It is said that the first night opens up a new world, like stars twinkling before one’s eyes.

The first night with the male protagonist was the highlight of romance novels.

Every novel I read invariably described how firm the male lead’s thick arms were as he embraced his beloved bride, how hot his body temperature was.

As if the man beside me now was radiating intense heat.

Raven-black hair and dark eyes holding deep shadows. A man so handsome that anyone would exclaim in admiration.

Such a man was now with me on the bed. I was trying my hardest not to be conscious of this fact.

‘Calm down, Anette! Nothing should happen here! Evangeline must be watching me from beyond the River Styx with an axe in her hand!’

Whoosh, whoosh. I could almost hear the sound of Evangeline’s axe that couldn’t possibly be there.

The sound of spitting on her hand… Ah, sister, since you’re the female lead of a romance novel, I’ll stop my imagination here!

Of course, any extra who touches the female lead’s man is sentenced to death.

Since we’re already married, why not have a quick fling before the female lead appears and then put everything back in its place?

There’s never been anyone who touched the male lead and didn’t have their life become complicated.

‘So, as Darius’ wife in name only, I’ve had the wedding ceremony with Darius and gone through a first night in name only, but in reality, we should just be friends who sleep together.’

Easy, right?

‘It might be faster to find the original novel that might exist somewhere in this world and tear it apart with both hands. That might open a new escape route for me.’

“…Are you uncomfortable?”

“Pardon?”

What did he just say? Actually, I’m so nervous that I can’t hear anything he’s saying.

“Is something different from what you expected now that you’re here in person? If there’s anything you want, I’ll pay more attention.”

“Pardon?”

“Anette.”

As he called my name, I immediately distanced myself from the bed where I had been sitting with him and clutched the blanket.

It was a reflex action.

Evangeline’s sacred axe-wielding is not allowed!

“I, I, I don’t think I’m mentally prepared yet? Actually, I made a special vow at the temple, and that’s…”

“I was going to say let’s just go to sleep now. Aren’t you tired? After moving around so much.”

My thoughts, which had been considering what kind of vow I should claim to have made at the temple to avoid this night, came to a halt.

“If you want something tonight.”

Darius said, avoiding my gaze.

“It’s your right, but I’d like my consent as well.”

Wow, that’s what I wanted to say. Can we turn back time for a moment?

Why are you the one refusing? Why are you pretending to be reluctant? I didn’t like it either, you know? I was going to refuse too!

As if I’m the one being forward!

* * *

Darius thought Anette must be disappointed.

When a man and woman meet and hold a wedding ceremony, the first night’s marital duty was to confirm the marriage relationship.

Anette had a bold personality. Although they hadn’t known each other for long, she probably thought it best to get trivial matters over with quickly.

“You really won’t touch me?”

Just look at how she asks.

“Let’s be clear about this so I can sleep in peace. I’d prefer not to do it if we don’t have to, you know?”

Blue eyes look at Darius with a coy expression.

Darius found this situation uncomfortable. He mostly moved with the knightly order, and there weren’t many opportunities to see women his age in the bleak north.

In his view, women, or rather Anette, were too small and soft.

Anette’s skin, meticulously washed for the wedding night, was pale. And why did her hair flow so smoothly? All of these things made Darius nervous inside.

It was still awkward just accompanying Anette, let alone embracing her.

‘How do all people manage marital relations?’

Even if he was criticized for postponing marital duties, he wanted to pretend not to see and just sleep for now. He was just 20 years old. As soon as he reached the age for marriage, he had sold himself in a political marriage.

“It doesn’t have to be today, right?”

“I want to support the Grand Duke’s feelings and that posture. If you could let me know when that day will be, it would be an important reference for my life…”

“Do you want to sleep with a man you’ve only known for a short time that badly?”

“No.”

When Darius finally retorted with a reddened face, Anette also jumped back.

‘To think I had to say such things before she backed down.’

“I don’t.”

Darius, tense, didn’t realize that her voice was filled with indignation.

“I know you’re my wife, and I know we have duties to fulfill as a married couple.”

He would not neglect his duties. He just needed time. Time to get used to sleeping in a bed with someone else, not alone…

He didn’t want to go through with things just because of marital duty, without knowing who he was with or what he was doing.

