#147. Homecoming (3)
Olga explained everything in detail.
“Yes. Most people are curious when they first come to the castle—they look around wide-eyed, taking everything in. But Naïna acted like she belonged here. There was no curiosity at all. She walked around as if it was all perfectly normal.”
“Hm, I see.”
That really was odd.
According to what Pavel had gathered,
Naïna claimed to have grown up in a tiny village on the border of the North and the frozen lands—a place she’d supposedly never left until her hometown vanished from the map, thanks to Chernomor and Gregory.
‘There wouldn’t be any nobles in a village like that, so she must’ve grown up surrounded by people of the same background. A castle like this should be overwhelming or at least unfamiliar… but she acted like it was nothing. Was it just because she’s a prophet and saw it in a vision? If not…’
As Sasha got lost in thought—
“Sasha.”
“Pavel?”
Somehow, Pavel had arrived, leaning casually against the wall and looking down at Sasha.
Olga, picking up on the mood, quietly slipped away to give them some time alone.
“I made sure the bedroom is ready. Hehe!”
She even whispered this right into Sasha’s ear, loud enough for Pavel to hear.
‘…Olga!’
Sasha was the one embarrassed, even though Olga was the one who said it. She called Olga’s name in her mind, but Olga was already long gone.
Sasha looked up at Pavel in front of her.
Now out of his armor and dressed in comfortable clothes, a flush had crept up his neck. It didn’t seem to be just the lighting.
“Did you drink?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
Pavel blinked slowly.
“Everyone was drinking, so…”
“You could’ve just pretended to drink, you know. You don’t have to go along.”
He wasn’t good with alcohol.
Sasha frowned, remembering that time Pavel drank in Kalita and ended up collapsing.
Of course, that time it hadn’t been the alcohol’s fault—Ruslan had pulled something shady—but still, ever since then, she worried every time Pavel drank.
“I just wanted to try it for myself,” he replied.
Apparently, he didn’t see what the fuss was about.
Sasha looked at Pavel’s slightly loosened expression and let out a sigh.
‘He already looks a bit tipsy…’
But she couldn’t bring herself to scold him. He was old enough now—of course he’d want to experience drinking for himself.
‘Honestly, when I was his age in my previous life, I spent plenty of nights drinking until morning. Compared to that, he’s handling it pretty well—he’s not out of his mind, he can talk, walk… maybe I should praise him for moderation.’
‘Besides, in this world, being bad with alcohol is seen as a weakness for men. Drinking well is almost like a badge of masculinity—it’s such a macho society…’
With these thoughts, Sasha softened and asked gently,
“So, how was it? Did you like it?”
“It wasn’t bad. At first I wondered why anyone would drink something like that…”
He tilted his head, thinking.
“But now I kind of get it. It makes you feel giddy.”
Sasha narrowed her eyes, watching the small smile tug at his lips.
‘Is he really drunk?’
The feast hadn’t been going on for long—he couldn’t have had that much.
It seemed like Pavel really was just a lightweight.
“Still, it’s not good for your health, so don’t make a habit of it,” Sasha cautioned.
With a look full of concern, she watched as Pavel nodded obediently.
“But Sasha, is this what happens when you drink?”
“What do you mean?”
Sasha tilted her head at his sudden question, but instead of answering, Pavel leaned in close.
With genuine curiosity in his eyes, he stared intently at Sasha—first into her eyes, then, slowly, his gaze dropped.
The heat of his stare became almost tangible as he looked at her lips. Then, quietly, he spoke.
“I want to kiss you.”
“…!”
Caught off guard, Sasha blinked, startled.
Pavel reached out to gently touch the hair by Sasha’s ear. She stiffened a little, but didn’t pull away, so his hand slipped behind her neck.
Leaning in, Pavel cupped the back of her neck with his big hand, and their lips met.
He bit Sasha’s lip softly, making her let out a hot breath as her lips parted just a bit.
