In the soft morning light, there was something particularly lascivious about him. He was wearing the same simple shirt and slacks as the night before, but now that she could see all the details, they made his good looks even more prominent.
Byletta had always believed herself to be uninterested in appearances, but as she gazed at her husband’s face, she couldn’t deny that she found him attractive. One would never guess that he was in his thirties.
His fine, silky, ash-gray hair was paired with a set of almond-shaped emerald-green eyes that shone with a beguiling light.
His porcelain skin was clear and pale with nary a blemish.
“O-oh, you’re awake.”
“Yes. I overslept. My apologies.”
“N-not to worry. I…may have gone too far last night. How are you feeling?”
His newly polite demeanor was very different from what Byletta had encountered the night before. It seemed an especially odd choice for someone who’d had his way with an inexperienced girl until the sun came up.
As a Little Miss Know-It-All, Byletta knew the different terminology and techniques that encompassed making love. How could she not, when she served ladies at her shop? But while Byletta recognized that the way he’d spoken to her last night had been abusive, she didn’t quite understand why his words had left her feeling so ashamed. And regardless, such treatment was not an appropriate lead-in to a wedding night. It was just the work of a bully.
Since that was the kind of man she was dealing with, Byletta knew that she shouldn’t just take his words at face value. This new demeanor could simply be a fresh angle of attack.
But even if Arnald were to try and pick a fight now, with her still-groggy mind, Byletta was in no shape to form a decent reply.
“Thank you for your concern. And also for dressing me, it seems…”
Byletta wasn’t entirely happy with the situation, but she decided it would be more troublesome to speak out about it. But then Arnald hastily responded to her evasiveness with an explanation.
“You’re welcome. I would have felt extremely guilty leaving you as you were… I’m sorry.”
What was he apologizing for? His expression was very stern, almost bitter. His words might be contrite, but the look on his face didn’t match.
Byletta couldn’t understand why he would ask for her forgiveness in the first place. Where had the selfish man from the previous night gone?
“You’re probably hungry. Breakfast is ready downstairs, but Milena and the others have already started eating. Shall I bring something up?”
At Milena’s name, Byletta thought of her kind sister. She was probably worried that her big sis hadn’t shown up for breakfast. Knowing how sensitive Milena was, Byletta couldn’t help but worry that she’d managed to guess what happened—though if she had at her young age, then that was a whole other problem.
“Did Milena say anything?”
“She both scolded me and told me to keep myself in check… I never realized before how fearsome sisters can be.”
“Huh? Are we talking about the same sweet Milena?”
“All I remember of my sister is that she’s an only child.”
How could he call a girl as lovely and delicate as a flower “fearsome”?
Byletta was tempted to believe that he was mistaking Milena for somebody else. She’d hardly ever even seen her little sister angry.
“I think I’ll go down and eat breakfast with the others. Do you mind if I change?”
“Be my guest.”
“Thank you. Then, if you will allow me to get dressed…?”
“…………”
Byletta glanced at her husband, who seemed to be waiting for her to make a move. Why was he staring at her like that? His emerald-green eyes seemed suspicious, but they were wavering, as if he was confused. The cold-blooded fox she’d heard so much about was nowhere to be seen.
“Um, I’d like to change, so can you please leave the room?”
“Oh, right. Of course. I’ll be waiting downstairs. Please call for me if you need anything…” Arnald turned away and left the bedroom, muttering to himself. “The way she’s acting… She’s definitely trying to trick me.”
“What was all that about?”
Byletta had been led to believe that her husband was smarter than this, but perhaps the rumors had been wrong? He was acting so flustered that she had to wonder if he was a little dense.
Still unsure of what to believe, Byletta endured the pain she felt and got out of bed to dress.
After dinner, Byletta was poring over some work documents in her room when Arnald entered.
She had spent the entire day taking it easy at home, mostly because of the night before. Unable to go to the boutique, she’d spent her time going through some paperwork instead.
Even though she was sitting at her writing desk, trying to read through the papers in front of her, nothing was clicking in her brain. All she could think about was the door to her room. It wasn’t as if she could avoid her husband for an entire month. She would need to endure a little bit if she was to secure her freedom.
Byletta was silently repeating that to herself when Arnald came in.
She turned her paperwork over and got up from the desk to receive him.
As soon as Arnald entered the room, he handed Byletta a sheet of paper to read.
“I’ve brought the contract. Please read it, and if you have no major complaints, sign it as well.”
1. The signatories will live as husband and wife for the duration of the contract.
2. The duration of the contract will be one month.
3. Should the wife conceive prior to the expiration of the contract, the marriage will continue until death. In the event she does not, a divorce will be granted.
Byletta reviewed the terms. She had no issues, so she placed the document on the desk and signed her name.
“With that, we’re agreed. Do you wish to be the retainer of the document?”
“Yes, I do.”
Byletta silently decided that she would keep it in her safe alongside the deeds to her boutique and important business agreements. For now, however, her desk drawer would do. She couldn’t stash it away in her secret spot with Arnald still standing there.