LCWD | Chapter 12 – Memento Novels

~Chapter 12~

The strong scent made my head spin—it was as if someone had poured an entire bottle of perfume into the bath. Aromatherapy was nice, but only for about thirty minutes. After soaking in the water for almost two hours, I started feeling dizzy.

I felt like I had become overboiled spinach. A very elegant, rose-scented spinach.

I leaned back against the sofa and thought about what had happened earlier.

When Apollyon suddenly started acting all formal and distant, an elderly gentleman appeared out of nowhere, coughing loudly. Like a ninja! No one knew where he came from. Surprised, Apollyon quickly ran off somewhere in the mansion.

Taking his place was the elderly man with graying hair. He introduced himself as Wilson, the head butler of the Pontus estate. He showed me to the room I’d be using starting today.

Apparently, Apollyon was planning to spend the wedding night with me. The room prepared for me was perfectly clean and neatly decorated, with flowers and scented candles all over the bed.

The maids had spent hours washing and dressing me up. Wilson even told me exactly when Apollyon would return. So it seemed like Apollyon was the only one planning to avoid the wedding night.

I had to stay alone until he came back. Since he had been busy preparing for the wedding, a lot of work had piled up while he was away from his estate.

Until my bath, I spent time exploring my room. It was a large space on the second floor, with a bedroom, study, bathroom, and dressing room. My room back at the count’s house was big and fancy, too, but it didn’t compare to this.

What I liked the most was the round bed—big enough for six grown men to lie on comfortably. It had a white overhead structure that fluttered beautifully in the sea breeze coming through the windows. And even when lying on the bed, you could still see the ocean. The location was absolutely perfect.

When I was done getting ready, I told the maids to leave and sat by the bed. Selene and Renee blushed as they left. They were about the age of high school or college freshmen in Korean terms, so they were very interested in romance and relationships.

It was already dark outside. I lit a few candles and checked my reflection in the window.

My golden hair was still wet, giving it a soft shine. My lightly blushed cheeks and lips looked fresh and pink like peonies. The luxurious slip I wore made my skin look even whiter and softer. My collarbones stood out clearly above my smooth shoulders.

‘…This is too sexy.’

At first, I was only going to wear the slip. But maybe because I was raised in a conservative country, I suddenly felt self-conscious. More than anything, I figured Apollyon might be the one who gets embarrassed.

He was such a shy boy, after all.

So I quickly threw on a nightgown from beside the bed. This way, he wouldn’t be too shocked when he saw me.

It was already dark outside, and except for the senior staff like the butler and head maid, all the other servants had been dismissed from the area. The idea that someone was standing guard outside was a bit uncomfortable, but I reminded myself that this was normal for nobles.

While waiting for Apollyon, I started planning things in my head.

Since he hated taking off his mask, I’d have to be careful not to touch it. Maybe I should turn off the lights too. He was especially sensitive about showing his face.

First, I needed to get revenge for that surprise forehead kiss during the wedding…

‘…What should I do after that?’

In the original novel, Apollyon was an inexperienced virgin.

Though he had the advantage of being the male lead and was quite skilled, he was a bit clumsy at first.

‘So… does that mean I need to take the lead?’

But honestly, I only had experience in my original body—not in Petunia’s. And even that was years ago. I hadn’t dated in about two years.

I hadn’t dated many people either, so I didn’t have that much experience with… you know, things.

‘Still, it’s probably better than having no experience at all. And Apollyon is younger than me anyway.’

Technically, Petunia and Apollyon were only two years apart in age. But considering I had already graduated from university and was studying for civil service exams in my past life…

‘Yeah. I think it’s right for me to lead.’

I nodded with determination.

I’d only read about being this bold in novels and had never tried it myself, so I would likely be a bit clumsy.

But everything’s hard at first, right? Once you try it a few times, you get used to it.

With my heart racing, I started running through different scenarios in my head.

There was no one to practice with, so I thought it’d be best to rehearse in my imagination.

“…Wow. This is insane.”

My imagination ran wild, and I could feel the blood rushing to my face.

I fanned myself with my hand, trying to cool down. I was sure I’d get a nosebleed if I kept going.

I threw myself face-first onto the bed, giving up on the fantasy. I needed to calm down.

“Hoo…”

I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. My racing heart started to slow down, and I began thinking more clearly.

‘But wait… what if I take the lead and teach him the wrong things? Would that ruin my happy, spicy night life forever?’

This “rational” thinking made me overly pessimistic.

“Ugh, that would be the worst…”

If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve studied more. I was so focused on the night that I didn’t think about the details.

I’d better take it slow at first. I didn’t want to overwhelm him.

When he comes in, we can talk for a bit, then I’ll slowly take off my nightgown…

“Hehehe.”

As I imagined how the night might unfold, I couldn’t help but giggle.

My cheeks turned red, and I covered them with my hands. It wasn’t a giggle—it was an evil grin like a devil.

That forehead kiss from earlier? I’d pay him back tenfold!

***

As I was wandering near the door, lost in naughty thoughts, I heard a bit of commotion outside. It seemed Apollyon had finally arrived.

Come to think of it, he was a bit late.

Even though I could hear people outside, no one was coming in, so I tied my gown loosely and opened the door.

Peeking my head out, I saw Apollyon and Wilson quietly arguing with each other.

“Apollyon?”

“…!”

At the sound of my voice, they both froze.

Apollyon’s eyes started dancing around like he was panicking.

“What… what are you two doing out here?”

Wilson, who had been politely holding Apollyon by the arm, slowly let go and cleared his throat.

Trying to cover up the awkward mood, the head maid, Emma, quickly jumped in.

“Y-Your Grace had just arrived! We were just about to let you know!”

“Is that so?”

I narrowed my eyes and looked at the three of them one by one.

But I had heard them shuffling around for quite a while…

“The Duke is a bit shy, so we were just trying to help him gather his courage.”

Unlike the stammering Emma, Wilson calmly explained without batting an eye.

“Hmm, I see.”

When I pressed a little, Apollyon hesitantly nodded.

Then Wilson smiled kindly and gave Apollyon a light push toward me.

“It seems His Grace is feeling more at ease now. We’ll be waiting outside, so please let us know if you need anything.”

“Alright.”

I took over the flustered Apollyon from Wilson and replied.

“Wilson…”

Apollyon called out to him softly, but Wilson just smiled and bowed politely.

As the door closed, their kind smiles disappeared from view.

The moment the door shut, I quickly locked it. It was time for some private, intimate moments between husband and wife.

As soon as the lock clicked, Apollyon’s shoulders visibly twitched.

I led him away from the door. Though he looked longingly at the closed door, he obediently followed my hand.

Once we entered the bedroom, I let go of his wrist.

“Apollyon.”

“….”

“Honey?”

He flinched again at the word “honey.” He kept avoiding my eyes, staring only at the floor. Anyone would think I was extorting money from him or something.

I took a step toward him. He stepped back.

I moved forward again. He moved back again.

We repeated this dance a few times.

Without realizing the bed was behind him, Apollyon stumbled and fell backward onto it.

As he tried to bounce back up like a spring, I quickly leaned over him, pinning him down with my arms.

Caught off guard, he trembled like a scared baby animal stuck in a hunter’s trap. His reaction was way too cute for someone his size.

“Apollyon?”

“….”

“Honey?”

“….”

“Darling?”

“….”