#030
With her cheek pressed against the window, Eliana had fallen asleep in her voluminous white wedding dress. Grady gazed at her for a long time.
“Hmmm.”
It was still only the second day of the new season. Perhaps because the carriage door was left open, Eliana shivered and let out a small groan.
“If you’re set on fulfilling the role of the new bride to the very end, I suppose I’ve got no choice.”
Grady shrugged and gently lifted the sleeping Eliana into his arms. As if waiting for this moment, the coachman stepped aside and held the door open.
“You’ve arrived earlier than expected.”
The butler, who had been anxiously awaiting Grady’s return, hurried out to greet him.
“It seems the bride has no intention of spending our first night together.”
“…Pardon?”
Grady let out a wry chuckle as he looked down at Eliana, nestled peacefully in his arms, breathing softly in her sleep. At the wedding hall, she had trembled like a frightened herbivore, but now she looked serene, sleeping without a care.
“She doesn’t seem likely to wake anytime soon. Prepare the bedroom.”
Climbing the steps of the grand duke’s estate, Grady gave the butler his instruction.
Meanwhile, Eliana, deep in slumber, was dreaming she was flying.
Escaping the stuffy mansion of Baron Hoffman, she soared freely between blue skies and lush forests.
“…Is she smiling?”
Grady chuckled softly as he gently laid her down on the bed.
She really was an unpredictable woman.
“How should I prepare the bedroom?”
In the Empire, it was rare for a married couple to share a room. Typically, the husband would visit the wife’s room only on the nights they intended to consummate the marriage.
“There are too many eyes watching us—I can’t afford to disappoint them.”
With a cold glance toward the sleeping Eliana, Grady turned away. His body, tense from anxiety since dawn, now screamed for rest.
“Hmmm.”
Her breath was sweet. Tossing and turning, Eliana eventually succumbed to the bright sunlight peeking through the gap in the curtains and opened her eyes.
Blink, blink.
The room was still so dark that, if not for the streak of sunlight, she could have believed it was still night.
Feeling the warm touch on her cheek, Eliana instinctively snuggled into it. Just as she was about to drift off again, comforted by the soft embrace holding her, something strange caught her eye.
‘What is that?’
She blinked, noticing that the gentle rise and fall of her “pillow” had become irregular.
“…Already awake?”
The low voice reached her ears just before the vibrations did. Her tousled hair brushed across the pillow as it slid out from under her head.
“Sleep a little longer. Rumors that we didn’t leave the bedroom all day will be more satisfying for them.”
As her vision adjusted to the darkness, she saw sharply defined muscles.
When the firm body that had been cradling her like a cradle disappeared, a chill filled the empty space. Eliana curled up instinctively at the sudden cold, her forehead nearly brushing Grady’s chest.
Cautiously, she rested her forehead against his chest. A subtle smile played at her lips as she successfully stole a bit of warmth.
“I didn’t expect to wake up in your arms.”
The thin strap of her slip, which barely clung to her shoulder, slipped down. Maybe because she had tossed and turned, her skirt had ridden up, barely covering her thighs.
‘I slept in this, in his arms?’
“There’s probably nothing more amusing than a temptress and a scoundrel spending their wedding night apart.”
Grady’s cold reply sobered Eliana, and she quickly tried to explain.
“…That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what? Were you hoping to spend the night with that knight instead?”
His unusually sharp tone made Eliana bite her lip. His bare chest felt like a mountain too high to climb.
“…….”
“If you’re going to act like a demure lady in front of me, don’t bother.”
Grady turned away.
Not once did he look back at Eliana. His voice carried the irritation of someone brushing away a pesky gnat.
When Rosella had pushed him into marrying Eliana, he’d been appalled.
But once he met her, he found she was surprisingly reasonable. She was clear in what she wanted, and she respected boundaries.
Having spent his whole life being manipulated by Rosella, Grady had grown to detest the notion of being tied down to any woman.
Especially when Rosella would throw herself into his arms, tearfully making ridiculous demands.
