~Chapter 31~
After leaving the Duke’s study, Elin felt troubled, so she spent her evening in the atelier.
Sitting beside a lamp that gave off a warm orange glow, she moved her brush across the canvas. As she painted, her complicated thoughts slowly calmed down.
When she focused on mixing colors and painting carefully, everything else happening around her began to feel small and meaningless.
“It’s already dark outside.”
She had been so absorbed that time passed quickly.
Thinking she would finish the rest tomorrow, Elin cleaned up her tools.
When she stepped outside holding the lamp, the sky was filled with shining stars.
“Beautiful.”
She looked up at the night sky for the first time in a while and walked through the quiet garden. Then suddenly, she heard the sound of someone stepping on grass.
“……!”
She quickly turned around, but no one was there.
Instead, the lake that looked romantic earlier now felt strangely eerie.
Was it just her imagination?
Feeling uneasy, Elin hurried her steps toward the main building.
At that moment, she suddenly came face to face with a large shadow emerging from beside the bushes.
“Ah!”
Startled, she stepped back and almost tripped over a stone—but strong arms caught her safely by the shoulders and waist.
The person, dressed in a comfortable shirt and tight black leather pants, was the Duke.
“……Your Grace?”
Dominic also seemed surprised to see her in the darkness.
“What are you doing here?”
His golden eyes shone even more brightly in the dark as he looked at her.
Feeling the heat from his body, Elin quickly pulled away.
“I was at the atelier. I’m on my way back.”
Dominic looked at her and noticed paint on her cheek and fingers.
So she had really been there.
“Where did you come from, Your Grace?”
Elin asked curiously, observing him.
His loose shirt was damp and clung to his chest, and his black hair was wet with sweat.
“I was exercising. I sometimes practice fencing alone.”
Elin followed his gaze and saw a small building nearby.
“So that’s what that place is for…”
Then she smiled lightly.
“Oh… that’s why your body was so warm.”
As soon as she said it, she realized how strange it sounded.
“Ah—I mean, you’re sweating… you should go wash up.”
Her eyes unintentionally drifted to his wet shirt clinging to his firm chest, and she quickly lifted her head.
Seeing her flustered reaction, Dominic let out a small laugh.
“You seem a bit clumsy. I didn’t know that.”
“Pardon?”
When she looked up in confusion, he reached his hand toward her cheek.
“……Ah!”
Elin quickly covered her face.
“Th-the paint!”
She tried wiping it off, but rubbed the wrong place instead.
She kept cleaning everywhere except the spot with paint, which made it look even more amusing.
“Wait.”
Dominic gently lowered her arms and used the end of her ribbon to wipe the paint from her cheek and nose.
Elin froze as she watched his hand move carefully.
Her heart started beating so loudly she wondered if he could hear it.
Then suddenly, Dominic’s hand stopped.
Their eyes met.
Elin bit her lower lip slightly, as if holding something back.
Seeing that, a dangerous impulse rose inside him like a wave.
He suddenly wanted to pull her into his arms.
Startled by his own thoughts, he quickly let go of the ribbon.
“It’s enough.”
“Th-thank you.”
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
The air between them felt heavy and strange.
Her heart was pounding wildly.
Dominic turned first and started walking toward the main building. Elin followed behind him.
She felt embarrassed.
She had said she would act properly as the Duchess, yet she was walking around with paint on her face.
Soon, another worry filled her mind.
‘What should I do?’
When they went to the room, they would both need to bathe—but there was only one bathroom.
Thinking about it made her feel embarrassed.
Then her thoughts wandered again—
‘Should we bathe together?’
Her imagination went too far, and she quickly shook her head.
‘What am I thinking!’
She hurried her steps to catch up with him.
At the entrance, Dominic suddenly turned to her.
“I’ll wash in the study bathroom.”
It was as if he had read her thoughts.
“Ah… yes.”
As he went upstairs, Elin stood there, her shoulders dropping slightly.
Meanwhile, Dominic entered his study and went into the bathroom.
Cold water poured over him, cooling his heated body.
But even after exercising, he didn’t feel refreshed.
Closing his eyes, the earlier scene replayed in his mind.
Her green eyes.
Her lips, slightly bitten.
He almost lost control and kissed her.
He lowered his head under the water, trying to clear his mind.
Then her words echoed in his head:
“I think it’s best if we share the same room.”
He paused, thinking.
Then, as if making a decision, he turned off the water.
At the same time, Elin had already washed and lay in bed.
But her heart still wouldn’t calm down.
‘Why am I like this?’
It had started when he touched her face.
It was just a simple gesture—but it affected her deeply.
She lay on the soft bed, feeling her body slowly relax.
Then suddenly, she remembered that night.
“You look lovely.”
That kiss.
That unfamiliar feeling.
Her heart trembled again.
Just then—
Click.
The door opened.
Elin quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
She heard footsteps. It was Dominic.
Since it was late, he didn’t sit or read like usual—he went straight to bed.
The light turned off.
Darkness filled the room.
Now, they were lying on the same bed.
Even though there was space between them, it felt close.
Every small movement and breath felt noticeable.
It felt like either of them could reach out and pull the other closer.
Elin shut her eyes tighter, ashamed of her own thoughts.
Dominic felt the same.
He had seen her already asleep and quietly lay at the edge of the bed—but he couldn’t fall asleep.
There was someone right beside him.
Close enough to reach with just one hand.
He wondered if sharing a room was the right decision.
Then his thoughts went further—
Was this marriage the right choice?
A strange feeling of regret slowly crept in.
He didn’t know if it was because of Elin—
Or simply because he was a man.
A healthy young man lying beside a beautiful woman… and doing nothing.
It was not easy.
He turned his body away from her and tried to sleep.
In the silent darkness, both of them struggled—
Trying desperately to fall asleep without thinking of anything.
