# 28
The reception ended after the tense atmosphere gradually faded, due to Penny Williams disrupting the happy conclusion of the wedding, as well as the impact of Angelica's strong words that greatly shocked the nobles.
“Is it possible that this marriage was actually because of her love for that great duke?”
“Doesn’t the princess realize that since his childhood he was called a war demon who loves to shed blood?”
“Isn't it obvious? He's the same Duke who subjugated her kingdom to the Empire nine years ago!”
Since everyone was showing congratulations while hiding similar thoughts to Penny's, the shock spread among them like wildfire.
Although there were those who tried to deny it at first, they could not resist when they saw the clear, sincere look on Angelica's face.
“It's real!”
The same thought crossed the minds of all the guests in the hall, including Benny. At that moment, panic appeared in their eyes, as if they had encountered an unknown being from another dimension. Their faces immediately turned pale.
“Heh, heh… It's already late, we can't keep the bride here any longer. We'll take our break now.”
“Yes, yes, of course! Surely you are very busy, and we have exaggerated keeping you with us. Haha!”
Although there was a full hour left of the appointed time, the nobles quickly raced to leave the hall.
“Thank you for coming to the wedding. We will meet officially soon.”
Although they did not adhere to the expected decorum, Angelica was gracious enough to let them go.
And that was normal.
‘Finally…the first night! '
She has a lot of work to do, as the ladies said before!
❈❈❈
After calming down Cyril Rose, who was angry because of Penny, and bidding her a friendly farewell, Angelica began getting ready with one of the bridesmaids.
She finished her bath with a luxurious scent of rose oil, then put on a light robe to sleep.
The servants had obviously noticed her nervousness, so they prepared wine and some simple desserts for her in her marital suite.
As soon as the bridesmaids left the room, complete silence fell over them.
She sat on the edge of the bed for a few moments, but quickly jumped up and shouted:
"Keeeeah! What am I going to do? How should I act?!"
She had fun thoughts about that first night during the reception, but now she was in a completely different situation!
She had never even shared a real kiss before, so how would she be able to react in such a situation?
Moreover, the mere fact that Hugo approached her made her freeze completely.!
“No! I have to calm down first! Ha… hoof… ha….”
She placed her hand on her chest and began to breathe slowly, trying to calm herself. It seemed that she was succeeding for a moment, but her heart laughed at her and soon began beating strongly, as if it was going to jump out of her throat!
“No…not like that…I need something more…radical.”
She began to imagine herself freezing completely or perhaps fainting at the sight of him, which made her feel like she was about to collapse.
“I don't want to be buried alive from now on!”
While she looked around with hungry eyes like a wolf searching for its prey, her eyes fell on the bottle of wine placed on the table. She held her hand tightly and said:
“This is the solution!”
Although she didn't like drinking much, because she got drunk quickly and fainted easily, circumstances were different now.
“But...is this a time to hesitate?”
-Kush!-
She opened the cork of the bottle and began pouring the red wine into the glass until it was full.
“I will only drink enough to improve my mood... so that I don't pass out, and at the same time I don't feel stressed!”
She thought about the appropriate amount, and decided that half a cup...or maybe a full cup would be enough. And I started drinking all at once.
But she didn't know...
This wine was the type that the people of the North drank, and was known for its high concentration, even in those cold regions.
It was even considered one of the strongest types available there, to the point that just a small sip was enough to make her extremely intoxicated!
“Heck!”
And just like that, Angelica Ratlay found herself reeling into a state of complete intoxication.
❈❈❈
The soft creak of the door was the last thing Angelica noticed. She was so immersed in wine that she couldn't sense the passage of time.
Despite her initial decision to limit herself to one glass, she found herself drinking straight from the bottle without realizing it, which was normal given her increasing stress.
But the sound of the door opening made her slowly blink her eyes, finding herself staring at a familiar shadow.
It was Hugo Bernstein!
A faltering smile appeared on her lips, and she stood, swaying closer to him.
“Hugo!”
For the first time, she was able to call him by his name without stuttering or fear.
Then she rushed into his arms and hugged him tightly.
“Angelica, wait a minute—”
“No!”
She interrupted him with childish stubbornness as she clinged to him more.
She was immersed in the warmth of his arms, and seemed to find in his closeness the comfort she had always missed. After a while, she felt that they should continue their conversation in a more comfortable place, so she led him to the bed.
However, as soon as she sat down next to him, she turned to raise her head and stare closely at him. Even though she was drunk, his features seemed very clear in front of her, as if her consciousness was completely focused on him.
“It is his black hair that no one can see but me... and his deep eyes that seem to drown me...”
Her thoughts, which she had long kept secret, suddenly began to surface, as if they were buried in Pandora's box.
She looked at his face, and could not prevent herself from touching his cheek with her fingertips, then she whispered sadly as she saw the scar beginning to fade from his neck:
“She's mine...why does she disappear?”
Suddenly, Hugo exhaled heavily, and his warm breath touched her cheek, making her feel a slight tingle and laugh in a soft voice.
She fixed her gaze on his eyes, without saying anything, as if she was speaking only through her looks.
She wanted to tell him so much... that she had loved him for a long time, and that she had been waiting for him to appear in her life to change her fate.
“I…”
“What?”
He asked her in a low voice.
“I was waiting for you.”
Her words were simple, but they carried deep feelings. She was not only waiting for him to come into the room, but she had been waiting for him for a long time, waiting for him to save her from her miserable life.
“Angelica…”
His voice calling her softly made her heart turbulent, and a surge of emotions pushed her towards a sudden action.
She moved closer to him, and unconsciously placed her lips on top of his. It was a light, groggy touch, but the warmth of his breath made her lean into him more.
But suddenly, Hugo broke this closeness by gently grabbing her shoulders and pulling her away from him slightly.
The room was dimly lit, allowing him to see her rosy cheeks and glassy eyes groggy from drunkenness.
He let out a long exhale and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his nerves.
“Angelica…”
He couldn't deny how much she affected him. Just having her near him was enough to set his thoughts on fire, but he had to stay in control of himself.
“I think we'd better stop here.”
He said in a calm voice, trying to compose himself, then he gently grabbed her to take her back to the bed.
But, before he could finish his movement, she clung tightly to his fingers and squeezed his hand.
Then she looked at him with glowing eyes and whispered a simple question, but loaded with meaning:
“Why?”
He was silent for a moment, then she dared to continue in a trembling whisper:
“Why can’t we… continue?”
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