But is this right?
Although she was pretending to be okay, she honestly didn't like the feeling of Eden's body heat. That's why Cecilia awkwardly hugged Eden's neck and rolled her head.
But there was no other way that came to mind. But it was not like a noble lady could leave her husband behind and go on the coachman's back.
“Cecilia. Hug my neck a little tighter.”
Meanwhile, Eden's sturdy legs were steadily moving forward, approaching the townhouse.
“You can come down now. The ground is not muddy because it’s a stone floor...”
Cecilia tapped Eden on the shoulder and whispered. But Eden pretended not to hear her and just kept walking.
"Your Highness."
“I know it takes effort on my part.”
When she urged Eden to put her down again, Eden opened his mouth. Cecilia, who was wearing Eden’s jacket over her head, just blinked at the words that she couldn’t understand.
“So that you can prepare yourself mentally.”
It must have been Cecilia's intention to postpone their marital relationship until she was mentally ready.
“To see the royal descendants?”
“..."
“Or is it because His Highness the Crown Prince said that one must be sincere and kind to the Lady?”
Cecilia asked. Eden stopped for a moment and picked Cecilia up.
“I hope you are not sad or in pain.”
There was no further comment. It was true that what Cecilia had said was true, but it was also true that he did not want Cecilia to be distressed.
But that was even more cruel. To sway someone's heart with fleeting kindness, and then pass on the resulting pain to the other person. If she had been her past self, who knew nothing about it, Cecilia would have had no choice but to give in to him.
“You are cruel.”
Cecilia just spoke like that, leaning her face against his neck and rubbing it. Eden’s body stiffened reflexively at the breath and body temperature coming close. It seemed that his earlobes had turned a little red in the darkness.
"...I?"
“There are times when excessive affection can be cruel.”
Cecilia, who noticed Eden's reaction, slowly scratched his shoulder with her finger. But this time, Eden didn't react in particular. Cecilia quickly lost interest.
“I'm joking.”
The walk on Eden's back was quiet. Except for the sound of the wind, the light rain, the rustling of leaves, and the rustling of a necklace against his back.
'It's late, Cecilia. It's time to go to bed.'
'But...'
'Because I can't sleep without you. That's why I say that.'
It was, ironically, as peaceful as a memory of one day. Regardless of how thin the protective layer of peace beneath the surface was.
The servants were shocked when they saw the appearance of their masters who had returned to the townhouse. Eden was completely soaked in the damp rain, and Cecilia was asleep with Eden's jacket covering her.
“Oh my God. You’re both wet!”
Eden quietly raised his index finger and covered his mouth. He didn't want to wake his wife who was fast asleep on his back.
“The rain has fallen, so let’s dry ourselves with a towel and change into pajamas.”
“Your Highness...”
The butler frowned and stopped talking as he was about to ask a question.
“I will prepare the bath water.”
And he gave orders to the other servants. Cecilia may have fallen asleep on Eden's back, but Eden, who returned carrying Cecilia, looked a bit disheveled.
“First, let’s go to Madam’s bedroom.”
So, Eden did not deny the need for bathing.
“We will take care of the rest. Rest well, Your Highness.”
Madame Monte and Abby whispered to each other as they laid Cecilia, who was fast asleep, on a large towel on the bed. Eden turned around only after they saw them take off Cecilia's wet clothes and wipe her arms and legs clean with a towel.
“The carriage wheel came off on the hill road, so send someone to help. One of the wheels is completely stuck in the dirt, so send someone without hesitation.”
The butler nodded at Eden's command.
“The bath water is almost ready.”
He was roughly drying his wet hair with a towel when a servant came over and told them that he was ready to take a bath.
Eden went straight to the bathroom and closed his eyes, leaning his tired body against the bathtub filled with warm water.
“...?”
Eden soon opened his eyes again with a strange expression. A fragrant smell came from somewhere. It was not something that the servants who knew his taste would use.
"Ah."
Eden, who had been thinking deeply, let out a short exclamation. He thought he knew where this scent came from. It wasn’t a scent that the servants had added to the water. It was Cecilia’s body scent that had tickled his nose the whole time he had been carrying her on his back.
When did it come into my body?
