CH 1.16

“Come on, Risha-sama, time to get up! Today is going to be a busy day!　Here’s your morning tea.”

“Time is limited! Let’s get cracking.”

“Here are some facial cleansing tools.”

It was nice to have someone serving me, but everyone was too enthusiastic.

I was as good as dead from all the hard work Ragnard put me through yesterday.

“I’ll prepare your dress while you’re using the hot water.”

“When you’re done washing, wash off your sweat and have a massage. After that, moisturize properly and let the moisturizer seep into your skin slowly!”

“Lila-san, let’s eat first. We’ll need our strength afterwards.”

Please do as you please.

I did as I was told and drank tea and ate a light meal.

Afterwards, I enjoyed Layla’s excellent massage, and when I got out of the bath, my hair was intricately tied up and makeup was applied.

To be honest, it took me longer to get ready than on my wedding day.

“The dress is this way, please. I’m under strict orders from the Master.”

The dress that was ordered was quite luxurious.

However, the tea party was to be held in the daytime, so it was an afternoon dress appropriate for it.

The upper half of the dress was white, and the red color became darker as it went down.

The dress was also decorated with gorgeous roses, and the lace was wonderfully crafted.

I hadn’t worn a dress like it in a long time, so it was hard to walk.

“This color is the shade of my husband’s – No, the Dukes of Lindbeld, no?”

The Dukes of Lindbeld were famous for their distinctive crimson hair.

The only person who could wear a dress of that color was the Duke of Lindbeld’s wife.

There were similar shades of red in social circles, but no one could wear this distinctive hue.

“Your husband insisted on it. You are so loved, Risha-sama!”

It was not the same as love.

I was sure it was the quickest way to let people know me.

As soon as everything was ready, there was a knock at the door, and my husband came in.

He was holding a small velvet box in one hand, and although he looked a bit formal, he was dressed in his everyday wear.

Even so, perhaps because of his outstanding appearance, his clothes weren’t inferior to my dress.

“That’s quite an accomplishment.”

“I’m flattered by the compliment.

I didn’t feel like I’d been complimented at all, so my reply was anything but heartfelt.

“I complimented you, didn’t I?”

“Well, thank you very much.”

Why was it that when a person with the looks like my husband complimented me, I felt more like he was being sarcastic than happy?

It must be because of my husband’s daily routine.

I put my gloved hand on top of the hand he offered to me. In that posture, I twined it around his arm and left the room.

A carriage was already parked at the main entrance of the detached residence, and Ragnard was waiting in front of it.

Ragnard would accompany us today, and was already waiting for us in his usual seamless appearance.

“Risha-sama, please do your best to make the most of these two days of study.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll do my best.”

I didn’t want to work hard for my husband, but I would do my best for myself.

“Right, here, take this.”

My husband opened the small box in his hand and showed the content to me.

I couldn’t help but be moved by the wonderful item that was there.

“Oh my!”

Its brilliance was first class.

It was glittering and dazzling in the light.

The design was a bit old, but it was undoubtedly a set of family heirloom jewelry.

A necklace with a large, crimson ruby and a pair of delicately crafted earrings. The same gemstone as the necklace was used in the earrings as well.

Everyone would have been dazzled by its brilliance.

“This has been handed down from generation to generation by the Dukes of Lindbergh’s legal wives. Since you’re here, you can wear this――…… Oh, no, let me put it on you.”

“No, I’ll do it my ――”

Before I could finish saying that I would do it myself, Husband quickly walked behind me and fastened the jewelry.

I was unsettled by Husband’s presence behind me, and when his fingers grazed my neck, I stiffened. I wanted to put on the earrings myself, but he quickly touched my ears.

I felt a mixture of ticklishness and embarrassment, and my cheeks naturally flushed.

“All done.”

“T-Thank you very much…”

I couldn’t look straight at him, so I naturally looked down.

My husband lifted my face and looked down at me as if he was admiring me carefully.

“It looks good on you.”

“R-Really?”

That was all I managed to say.

For some reason, I felt so embarrassed that I couldn’t look straight at my husband, hence I closed my eyes tightly.

What is this? The air, the air is so sweet!

Hey! Somebody please stop him!

I really can’t stand this atmosphere!

I can also feel the stares of the people around me!

Stop, don’t look at me!

When I opened my eyes, I was surprised to see a hand gently caressing my cheek. It went perfectly with the glint in my husband’s eyes that I’ve never seen before.

“Risha…”

“U-Umm…”

It was different from that time.

He was playful back then.

I couldn’t look away, and my body was paralyzed as if I were in a golden bind. For some reason, my eyes started to water, and I tried to turn my face away, not wanting to be seen.

But my husband did not allow it. He held my face and slowly brought his face closer to mine.

“Er…”

K-Kiss ――……

The moment I thought that.

“Ahem!”

At the deliberate coughing, my husband stopped moving and gave a sidelong glance.

He didn’t even try to hide his displeasure at being interrupted, but the coughing succeeded! I was sincerely pleased with it.

There was only one person capable of this.

“Master, it’s past our departure time. Please carry on with such matters in private.”

Ragnard! My former butler! But that latter extra word in private was unnecessary.

Perhaps distracted by Ragnard’s interruption, my husband also released me.

“It can’t be helped. We’ll do it when we’re not going to be disturbed.”

When I looked at him, he looked as if he was thinking of something fun.

No, can we please not do this even when we’re alone?

We’re in a political marriage, not a man and a woman relationship, aren’t we?