Chapter 48
That evening, Riv had completely moved to the Duchess’ room.
The Duchess’ Room was located on the third floor, right next to the Duke’s room.
Riv awkwardly stared at the room adorned with pure gold.
It was the most splendid place in the Duke’s mansion.
It seemed like it would take a while for Riv to get used to it.
“Madame, you told us to leave this place as it is, but the Duke said you can change the furniture, walls, and paintings at any time.”
Riv waved her hand thinking that it would be burdensome.
“If I don’t get used to it, then I’ll think about it.”
Lionel said he would be late due to a sudden meeting with the property manager of the estate.
Claudel prepared a light dinner just as Riv had requested. After the meal, she explained what she was supposed to do as Duchess.
“Riv, who is now the Duke’s wife, is the first person you should take care of. The second is the Duke of Sentoren.”
Riv felt exhausted as she continued to listen to Claudel’s explanation.
When she could no longer concentrate, Claudel led Riv into the bathroom.
Two maids filled the bathtub with warm water and waited for Riv.
“Madame, it’s time to prepare.”
“W-What?”
The maids laughed and quickly undressed Riv.
“W-What are you doing?”
For a moment, they were surprised to see traces on Riv’s body, but pretended to have seen nothing. They hurriedly shoved Riv into the bathtub full of rose petals.
“I washed this morning.”
“You need to prepare properly before you meet the Duke.”
“B-But.”
The maids smiled, noticing that Riv and Lionel had a secret meeting no one knew about.
They seemed delighted to find the tenacious marks on Riv’s body.
“Don’t be shy, Madame.”
“You don’t know how happy we are that the Duke and Duchess are on good terms.”
Riv eventually came out of the bathroom exhausted.
Then she panicked as she saw the thin nightgown Claudel brought for her to change into.
“C-Claudel?”
“Do you not want to capture the Duke?”
“This is too explicit.”
“Madame, there must have been many women in the palace who wore less.”
Riv agreed, but she wouldn’t dare wear this. Riv had broad shoulders for a woman and her limbs were too long. She was hesitant because she thought that the short and er*tic nightgown would make her body look deformed.
“Please wear it.”
Claudel urged her with a gentle smile, then the maids quickly dressed her.
The maids brought Riv in front of her old-fashioned full-length mirror.
“Look, you are beautiful.”
A white-skinned woman with dark, rich hair was reflected in the gold-rimmed mirror.
Her bare skin was blatantly visible through the translucent nightgown she wore.
Perhaps it was due to a magical effect but her limbs looked incredibly long and elegant. The curve of her hips and breasts also looked more voluptuous.
“Ah.”
The woman in the mirror was fascinating, like Venus.
Riv couldn’t believe she was the woman in the mirror.
She couldn’t even imagine Lionel’s reaction if she saw her like this.
“D-Do you have anything I can wear over this?”
The maids reluctantly gave her a silk robe. The robe was still too thin, revealing the curves of her body.
“Any other robe other than this one?”
“There isn’t.”
After answering her coldly, the maids began to retreat.
“It is time for the Duke to visit.”
“We’re going to leave now.”
The maids exchanged smiles and quickly left with Claudel.
“Haa.”
Riv covered her flushed face and waited for Lionel.
She looked around the Duchess’ room, decorated by her maids.
The red roses that Lionel had given her this morning were in every corner of the room.
Candles flickered softly on the table. Next to them was a bottle of wine and chocolates.
A sweet scent wafted from somewhere. Riv felt intoxicated with the lovely scent of flowers.
“Ah.”
Riv, caught in a dazed mood, swept the petals from her bed before she hid under the duvet. Lionel hadn’t come yet.
“Can I wear this in front of him? Should I change?”
Riv was shocked by her capricious impulses. She looked at the door leading to the Duke’s room.
She imagined Lionel standing by the door looking at her with a gaze that could devour her.
‘It will be thrilling.’
When would that door open? Would Lionel like this look on her?
Riv, waiting for Lionel to come, fell asleep.
The soft and comfortable bed was like a mother’s embrace, which she had never experienced before.
Riv woke up a few hours later to the sound of someone coughing.
“Were you sleeping, Riv?”