Eden's hand instinctively touched somewhere between the nape of his neck and his back. The wet fingertips slid down smoothly. It was the spot where Cecilia had been breathing raspy as she fell asleep.
It felt strange. There were no other words to describe what he was feeling right now.
“Cecilia Lane.”
With a thud, Eden rested his chin on the edge of the bathtub, resting his arm on it. In the quiet bathroom where only the sound of dripping water could be heard, Eden’s face was delicate as he meditated on his wife’s name.
It was because he was thinking about the road he had walked while carrying Cecilia on his back. The skin on the back of his neck had been tickling, and the corners of his ears had turned red without warning.
“Like a pervert...”
Eden muttered softly. He had no idea why he was thinking about it so carefully. Eden lifted his wet hands and rubbed his face twice as if washing it, then brushed his hair back.
I was a little tired. I guess I'm a man after all.
“Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
Just as Eden, who had just finished bathing and was wearing a robe, crossed the threshold of the bathroom, the butler appeared with a tray of warmed-up drinks and a letter to help Eden sleep well.
“The coachman brought me a letter saying it was in the carriage.”
Eden's gaze, holding a glass in one hand, turned to the envelope. It seemed to be the letter that Cecilia had received from the Empress.
“It’s my wife's, so I’ll pass it on.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Have a good night.”
As Eden's long fingers picked up the letter on the tray, the butler stepped aside. Eden looked through the envelope with a blank expression. It was a shallow letter, nothing special except that it had the Empress's seal.
'Shall we open it now?'
Suddenly, he remembered the face that asked him that question as if it knew that he wouldn't open it if she said that. And the attitude that acted as if she knew all his thoughts and feelings. To be honest, it wasn't very pleasant.
“Pathetic.”
Eden clicked his tongue and crossed the threshold leading to the Grand Duchess’s bedroom. After passing a small reception room, the bedroom where Cecilia was fast asleep came into view.
“...”
Cecilia was fast asleep on a bed with a canopy that was so thin that the insides were visible. Her maids were so good at keeping the surroundings in check that the air was so quiet that he could hear her murmured breathing.
Eden placed the letter on the nightstand next to the bed and sat on the edge of the bed. Cecilia did not wake up even though the bed tilted slightly. Eden raised his glass to his lips and kept his eyes on his wife’s clean face.
A beautiful woman with a face that was no different from his memories. But something bothered him. There was something different about Cecilia.
'Actually, I was trying to get a book related to the island of Laner, but I couldn't get it because of the time constraints.'
The way she led the conversation, naturally bringing up the topic of gifts, was unusual. Up to that point, it was no different than usual, but the topic Cecilia brought up was different.
The forgotten island, Laner. Even if they leave aside the political talk, it was somewhat surprising considering that the previous Cecilia had no interest in such things.
“...Is that why?”
Before he got married, Eden thought he knew her better than anyone else. But after he got married, he felt like he was dealing with a woman he didn't know.
It was the same on the wedding day when she looked at him as a stranger, on the first night when she confessed her true feelings, and today when she naturally brought up political topics.
Is it because of that fact that Cecilia seems strange and strangely different from others? Is it because of that that she thinks differently than usual?
"Well..."
Eden poured the remaining alcohol into his mouth and placed the empty glass on top of the envelope. Cecilia grumbled and shifted slightly at the sound of his somewhat careless gesture, but did not wake up.
Eden didn't miss the empty space left by Cecilia's tossing and turning. He lay down on Cecilia's bed like a guest who had snuck in. And he looked at the face of the little woman who was sleeping soundly.
“Umm...”
At the same time, Cecilia's head, which had been squirming as if she were uncomfortable, rolled under the pillow. Then, it fell onto Eden's palm.
“...!”
Eden flinched in surprise. Then he stared blankly at Cecilia's small face, which was rubbing its face against his palm as if flirting. Soon after, Cecilia turned around and lay down, facing away from Eden.
Eden stared blankly at the back of Cecilia's head resting on his palm. If he just put a little more strength into his arms, he felt like he could hold Cecilia's body in his arms.
However, he didn't dare to pull her slender waist into his arms. It was also because the scent of Cecilia's body that pierced his nose was particularly stimulating.
Although she was pretending to be okay, she honestly didn't like the feeling of Eden's body heat. That's why Cecilia awkwardly hugged Eden's neck and rolled her head.
