Chapter 39………………………………………
When the door opened, Arsen was standing there in a deep navy uniform.
He had been looking out the window, but at the sound of the door he quickly turned his head.
Ivelina was wearing a pale lavender dress with her shoulders completely exposed.
Each stitch of the dress was set with tiny gemstones, so from afar it shimmered as though sprinkled with stardust.
Arsen’s expression filled with concern at the sight of her bare shoulders.
“Are you not cold?”
“I’m fine. As you know, the manor is warm.”
“That is true, but still…”
Even with her reassurance, the worry didn’t fade from Arsen’s face.
“If you feel cold at all, do not hesitate to tell me.”
“Yes, Arsen.”
Receiving Arsen’s escort, Ivelina headed for the banquet hall.
Faint sounds of people chatting leaked through the door.
When Arsen gave a small nod, the attendant raised the trumpet and blew it loudly.
At once, all the murmuring fell silent.
The attendant opened the massive doors, and Ivelina closed and opened her eyes slowly.
She stepped inside and quickly scanned the room.
Among the countless people, she spotted Carina instantly.
Carina, who had been talking with another noblewoman, noticed Ivelina and smiled.
Ivelina and Arsen walked slowly toward the center.
Soon, music began again, and people gathered around.
The nobles began speaking one after another, eager to be first.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Your Grace, the dress is beautiful. May I ask where you had it made?”
Startled by the sudden attention, Ivelina stiffened, and Arsen’s brows faintly drew together.
Noticing his displeasure, the nobles coughed awkwardly and stepped back one by one.
Finally able to breathe a little, Ivelina let out a small sigh of relief.
She went around offering greetings.
But no sooner had she finished greeting one person than another rushed in.
In truth, Ivelina was somewhat shocked.
Though she was now the Grand Duchess, she was still known as the “cursed noble lady.”
She hadn’t expected anyone to approach her so readily.
Arsen clearly didn’t like it, but since Ivelina seemed pleased, he pressed his lips shut and stood by her like a stone statue.
Then a very familiar person approached.
“Your Grace.”
“Ma—no, the Marquis Veloce.”
Leonard bowed his head.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you.”
People were slightly surprised by their friendly tone.
Naturally so.
No one outside the ducal household knew that Ivelina was taking magic lessons from Leonard.
And it had never been revealed that Ivelina possessed more mana than he did.
Nor did she ever intend to reveal it.
Leonard spoke with a straight face, completely out of the blue.
“During the ceremony earlier, His Grace’s passionate love for you was… impressive.”
“Pardon? What do you—ah…!”
Her eyes widened before she realized his meaning, and her face flushed red.
It took her a moment to realize it was a joke—because Leonard never joked.
Feeling embarrassed, Ivelina pouted slightly.
“Please don’t tease me, Marquis.”
Leonard only shrugged silently.
People were shocked that Leonard was even capable of joking.
In society, Leonard was practically a block of wood.
He never smiled, and he had no close noble acquaintances.
So the sight of him speaking so casually with Ivelina was unexpected.
“It was a compliment. You two looked good together.”
Ivelina let out a soft laugh.
Even Arsen’s expression, once tense, relaxed slightly as he looked at Leonard.
“I hope you enjoy yourself tonight.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Then I shall see you again later.”
Leonard lightly kissed the back of her hand and left.
The nobles were just about to ask how she knew Leonard when Arsen smoothly interrupted.
“May I have this dance, my wife?”
“Of course.”
Taking his hand, Ivelina stepped lightly toward the center of the hall.
A few couples had been dancing, but when the two entered the floor, they naturally stepped aside.
Once they were positioned, the orchestra shifted the music.
Ivelina began moving gracefully with the rhythm.
It had been a long time since she had danced, but her steps were steady.
Arsen whispered softly.
“You’re better than you were last time.”
“Maybe… it’s because I feel happy right now.”
Ivelina smiled sweetly.
In her gaze toward Arsen shimmered affection, warmth, and gentle fondness.
Arsen smiled faintly.
“Thank you for marrying me.”
“No… thank you for not casting me aside.”
They looked at each other and shared a bright, happy smile.
