Chapter 5
Similar days followed for a while.
The Grand Duke, who had improved, was so busy that I did not have time to see his face. He said that while he was sick from a terrible lack of sleep, he had piles of unfinished business.
He had breakfast with her every morning and then went to the imperial palace, and she returned to her bedroom, slept a little more, and woke up around noon.
With nothing to do, she read books and walked around the park all day. No matter what she did, she always bathed in fragrant water afterwards.
Then they had dinner together, as the Grand Duke had wished.
He would text her telling her to eat when he was late, but there weren't many days like that. The Grand Duke returned every day to watch her eat at the table, next to him.
Although he didn't seem to eat much, he wanted to eat with her.
She didn't like eating alone, so she didn't hate his behavior.
Surrounded by him, servants, and maids, eating delicious food somehow felt warm.
It was strange. She was very afraid at first.
The Grand Duke seemed to be in a better mood with each passing day.
He still had the dignity of a knight in his amber-colored eyes, but he smiled a lot and was very kind to her as well.
Plus, the maids were surprisingly friendly.
At first they were just being polite, but the more they encountered her, the more they started saying, “Ma’am please take this, Ma’am look at that.”
She was always cruel because she didn't know how to deal with such good people, but the maids didn't care and always greeted her first.
What she received was mainly food.
The food here was very delicious, even the steamed potatoes.
It was embarrassing to eat with admiration every time, but the maids understood and even brought more to feed her. Thanks to their efforts, I gained some weight.
Why were they so nice when she was just one of the owners serving them?
“Thank you, ma'am.” said Sumona, who was combing her hair.
Omarion closed her eyes.
“Why?”
“His Highness has slept soundly ever since his wife came. When the Grand Duke was suffering, it was difficult for us too. The atmosphere of the palace was not really good. But when the lady came, everything became better.”
"Oh"...
“It will be better in the future. You are a cheerful person.”
I stared silently at the polished craftsmanship of the dressing table.
“Cheerful”... She could not easily communicate with the Grand Duke of Death
Now she realized that it was not as dark as her first impression, but it was still difficult for her to imagine the light side of the Duke.
His black clothes, his body that looked like a living god, and the dangerous smell of death that permeated his every step. Especially when she saw him walking around with nightmares...
She wrapped her hands in her lap.
And I thought war was really scary...
***
Her nightly routine was no different.
She washed, went into the bedroom, and read a book while she waited for him, and then the Grand Duke came, dressed comfortably, and lay down on the bed.
While she was reading, she felt his gaze.
She poked her head over the book.
The Grand Duke looked at her kindly.
“My mind is always clear these days.”
"Is this correct ?"
“All of this is thanks to you.”
She frowned strangely.
She still feels embarrassed when flattered.
It was even more strange than the person who was being beaten by her every night.
He put his arms behind his head and lay on the bed.
His gentle eyes were curved like crescent moons.
“Why... are you doing this?”
I looked at him, confused.
“May I call you by your name?”
"What? My name?"
“Yes. May I call by your name?”
“He is a very strange person.”
She blinked her eyes.
“You have taken someone you have never seen before as your wife. You call me by my name? You can do whatever you want.”
But he wanted permission.
“Do what you want.”
He closed his eyes and smiled at her answer.
“Omarion.”
... “Marion is fine.”
“Marion.”
His voice was suffocatingly soft.
She turned her head. This was the first time someone had called her name like that.
A voice mixed with laughter came from her side.
“Call me by my first name, too.”
"What ?"
I looked at him in confusion.
“What do you mean, I call you by your name?”
No matter how little etiquette she knew, she knew for sure that there was no rule that allowed her to call the Grand Duke by his name.
I heard that in imperial etiquette, a wife called her husband by a nickname.
But he cut off her thoughts smoothly.
“Your husband calls you by your name, so you should do the same, right?”
The Grand Duke was smiling, as if he was truly happy.
No one had ever been nice to her, not even her family.
But…
She hesitated and said,
“…Viktor.”
