🌻 🌻 🌻
THE dinner party continued well into the night. I’d prepared myself for bed and dressed in my negligee to retire to the bedroom, but Lucas was already there, his back turned to me as he sat on the bed. As I gazed at his back, I was reminded of the convent we’d visited in the afternoon. The eagerness that lingered when I met him at the dinner party started to cool.
“Lucas,” I called gingerly.
He turned around with a calm gaze. “Welcome back. You must be tired.”
“The same could be said for you. You looked rather busy…”
He outstretched his arms. “If you’re so worried about me, I’d be grateful if you were nestled in my arms. How about it?”
“All right.”
I sat on the bed obediently, and Lucas hugged me from behind. His arms draped in silk were comfortable to the touch, and the aroma of his damp hair, fresh from the bath, tickled my nose. I was supposed to be comforting my husband, but I felt like I was the one being soothed.
I felt his soft lips touch the top of my head as Lucas took a few deep breaths.
“My mom…” he started quietly as he continued to face down. “I’d guessed that Matilda Stock was a noble.” He spoke slowly as though he was unraveling the memories he’d kept shut inside. “She could read, write, do calculations, and we could barely make a living, but she had enough negotiation and social skills to support me all by herself. To ensure that I wouldn’t be left alone in poverty, she convinced the count to interview her son for a potential job offer before her death. Only when I became older did I slowly realize that no normal woman could accomplish those feats.”
His lips continued to brush against my dark hair as he spoke, and I had no idea what expression he was making. It seemed like he was carefully facing the truth while he spoke to me. In response, I placed my hand over his and listened intently.
“Not once…did my mother speak ill of my father,” Lucas continued. “Her journal didn’t speak negatively of him at all, did it?”
“No,” I agreed.
I could feel him smile. “That’s just like her. That man had caused her to lead a life of ruin, yet she didn’t deny his existence. Because she knew that I’d struggle in life with my appearance, she must’ve chosen her words carefully. That bled into even her journal since she assumed I might read it one day.”
“Lucas…”
“But now we’ve got a problem,” Lucas said, changing his tone as he hugged me tightly. “I had no idea that I had the blood of someone in the faction of the first prince, but it makes sense now. Those in the faction of the third prince would’ve noticed that already.”
“Then what will we do now?”
“Let’s see… The safest bet is to pretend that none of this happened and stop pursuing my mother’s origins, I guess…”
I twisted my body to look up at his face. “If you’re curious, we should get into contact with that house, Lucas.” He looked at me in shock. I pressed on, “Be it sooner or later, they’ll realize you’re their blood relative. In fact, they might already know. A man with canary-yellow hair that fits the age and has mysterious origins is slowly but surely gaining power. If that’s the case, surely it isn’t a bad plan to strike first and meet with them.”
Lucas was silent for a few moments before he grinned at me. “I like how hotheaded you are.”
“Er… Am I?”
“If you wanted to end things peacefully, you would’ve told me not to stand out anymore. I shouldn’t provoke them, don’t you think?”
“Ah, you’re right.”
“Well, your hidden strength despite your meek appearance is partly why you’re so charming.” He touched my jaw and tilted it up slightly, planting a kiss on my forehead, eyes, and cheek.
“Lucas,” I gasped.
“All right, I’m in the mood,” he murmured. “Play along with me for a bit, will you?”
His raspy whispers made my heart pound even more. His warm hands that touched my body made me aware of the change in the air. He kissed my forehead again as he gently pushed me onto the bed.
“Lucas?”
I looked up at him, but his gaze was a touch cold. As he hovered over me, he intertwined his hands with mine, pinning me onto the bed. All sorts of thoughts and sensations filled my head—the information that Lucas had told me the other day, coupled with what the ladies from the dinner party had told me, flashed across my mind. This was a side of Lucas that I’d never seen before.
“Ah…” I tried to speak but could only emit a pathetic gasp.
His face neared mine as he kissed my ear. My mind went blank as my husband whispered ever so faintly. “Can you just play along for now?” he asked. “We’ll act like this for a while.”
“Huh?” I asked.
In contrast to his warm embrace and flurry of kisses, his voice was low and calm.
I couldn’t hide my confusion as I let him do as he pleased. I entrusted myself to his words and squeezed my eyes shut. He hugged me from above and planted a kiss on my neck and lips. Then, just as suddenly, the air shifted again, and he sat back up.
“L-Lucas?” I asked.
“I’m sorry,” he replied. “You’re fine now. Can you sit up?”
He outstretched his hand to help me stand up. As I did so, I felt my hips tremble and my knees buckle.
“Eek!” I cried as I slipped from the smooth bed sheets and sank onto the ground.
Lucas panicked for a split moment before he carried me back to the bed and helped me lie down. He brought the covers up to my neck, tucking me in.
“Sorry,” he apologized. “I must’ve scared you.”
“D-Don’t be sorry,” I replied. “You didn’t do anything wrong. We’re…married.”
“Don’t say that now. I won’t be able to hold myself back.” He covered his mouth and turned away. “You must be tired. Get some rest. I’ll go outside and cool my head for a little.”
I felt like he was trying to end our conversation. I nodded at Lucas, who was getting ready to head out onto the terrace.
“Okay, good night,” I said.
He stroked my hair once and turned around to head out.
“Um, Lucas?” I asked.
“Yeah?”
“You’ll…be back, won’t you?”
He froze and flashed a strained smile at me. “I will. As soon as I can.”
I watched him leave and breathed a sigh. I was relieved to see a pensive Lucas smile faintly at me. After turning off the lights, I snuggled into bed. In the end, I was deeply asleep until morning. I hadn’t noticed Lucas’s return, and I woke up in his arms the following morning.