“My lady?”
“Yes?”
“How much more do you intend to drink?”
Gerald gently took the wine glass from my hand and set it on the table.
Was I drunk? I never thought I’d lose it so easily. I’d only been sipping to soothe my nerves—even if I did look a bit dazed. I pressed the backs of my hands to my cheeks. Warm… Maybe I looked like a ripe peach under summer’s sun—or worse, a glaring tomato? With my nose tinged red, I hoped I didn’t appear completely drunk.
But with assassins posing as my family—from the Emperor and Empress to my brother Jan, and even Michael, the Marquis—Gerald was the only one they dared not harm. For my survival, I had to cling to him at all costs, smiling at well-wishers, sipping wine from trays carried past, chanting “here, here—here.” Elegant and ever-watchful.
Then he said:
“Shall my duchess rise to tend to the child and begin Act Two?”
I looked at Theodore, asleep at five, dinner spoon still in hand.
“If it’s time to put the child to bed and begin the second act…”
I blinked, puzzled, but his green eyes shone with expectation.
“An R-rated, final proposal.”
He leaned close, whispering by my ear—his scent rich and compelling. My body tensed; instinctively, I tried to withdraw, only for him to gently draw me back with one arm.
Oh my. So he’s bold? I stood frozen, breath caught.
“R-rated proposal?” I whispered back, puzzled and nervous. The crowd turned toward me, excitement lighting their faces.
“The Duchess will begin Act Two.”
“Ooh—!”
“Bravo!”
Glasses clinked in applause at his announcement.
I pressed a hand to my temple—head throbbing, whether from wine or frustration, I wasn’t sure.
“It won’t do to say I’m drunk,” he chided softly. Ever bound by my word—even in past lives, I kept my promises.
I leaned in and whispered,
“This is an arranged marriage, after all.”
“An arranged marriage, then we must give it our best, yes?”
Confused, I distanced myself.
“You said you’d try, as the Duchess.”
“I will.”
“Then you must prepare for the purification—and a ceremonial first night acknowledgment.”
Purification ceremony? First-night recognition!? I stared at him in disbelief as he rested his firm shoulder against mine, pointing finger to the sky.
“See the constellation Orion rising in the east? It’s past nine. We must hasten to complete both rituals.”
Rituals? I didn’t understand. Guests were beginning to leave; Theodore, still asleep, was being carried off.
That’s when the maid called softly:
“Your Graces, a warm bath is ready.”
…
“I am Barbara Terriman. Please enjoy a beauty unseen in the Empire.”
The maids bowed and left me at the entrance of the bath.
“A beauty unseen in the Empire?” A shiver ran through me as a cool breeze brushed under my robe. I clutched it tightly; apparently there was an onsen built into the palace—was this it? The floor was pleasantly warm. Below, holes in the basalt allowed excess water to drain. A warm stream flowed nearby, perfect for foot baths. The carved statues overhead held the ceiling aloft, their nude forms recalling Renaissance ideals. Between them, bluish demonstone lanterns glowed—moonlight streamed through ceiling openings, dancing on the water.
“Wow.”
Heard myself sigh in awe. Sculpted reliefs of galloping knights, cherubic angels with horns, even a lion-like beast spouting waterfall-hot water—mist curling around it all.
Why not enjoy such beauty—it’s all mine, after all. Overwhelmed by forced life and stress, I stepped into the tub.
“Ah—this is divine.”
I rinsed my face with the warm, fragrant water—only to be startled by a voice.
“My lady.”
“Ah!” A statue had stealthily climbed into the bath. Not a statue—Gerald, dripping and statuesque. I watched as he descended the steps—muscles rippling. My gaze locked on his chest; he truly was a master of the sword. My cheeks burned; my breath caught.
Mist rose around him, and as he submerged, petals from the bath swirled out.
What now—what is he intending? I turned to look—then he sprang before me like a leopard.
My heart thundered.
“Why are you staring so, my lady?”
“Well… um, this is my first time in a bath.”
He laughed and sat beside me, pushing hair from his forehead.
“I didn’t expect you to appreciate demonfolk atmospheres.”
“Oh…”
I recalled how demonfolk were despised—marked enemy. Yet here, this tub was soothing, healing.
“Then let us begin the cleansing ceremony.”
“Already!?”
He rose swiftly—steam coursed over me. My face burned hotter. I turned away, gulped, grabbing the towel.
“What is this cleansing ritual?”
“It’s a vow of loyalty from husband to his wife living among demon lands—safeguarding her body from magics.”
Beautiful… but must strangers do it, with no one to witness? I asked to skip it, but he ignored me. Before I knew it, I was in his arms. Water gushed off my robe into the tub. Then—
“Grand Duke! What are you doing?”
“Shouldn’t we wash your hair first?”
He led us somewhere.
“To where?”
“A private tub.”
“Pardon?”
“To fulfill our marital duties… and preserve our sanctified union.”
“…sanctified union?”
Before I could finish speaking—splosh!—I sank into a solo bubble bath that cocooned me in silken effervescence—my long suffering finally rewarded.