But there was no other way that came to mind. But it was not like a noble lady could leave her husband behind and go on the coachman's back.
“Cecilia. Hug my neck a little tighter.”
Meanwhile, Eden's sturdy legs were steadily moving forward, approaching the townhouse.
“You can come down now. The ground is not muddy because it’s a stone floor...”
Cecilia tapped Eden on the shoulder and whispered. But Eden pretended not to hear her and just kept walking.
"Your Highness."
“I know it takes effort on my part.”
When she urged Eden to put her down again, Eden opened his mouth. Cecilia, who was wearing Eden’s jacket over her head, just blinked at the words that she couldn’t understand.
“So that you can prepare yourself mentally.”
It must have been Cecilia's intention to postpone their marital relationship until she was mentally ready.
“To see the royal descendants?”
“..."
“Or is it because His Highness the Crown Prince said that one must be sincere and kind to the Lady?”
Cecilia asked. Eden stopped for a moment and picked Cecilia up.
“I hope you are not sad or in pain.”
There was no further comment. It was true that what Cecilia had said was true, but it was also true that he did not want Cecilia to be distressed.
But that was even more cruel. To sway someone's heart with fleeting kindness, and then pass on the resulting pain to the other person. If she had been her past self, who knew nothing about it, Cecilia would have had no choice but to give in to him.
“You are cruel.”
Cecilia just spoke like that, leaning her face against his neck and rubbing it. Eden’s body stiffened reflexively at the breath and body temperature coming close. It seemed that his earlobes had turned a little red in the darkness.
"...I?"
“There are times when excessive affection can be cruel.”
Cecilia, who noticed Eden's reaction, slowly scratched his shoulder with her finger. But this time, Eden didn't react in particular. Cecilia quickly lost interest.
“I'm joking.”
The walk on Eden's back was quiet. Except for the sound of the wind, the light rain, the rustling of leaves, and the rustling of a necklace against his back.
'It's late, Cecilia. It's time to go to bed.'
'But...'
'Because I can't sleep without you. That's why I say that.'
It was, ironically, as peaceful as a memory of one day. Regardless of how thin the protective layer of peace beneath the surface was.
***
The servants were shocked when they saw the appearance of their masters who had returned to the townhouse. Eden was completely soaked in the damp rain, and Cecilia was asleep with Eden's jacket covering her.
“Oh my God. You’re both wet!”
Eden quietly raised his index finger and covered his mouth. He didn't want to wake his wife who was fast asleep on his back.
“The rain has fallen, so let’s dry ourselves with a towel and change into pajamas.”
“Your Highness...”
The butler frowned and stopped talking as he was about to ask a question.
“I will prepare the bath water.”
And he gave orders to the other servants. Cecilia may have fallen asleep on Eden's back, but Eden, who returned carrying Cecilia, looked a bit disheveled.
“First, let’s go to Madam’s bedroom.”
So, Eden did not deny the need for bathing.
“We will take care of the rest. Rest well, Your Highness.”
Madame Monte and Abby whispered to each other as they laid Cecilia, who was fast asleep, on a large towel on the bed. Eden turned around only after they saw them take off Cecilia's wet clothes and wipe her arms and legs clean with a towel.
“The carriage wheel came off on the hill road, so send someone to help. One of the wheels is completely stuck in the dirt, so send someone without hesitation.”
The butler nodded at Eden's command.
“The bath water is almost ready.”
He was roughly drying his wet hair with a towel when a servant came over and told them that he was ready to take a bath.
Eden went straight to the bathroom and closed his eyes, leaning his tired body against the bathtub filled with warm water.
“...?”
Eden soon opened his eyes again with a strange expression. A fragrant smell came from somewhere. It was not something that the servants who knew his taste would use.
"Ah."
Eden, who had been thinking deeply, let out a short exclamation. He thought he knew where this scent came from. It wasn’t a scent that the servants had added to the water. It was Cecilia’s body scent that had tickled his nose the whole time he had been carrying her on his back.
When did it come into my body?
Eden's hand instinctively touched somewhere between the nape of his neck and his back. The wet fingertips slid down smoothly. It was the spot where Cecilia had been breathing raspy as she fell asleep.
