NCHD 04

Chapter 4

Over the past three weeks since I became engaged to Kegan and came to live at Riverweaver, renowned tutors from various fields had taught me many things.

But the more I listened to this education, the more I realized that ignorance is bliss. In the end, I stood in the bedroom as stiff and tense as a log of firewood. A sense of duty to do well. And tinged with a bit of shame.

I had braced myself, remembering Milla’s advice from the first day that I wouldn’t be happy.

“Ah….”

But reality was different.

“Breathe, Ruan.”

I had forgotten everything I learned. It didn’t matter. After all, I even needed Kegan to encourage and remind me how to breathe properly.

Kegan was not as rough as his body suggested. As if worshipping me, he kissed and caressed my entire body, easing my tension. He carefully caressed my lips as if licking a fruit that could easily bruise, and when he pushed his tongue through the parted gap, I had to be surprised that an act I had thought would be unclean could be so mind-numbingly sweet.

It was a remarkably devoted and dedicated act.

With his fierce body that seemed capable of easily crushing me, he opened me up with heartbreaking gentleness. The pain didn’t last long. After a few shocking moments passed, I could only gasp in the frantic rush of pleasure.

The pleasure, as if floating me up to a dizzying height, continued all night long.

So this is why they call it making love…

During the time we held each other, I truly felt as if he loved and cherished me deeply.

It was as if, with our bare, exposed bodies, he was trying to express everything he could.

How can such an act exist?

“Sorry….”

Why are you apologizing?

Exhausted and drenched like someone pulled from rough waves, I could only gasp for breath. As he covered my limp shoulders with a blanket, Kegan looked apologetic.

“I didn’t intend to push you too hard.”

His fingers, politely brushing the hair stuck to my forehead, tickled, and I felt like laughing. But my throat, hoarse from all the moaning, wouldn’t even let out a laugh, only a small cough.

“Cough.”

Sleepy. Tired. Can’t move at all. I need to wash my body and put on neat pajamas before sleeping…

Without moving a single finger, I slowly closed my eyes in his arms. The May night was mild, but my sweaty, cooled-down body felt a little chilly.

“I should add more wood to the fireplace. Just a moment, Ruan.”

“Mmm….”

I fidgeted and clung tightly to his chest. I liked it this way. I liked that he held me with his warm body without going back to his own room.

Our house, when my mother and father were alive, was always warm too. There was a time when cozy warmth filled the house even on dark winter nights, making it feel like spring.

And now, having found a new family, my heart was filled with the hope that I could be happy again, just like back then.

With my not-so-small-anymore hand, I clung tightly, grasping Kegan’s arm. A man with an arm so thick and solid that even my grown-up hand could barely grip it.

This person is my family, my husband.

“Ruan, you’ll catch a cold if you sleep like that.”

“Mmm, good night….”

It was strange. We had different bodies, statuses, and hometowns, yet somehow we became husband and wife, became one like this…

It was the first time in a long time I slept without dreaming.

“Milla?”

The surroundings had brightened considerably. The moment I spotted Milla carrying a fragrant teapot, I startled upright.

Ugh, a sound escaped me. I thought my back would break.

“Did you sleep well, my lady?”

Milla approached with a grin and set the tray down on the table. The way she addressed me had changed overnight to ‘my lady.’ Embarrassed, I smiled sheepishly and shifted my position.

“Drink it all up. I’ll make you your favorite rooibos with plenty of Balon Mountain honey. It’ll restore your energy right away, I promise?”

The room was as warm as early summer. I noticed the pile of firewood stacked high in the bucket next to the fireplace.

It seemed Kegan had gotten up while I was still lying down and added more wood.

But the space next to me was empty. I hadn’t even felt him get up. When did he leave? Even right after the hectic wedding ceremony and our first night together, he seemed to have started his day diligently as usual.

Suddenly feeling brought back to reality, I was a bit flustered.

“Thanks for the tea. It smells wonderful.”

I tidied my clothes hastily and took the small tray. As I tensed my body to sit up straight, my thighs trembled. It seemed I should postpone going out until later to avoid others seeing me walking shakily.

I woke myself up by putting my nose to the steam rising from the teacup. The sweet, rich scent of honey made my mouth water. The honey Milla brought had a deep, refreshing fragrance compared to the cheap honey we used medicinally in Tesena.