He had married Anette Porche. Only after lying in bed did that fact keep stirring his heart. Apart from not wanting to do anything tonight, that fact kept coming to mind.

He had a wife now. Now two people’s breathing could be heard in the bedroom where he used to lie alone.

“Still, you should visit my bedroom often.”

Anette said, fidgeting with her fingers.

“I don’t want to hear that the Grand Duke and his wife have a bad relationship. For the sake of my reputation, please sleep together in my room at least once a week.”

Even if nothing happens. Her voice, adding that, somehow sounded lonely to Darius’s ears.

‘She must feel very awkward too, having left her familiar hometown for a new place. Maybe that’s why she’s pretending to be more lively.’

Impulsively, Darius took Anette’s white hand.

“…Let’s hold hands while we sleep. We are married, after all.”

Anette’s eyes wavered as they faced each other.

“I’m not rejecting you. I’m not trying to shame you. I just find you awkward for now.”

He could treat her better when they became closer.

“Won’t we end up letting go of our hands while sleeping anyway?”

“I’ll visit your room as often as I can, as I said. I can’t promise when I’ll do… what you want, though.”

Anette gritted her teeth at Darius’s tone, quickly glossing over the uncomfortable part.

“What exactly is it that I want… No, come to think of it, I should establish my own authority, not rely on the Grand Duke. Sleeping together for show is very unwholesome. I take back what I just said. Just sleep wherever you want.”

Anette tried to pull her hand out of his grip forcefully. She still seemed shocked at having her wedding night refused.

As a knight, he felt sorry for shaming a lady, but he couldn’t yield any more.

“I won’t leave your side tonight. Don’t worry and sleep, I won’t let you caress an empty, cold bed alone.”

Darius awkwardly turned his head while tightening his grip on her hand.

Anette pounded her chest at his composed appearance.

‘I don’t need another family’s man either! I’m going to spend a real first night with a completely wonderful man who only looks at me!’

Darius and Anette’s first night was fading away amidst mismatched conversations and unwanted misunderstandings.

* * *

“Did you have a comfortable first night, Your Grace the Grand Duke? Lady Anette?”

Madame Egritte’s voice woke me up. She had come to confirm whether the lord and lady had properly spent their first night as promised.

‘Hmm…’

“Good morning, Madame Egritte.”

Madame Egritte, who was smiling brightly, came close to the bed and paused for a moment.

“I’m glad to see that you two seem to be getting along so well.”

Blink blink. As I finally came to my senses, I was startled to see a thick arm wrapped around my waist.

‘I slept as far away from Darius as possible last night!’

Darius, you cunning bastard! You said we’d just hold hands while sleeping! Why is your arm wrapped around my waist!

I had been sleeping comfortably, not even realizing how uncomfortable it was to be in a man’s strong arms.

It was a morning that rendered futile my efforts of somehow freeing my hand from his leech-like grip while Darius was asleep last night, and then falling asleep satisfied.

“Anette?”

On top of that, Darius, who woke up belatedly, showed a flustered expression as soon as he saw my face.

“If you’re too aggressive, it might be tough.”

His eyes wavered.

“Is this why everyone fears their wives…”

‘It’s your arm that’s clinging to me!’

I didn’t do it!

“The laughter of children should be heard again in the North. I’m glad my wish seems about to come true soon.”

Madame Egritte continued to offer plausible flattery, unaware of my burning insides.

I guarantee there’s not a shred of sincerity in those words.

“The people of the territory are waiting for an audience, Your Grace.”

Madame Egritte said in a gentle voice.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your affectionate time together, but I’m afraid I’ll have to steal the groom away from you, my lady. There’s a mountain of work piled up.”

“Anette will accompany me to the office as well.”

Madame Egritte blinked.

“Your Grace, the new bride in the office? Isn’t that too harsh a treatment?”

“It’s our family tradition for the new bride to accompany the groom in all his schedules. The bride and groom need to get close, after all.”

“Of course, that’s true. But the lady must still be tired, wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to look around the castle with me instead…”

“I’m fine.”

I smiled as if I couldn’t be more excited.

‘We are happy.’

I couldn’t be more pleased to see Madame Egritte reluctantly agree. It’s always enjoyable to get back at someone who dislikes me.