Chapter 24
Since I was sleeping right in the middle of the bed, Eden probably couldn’t lie down beside me. His perfectly neat white shirt proved that he hadn’t used the bed at all.
That meant he either stayed up all night or slept uncomfortably on the sofa.
I suddenly felt very embarrassed and sorry. When I kept my mouth shut, Eden crossed his arms loosely and spoke.
“You woke up all at once, so it seems you’re a light sleeper. That’s good.”
“Um…”
“Or maybe… you’re just slow to notice things.”
He smiled quietly while mumbling something I couldn’t quite understand. His tone sounded playful, but I wasn’t sure if he was serious or joking.
When I didn’t reply, Eden went on.
“I was wondering how long you’d sleep, but now you really need to get up. If you take too long, the servants might come in.”
“Wait… the servants won’t come in?”
Aren’t noble people usually helped by their servants? I had never experienced it, but I at least knew that much.
Then Eden said, “Not today. I told them not to.”
“Why?”
“…You really don’t think much, do you?”
“……?”
Confused, I tilted my head. Eden walked closer and sat beside me.
The bed creaked under his weight. Then he reached his hand toward me.
The distance between us closed so quickly I didn’t even have time to back away. My body tensed up. In a low, deep voice, Eden said,
“Yesterday was our first night as a married couple. And I am deeply in love with you. I’m sure you know what that means.”
His long white fingers, with visible veins and joints, gently brushed my hair aside, exposing the back of my neck.
“……!”
That’s when I finally understood what he meant.
As I shrank back, Eden lowered his hand and placed his arm on the bed.
“But nothing happened between us. Isn’t it a bit boring if a newlywed couple just shows up acting like nothing happened?”
“…….”
“I’d hate to be seen as a bad husband.”
Even though it was you who fell asleep first…
Then he tilted his head and looked at me.
Unlike usual, his black hair wasn’t slicked back—it fell loosely over his smooth forehead. Behind it, his blue eyes sparkled with a faint pout.
…For some reason, he looked a little sulky. Maybe he was upset that I took over the whole bed?
Maybe he was bringing this up just to make me feel guilty. I groaned softly and said,
“…Sorry for falling asleep first. I was really tired.”
“I’m not upset about that. Don’t make me sound petty.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s just that you—”
Eden stopped mid-sentence and closed his mouth. His eyebrows furrowed, like he didn’t know what to say next.
Eventually, he changed the topic.
“Let’s just forget it. I wasn’t blaming you. Anyway, the servants won’t come in. I’m sure you understand what that means now.”
He raised an eyebrow like he was testing me.
“I’m not that clueless.”
“Good. I was worried I’d have to explain everything one by one.”
He smiled. When he smiled, the teasing look on his face was so clear.
I thought we were having a serious moment, but he just couldn’t help making a joke. I narrowed my eyes and said,
“…You sure know a lot about wedding night traditions, Duke.”
“I don’t believe in love, but I’m surrounded by people who do. So I have a general idea of what’s expected.”
He shrugged casually, like it didn’t bother him at all.
I was impressed for a moment, but then I asked the question that came to mind.
“Did the servants really leave quietly?”
I knew how loyal the people of House Berténon were, but that also meant some of them might not accept me. Especially if they knew Eden well. Some might want to confirm whether we had really spent the night together.
“Well, some of them did question me.”
Eden answered lightly, as if it didn’t matter, then smiled and added,
“I just told them I didn’t want anyone to see my beloved wife. Then they all left.”
“…….”
“That should be enough proof that I look like a man madly in love, right?”
It was such a clear and bold answer. I couldn’t believe how easily he could say something so embarrassing… Honestly, it was kind of amazing.
When I didn’t say anything, Eden smiled like he was pleased.
“Now that we’ve exchanged our good morning greetings, you should get ready. I don’t want to be a terrible husband who lets his wife go hungry.”
He stood up but then stopped, turned around, and said,
“You might want to clean up here first.”
He pointed to the corner of his lips with his finger.
“……!”
I panicked and quickly wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. But there was nothing there.
Was it already dry? Embarrassed, I just covered my mouth. Eden burst into laughter.
He was grinning widely. That’s when I realized—it was all just a joke.
“You’re so childish…!”
“Sometimes childish things make life more fun.”
Eden laughed like he didn’t care at all. He turned to leave, then looked back at me one more time as he opened the door.
“Even if it’s childish…”
Then he smiled and said,
“It’s your punishment for ignoring me.”
***
“Godmother, are you not feeling well?”
I snapped back to reality when I heard Echo’s voice.
Right in front of me was a fancy breakfast, and across from me, Echo looked at me with concern.
“Oh, right… I was just lost in thought.”
The food looked delicious, but I couldn’t focus. I kept thinking about Eden and how he smiled at me earlier.
Good thing he wasn’t here. If he were, I wouldn’t have been able to eat a single bite.
“But the Duke said…”
“What? What did he say?”
Did he say something weird to Echo? If he did, I wouldn’t forgive him. I stared at her nervously. Echo replied,
“He just said you were probably tired after the long trip.”
“…Ah.”
That’s what he said. I had been thinking about things like “wedding night” and “punishment,” so now I felt embarrassed.
When I went quiet, Echo tilted her head.
“Or was there some other reason you’re tired…?”
“Ahem, ahem!”
The maids suddenly cleared their throats loudly, like they were trying to cut her off on purpose. Then they smiled brightly and said,
“It must be because you’re not used to this place. The Duke’s mansion is far from where you used to live.”
“And the Duke came to bring you personally. That shows how much he cares.”
“He looked so happy this morning too.”
The maids smiled slyly. Their eyes glanced at the collar of my dress, as if imagining something indecent.
Of course, there weren’t any marks on my neck. But just the fact that I was trying to hide it gave them room to imagine.
I, however, was unimpressed.
Eden was smiling because he had fun teasing me, not because of anything romantic. Just thinking about it still made me want to clench my fists.
But I couldn’t say that out loud. I forced a smile and said,
“He’s a cheerful person, that’s all.”
Even if that smile was devilish.
“Oh my…”
The maids let out a soft gasp.
They looked surprised, like they just discovered something exciting.
Why are they acting like that? I tilted my head. Then Helen, who had been quietly watching, spoke politely.
“The Duke usually doesn’t smile. Especially not in the morning. He doesn’t even talk to us then.”
She smiled gently.
“But he looked so happy today. All thanks to you, my lady.”
The other maids nodded in agreement.
But I was confused. Eden always smiled when he looked at me.
I had seen his serious face only once—when he protected me and Echo from Louis.
‘So his usual face is cold?’
I had seen it once, but it was still hard to imagine. That’s how often he smiled around me—even when we were arguing.
Just then, I heard the noise of servants moving around outside the window.
“It’s noisy outside. What’s going on?”
“They’re preparing the banquet hall. Even though the marriage license has been submitted, we can’t skip the actual wedding ceremony. So everyone’s busy.”
Noble weddings are usually grand events. It’s a chance to show off the union and gain allies.
And this was House Berténon. Every noble in the Empire would probably attend.
“Everyone must be so busy.”
“…Aren’t you nervous?”
When I nodded calmly, Helen asked gently. She seemed surprised by how relaxed I was.
Of course I was nervous. Even high-ranking nobles might feel jealous of me. I was a fallen count’s daughter—people would try hard to find my flaws.
But if I was afraid of being judged, I wouldn’t have accepted Eden’s proposal in the first place. I calmly lifted my teacup and said,
“I’d rather people insult me to my face than talk behind my back.”
“…….”
“That way, I can fight back right away.”
What’s the point of power if you don’t use it when you need it?