It felt strange. There were no other words to describe what he was feeling right now.
“Cecilia Lane.”
With a thud, Eden rested his chin on the edge of the bathtub, resting his arm on it. In the quiet bathroom where only the sound of dripping water could be heard, Eden’s face was delicate as he meditated on his wife’s name.
It was because he was thinking about the road he had walked while carrying Cecilia on his back. The skin on the back of his neck had been tickling, and the corners of his ears had turned red without warning.
“Like a pervert...”
Eden muttered softly. He had no idea why he was thinking about it so carefully. Eden lifted his wet hands and rubbed his face twice as if washing it, then brushed his hair back.
I was a little tired. I guess I'm a man after all.
***
“Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
Just as Eden, who had just finished bathing and was wearing a robe, crossed the threshold of the bathroom, the butler appeared with a tray of warmed-up drinks and a letter to help Eden sleep well.
“The coachman brought me a letter saying it was in the carriage.”
Eden's gaze, holding a glass in one hand, turned to the envelope. It seemed to be the letter that Cecilia had received from the Empress.
“It’s my wife's, so I’ll pass it on.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Have a good night.”
As Eden's long fingers picked up the letter on the tray, the butler stepped aside. Eden looked through the envelope with a blank expression. It was a shallow letter, nothing special except that it had the Empress's seal.
'Shall we open it now?'
Suddenly, he remembered the face that asked him that question as if it knew that he wouldn't open it if she said that. And the attitude that acted as if she knew all his thoughts and feelings. To be honest, it wasn't very pleasant.
At that moment, Eden considered opening the envelope and handing it to Cecilia to check the contents first. What would her face look like if he asked her if she didn't mind if he read it? He felt like a grumpy child.
Eden clicked his tongue and crossed the threshold leading to the Grand Duchess’s bedroom. After passing a small reception room, the bedroom where Cecilia was fast asleep came into view.
“...”
Cecilia was fast asleep on a bed with a canopy that was so thin that the insides were visible. Her maids were so good at keeping the surroundings in check that the air was so quiet that he could hear her murmured breathing.
Eden placed the letter on the nightstand next to the bed and sat on the edge of the bed. Cecilia did not wake up even though the bed tilted slightly. Eden raised his glass to his lips and kept his eyes on his wife’s clean face.
A beautiful woman with a face that was no different from his memories. But something bothered him. There was something different about Cecilia.
'Actually, I was trying to get a book related to the island of Laner, but I couldn't get it because of the time constraints.'
The way she led the conversation, naturally bringing up the topic of gifts, was unusual. Up to that point, it was no different than usual, but the topic Cecilia brought up was different.
The forgotten island, Laner. Even if they leave aside the political talk, it was somewhat surprising considering that the previous Cecilia had no interest in such things.
“...Is that why?”
Before he got married, Eden thought he knew her better than anyone else. But after he got married, he felt like he was dealing with a woman he didn't know.
It was the same on the wedding day when she looked at him as a stranger, on the first night when she confessed her true feelings, and today when she naturally brought up political topics.
Is it because of that fact that Cecilia seems strange and strangely different from others? Is it because of that that she thinks differently than usual?
"Well..."
Eden poured the remaining alcohol into his mouth and placed the empty glass on top of the envelope. Cecilia grumbled and shifted slightly at the sound of his somewhat careless gesture, but did not wake up.
Eden didn't miss the empty space left by Cecilia's tossing and turning. He lay down on Cecilia's bed like a guest who had snuck in. And he looked at the face of the little woman who was sleeping soundly.
“Umm...”
At the same time, Cecilia's head, which had been squirming as if she were uncomfortable, rolled under the pillow. Then, it fell onto Eden's palm.
“...!”
Eden flinched in surprise. Then he stared blankly at Cecilia's small face, which was rubbing its face against his palm as if flirting. Soon after, Cecilia turned around and lay down, facing away from Eden.
Eden stared blankly at the back of Cecilia's head resting on his palm. If he just put a little more strength into his arms, he felt like he could hold Cecilia's body in his arms.
However, he didn't dare to pull her slender waist into his arms. It was also because the scent of Cecilia's body that pierced his nose was particularly stimulating.
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Thanks for the chapters, dear Translator!🥰
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