Behind the dividing door, she heard Lionel’s voice. Riv’s sleepiness disappeared.
“I just woke up.”
Riv got up from her bed, and walked towards the connecting doors. Lionel was leaning on the door frame.
Lionel was in the same outfit he was wearing in the morning.
His eyes swept Riv’s body, underneath the thin gown.
***
His intense gaze climbed up from her bare white feet, her thin ankles and her long shins, resting on her hips, her slim waist, and her voluptuous breasts.
The last place his gaze turned to was Riv’s face.
“Come here, Riv.”
Lionel beckoned and glared at her thin gown.
“I haven’t seen this before.”
“Claudel prepared it for me.”
Riv tried to cover up the gown that showed off her body and curves.
But at that gesture, Lionel’s eyes blazed.
“Riv, can I embrace you? I think I’m going to take you roughly today.”
Lionel’s expression didn’t change.
“If I hold you, you will be a mess. There won’t be a place on your white skin without a trace.”
Riv gasped as she was speechless.
Lionel was busy making fun of her.
“The butler and the head maid said they will be applying for a budget to order baby products. Everyone started debating where to put the baby room.”
“W-What? A baby?”
Riv barely regained her sanity and questioned him. Lionel said.
“Our child, who will inherit the position of Duke.”
Riv opened her mouth in surprise. She stuttered.
“I-It’s not like I’m pregnant. Even if I got pregnant right now, wouldn’t we have the baby next year?”
“It doesn’t matter. All they want is for us to have a pretty baby.”
Giving birth or having children was not what Riv originally wanted.
She had never imagined a child with Lionel.
Even Lionel didn’t want Riv to get pregnant right away.
“It would be difficult if you got pregnant right now.”
“Why?”
“Because when you get pregnant, we won’t have enough time to enjoy our honeymoon.”
“Th-That’s right.”
Riv’s face turned red again. She liked the feeling of secretly overlapping their bodies at all hours of the night. The situations where Lionel couldn’t take his eyes off her were thrilling.
No negative thoughts came to her mind now.
There were only two of them here.
“Lionel, do you like my body that much?”
In an instant, Lionel’s expression changed. The corner of his mouth on the left side of his scarred face curved upwards.
The beautiful left side of his face exuded a subtle devilish charm.
He beckoned.
“Come here.”
Lionel’s call seemed like a devil’s temptation. As she approached Lionel, who stood at the border between the two rooms, he kissed Riv’s lips lightly.
“Hmm.”
It was a light kiss like a child’s prank. The moment Riv, who wanted something deeper and darker, was about to reach out her hand to him.
“Lionel.”
Lionel pushed her away with a stiff expression on his face. His expression was resolute as he took a breath.
“I have no intention of crossing the line tonight, Riv Sentoren.”
“What if I want you? Why do I have to hold it in?”
[T/N: Ur girl be thirsty XD]
Riv was furious for a moment, and Lionel raised an eyebrow instead of answering.
“Do you want me?”
Riv needed the pleasure and warmth he could give her this moment.
“You don’t want me, Lionel?”
Riv grabbed Lionel’s collar. Lionel’s shoulder flinched violently.
He was very excited.
“I want you to be a beast.”
Lionel was not a gentleman.
From the first time he saw her he had been hiding his beastly nature under a cold mask.
“Why do you only look at me?”
Did Lionel really want her? Did he need an excuse to enter Riv’s room?
Riv pulled back her long, voluminous hair and tugged the laces of her robe.
Lionel’s scorching gaze followed her actions and her fingers.
“Look at me.”
Riv pulled the straps, exposing the sheer nightgown underneath.
“Riv.”
Lionel’s eyes looked as if they were about to pop out.
She slowly dropped the silk robe.
“Spend the night with me, Duke.”
Lionel was patient. But Riv was ready to capture him.
The feeling of conquering this man was exhilarating.
It was as if she was the seductive Goddess of Temptation. He growled, staring at her thin nightgown.
“Are you trying to seduce me, Riv Sentoren? Can you handle me?”
“We are newlyweds, Lionel. If you don’t want me, leave.”
“We are newlyweds.”
Before Lionel could finish his words, he rushed at her.
***