Come to think of it, the scent that came from Kegan’s chest had a similar feel. A scent like coniferous trees in a winter forest, and a subtle sweetness…

I fidgeted with my pillow to hide my flushed face. What am I thinking about this early in the morning? The texture touching my hand was soft and fluffy. The clean, warm feel was the same for the blanket covering me and the sheet beneath me.

Wait, the bedding is fluffy? That can’t be right.

“Um, Milla.”

“Why do you call, our lady?”

“Did you tidy the bed while I was sleeping?”

Meaning my bottom area too, of course.

“Oh my, no, my lady.”

Milla beamed and waved her hand.

“The Duke said our lady needs her sleep and told us not to even come near your room. But I thought you should eat something soon, so I came up on my own.”

Kegan did?

“Then….”

As if understanding the situation perfectly, Milla’s rounded eyebrows rippled rhythmically.

“Hehe. The Duke is quite capable of tidying a bed himself. And as a new groom, if he has passionate love, isn’t he good at all sorts of tidying up? Who taught him, I wonder?”

I wish you hadn’t said anything.

I buried my nose in the teacup Milla had given me, avoiding her intense gaze.

“Right. Drink it all up, all the way.”

Milla encouraged me with a pleased smile.

“I’ll prepare some nourishing food to boost your energy one after another, so leave it to me. Spring days in Riverweaver end early. Ho ho.”

Maybe it was from this point on. That I stopped blindly saying ‘yes’ to Milla’s words like an innocent child.

Though I, embarrassed, even glared at her slightly, the smile spreading across her face showed no sign of fading.

After a late brunch, I headed to the corridor where the guests were gathered. I wanted fresh air, so I walked around the green garden. The warm spring sun shone down from above. A round shadow, like my puffed-out skirt, clung to my feet and followed me along.

“Hello, my lady!”

Little page Paulie called out cheerfully from a distance. He seemed to be on an errand somewhere, carrying a basket as big as his own torso.

“I just saw the Duke by the lake! He was with Prince Zeke!”

“Really?”

It seemed the Duke was entertaining Prince Zeke, who had attended as a guest.

“Thank you for letting me know, Paulie.”

And the Duchess, as the Duchess, should go meet the other guests.

“Don’t mention it! Have a nice day, my lady!”

I thought the little boy, smiling as brightly as the sunshine, was adorable, so I waved my hand behind his back for a long time. My mood lifted considerably.

About twenty guests were gathered in the central corridor. They were some of the attendees who had come from inside and outside the territory. The wedding ceremony ended yesterday, but the festivities would continue for a few more days.

Chandeliers, lit since midday, sparkled brilliantly like crystals. Various fruits, desserts, and drinks with sweet and sour aromas were appetizingly displayed on long tables against the walls. The elegant sound of a string quartet playing somewhere drifted in softly.

It was a lively scene, like a small ball.

“Oh my, the Duchess has appeared!”

“Good afternoon, Duchess of Riverweaver.”

“The lemon cake is so delicious today. Do you like tangy desserts too, Duchess?”

The title still sounded unfamiliar, and I smiled shyly as I approached the guests.

“I like all kinds of cake. I’ll have to pick the biggest slice.”

“Can I reserve the second biggest?”

“For you, Countess Dubon, I’d even give up the third.”

“Oh, how delightful!”

Even though I had no experience in socializing, I didn’t feel averse to hosting guests.

My parents often used to host free knights passing through our town. Hungry and exhausted knights. Hunters who wore swords at their waists and bore rough, threatening scars on their skin. A completely different class from elegantly speaking nobles in fine suits and dresses were the companions of my family.

As a child, I wasn’t afraid of those rough guests either.

Was I the owner of this house?

Was I a noble?

When I was young, I wasn’t afraid of anything. The saying ‘poor but rich at heart’ wasn’t a lie for everyone. My small heart was full of positivity and curiosity towards the world, and I would say whatever I wanted. If it weren’t for my parents, who always stressed manners, I might have grown up like an unruly foal.

Besides, hadn’t I received advice from Mrs. Hebert just a few days ago? Displeased with me, the newcomer to this great noble family, acting hesitant and flustered, she had said:

‘For a superior, it’s better to be arrogant than overly humble, Lady Ruan. Especially in the social circles you will experience from now on.’

Meaning, I had no reason to be submissive because of my background.

“The winter banquet this year will be prepared by the Duchess of Riverweaver herself, I assume?”

The noble ladies in the room gathered around me like honeybees swarming a honeyed cake.