Chapter 6 - First Night Of Marriage
My heart is beating fast, and my soul is afraid. Actually, rather than scared, I feel nervous. Who knows in what state would I be if I didn't drink all that wine?
After the Duke and I finished eating, he accompanied to the bedroom. The Duke called the servants to take away the food and turn the chandeliers off. Then, he left with an excuse.
Now, the room is dark, except for the corner where a lantern is glowing. There is a nightgown ready for , but I'm too tired to wear sothing I'm destined to take off soon.
Wait... What if the dress is ruined? I'm not sure how rude Ethirian n can be, but they wouldn't dare to tear a woman's dress, right?
This gown is beautiful, and I've worn it only once. It would be such a pity to throw it away...
After thorough consideration, I wear the nightgown and sit on the bed.
The Duke is in a third room sowhere nearby. He ntioned sothing about his work before disappearing from my sight.
I don't know if I'm allowed to lie down before he cos here. I've never learnt this kind of etiquette because I wasn't supposed to marry out of Polis. It was my husband that would have had to follow our customs.
The nights are cold in the Empire, at least in the part that I crossed to co to the capital. I would feel warr under these heavy covers, yet I can't risk breaking so untold rule.
When my feet beco too cold to bear it, I lift them on the mattress and rub my skin until I feel so warmth again. The slippers are soft, but they can't do anything against the stone and marble. Not even the carpets shield enough of the coldness. Only so hot flas in the chimney could help , now, but I don't think I should walk out of here right now. And I have no clue how to light a fire. I'd have to ask a servant to do it for , which would attract attention to the fact that my husband isn't with .
The Duke wouldn't let his wife alone on the first night, right? I'd prefer it if he did, though. I wouldn't have to wait for him. It's more tiring than actually doing sothing. He could consummate the marriage and then go to work. Why make wait like this?
I'm already confused enough, there's no need to play gas.
I lean my feet on the ground again when I hear the door. I pretend not to have noticed the Duke's steps.
?What are you doing?? he asks while closing it.
I turn my head and glance at him. What have I done wrong?
?Waiting for you, your highness,? I whisper.
?It's not 'your highness',? he corrects , and I straighten my back in response.
I bite my lips and clench my fists. I didn't want my husband to rember that he's not an Archduke after my stubborn actions this afternoon.
?Here in Ethiro, we use 'your grace' for dukes and duchesses,? he explains, understanding my reaction too well.
His voice is gentle, and he looks so calm. Not a man that just lost part of his territories. It might not be just a facade. How low are the chances that he's not angry at ? I try to calm down my breathing, but it's harder than expected.
?It's a bit different in the rest of the continent, right?? he continues, pretending not to be paying attention to my sudden fear.
He reaches out for and touches my hair. He unties the ribbon keeping my braid together. I wince but don't step away. It would be the worst action possible, in this kind of situation.
?You shouldn't go to sleep with wet hair,? he states. ?And it can't properly dry if you tie it.?
He crouches down, reaching my hands. He presses them in between his.
?I knew it,? he sighs.
He then grabs my feet, and I startle once again.
?You're freezing!? he utters, slightly angry.
I open my eyes wide, following his actions closely.
In the end, I did break so bedroom rule. I don't know which one, nor what I was supposed to do. Still, the Duke's reaction is evident, this ti.
He's not hiding his emotions while he pulls up by the arms. He moves the covers on the side, and he forces to lie down.
I bite my lips not to scream and simply follow his lead, lying down and obediently leaning my head on the pillow. He tucks the covers for , and he finally relaxes.
My hair is spread around my head, and I can feel that so locks are still wet, especially the tips. However, the roots are wet, so I don't worry about headaches or colds.
?If I knew you would wait for like this, I would have hurried up,? the Duke says, attracting my eyes like a magnet.
?I didn't know what I was supposed to do,? I try to explain. I really didn't know that cold feet and wet hair were so taboo in the Empire.
His fingers caress my forehead, and then my cheek.
?Sleep,? he utters. ?You were supposed to sleep.?
?I'm not sure about the Empire's customs, but a husband and wife share the bed for the first night of their marriage.?
?It's the sa here,? he confirms, and I can see his grin thanks to the little light that his body doesn't shield. He sits next to , balancing his weight on the border of the mattress.
?Then, how co I'm supposed to sleep?? I speak.
After looking at for a minute more, he seems to wake up from his thoughts. He shakes his head and walks to the other side of the bed. He's still wearing his day-clothes.
He isn't expecting to help him undress, is he? I wouldn't know where to start. And it would be too embarrassing.
Luckily, he doesn't make any weird request, and I can continue to warm up under the covers. This is so much better.
I turn to the side and observe the Duke warily. I'm waiting for his intentions, but he doesn't pay any attention to while undressing. He changes into nightclothes without worrying about my gaze. He's less shy than , and he certainly doesn't have anything to hide.
I rub my slumberous eyes, realising that I haven't slept much in the last few days. I was trying to live to the fullest that my cage allowed.
Or rather, I was in so much fright that I couldn't close my eyes without starting to cry and whine.
?I can light a fire if you're cold,? he says.
I can't see his face because my eyes are already closed. What a pity, I wanted to shalessly stare at the Duke so more. The muscles on his back are really sothing. I thought I would get my hands on them, but it looks like I'll have to postpone for another ti.
I didn't even notice when I stopped resisting to slumber. I can hear what's happening around , but I can't react nor move. And I don't really care.
?Never mind,? the Duke adds, supposedly when he sees my sleeping face. I'm not freezing anymore, so there's no need for a fire.
He lies down in bed, and I feel his warmth from here. Oh, if only I could move closer. Just a little!
He bows over and leaves a light peck on my temple.
?Good night, Thea,? he whispers.
I didn't give him permission to call by na, let alone use a nickna. Only two people had called like that in my whole life: my mother and my brother. Only one of them is still alive, and he's now looking for asylum in Asteria.
A lone tear crosses my cheek at the thought of my brother, all alone sowhere south. I hope the Duke doesn't notice, as it's a private part of I'd like to keep secret. I've struggled so much not to let anyone from Ethiro think that I'm easy to scare...
I breathe, fighting against the lump that ford in my throat.
A warm and delicate hand wipes my tear away, while a gentle voice whispers to my ear: ?Hey, don't cry.?
I try to turn away, but I can't control my muscles. I just manage to move my head and clench my fists, but it's not enough to put distance between the Duke and .
?It's all right, Thea. You're safe, now,? he voices. He's not intimidating, nor overbearing. His words feel more like a plea than an order, and I can't help but calm down, sinking more profoundly into slumber.
Just like this, my first night as a married woman passes, and I wake up in the morning the sa way I got into this bed: untouched.
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