# 93
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At the word "wife," I felt the color drain from my face. However, I did not want to show even the slightest sign of being agitated. It was because I could see a playfulness mixed in Ares's eyes.
Grace walked toward him, trying not to let her gaze fall on the gap in her gown.
It’s a good evening, Your Excellency.
As she sat opposite him, careful not to let her gown open, Ares, who had been looking at the ceiling, glanced at her and spoke.
I understand my attire. I couldn't help it.
Please excuse my attire as well. I couldn't help it.
Then Ares looked into her eyes, giggled, and pointed to his robe.
"Still, you're better off than me. I barely managed to keep this. They wouldn't even let me have this, which won't even close."
I did my best to keep it, too. Although Mrs. Rexton seemed a bit disappointed that she couldn't dress him in the clothes I had prepared.
Madame Orthuan was the same. She was so excited. Though she soon quieted down.
What did you say?
I didn't say much. I just told them to take it easy.
Don't overdo it. Done.
I could clearly picture the expression on his face when he said those words.
Madame Orthuan must have turned pale.
“What does it matter? It’s not like I strangled you.”
Grace's green eyes became stern.
You shouldn't strangle someone.
"You'd be in big trouble if you did that. My dear grandmother would come chasing after me with a thorn bush."
Shaking her head at the audacious remark, Grace looked at the only bed. The embarrassing clothes and the situation were awkward, but the most awkward thing of all was that bed. However, there was nothing to be confused about. The answer was already decided.
As Grace rose from her seat, Ares's gaze followed her. Grace hugged two of the pillows neatly arranged at the head of the bed and returned to the sofa. Then, placing the pillows in a suitable spot, she spoke.
Go to bed and sleep.
I'm going to sleep here.
Grace ignored Ares's words and pondered what to sleep under. This was because there was only one blanket.
I should ask for one more blanket, right?
“Okay. So give me that pillow and go to bed. Can’t you see you’re already half-lying down?”
That makes no sense. Stop being unreasonable and get up quickly.
“What do you mean it doesn’t make sense? I was just sitting here to sleep.”
Grace watched him lie down completely on the sofa and spoke in a low voice.
There is no need to do that.
Then the man lying lazily raised his eyebrows.
What did I do?
Grace responded to Ares's audacity with honesty.
Your Excellency and I both know what today’s marriage means. So, there is no need for you to go out of your way to be nice to me when no one is around.
I'm not being nice to you.
“Don’t let that slide. Just imagine that Lord Rexton was here instead of me right now.”
At that, Ares shuddered as if the mere thought was horrible.
“Why do I have to think that?”
Are you going to tell Lord Rexton to go to bed as well?
Ares was finally left speechless. Grace spoke firmly with a serious expression.
Lord Rexton and I are the same. I would not dare to sleep in your bed.
“…….”
Ares stared silently at Grace. Even though it was a formless gaze, Grace felt as if her whole body was tightening. Just as she was about to turn her back on him completely, a deep, chilling voice pierced her ears.
“You told me to love myself. Who was it that said to just act like I’m in love in that moment?”
She never dreamed that her own words would come back to haunt her like this.
I just do what I want, so don't worry about it.
As I just moved my lips, not knowing what to say, he smiled handsomely.
As the illusion occurred that paint had been applied over the laughter that had resembled a rough pen drawing, Grace averted her gaze from him. The feeling of her mind going blank was unfamiliar. She even went so far as to think that it would be more comfortable to endure the insults and disgrace.
Grace frowned and spoke forcefully.
“That’s what I mean when people are watching. Don’t be stubborn, just get up quickly.”
“I told you. I do whatever I want, so don’t worry about it.”
"dismissal."
“Yes. Please speak, Madam.”
"dismissal!!"
Hehe.
Ares, who had been giggling, closed his eyes completely, and eventually Grace approached him and spoke in an earnest tone.
"dismissal."
But at that very moment, Ares opened his eyes and grabbed my arm. Through the smooth silk robe, I could feel his large, hot palm. I had the illusion that his jet-black eyes were reddish. No, it seemed as though everything in the room was reddish.
At the moment when it felt as if red things were filling my lungs with every breath I inhaled, Ares whispered in a voice barely audible.
“If you call my name again, I’ll do as you say.”
However, Grace vowed that she would never call his name again, even if a knife were held to her throat. She felt that if she called his name here, something unbearable would happen.
Grace pulled her arm out of his grasp, went to the sofa opposite, and lay down there as well.
Ares jumped up at the sight of Grace lying down with her back turned to him.