"This is correct!"
He praised her as if he were praising an obedient animal.
Then he called the servant.
The servant entered, drew the curtains, and blew out the candles.
With his eyes flashing in the candlelight, the Grand Duke looked at her weakly.
“Call me whatever you want.”
“…”
"Good night, Marion. Sleep tight."
His words sounded incredibly sweet.
In the darkness, his breathing slowed and then became even.
She put down the book she was holding and grabbed her sword.
As usual, she hugged her sheath and crouched down.
Unknown feelings pressed to her chest.
***
It was really quiet.
It was a peace she could never have imagined.
It wasn't quite what she wanted, but it took her into a world beyond her wildest dreams.
There was no waking up at dawn to the roar of gargoyles, no hugging newly orphaned babies in the middle of a blizzard, no digging up bodies from a collapsed mine.
All of her new possessions were gently wrapped around her entire body.
The Grand Duke's household items were clean and shiny.
The food was delicious and the people were friendly.
Above all, Victor, Grand Duke...
He was the first gentleman I ever met.
He was graceful, so gentle that every word took her breath away.
This was the first time someone had treated her like this, so she felt constantly embarrassed.
Where did her initial fear and anger go?... She felt embarrassed again.
I thought it was hard to get these things just because they put him to sleep.
She crossed the hall to her bedroom and looked at herself in the mirror on the wall.
Her skin, which had been red and rough from the cold, was now almost smooth.
When she spent time in the sun and ate good food, her skin improved, too.
She rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand.
She realized that she loved being in the sun.
The southern sun was hot, so when she was under it, her skin stung.
The maids set up a canopy on one side of the garden, so she could sit there and read a book.
“Would I get a tan if I was out in the sun like this? Like Victor?”
She quickly cleared away the thoughts that had escaped her mind.
“Like Victor.” Just comparing herself to him made her feel guilty.
She hurriedly left the mirror and headed towards the Grand Duke's office.
This was the first time that the Grand Duke had summoned her to his office.
He always said she could come into the office and tell him if she wanted anything, but she didn't want anything.
Her stomach was always full and the place she slept was warm.
“What else do I need?”
She had whatever she wanted to eat, any book she wanted to read, and if she needed anything else, she just had to say the word and it would be magically brought to her.
So, she thought it would be best if she stopped asking her questions. I opened the office door gently.
The office smelled of paper and ink.
There were an extraordinary number of candles, and the deep mahogany furniture and elaborately woven carpets were beautifully decorated with a black lion, the symbol of the Grand Duke.
The Grand Duke and Daedric, who were also present, had serious expressions. They were deep in discussion.
She was nervous.
“Did something happen?”
Before she could say anything, the Grand Duke spoke.
“Marion. Since you are my wife, you must take care of this palace.”
"What ?"
She was incredibly confused.
In a noble family, the housekeeper was usually in charge of the household.
But the same wasn't true for her.
His castle was more like a castle than an ornamental palace.
She felt like it wasn't her job to run the castle. Her talent was swordsmanship, so she had to stay on the front lines all day.
She said hesitantly.
“I thought it was my job to put His Highness... to sleep.”
Didn't I say I would make you the most powerful lady in the empire? Marion, there is not a single lady in the empire who does not manage her own books.”
Her eyebrows furrowed at his words.
That's right, once she was considered the wife of the Grand Duke, she would have to do the basics.
The Grand Duke quickly softened his expression, when he saw her stiff as a statue.
“Hey, Marion. I didn't mean to push or scold you. I just wanted to give you something. You are my wife, so you should control the family money.”
He mocked affectionately.
“It won't be difficult. Daedric will help you.”
“…”
“If there's anything you want, buy it.”
He was very generous.
She did not understand the Grand Duke well.
Was it possible to be wealthy enough to grant permission so easily?
The Grand Duke smiled like melted sugar.
She closed her mouth tightly as if she had taken a drink.
It was a smile she couldn't resist.
She finally nodded.
***
• End of chapter •
To be continued •••
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