But when even Eliana, whom he had thought different, tried to sway him with her tender gaze, he felt sick.
“…I’m sorry.”
Much later, Eliana apologized in a soft voice.
She had only been startled to find herself waking up in Grady’s arms. In her two previous marriages, she had never once experienced that.
“Excuses.”
Eventually, Grady stood up. His movement as he pulled the bell rope was full of irritation. He adjusted his robe and rubbed his neck, fatigue etched into his every motion.
Eliana lay still under the covers, holding her breath. The only thing she could do was clench her eyes to keep from crying.
“Why do you think I married someone who’s been through two marriages already?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I wanted someone experienced and skilled—not naïve. Especially not someone who looks at me with those expectant eyes. Do you think that suits you?”
Grady tied his robe and looked back at her.
Eliana, her face peeking out from the blanket, looked up at him.
“…….”
“Well then. Let’s do what we’re supposed to.”
His robe fell open slightly, revealing his muscular chest. Grady stepped toward her, still wrapped in the blankets.
Eliana, suddenly caged beneath him, looked up at him with fearful eyes.
“What do you mean, ‘what we’re supposed to do’?”
Their faces were so close that his breath tickled her lips. Blue eyes and black ones met in the air—two colors that seemed like they would never mix.
“I don’t intend to go against expectations. We left the ceremony like that yesterday, didn’t we?”
Grady’s hand stroked Eliana’s long, white neck. His hand traveled down to her collarbone and hovered over her rounded shoulder. The fallen slip exposed her pale skin.
“Fortunately, we won’t need to spill any blood.”
Eliana’s eyes filled with dismay as she lay still. Her heart raced as she instantly understood what he meant.
“…….”
“It should be somewhere easily visible, don’t you think?”
“…I don’t want to do this.”
Eliana shook her head.
“Eliana Criber. This isn’t a marriage—it’s a deal.”
Grady lifted her chin. His touch was rather irritable.
“Your Grace. I’m coming in now.”
At that moment, Emma’s voice rang out. Eliana’s lips, about to speak, pressed shut as she bit her bottom lip.
As the door opened, Grady’s lips brushed Eliana’s neck. It was just a light touch, but enough for Emma, the maids, and the butler to catch sight of the intimate act.
“Oh my!”
Grady met the butler’s gaze and smiled charmingly as he pulled away from Eliana. The younger maids turned red and quickly lowered their heads.
Only Emma calmly bowed to both Grady and Eliana.
“Good morning, Your Grace. Your Highness.”
Grady nodded slowly to Emma’s greeting. Rubbing the back of his neck, he left the room with the butler following behind. Eliana touched the spot on her neck that still burned.
Unlike the sunshine streaming in, Eliana’s heart felt terrible.
“I’ll prepare a scarf.”
Emma, noticing the red mark on Eliana’s neck, reached for one, but Eliana raised her hand to stop her. Though it had only been a light touch, a red flower had bloomed where Grady’s lips had been.
“…It’s fine.”
“…Pardon?”
Emma’s surprised face was reflected in the mirror. Eliana looked at her steadily and quietly shook her head.
“…Understood.”
The rest of the morning passed smoothly. They ate breakfast, made polite conversation, and neither of them spoke about what had happened in bed.
“Nothing yet from the palace?”
It was after breakfast, when Emma brought tea. At Grady’s question, the butler nodded stiffly.
“Better to get it over with quickly. I’m thinking of visiting the palace this afternoon. What do you think?”
Grady casually lifted his teacup. Eliana, taking the sweet tea from Emma, turned her head.
“…….”
“His Majesty must be furious—he had what he wanted stolen right in front of him.”
“What should I prepare for?”
Warm sunlight spilled across the yellow tablecloth. It felt more like spring than winter, the golden light surrounding them.
“Your heart.”
“My heart?”
“An unwavering love for me—no matter the situation.”
Grady’s brazen remark made the maids stifle giggles. Even the elderly butler turned red and looked away.
“That’s always ready—so don’t worry. Though I can’t promise it won’t ever change.”
Grand Duke’s staff are suspicious