Chapter 22
Before dinner, I took another bath. I had gone for a walk, but the weather was cool and I hadn’t even sweated.
Still, I sniffed myself just in case. I didn’t smell bad, but I figured Helen must’ve had a reason for suggesting another bath.
“Then, let me guide you this way.”
When I nodded, Helen led me to the bathroom.
“It’s an honor to help you with your bath.”
“Yes, it’s our honor!”
“We’ll do our best!”
As soon as the door opened, three maids greeted me politely.
‘There was only one maid earlier… Now there are three?’
It felt like too many just for me. But I didn’t want to reject them or seem rude, so I just went along with it.
…Well, I had to get used to this anyway. So I acted naturally and said, “Please take care of me.”
Surprisingly, the maids were very skilled.
The one washing my hair was even better than the first maid, and the massage was just strong enough to feel good.
The warm water, the smell of rose oil, and their gentle hands made me feel relaxed. My tense body slowly calmed down.
Then one of the maids asked,
“Do you like the water temperature and the scent?”
“Yeah, it’s perfect… and the scent is really nice.”
“R-Really?!”
The maid looked so happy when I said that.
“I knew roses were best for a special night— Ouch!”
But just as she was talking, she winced in pain and stopped.
I opened my eyes and saw the maid awkwardly holding her side.
“It’s nothing! I’ll give you a massage over here too.”
She quickly changed the topic and continued her work.
I realized they were treating me this way because of Eden.
Despite his playful attitude, he seemed to care about the details. I was impressed.
Finally, when my muscles felt soft and light, the bath ended with a strong rose scent.
“Let me help you get dressed.”
Helen, who had been waiting outside, came in to help me change.
“How was the bath?”
“It was nice. They’re really good at what they do.”
“I handpicked them, so I’m glad you liked it.”
As Helen helped me put on my clothes, I still smelled like roses. I raised my arms to help and said,
“But I don’t think we need to do this every time. It’s too much for just one person.”
Helen paused for a second, then tied a ribbon like nothing happened and answered,
“…We won’t do this often.”
“Often?”
“Yes. Today is a special day.”
Her words seemed to carry meaning. I tilted my head, and Helen looked up and smiled.
“It’s the first night of the couple, after all.”
“……”
Her unexpected answer left me speechless.
Then everything started to make sense.
The fancy treatment, the strong rose oil, the careful massage, and the maids’ odd looks… It was all for our wedding night.
My relaxed feeling disappeared instantly, and I panicked.
“H-Helen… about that… I don’t think something like that will happen…”
“I understand.”
Helen answered clearly.
“But isn’t it unacceptable for a husband to skip the first night of marriage?”
…She had a point. If I heard from a friend that her husband ignored her on their wedding night, I’d probably be furious too.
“All done.”
I said nothing, and Helen just smiled and tied the ribbon gently.
“The Duke will arrive soon. Please get some rest.”
And then she left.
I was left alone in the large room. Just a moment ago, I liked how big the bed was. Now it felt huge and uncomfortable.
‘No… it’s not like anything will happen.’
To shake off the thought, I lay down on the bed.
A beautiful ceiling came into view. It was the kind of luxury I had never had—either in my past life or now. All thanks to Eden.
Yes, this contract was based on mutual agreement. If I didn’t agree, nothing would happen.
Thinking about the contract made me feel better. My eyelids started to feel heavy.
Soon, I drifted off to sleep.
***
Meanwhile, late at night…
Eden finally returned home in his carriage. It was well past midnight.
He had stayed late to handle payments to the hero and deal with the captured Lewis Hildegard.
Because he wasn’t officially married to Godel yet, there were some legal issues, but they didn’t stop Eden.
Still, his forehead was tense. There was a reason.
“…Young Master of Bertanon?”
He had run into someone by chance.
Only one person would call the Duke “young master.”
It was the nanny who took care of Eden’s mother, Agnes, when she was still a princess.
When Agnes became pregnant, she lost her royal title, and the nanny could no longer stay by her side.
But the nanny had always cared for Agnes like her own daughter and visited her from time to time.
To Agnes, those visits were a great comfort. The nanny was the only person she trusted.
“If only I hadn’t gotten pregnant… if only I hadn’t given birth… I could’ve lived peacefully with my nanny…”
“Lady Agnes…”
Eden was just a painful reminder of that time.
Still, the nanny didn’t hate Eden. She believed the baby wasn’t at fault and felt sorry for him for not being loved.
That’s why, ironically, Eden always felt worse when the nanny was kind to him. Her kindness reminded him that he should never have been born.
After Agnes died, he never saw the nanny again. He had planned to never meet her—until today.
“I’ve heard about you, but you’ve grown so much… You look just like Lady Agnes.”
The nanny looked truly happy to see him.
For someone her age, old pain had become just memories.
“I don’t know.”
Eden smiled crookedly.
“I think I take after my father more—both in looks and behavior.”
The nanny fell silent. She knew Eden wasn’t joking.
But Eden didn’t take back his words.
Even though she came with kindness, Eden still acted like this. Just like his father would’ve.
Still, the hurt look on the nanny’s face lingered in his mind.
Eden frowned and pressed his temple. But the headache didn’t go away.
He reached for his chest pocket, looking for a cigarette with calming herbs.
He didn’t enjoy smoking. He even mocked how smokers bonded over it.
But the strong scent helped him calm down. And now was one of those moments.
He felt around but found nothing. He must’ve forgotten it.
Tch.
Eden clicked his tongue.
Just then, the carriage stopped in front of the mansion.
I’ll look for a cigarette first thing when I get inside, he thought and got off.
“Welcome back, Duke.”
Norton greeted him. Eden was about to pass by but stopped.
“Norton, do you have anything on you?”
He raised a finger and asked.
Eden didn’t care what kind of cigarette it was—he just wanted something to calm his nerves.
Norton patted his chest, then smiled apologetically.
“Sorry, my lord. I didn’t bring any today.”
“…You always said smoking was your only joy. What happened?”
