Where’s your bedroom?
The duke’s chamber has no bedroom.
No way. You must have slept here before I came. Where did the bed go?
Edgar was offended for Rubica treating him like a trickster. Really, it had nothing to do with him.
There has never been a bed in that chamber ever since this mansion was built.
That’s impossible. Then where did you sleep till now?
I’ve been sleeping here ever since I became the duke. The duchess’ chamber is the duke’s bedroom.
Rubica put her hand on her forehead. Most mansions of the aristocrats had separate quarters for the master and the mistress, and they could live without having to see each other.
The lady’s quarters included the bedroom and sitting room to invite close friends, and the man’s quarters normally included the bedroom, small study, and reception room. Moreover, Rubica had checked the duchess’ quarters had indeed been made following that rule.
However, Duke Claymore’s quarters had no bedroom, and the duchess’ chamber was the duke’s bedroom. She really couldn’t understand that.
Okay. Then as we have no other option today, I’ll sleep here right at the end of the bed. You sleep at the left end. Let’s sleep apart. I will also ask Ann to put a bed in your chamber in the morning.
We can’t do that.
As Edgar replied, he was worried that Rubica’s eyes might pop out because of her anger and shock.
Why? Why we can’t do that?
Duke Claymore the first said husband and wife should sleep together. Never put a bed in the duke’s chamber. This is my will and it should never be broken. This mansion was built according to his will and I cannot break a tradition that is centuries old.
Rubica couldn’t hold back her anger and punched the pillow.
Stupid Claymore!
You’re a Claymore too now.
What he said to make her calm down only made her face turn even redder. He had provoked her, but he didn’t know what he was supposed to do to calm her down.
I am not happy about that will either. But relax, I will keep the promise we made…
You hugged me while I was sleeping, how can I ever trust you?
‘You came into my arms first!’
Edgar wanted to yell that, but he didn’t. It looked like Rubica would immediately smash the bed in two if he said that. Also, he had taken what she had muttered in her sleep as the consent to hug her. Even he had to acknowledge it had been wrong.
Why on earth had he done that… he didn’t know. He even wanted to ask Rubica what she had done to him.
This is our honeymoon, so I have no choice but to stay here. However, starting from tomorrow, I will stay here only till midnight and then go to the resting room next to my office. It has a sofa large enough for me to lie on.
Really? That’s a good idea.
It made Rubica instantly brighten up. He had succeeded in raising her mood, but now, he wasn’t feeling that good.
Is this something to be that delighted about? Is sleeping next to me that unpleasant?
But do you have to stay here till midnight? Can’t you go there straight and sleep there?
Rubica even took a step further and made him feel even worse. It was clearly shown on his face, but as the light in the room left long ago, Rubica didn’t notice it.
If I do that on the next day of our wedding, what would people think?
They would think we had a fight.
Rubica answered innocently. Edgar wanted to punch his own heart. How could this woman be so carefree?
Six months, I will do that only for six months. After that, I will do as you want.
…
Rubica thought about it. She wanted to break the relationship with Edgar immediately, but it looked like he would not let her do that. If the duke started to sleep in his office right on the next day of the wedding, it could drag too much attention.
Relatives who would come to meet her would want to know why. They would keep questioning her. Just thinking about it made her tired. It would be better to look like they naturally fell apart after six months.
Fine, we’ll do that only for six months.
But are you going to keep talking to me like that?
Rubica nodded while yawning, and Edgar immediately brought her a cup of water.
How did he realize she was thirsty? Rubica was confused, but she still drank the water.
Rubica, what would people think if you keep talking like that to me?
They would think it is good, that is what people said at the feast…
Of course, they said so to you!
Edgar glared at her with anger. Rubica pretended not to notice it and covered herself with the duvet. Was it because she had woken up while having a good sleep? She was still too sleepy.
Then do you want me to call you Your Grace and speak politely to you?
No.
Then I will not change anything. If you really want me to speak politely to you but call you by your name, I suggest you go to the king and ask to change your title from Your Grace to Edgar.’
Edgar was so shocked that he stared at her. It was almost as if she was sleep talking as she could barely keep her eyes opened. He sighed.
… just call me Edgar.
Okay, Edgar.
He surrendered while Rubica smiled. Edgar’s heart fluttered. She was clearly going to continue ignoring him, so why wasn’t he offended? He rather felt comfortable as if he was taking a nap on a sunny hill.
But Rubica, why do you speak so politely to Ann, Carl, and even the maids when you speak like that to me?
Because they speak politely to me.
Rubica rubbed her eyes as she replied.
But they are your inferiors.
I don’t care about that. They speak politely to me anyway. I just treat people in the way they treat me. I speak politely to those who speak to me politely and respect me. And as you scold me and mock me, I will treat you in the way you deserve.
But you also…
Have I ever kissed you without asking your opinion? Have I ever hugged you while you were sleeping without your permission?
Edgar shut his mouth as he could say nothing. He wasn’t that bad at fighting with words. He even convinced Rubica perfectly when they first met. However, he couldn’t ignore what she said. It might sound like she was being stubborn, but it made sense. It was even fair.
Of course, he could have used the authority he had as the husband and the duke to force her into doing as he wanted. However, she wasn’t the kind of person who would submit to that. And more than anything, Edgar feared to see her hurt expression.
‘… fear? I fear?’
Edgar looked at Rubica. It was so strange. This woman was nothing, why am I so scared?
Rubica, as we have started discussing this, let’s talk about physical contact now.
And why is my mouth talking on its own?
No, no contact. No.
Rubica shook her head under the duvet.
But we held hands together in front of the people. You even linked your arm with mine first.
That much is…
Rubica thought about it, fighting her own closing eyelids.
Okay.
Without realizing it, Edgar clenched his right fist. He had passed one.
And about kissing…
No! Never!
I wasn’t talking about the kiss we had during the wedding. We kiss each other’s forehead or cheek to share blessings given by the priests on New Year’s Day or on Harvest Day. You cannot prohibit even that. Even married couples on a bad relationship sometimes kiss on the forehead to announce there’s nothing wrong with the family. And…
What Edgar said made its way to Rubica’s ears. It made sense. Families kissed each other’s forehead to share the joy on Harvest Day. Even she had done that from time to time.
Even Martin Berner kissed her forehead, as they were family, and Rubica had kissed Angela’s forehead to share the blessing with her.
Fine, then on the forehead or cheek…
Her voice got smaller and smaller.
Edgar quickly added,
And on your hand!
… okay, but not on my lips.
He had convinced her this far. He wetted his lips to proceed to the next step. Please let her buy my words. He spoke as naturally as possible to hide that he was nervous.
And about embracing.
No… yawn…
But even a man and woman who are not lovers embrace each other if they are friends.
… yes, they do.
We are married, so we are family now. I think we can embrace each other when I come home after a long trip…
Rubica was already half asleep. She then muttered,
We got married because we had no choice. Yes, I forgot… to ask you that. Why did you… propose to me?
… I will tell you that later.
Hmm, then no embracing.
Edgar gulped hard. In that short moment, many words and emotions swirled in his mind and heart. Truth and lie, pride and eagerness, reason and desire. Desire was the strongest among them.
Rubica, this all has happened because of my messenger’s mistake, but when I proposed to you first, I wanted to become family with you.
