Chapter 28 - Reward chanism
In the end, the Duke solved my dilemma on his own. He stayed with , in the bed, and he couldn't help but take the opportunity to embrace tightly.
He dragged in his arms. To keep warm, he said. However, he didn't take advantage of his strength to force himself on : he just slept with his head on my shoulder.
His hands did wander on my body until he found a comfortable position. Yet, his touch was gentle and careful, nothing to do with the sensual caresses of a while before.
I fell asleep late in the night when I got used to the Duke's presence. So, I wasn't surprised when I woke up alone in bed.
What surprised the most, though, was that the Duke didn't leave the room. He was standing near the chimney, lighting a fire.
I turned in the bed and decided to sleep so more. I closed my eyes and cuddled under the covers.
When I open my eyes for the second ti, the Duke is still there. He's sitting on the sofa, drinking my morning tea once again. This ti, though, there is a second cup and honey on the table and so cookies.
I get up and reach him, considering how close to the Duke to sit. In the end, I lay my bottom on the sofa, far enough to be sure that any part of my body won't brush against the Duke by chance.
?Good morning, Alexander,? I greet him. I call him by na since the Duke was so obedient last night. Also, I managed to rest well for the first ti since I moved here, and I suspect it's because I didn't suffer from the cold. This man does have many dark sides, but his body temperature makes up from so of them.
?Good morning, Theodora,? he replies, smiling tenderly.
This gives an idea. If my husband's mood is influenced so much by calling his na, can I try to train him with my tricks? Other than making the Duke fall in love with , isn't it a good idea to show him what he gains when he's well behaved?
?Thank you for last night,? I whisper and kiss his cheek. ?You were very understanding with .?
At first, he doesn't show any reaction. He stares at , considering my words and expression. I try to look as sincere as I can. It's less challenging than expected because I'm sincerely glad that he didn't stubbornly continue with his intentions.
Then, he relaxes on the sofa and crooks his mouth, probably looking for a way to make act like this again.
In the end, he sighs and grabs a cookie from the table.
?Eat sothing,? he orders and offers the cookie.
I bite the sweet and crunch for a while, not moving my eyes from him.
?Next week, I won't throw a tantrum like this,? I promise.
In the end, I can't avoid him forever, or he'll look for other won.
?My Duchess can throw as many tantrums as she wants, as long as she doesn't endanger her health.?
I knew it. The Duke doesn't care if I'm spoiled or a vixen, he just wants to stay by his side.
?You shouldn't be so tolerant,? I point out.
?Is my Duchess asking for punishnt for her harsh rejections??
?I'm not asking for anything. I just remind you that you're a Duke and an older cousin of the Emperor. You can't let people treat you the way I do.?
?Don't worry, my dear. You're the only one allowed to treat in that way. Anyone else would have his head rolling by now.?
I gulp surprised.
?Is it a threat?? I inquire, confused. This is so different from what I was expecting.
?Oh, no. Not to you, Theodora. I already told you that you can play with the way you want. I won't break my promise.?
The problem is that punishnt doesn't look too bad, right now. As long as it doesn't require my head rolling.
I swallow, trying to hide my complicated state of mind.
I've never felt this way, in all my life. I'm so confused that I'm starting to mix my feelings altogether.
Maybe, it's my sense of guilt for ssing with a person's feelings. No matter what he did to , are my actions really justified?
I bite my lip and look at the teacup. I stretch out my hand and take a sip. The liquid is warm, so I drink in silence, trying to decipher my reactions.
?I was wondering,? the Duke continues, smiling at my lost expression, ?does my Duchess know so exotic language??
?What language in particular?? I utter, surprised. Why this question, so suddenly?
I follow the Duke's gaze, and I find the paper I wrote a few days ago. My plans for the future are all there. My intention of transforming the Duke into my puppet, the escape route to use in case of necessity... There is so much compromising material on that single piece of paper!
I stop breathing for a while, before rembering that no one in the whole world can read that. Not even my brother. That is my own personal language.
?I was trying to rember the signs people use in the far north, but it's rather difficult. I haven't learned them, so I don't know how they work,? I shrug.
?This looks like a structured text. Are you sure you don't rember??
?I saw it sowhere, and I tried to copy it from my mories.?
?Where??
?The picture of a rock...? I say. The northern populations use to write on big stones, it's so kind of ritual. They have shamans, rather than priests, that perform magic. It was so interesting for the nine-year-old . I couldn't make sense of those scribbles, but I took inspiration.
With so luck, the Duke knows less than about those.
?Oh, and was a table on that rock as well??
I widen my eyes.
?A table?? I ask, cursing myself for being so stupid.
?Sure, look here!? he points at the centre. ?Doesn't it look like a double-entry table to you, my Duchess??
I follow his finger and nod, pretending to be noticing it right now.
Damn it, how can a person be so smart? Maybe, I should reconsider transforming him into my puppet. It would take too much work from my side.
If he can see the pattern in an unknown alphabet, then he will find out my intentions in no ti.
?You're right, my Duke. I always thought that they had a strange way to align symbols, and it turns out there's a reason for it!?
I smile at him, and when he smiles back, I finally relax on the sofa.
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