dominic enter.
He calmly began removing his clothes and walked toward the bath.
“You can’t really see clearly anyway, so don’t worry too much.”
As if reading her mind, he said that and entered first.
As he said, the steam made everything blurry.
Unless you stared hard, you couldn’t see each other clearly.
After struggling earlier in the mud, Dominic finally felt relieved in the warm water.
He even wondered if this trip was secretly his mother’s revenge plan, considering how exhausting it had been.
When he turned slightly, Elin was still standing.
She also seemed troubled by the situation.
‘What should I do? I have to enter the bath with him… I can’t leave either…’
She was stuck.
Outside, the servants were probably waiting with towels and clothes.
She also wanted to wash and relax in the warm water.
Elin sighed softly.
‘The Duke doesn’t care at all. I don’t need to be embarrassed alone. Just wash. Even if I do anything, he won’t react… Stop overthinking.’
Luckily, large hanging fabrics were draped above the bath, creating some separation.
‘Yes… I’ll go in from that side.’
She carefully removed her wet clothes and entered the bath.
The ripples of water reached Dominic.
He leaned back comfortably and remembered his recent conversation with Prince Sarmant.
“You’re going on your honeymoon late?”
“I’m just going to check my estate.”
“Ah, then you’ll pass by my villa. Stay there. It’s my wedding gift.”
At the time, it seemed reasonable, so he accepted.
Now, he imagined the prince happily stroking his mustache—
Not knowing that his “gift” was making the Duchess uncomfortable.
Splash.
At the sound of water, Dominic turned his head.
Behind the softly moving curtain, he could see a shadow.
Elin was gently pouring water over her shoulders.
Only her upper silhouette was visible above the water.
Even through the purple curtain, her shadow looked strangely captivating.