Are you planning to sleep there?
"yes."
It was a joke.
“…….”
You don't have to call my name, so go to bed and sleep.
I'm just doing what I want to do. Don't worry about it.
“Grace, if you sleep there, you’ll have muscle soreness tomorrow. Go to bed quickly.”
Grace decided not to answer anymore. Ares, who had called her name several times, eventually just sighed.
Go to bed or not, do as you please. I closed my eyes tightly, thinking this stubborn thought, when suddenly a soft blanket was pulled over me. As I snapped my eyes open, the candlelight that had been illuminating the surroundings with a golden light went out in an instant.
A deep darkness gently descended, leaving only the crackling fire of the stove. As I quietly blinked my eyes, a voice with exactly that kind of feeling was heard from within the affectionate darkness.
Good night, Grace.
Grace suddenly realized that it had been a very long time since she had exchanged such an evening greeting. It felt as if there were small butterflies on the back of her neck. It took quite a while to finally utter the words that seemed on the verge of coming out.
"good night."
A small laugh is heard in the darkness.
Sweet dreams.
It tickles.
Grace pressed her hand firmly against her chest. Could she fall asleep like this? She wondered how she could possibly sleep next to a man with such a commanding presence, yet strangely, drowsiness gradually crept in. Paradoxically, having him in the same space felt as though the hollow void within her was being filled.
The gentle, drowsy feeling was hazy and pleasant. I was extremely tired, having been unable to sleep since yesterday evening and busy all day. A warm darkness languidly enveloped everything.
Ares gazed at Grace while shrouded in darkness. Then, after a little more time had passed, the moment he felt her breathing had completely subsided, he silently rose to his feet. He then carefully lifted her, blanket and all.
Grace did not wake up, perhaps because she was tired. He moved her to the bed and tidied the blanket with awkward movements. As he covered her left arm, which was sticking out from under the blanket, his gaze turned to her ring finger as if drawn by something.
Even in the darkness, a simple gold ring was visible. I felt a pang in my chest.
Ares, trembling with anxiety at his inability to do anything with that small hand, finally looked up. He saw a white, elegant face bathed in the warmth of the fireplace. Then, as if drawn, his gaze descended below the neck. The moment he caught sight of the white curves swollen between the disheveled robes, he sprang from his seat and pulled the blanket up to her neck.
"What am I supposed to do if I catch a cold? Why did you dress me in clothes like this?"
Muttering in frustration, he hurried back to the sofa, taking several deep breaths and tossing and turning uncomfortably. Yet, even so, his gaze drifted toward the bed as if drawn by magnetism.
It seemed like falling asleep was out of the question.
Ares's deep, long sigh seeped into the darkness.
* * *
There are three major power groups in the Deccan Empire. One is the Imperial Court faction led by the Emperor, another is the Temple faction led by the High Priest, and the remaining one is the Senate faction composed of 10 noble families.
The four ducal and six marquisate families that make up the Senate are the masters of the 'two seas, twelve mountain ranges, and five rivers' mentioned in the Emperor's introduction, and they exerted immense influence over the legislative, judicial, and administrative affairs of the Deccan.
The four ducal houses are Richmond and Taylor, Grafden, the family of the late Empress Ailey, and Eris, the owner of the Eastern Granary.
The masters of the ten families belonging to the Senate would come to the capital at the end of winter to stay and handle Senate affairs, and then return to their respective estates around autumn. However, this was not a legally mandated rule. When there was an urgent matter in their estates, they would delegate the task to a trustworthy subordinate.
For the past decade or so, Richmond had been under the rule of the regent Marquis Linco, and for this reason, Marquis Linco had also been handling the affairs of the Senate on his behalf. However, he was executed for treason, and the returning Duke announced that he would naturally head to the capital.
“If my mistress hadn’t been here, I would have died.”
As the vassal peeking his head out from the pile of documents muttered, the person on the opposite side reflexively nodded and stood up. Just then, someone pressed down firmly on his shoulder. When he looked up, Andrew Isaac was looking down at him with a stern expression and whispering.
“If you are going to see the Duchess, please think again.”
“Andy, you!”
“You did it five times this morning alone, sir.”
Madness was visible in Andrew's eyes as he spread his calloused hand wide.
“You inquired with the Duchess.”
Th-that.
Think about it one more time.
“Hey, you know. I told you, I thought a lot before I got up.”
Your Excellency ordered that I bring the list of those who have inquired more than six times.
“…….”
“What would you do?”