Chapter 39: A Woman Like Me, An Easy Woman

While I hesitated, something sweet delved deeper.

‘Ah, his lips are like jelly, and inside is like a burst of syrup.’

I drank it in, again and again, unable to resist.

With trembling hands, I clung tightly to his waist. If I didn’t, I felt I might truly lose my senses. So I clung to him even more.

After what felt like an endless kiss, he gently caressed my face and held me in his arms.

The sound of my heart fluttering like a small bird and Xavier’s loud, thundering heartbeat pounded in my ears.

The man who met my gaze touched my lips with his fingers. His handsome index finger traced my lower and upper lips in turn.

“How regretful.”

His fingers slowly left my lips, and he exhaled a sigh-like word.

“But I’ll wait. Until you’re ready.”

“…Ah.”

His lips brushed against mine lightly, like a cherry blossom petal, then parted with a soft smack.

“I’m a gentleman, after all.”

With that, Xavier signed the marriage contract.

＊

Was I always this easy?

“Ahhh, how embarrassing!”

Even though it was still afternoon, I returned home from the café and kicked the air under the covers, pulling the blanket over my head.

‘I’m really glad you’re weak to physical affection.’

“Ahhh!”

The Duke, after a deep kiss, kindly wiped the saliva from the corner of my mouth. He even said things he didn’t need to.

‘Just a little more, and there’ll be room to enter.’

“Ugh, what do you mean by ‘enter’?”

“My lady?”

Even Maya’s call didn’t stop my kicking.

My hands, which had clung to his waist, felt like they would shrivel up, and I was so embarrassed by my intoxication with his lips that I felt like dying.

“Ugh.”

“My lady, are you crying?”

“No, I’m just frustrated.”

“Why? Didn’t you say you enjoyed your date with the Duke?”

Maya approached and gently lifted the blanket.

Her round, innocent eyes met mine. They were kind eyes that made me want to be spoiled. I instinctively opened my arms wide toward Maya.

“Maya… I didn’t know I was such a trivial and… lewd person.”

My voice broke as I spoke.

Falling for a few kisses, I must be crazy.

“Lewd?”

“Yes, I’m scared of myself for being so insignificant!”

“What do you mean?”

Xavier, who kissed so passionately and softly, came to mind.

“The Duke is too good at kissing.”

“……”

“I tried not to fall for it, but it was too sweet.”

Maya silently pulled the blanket away again.

“Lady Yuria, stop worrying about such happy troubles and come down, okay? You said you were going to see the master.”

“I will! But Maya, aren’t you being too harsh as someone who serves me?”

“Not at all! I thought the Duke was being mean. You’re about to marry him, so making a fuss over just a kiss is too much. What will you do on your wedding night?”

At the mention of the wedding night, I kicked the blanket off.

“Wedding niiiight?”

“Yes, the wedding night.”

Maya nodded twice as if it were obvious.

“Surely, you haven’t thought about the wedding night?”

I hadn’t.

I hadn’t considered the wedding night at all.

“Oh no, this is a big problem.”

I recalled Xavier’s firm and strong upper body pressing down on me, and the kiss filled with obsession that wouldn’t let me go easily.

‘How regretful.’

He had certainly said that.

Will I be okay on the wedding night?

As I tousled my hair and shook my head, Maya mirrored my actions, shaking her head. Then she sat by the bed, quietly watching my face.

“My lady, it’s part of growing up. Instead of avoiding it, you should think about facing it and solving it.”

“Maya.”

“Yes, my lady. I’m here.”

Maya smoothed my disheveled hair and looked into my eyes.

“You can’t remain a childish girl forever, right? I haven’t experienced marriage yet, but… I’ve realized one thing in life. The more you avoid it, the more it clings to you, this damn life. Sometimes, it’s best to accept it cleanly and think about what’s next.”

Maya was from a lower noble family. After her family fell, her mother passed away from illness, and her sisters had to marry off like they were sold off. Eventually, her father decided not to avoid reality and became a butler, bringing Maya, the youngest, into the Graham household.

Even after her father passed away early, my father, Baron Graham, took Maya in, and Yuria and Maya grew up like sisters.

“Maya.”

“I believe you’ll do well, my lady.”

Maya smiled, her eyes wrinkling. She tried to comfort me, albeit awkwardly.

Maya was right. It was already too late.

“Thank you, Maya.”

I reached out and hugged Maya, who was as small as I was.

I decided to stop whining and think about ‘what’s next.’ I needed to survive for there to be a next.