Late at night, after the banquet ended, Ivelina walked slowly toward the bedchamber.
It wasn’t just any night—it was their wedding night.
She had no experience in that regard, though she roughly understood what would happen.
She took a deep breath at the door and slowly entered.
Inside, only faint lights glowed, and a strange scent filled the air.
Inhaling instinctively, she stepped inside.
Arsen wasn’t there yet; the room was empty.
“I’m nervous…”
She muttered softly and sat heavily on the bed.
Only a few minutes after she entered, the door swung open.
Startled, she jumped to her feet.
Arsen stepped in wearing a robe and froze when he saw her.
“…”
“…”
The room was filled with silence.
Seeing him made her so embarrassed that she bowed her head deeply, fidgeting with her hands.
Then his feet moved again.
As Arsen sat beside her on the bed, she hurried to sit down as well.
She spent a long moment debating what to say, then squeezed her eyes shut and spoke.
But Arsen opened his mouth at the same time.
“Ivelina.”
“Arsen.”
She paused, then gestured.
“You go first.”
“…I’m not sure how to say this, but—if you’re scared, there’s no need to force yourself.”
“…What?”
“It doesn’t have to be tonight. We have plenty of time, so there’s no rush.”
Thinking over his words, Ivelina flushed scarlet.
He was completely serious.
Flustered, she glanced up at him.
“Arsen…”
“Yes?”
“I… I’m all right.”
“Ivelina, as I said earlier—”
“I’m not forcing myself.”
Arsen blinked in surprise.
Ivelina spoke slowly, voice trembling.
“I am a little scared, but… Ah, I don’t mean you’re scary! It’s just that it’s my first time, so I’m nervous…”
“….”
“But because it’s you… I’m fine. You won’t hurt me. Right?”
“…Yes.”
Arsen spoke tightly, teeth clenched.
After hesitating, Ivelina scooted closer.
A gentle fragrance spread around him from her skin.
He gripped the bed sheets hard.
Oblivious, she continued.
“I trust you… so I can entrust everything to you.”
“…”
“So you don’t have to… hold back…”
Those words were the spark that lit the fuse.
Everything after that was a storm.
Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
But even knowing she was struggling, Arsen didn’t stop.
“A-Arsen… please… stop…”
“Just a little longer.”
Ivelina whimpered.
Her eyes turned flushed red.
Arsen kissed the corner of her eyes and smiled softly.
It was undeniably a beautiful smile—yet for some reason it sent a chill through her, and she shivered.
Arsen tormented her as if releasing all the desire he had suppressed until now.
It was a wonder how he had endured.
Ivelina fell asleep in his arms at dawn, almost fainting from exhaustion.
The last thing she saw before her eyes closed was Arsen’s satisfied expression.
Ivelina couldn’t leave the bedroom for several days.
All because of Arsen.
Her lessons had been postponed to next week, so nothing urgent awaited her, but she felt too embarrassed to face the servants.
Arsen, on the other hand, seemed quite pleased.
A smile never left his face.
Since he fed her all three meals himself, she lacked nothing.
“Breakfast is a light sandwich today.”
Arsen received breakfast from the maid and brought it into the room.
Naturally, Ivelina opened her mouth, and he fed her small bites.
At first she insisted on eating herself, but Arsen refused.
Though she was terribly embarrassed, she eventually grew used to it.
She accepted each bite he gave, finishing with a glass of orange juice.
Ivelina wondered when she would ever be allowed to leave the bedroom.
She enjoyed being with Arsen—very much—but she couldn’t stay confined forever.
Casting him a quick glance, she spoke carefully.
“Arsen.”
“Yes, Ivelina?”
“When… can I go out… of the bedroom?”
As she spoke, she shifted slightly, and the blanket slid down, revealing her body.
Startled, she quickly pulled it back up—but it was already too late.
“…Do you dislike being with me?”
“N-no! It’s not that. It’s just… I can’t stay here forever…”
“In that case, I suppose… today will be the last.”
Arsen looked genuinely regretful.
He said it would end today, but Ivelina did not fully leave the bedroom until three days later.