Pavel watched Sasha’s face as her eyes fluttered shut, then tilted his head to deepen the kiss, gently exploring every part of her mouth.
His hand slid from her neck down her back, following the curve of her evening dress.
With his gloved hand tracing over her bare skin, Sasha shivered from the unfamiliar sensation.
“Pavel.”
She broke away in a rush, trying to stop him from going any further.
But Pavel’s hand didn’t stop. Instead, he teasingly stroked her back, making Sasha tremble.
“Haa…”
A tingling shiver ran up her spine.
Sasha glared up at Pavel, flustered.
“Stop it, Pavel. We’re out here—there are people everywhere.”
“People? Where?”
“There’s—”
Sasha glanced around. There was no one.
‘Where did everyone go?’
There had been so many servants bustling around just moments ago, but now not even a mouse was in sight.
Still, the sounds from the banquet hall were clear as ever. Sasha nodded toward the doors, and Pavel just answered casually,
“The doors are closed, so it’s fine.”
Bang!
As if on cue, the door swung open.
Sasha froze, her eyes wide.
“…”
“…!”
The person who opened the door seemed just as shocked by the duke and duchess’s affectionate scene, clutching the doorknob in utter shock.
Andrei’s eyes darted wildly as he stared at the two of them, still stuck together.
Sasha blushed, mortified.
“Hey, what are you doing?! Have a little sense!”
Nikolai appeared behind Andrei, quickly assessing the situation.
“Sorry, my lord, my lady! We’ll just quietly disappear—please continue your good time!”
Nikolai dragged Andrei away and shut the door with a loud slam.
Strangely, though, the noise from the banquet hall had faded.
“Haa…”
Sasha stepped away from Pavel and wiped her flushed lips with the back of her hand.
Clenching her teeth, she muttered,
“I told you there were people around—!”
After telling Pavel to hurry back to the banquet and socialize, Sasha returned to her bedroom alone.
For now, she was still using the suite connected to the duke’s heir, not the grand duchess’s quarters. She could’ve moved by now, but had waited for Pavel’s return.
She’d spent years in this room—it should have felt familiar.
But when she opened the door, she was taken aback.
“What on earth…?”
Sasha let out a sigh, looking at the room, which had been completely redecorated.
Red bedding, the heavy scent of musk, and rose petals scattered from the door to the bed.
It looked exactly like a honeymoon suite.
Even the petals seemed to be screaming—
“Please! Do your duty as husband and wife already!”
Sasha instantly knew who was behind this.
“…Olga. She really went all out.”
Lately, Olga’s biggest concern had been that Sasha and Pavel still hadn’t properly consummated their marriage.
Before, Pavel had been too young to worry about such things, but now everything was different.
He was an adult, a titled duke, a war hero back from the front lines.
Olga had been dropping hints to Sasha for ages—if she wanted to be a “true” grand duchess, she had to have an heir and, above all, fulfill her wifely duties at night.
“I get why she’s doing this, really, I do. But still…”
But tonight, Olga wasn’t getting her wish.
Pavel had just returned from war, tired and in need of rest. Duties could wait.
“And honestly, the idea of doing that with Pavel… I can’t even imagine it.”
That was the real reason.
“Just the thought makes me blush.”
Fanning her red face, Sasha spun in place, flustered.
Even after sharing deep kisses with Pavel, anything more still felt way too embarrassing.
But Pavel clearly had other ideas.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a sharp knock from the door connecting to Pavel’s bedroom.
He’s already come up? I told him to stay a bit longer…
Only Pavel would use that door, so Sasha opened it without suspicion.
Of course, her husband was standing there, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Can I come in?”
“Of course. Come on.”
As soon as she gave permission, Pavel stepped right in.
His gaze swept around the newly decorated room, lingering with interest on the rose petals.
Feeling awkward, Sasha rushed to distract him.
“S-so… what’s up?”
Pavel turned to her, looked for a moment, then said exactly what was on his mind.
“I want to sleep with you tonight.”
