NLBWM 12

Chapter – 12

“This matter can be discussed later.”

I decided to postpone their punishment.

I understood their feelings well enough, but as their mistress, I had to maintain discipline.

At the moment, my position was that of a nominal duchess. My support base wasn’t established, leaving me in an unstable state.

If I punished them immediately, things would be easier for a while, but earning genuine loyalty would be difficult.

Yet showing leniency might make me appear weak. That was the problem.

So, I decided to postpone the punishment while making sure to instill a sense of caution.

“If you need anything, please let me know, madam.”

Seeing my troubled expression, Cassian personally stepped in to assist me.

Had he ever cared for someone before? Despite his high status, he handled it skillfully.

It felt strange at first, but it was surprisingly comfortable. I even wanted to continue having him take care of me if possible.

“Honey.”

“Yes, madam.”

“Will you be staying by my side today?”

“As long as possible, I’ll stay by your side for a while.”

“Oh… for a while?”

So, he’s quietly signaling me now.

‘Green light, right?’

My face flushed instantly at the realization.

‘Calm down, Eveline!’

I tried to steady my breathing and compose my expression, but the embarrassment wouldn’t subside.

‘Come to think of it… we’re newlyweds, right?’

So… doing certain things shouldn’t be an issue. We should also start thinking about an heir. Which means…

“Honey, is tonight our first night?”

Is tonight the wedding night?

I asked with hopeful eyes, and Cassian’s voice trembled slightly.

“Fi… first night?”

“Yes. Sleeping together would be the first night. ‘In the proper way,’ I mean.”

“…I didn’t think about that part.”

Embarrassment flashed in Cassian’s eyes.

Seeing him at a loss for words, I suddenly realized something.

‘What? Was I imagining it alone? What was that flirting earlier!’

He said he’d stay with me even at night!

Would we just talk innocently during the day and night?

Maybe I was being too hasty, but my words weren’t wrong. We were married, after all.

Due to that mysterious accident, we’d been avoiding it, but normally, the first night would have already happened.

It’s been a month since I arrived at the Hetis estate. A normal couple could have shared many nights already.

“We should start thinking about an heir. We can’t keep sleeping in separate rooms forever.”

I tried to subtly nudge him toward the bedroom, but Cassian stiffened like a broken robot and avoided my gaze.

“…Even if that’s true, not now. Your health comes first, madam.”

It was an indirect refusal.

But I couldn’t force him—Cassian was far too naive.

‘Right. If I push him, he’ll only run away. Let’s take it slow.’

I decided to retreat for now and save progress for later.

“Alright, but we’ll still sleep in the same room, right?”

“….”

“I won’t touch you.”

“Very well.”

After that, Cassian said he had some matters to attend to and quickly left the room.

“Ah, it’s already tight to prepare from now on.”

Checking the time, I grabbed the rope beside my bed.

“Have you been called, madam?”

“Mary, Rose. Prepare the scented oils and a negligee with subtle exposure.”

“Scented oils? What? Subtle exposure negligee, not something revealing?”

“Yes. It’s the first night.”

It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy ourselves quietly. I wasn’t going to touch him outright—just entice him a bit.

Seeing me smile and tilt my chin slightly, the maids blushed, understanding my intentions, and busied themselves.

A few hours later.

“Sir, aren’t you leaving yet?”

Hans asked while organizing documents in the study.

Cassian, who had finished work earlier than usual, was staring intently at the papers on his desk.

Why would he need to look at the same documents eight times?

His lingering presence delayed the soldiers who were compiling the military supplies list—they were eager to leave.

“Go ahead. Leave first.”

Glancing at the clock, Cassian dismissed his subordinates.

Once alone, he sighed, brushing his well-kept silver hair back roughly.

“This is maddening.”

It was already past nine. The clock hands were approaching ten.

[Honey, is tonight our first night?]

Pretending to be Eveline’s husband to gather information, he felt his heart sink seeing her innocent, doe-like eyes.

A casual remark had now led to a situation where they might sleep together.

“Do I really have to share the room with her?”

It wasn’t that he minded sleeping beside a woman—it was that the woman was Eveline, which made his stomach churn.

Cassian struggled to understand why he reacted like an adolescent.

[Honey?]

Always smiling brightly at him.

[You’ll come tomorrow too, right? Honey?]

Looking at him blindly.

[Did you eat?]

Showing concern with love in her eyes.

“Ah… so that’s it.”

It was because Eveline’s love for her husband shone through in these moments.

“If they were a loving couple, it would make sense. The problem is…”

He wasn’t her real husband.

To catch the Hetis duke and gather proof of the Selrdian dukes’ rebellion, Cassian had to conceal the truth from Eveline.

Using improper means weighed heavily on him.

“She’s done nothing wrong; it’s my own fault.”

Reassuring himself this way, Cassian left the study and headed toward Eveline’s room.

Determined to maintain composure no matter what happened.

“Honey?”

Bang!

But that resolve collapsed immediately.

Seeing Eveline, Cassian slammed the door with force.

His hands tightened on the doorknob as his head dropped instinctively.

He covered his face with his hands to calm the sudden heat, but the fleeting image was too vivid and stimulating.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”

Answering hurriedly, he opened the door and rushed past Eveline to the bed.

She looked curious and concerned, but he tried to act normally, forcing a smile.

‘Focus. This is for the greater good.’

Trying to steady himself, Cassian pretended nothing was wrong—but her sudden closeness and scent made his head spin.

“Shall we sleep?”

Hearing her soft voice, his ears felt like they were ringing.

He tried to look away to resist the temptation, but that was a mistake.

Her white negligee came into view.

Though nothing was overtly exposed, the subtle contours made his vision dizzy.

Before he realized it, she had moved close to him.

Batting her eyelashes innocently, she looked even more alluring today—her lips unusually red.

‘Were her lips always like this…?’

Without thinking, he reached toward her, then suddenly stopped and withdrew.

He quickly distanced himself from her.

“Honey? Why are you acting like that?”

“Nothing at all.”

“But… your ears are so red?”

Seeing Eveline approach, Cassian moved swiftly.

Whoosh! In an instant, he reached the bed and grabbed the white blanket.

When Eveline reached for him, he wrapped her tightly, like wrapping silk around a spool.

Bound, she pouted, realizing the situation.

“You’re not expecting me to sleep like this, are you?”

Her tone carried disbelief. But there was no alternative.

“It’s cold, madam.”

To avoid crossing the line, this was the best solution.

Though she complained repeatedly, Cassian carefully laid her on the bed.

Feeling that it wasn’t enough, he retrieved an extra blanket from the wardrobe.

Once she was fully covered, he flopped down beside her and closed his eyes.

“Sleep well, madam.”