Chapter 46
“Wait, Amy. What is this outfit?”
“What do you mean, what outfit?”
“I can see your face through the fabric! Isn’t clothing supposed to cover the body? This one doesn’t do its job at all.”
“Clothes don’t have to cover everything, Your Highness. Sometimes showing off is also the purpose of clothes.”
“…What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Weren’t you the one who told me to live modestly and act ladylike?”
“That was before marriage. If a woman stays modest and reserved after marriage too, then how will she ever have children?”
“Children…?”
Reina rubbed her forehead with both hands. Was this really something a 22-year-old unmarried girl should be saying?
“Amy, this isn’t right. The Duke and I aren’t at that stage yet.”
“Oh, Your Highness! Couples don’t magically become close overnight—you build it starting today!”
That might be true for normal couples.
‘But Calheil and I are not a normal couple!’
While Reina was left speechless, Amy chattered excitedly.
“This dress is so pretty, isn’t it? There was only one in the entire capital, and I begged the boutique madam until she sold it to me. That’s why tonight, you must succeed on your wedding night!”
“…Amy, how do you even know so much about these things?”
“Hehe, I pick up a lot of things here and there.”
Smiling happily, Amy grabbed Reina’s hands and pulled her up.
“Come on, Your Highness! Hurry, there’s no time to waste!”
Amy was far too enthusiastic about “helping” with the wedding night.
“Amy, I told you this isn’t necessary! Why are you so strong?!”
With Amy’s rough handling, Reina’s wedding gown was quickly stripped away.
“Just stay still! On the wedding night, this is what you’re supposed to wear!”
“Says who?!”
“The boutique madam!”
“She just wanted to sell you clothes!”
“So what? It’s beautiful!”
Before Reina knew it, Amy had slipped her into a thin, silky slip dress. Then she pushed her toward the full-length mirror.
In the reflection, Reina stared wide-eyed at herself in the nearly see-through slip. Every time she moved, the fabric shimmered with a soft glow—it was clear Madame Llewellyn had designed this outfit specifically to ignite passion on the wedding night.
“What do you think? Pretty, right? And it feels amazing too.”
“Feels…?” Reina brushed the fabric with her palm. It was soft, like a baby’s skin.
“The Duke will be shocked when he touches it.”
“…Yeah, it’s definitely surprising to the touch.”
She imagined Calheil’s usual cold face breaking in surprise, and it almost seemed cute.
‘No, wait. What if he reacts too smoothly, like he’s done this before? That would just irritate me…’
She caught herself smiling at the thought, then froze.
‘Hold on. Why would Calheil even be touching this in the first place?! I’m supposed to prevent that!’
She realized Amy had completely swept her along.
“Amy!!”
Reina shouted her maid’s name, but when she turned around, Amy was gone. Looking around, she finally spotted her sneaking out the door, arms full of something.
“…Amy? Where are you going? Is that… my clothes in your hands?!”
“I’m just taking them away so you won’t change out of this, hehe.”
Reina lunged after her.
“Put them back! At least leave me something to wear!!”
“Why would I be here on the wedding night? And those clothes were so hard to get—you must wear this one!”
Amy squeaked out her excuse and dashed out of the room.
“Amy! Amy!!”
Reina yelled, but it was useless—the door had already slammed shut.
“…Does she think I can’t change into something else?”
Confident, Reina opened the wardrobe in the dressing room. But inside—nothing. Not a single outfit.
“What the… Why is it empty?”
While Reina stood in shock, the door cracked open again and Amy’s face peeked inside.
“Oh right, Your Grace—I already packed up all your clothes and loaded them onto the carriage. No need to bother looking.”
“…Amy.”
“Hehe, I forgot to tell you. Well then, good luck, Your Highness!”
Amy shoved something across the floor into the room and bolted away again.
“…What now?”
Reina looked down. On the floor was a tray holding a small floating candle, snacks, and a bottle of wine.
“…She really thought of everything.”
Reina sighed, bending to pick it up. She didn’t plan to go along with Amy’s ridiculous scheme, but leaving fire and alcohol on the floor seemed dangerous.
Just as she lifted the tray, the door opened again. Reina’s expression softened, thinking Amy had returned—but it wasn’t her.
It was Calheil.
“…Wife?”
“…Your Grace?”
Reina froze, tray still in hand.
“Why are you here so early? Isn’t the banquet still going on?”
Calheil looked just as surprised. He pointed toward the hallway.
“Your maid rushed over and begged me to come right away…”
‘Damn it. Amy!!’
Reina cursed inwardly.
Calheil’s sharp eyes swept over her, and his expression darkened.
“So… my wife prepared properly for tonight?”
“…?!!”
Only then did Reina realize she was standing in nothing but the sheer slip.
“Kyaaaah!!”
She screamed, tossing the tray into the air and covering herself with her hands. The wine, snacks, and candle flew upward. If they hit the floor, the fire and alcohol could cause a disaster.
But Calheil caught the tray swiftly, saving everything from spilling. He let out a low sigh.
“…My wife still doesn’t know how to be careful.”
He calmly set the tray down on the table. When he turned back, Reina was still trying desperately to cover herself with her hands.
“Why do you look so embarrassed, after putting it on?”
“I didn’t choose this! Amy forced me into it!”
Calheil seemed to understand immediately. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“Here. Wear this.”
The oversized coat covered her down to the thighs, hiding her figure. Instantly, Reina felt more confident. Straightening up, she eyed him suspiciously.
“…That’s strange.”
“What is?”
“I thought you’d jump on me right away. Don’t you always say you need me to cure your poison? Isn’t spending the night with me what you’ve been wanting?”
Calheil frowned.
“Do you think I’m some kind of animal? I won’t force a woman who clearly doesn’t want it, even if my life depends on it.”
Reina blinked at him.
“And besides…” He looked away. “Usually, women throw themselves at me. A bride screaming and running away—this is new.”
Oh right, there had been plenty of women desperate to marry him.
He poured himself a glass of wine.
“Come sit. Like it or not, we have to stay together tonight. Or will you stand there all night?”
It was true. If word spread that they hadn’t shared the wedding night, their marriage could even be annulled.
“…Fine.”
Muttering under her breath, Reina sat across from him. He poured more wine, the golden liquid filling the glasses with a cheerful glug.
He downed his drink in big gulps.
“Why are you drinking so much? You can’t even handle alcohol.”
He ignored her and poured another glass.
“…If I don’t drink, what else are we supposed to do during this long night?”
He had a point. With “that” off the table, there wasn’t much left to do.
‘Fine. Drink as much as you want.’
Reina folded her arms, watching him.
He assumed she wanted some too and slid a glass in front of her.
“Do you want one as well?”
“…Sure.”
She took it, but then frowned.
“Wait. Why do you keep calling me ‘wife, wife’ all the time?”
“Because we’re married. I can’t call you ‘lady’ anymore.”
“…I guess that makes sense.”
Grumbling, Reina accepted the glass as he poured her wine. Suddenly, she clapped her hands as if remembering something.
“Oh, I just thought of something to do!”
“…What?”
Calheil looked at her curiously.
Reina ignored him, jumped up, and hurried to her bed. The bed had been decorated with a giant heart made of rose petals.
‘Seriously? Who even wasted time doing this?’
She swept it all away and crouched down, reaching under the bed. After fumbling around, she dragged out a large box.
