CH 40.1

Her legs were swollen from walking around in uncomfortable shoes all day, but the discomfort seemed to subside a bit as she dipped in the hot water. She was so tired that she even felt drowsy.

“That’s surprising. I didn’t know you would like it.”

“It would be nice to come to a place like this every day.”

Trees pushed by the wind split between them with a rustle. The scenery around her was breathtakingly beautiful. Every time the wind rustled the quiet trees, the fallen snow flowers reflecting the moonlight shimmered softly. A mysterious and wondrous place. Anne closed her eyes, calm washing over her in waves. She enjoyed the silence.

When their conversation lulled, all she could hear was the sound of dripping water and the piled up snow on coniferous trees falling from branches unable to overcome their weight. Her nervousness faded and her heart became absolutely calm.

After slightly tilting her head, Anne, who had been enjoying the leisurely time, spoke unconsciously.

“I don’t know why, but the sky seems closer in the north. The constellations here are bigger and brighter than the capital city.”

Hearing those words, the Grand Duke’s expression hardened for an instant. It was because a certain memory from the past appeared on the Grand Duchess’s face, even when she asked an unusually innocent question.

His eyes darkened. And Anne also read his subtle reaction. They were a couple who had been clashing their bodies together for over a month. She could see the other person’s reaction to some extent.

“Did I say something wrong?”

As Anne cautiously opened her eyes, their gazes met.

At that moment, water droplets dripped from the Grand Duke’s black hair. The clear water flowed slowly down the thick, dark outline of his face, staying in a precarious moment on his angular chin before falling.

The moment she met his wet face, Anne saw his eyes shaking like embers flickering for the last time. Looking into those red eyes made her feel strange.

It feels as if a familiar feeling rose up through her flesh. Her heart pounded.

“Do you really like this place? Seeing that you talk a lot today . . .”

“It’s a bath with clothes on . . . I guess it’s because it’s strange.”

The clothes she was wearing interfered with her appreciation of the warm waters, so Anne made an excuse.

Annoyed by the clothes floating on the water, she stretched out her arms, and the wet cloth wrapped around her skin. The water-soaked fabric clung to her, revealing the curves in Anne’s silhouette. The cloth clinging to her skin created a dizzying image.

The Grand Duke’s gaze landed on the nipples that stood out from the cold through the soaked cloth. The gaze, which continued to slide, stopped near her collarbone. The moment he saw the water slightly forming on her dented collarbone, his desire burned strong.

Forgetting he had never been gentle, the Grand Duke wanted to hold her like a normal lover today. The banquet was not pleasant, but after properly declaring that she was his, his mind became much more relaxed.

So today, he thought of coveting her slowly and properly. So that she can dwell on this day while he is gone.

“Tell me. What do you want me to do?”

Since the Grand Duke wouldn’t be able to see her attractive body for a while, he wanted to hear it directly from her mouth. Of course, there was also a shameful thought that he wanted to give the woman, who might run away after he left, ecstatic pleasure so that she would not forget him.

“What, do you mean?”

What would this mean? The Grand Duke always had the upper hand in their relationship, and he held her whenever he felt like it. But for the first time, he was making an offer.

How should she respond to his whims? Anne, who had been quietly choosing her words, carefully opened her mouth.

“Then . . . Not like before. Hold me gently as a wife.”

She has already asked the Grand Duke several times, so she did not have high expectations as she was ignored each time. She just hoped that the next day she would be a little more comfortable.

“Is that all? I shall.”

The request must have been a bit unexpected, but the Grand Duke’s lips landed softly on hers.