The carriage arrived at the main entrance of the duke’s mansion, cutting through the silence thick as a dark night mist.
“Have you returned?”
Marlin, who was standing in the foyer, greeted the duke and duchess as they returned from the banquet. Normally, royal banquets lasted until the early morning. Surprised by their early return, Marlin quickly assumed her usual professional demeanor.
“I have prepared a bath for you. Please change and rest.”
After greeting Caeron, Marlin was about to head to the dressing room with Idel when she heard her name being called.
“Marlin.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Tonight, prepare the duchess’s room.”
“Understood.”
At Caeron’s instruction to prepare the duchess’s room, color returned to Marlin’s face.
It was the first time they would share a room since their honeymoon. Caeron had been busy with external affairs and hadn’t been home for days.
The duke and duchess were wellmatched, so it made sense that he wanted to go to her room as soon as they returned from the banquet. One could guess how much he had missed her.
On the other hand, Idel bit the inside of her lip as she heard his words. Her pupils shook violently.
She felt like she understood the meaning behind his words now. While it sounded like he was talking to Marlin, he was effectively speaking to her.
Prepare for tonight’s duties as the duchess.
Her heart pounded faster at the thought, but this time, it was different. Idel clenched her tightening chest.
(Time Separator)
Even while being attended to in the bath, Idel was deeply lost in thought.
“Did you enjoy the banquet today?”
Marlin cautiously inquired, examining Idel’s expression as she emerged from her bath. Her face looked as if shrouded in mist, like her damp hair.
“…Yes, it was fine.”
“I’m relieved. I was worried that your first royal banquet might be uncomfortable.”
Idel managed to conceal her swirling emotions. Though her face was always beautiful, she looked significantly more fatigued than usual.
Observing Idel’s downcast demeanor, Marlin felt uneasy. She said she was fine, but… Marlin intuitively sensed that her mood was different.
As Marlin looked on with concerned eyes, Idel spoke softly.
“…Marlin, I have something I want to ask you about. I want to talk to you.”
At Idel’s request, Marlin dismissed the maids. After they had toweled her hair and helped her into her nightgown, they courteously left.
“Feel free to speak.”
Even alone with Marlin, Idel hesitated. Eventually, she opened her mouth, her eyes filled with resolve.
“Regarding the duchess’s duties… specifically about producing an heir.”
“Producing an heir…?”
“No, more accurately, related to conception.”
At the term ‘conception,’ Marlin appeared slightly disconcerted. It was an unexpected topic.
“Is it also the duchess’s duty to share a bed with the duke for conception?”
“Yes, it’s essential for securing both of your heirs.”
Marlin carefully examined Idel’s face. Though her cheeks were flushed, as if embarrassed, her expression was stiff.
Something about this new bride inquiring about marital matters felt unnatural. Seeing Idel’s rigid expression, tension began to build in Marlin’s eyes.
“Is there a fixed date for this?”
“Usually, the most likely days for conception are chosen.”
“Other than those days, can I refuse if I don’t want to?”
At the word ‘refuse,’ Marlin’s shoulders tensed. For a moment, her heart sank. Marlin replied with a shaky voice.
“Of course. Even if you are His Grace the Duke, you cannot force the Duchess to join you.”
“I see.”
Idel fell back into thought upon hearing Marlin’s response.
“Your Highness, the Duchess… Would it be inconvenient for you if His Grace visits today?”
Marlin opened her mouth cautiously as she scrutinized Idel with a worried gaze.
‘What could have happened?’
They had certainly enjoyed their time alone during their honeymoon. Arrangements had been made to keep attendants and servants to a minimum, allowing the Duke and Duchess to focus solely on each other.
‘Nothing seemed wrong during the honeymoon… Could she be upset from not seeing him for a few days?’
However, Marlin quickly shook her head. The Duchess was not the type to be upset about the Duke’s absence due to work commitments.
‘Something must have happened at the ball today…!’
Marlin’s mind was in turmoil due to Idel’s sudden and inexplicable change in mood. She swallowed hard, her expression unusually anxious. It felt like a red flag had been raised between the Duke and Duchess, and she didn’t know what to do.
Seeing Marlin like this, Idel loosened her stiff expression and gently shook her head.
“No, it’s just… I’m feeling a bit worn out today.”
Ah, it was only natural that Her Highness the Duchess could be tired. She had been tense before going to the royal ball… the fatigue must have piled up after returning and relaxing.
Marlin took comfort in reassuring herself that there was no growing distance between the Duke and Duchess.
“In that case, I will let His Grace know that you’re not feeling well.”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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