‘This is weird!’

Everything about this situation was weird: the abrupt change in location, her husband who was drenched in water out of nowhere… and the way he was acting as if he had transformed into a different person.

‘Is this, by any chance…’

Kaywhin wiped away the droplet on Yelena’s cheek with his thumb. Then, he caressed her face with his hand.

That’s all he did, but the hairs on the back of Yelena’s neck stood up. The heat of the hand on her skin was alarmingly hot.

Yelena stopped thinking.

“Wife.”

“…”

“When I’m with you, I can’t think of anything else… Is it not the same for you?”

“…”

“Please focus on me.”

‘Uh, wha, huh.’

Yelena’s lips moved slightly, but nothing came out, as if she had forgotten how to speak.

Kaywhin stroked Yelena’s lips softly with the tips of his fingers and then slowly lowered his head.

Yelena stared blankly at Kaywhin’s lips getting closer and then suddenly shouted out, “W-wait a minute!”

“…”

“Well, you see… I’m not telling you to stop or anything, but.”

Yelena continued in a rush.

“…Are you going to keep your clothes on?”

He looked good, but she couldn’t help but worry about his wet clothes. Kaywhin hesitated and then spoke with his face right in front of Yelena’s.

“Would you prefer them off?”

“Uh… wouldn’t anyone?”

Yelena’s face reddened after answering. Was he thinking of only kissing?

‘D-did I get too ahead of myself?’

Kaywhin got up just as Yelena’s pupils trembled. Then, he began to unbutton his shirt one-by-one.

“…”

Yelena gazed at him in a trance.

Long and straight fingers unbuttoned Kaywhin’s shirt. The buttons came loose one-by-one, slightly revealing her husband’s bare body.

Yelena couldn’t break her gaze away from any of those things.

Soon after, the shirt was completely open. Kaywhin took it off and set it to the side of the bed. Yelena stared silently at her husband’s bare body that was still wet and then spoke.

“By the way.”

“Yes?”

“We’re not just going to kiss, right?”

Considering the mood and the location, there was no way that they’d only kiss.

Yelena stared at Kaywhin with eyes that commanded him to refute her immediately. Kaywhin smiled and lowered his body over Yelena’s, as if answering her wish.

“…Of course not.”

Yelena could feel his warm breath from up close. She squeezed her eyes shut. Then, her whole body was enveloped in a heat that seemed to have come from somewhere out of reach.

Yelena’s brain went fuzzy.

She dug her nails into her husband’s broad and solid back and let out a sweet moan.

Snap.

Yelena opened her eyes.

“…”

Sunlight seeped through the curtains and brightened the room.

Chirp, chirp.

Yelena thought she heard the faint sound of birds chirping. She blinked slowly.

‘My bedroom.’

She was in her own room.

Soon after, Yelena turned her head to the side very slowly. She saw her husband sleeping quietly in his neat sleepwear, no different from the previous night.

Then, she slowly opened her mouth.

‘Ahhh!’

Her silent scream filled the quiet bedroom.

–

Chapter 9 – Anyone Can Be Cupid

Knock, knock. The door to the duke’s study opened after two knocks sounded.

Kaywhin swiftly raised his head, tearing his gaze away from his work. He seemed rather disappointed as he looked back down. Seeing this, Ben hesitated from where he stood by the door.

“…Were you waiting for someone?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Kaywhin quietly stared down at his papers and fountain pen before changing the subject.

“More importantly, what’s the matter, Ben? I don’t think I called you.”

“Ah, it’s none other than…”

Ben approached Kaywhin’s desk and relayed the purpose of his visit.

“I came to inform you that it’s time for the quarterly subjugation.”

Kaywhin looked over at a schedule that was set to one side of his desk.

“…Is it already time?”

Then, Kaywhin nodded.

“All right. Make the preparations.”

“I’ll head back then.”

Ben bowed his head and exited the room.

It wasn’t long before he heard two maids whispering across the hall as he walked down the corridor.

“Doesn’t it seem like the relationship between the duke and the duchess has changed a bit?”

“You think so, too? That’s what I thought.”

“Right? It’s definitely different. It’s like Madam is avoiding the du… Ah!”

The maid who was whispering to her colleague saw Ben. Her eyes widened in shock.