So, when Maya folded the blanket and pulled me out of bed, I followed her lead. When she brushed my hair, I let her.

Since I decided to marry Xavier, I had to inform my parents to prepare for what’s next.

In the leisurely afternoon tea time, I headed to the terrace where my parents were. The two gentle retrievers welcomed me warmly.

“Oh, Yuria!”

My father greeted me with his shoulder and arm wrapped in bandages. He had dislocated his shoulder when my mother grabbed him last time.

To be in such a state from my delicate mother’s hands, could it be that my father had become weak from his business endeavors?

“Father, is your shoulder okay? Are you taking the supplements I gave you?”

“Of course, who gave them to me? The healer said the bones were set well, so I just need to be careful for a few days.”

My mother greeted me with a bright, flowery smile.

“My daughter, don’t worry. I brought in a competent healer. You said you had something to discuss while we have tea?”

“Yes.”

I sat across from my parents.

“Father, Mother. I met with the Duke today and received the list of preparations.”

“Oh my!”

My mother stood up abruptly and habitually reached for my father’s shoulder. Simultaneously, my father instinctively flinched and moved away.

“Dear?”

When my mother called, looking back, my father awkwardly smiled and slowly returned to the table where we were.

Before parting at the café, I handed over Xavier’s marriage list to my parents. I almost forgot it because of the kiss, but somehow, I managed to pass along our list as well.

My mother, who moved to sit beside me, looked at the list and spoke with sparkling eyes.

“Then I must visit the boutique! We need to fit the wedding dress! We should also stop by the jeweler to prepare the wedding gifts, right?”

“Yes.”

I answered with a smile, seeing her childlike excitement.

“I need to contact my favorite boutique right away. I’ll tell them to make a dress for the most beautiful bride in the world.”

My mother clenched her fists and spoke with determination, then stood up.

“Now?”

“Yuria, I’m sorry, but I’ll skip tea time today.”

Then she poked my father’s side with her finger.

“I-I also need to prepare the dowry. I’ll visit the bank and make preparations.”

At this hour? Do you really need to?

It wasn’t late since it was the afternoon, but they could do it tomorrow.

Watching them suddenly become busy, I couldn’t help but smile.

‘They really are daughter fools.’

＊

Late at night, in the Duke’s study.

Xavier was handling overdue work instead of going to bed. Ever since meeting Yuria, he felt invigorated rather than tired, finishing tasks in an hour or two that would usually take days.

‘Hmm, it was worth having a long kiss.’

The image of Yuria’s slightly parted, plump lips floated vividly in his mind.

She was like an elusive butterfly, making him speak sincerely.

To Xavier, she was an incredibly sweet person. Her flushed white face clinging to his chest was so provocative.

That soft and sweet scent.

Whether it was because she was a saintess or because she was Yuria, he didn’t know. He was sure he’d ask for more the next time they met.

A smile naturally lingered on Xavier’s lips.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Upon permission, Jude entered the study, now dressed in casual clothes. Her slightly prim expression and neatly combed short hair to the side seemed awkward.

Xavier’s face momentarily reflected surprise at Jude’s different appearance.

‘It worked.’

Jude cheered inwardly.

Her lord was so taken aback by her appearance that he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

‘That little one was helpful after all.’

When leaving the Crown Prince’s office, Jude had a brief opportunity to speak with a maid named Margaret. In truth, it was more that Margaret had suddenly struck up a conversation. She was a very bold and straightforward woman. Jude recalled that moment.

‘General, you made a good decision. You should take care of yourself first. People are inherently selfish creatures.’

‘Shut up.’

Ignoring Margaret’s unsolicited chatter, Jude continued walking.

‘You shouldn’t do this. We’re going to be working together, after all.’

For a moment, Jude paused. Seizing the opportunity, Margaret quickly caught up and whispered.

‘As a bonus for working together, shall I give you a tip? A tip to please the Duke?’

Though sorely tempted, Jude pretended not to be interested and walked away. Very slowly.

Margaret chuckled and whispered in Jude’s ear.

‘General, you have a pretty face, even if you only wear pants. Try this.’

She had been skeptical at that time.

Awakening from her thoughts, Jude took in the sight of her lord’s stunned expression. She now felt grateful she had listened to Margaret.

Meanwhile, the surprise on Xavier’s face was gradually turning to astonishment.

“You.”

Jude was wearing a skirt.

Xavier couldn’t easily take his eyes off her.

It was a simple indoor dress design, but it was a shocking change after 12 years.