Chapter 7 – Wedding Ceremony (Part 7)

It was at the hunting ground.

When he first entered the royal palace as a child, Tartenon met Reubellina there.

His father, the former Grand Duke, had dragged him to the royal palace, insisting he needed to know the nobles of the capital. At that time, Tartenon’s world revolved around the North, and he didn’t care about the nobles of the capital. What caught his eye was her fiery red hair.

When her golden eyes, resembling those of a goddess, met his, his mind went blank. Tartenon fell for Reubellina at that moment.

Even then, she was aloof and uninterested in boys her age. Her only interest was in horses. Refusing to ride a pony, she insisted on mounting a large horse and rode it proudly.

Thinking it looked dangerous, Tartenon immediately mounted a horse and followed her.

Sure enough, when the horse, startled by a wild boar, reared up, Reubellina almost fell off. It was Tartenon who saved her.

Worried that taking the unconscious Reubellina back to the hunting grounds would damage her reputation, he hid her in the bushes. This was the decision Tartenon regretted the most.

Inferno, who had been wandering around, found Reubellina and woke her up. When she opened her eyes, she mistakenly thought Inferno had saved her.

‘I couldn’t tell anyone. That I was the one who saved you.’

No one witnessed the event. The young lady who had been riding with Reubellina disappeared somewhere. When they returned to the tent where the nobles were gathered, Tartenon didn’t forget the surprised look on the young lady’s face when she saw Reubellina unharmed.

“Lina.”

Reubellina, who had been leaning against Tartenon’s torso, breathing heavily, slightly lifted her face. Seeing himself reflected in her golden eyes made his throat dry. 

‘How could I quench this thirst? Should I devour her to quench this burning thirst?’

“Why do you call me that?”

Reubellina whined. Tartenon still didn’t move. His hand, unsure of what to do, slowly wrapped around her waist and finally pulled her into a tight embrace. He was delighted when she clung to him as soon as he hugged her tightly.

“Lina.”

“Can’t you call me something else?”

“You want me to call you something else?”

“Yes.”

She nodded slightly and added,

“‘Lina’ sounds like you’re calling a cat.”

‘No wonder. So that’s why she looked at me strangely every time I called her that.’

Now he realized that because of his status as Grand Duke, she couldn’t complain about the nickname and just looked at him awkwardly. Tartenon patted Reubellina’s back soothingly.

“So don’t call me that.”

“Alright, I won’t call you Lina.”

Tartenon decided he needed to think of another nickname. He knew most people called her Reubelline, but he didn’t want to use a nickname that worthless trash had used.

“Good boy.”

Reubellina’s hand caressed his waist area. Though she was patting him just like he did, Tartenon tensed up at her light touch. Noticing his stiffness, Reubellina complained that he was too hard, but her words didn’t reach Tartenon’s ears.

“Reubellina.”

“Whyyy?”

Her drawn-out voice grew quieter. Tartenon tightened his embrace around her, trying to keep her from slumping.

“You like me better than the second prince, right?”

“…That piece of trash.”

Despite being drunk, her firm cursing made him feel oddly pleased. It was the first time he felt good hearing an insult, and Tartenon chuckled.

“Isn’t that right?”

“Compare properly. How can you even put him next to you!”

As Reubellina fumed, Tartenon lifted her into his arms and strode forward. His long strides made her dizzy, and she lightly pounded his chest with her fists.

The knight guarding the bedroom quickly stepped aside upon seeing Tartenon carrying Reubellina. It wasn’t just his intimidating glare; Heather and Hemil had emphasized not to disturb the couple when they were together.

Tartenon almost kicked the door open and gently laid Reubellina on the bed. His urgent actions contrasted with his tender movements.

“Rest for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”

When Reubellina blinked blankly, Tartenon whispered in her ear, not forgetting to indulge himself. He slowly licked her earlobe and blew warm breath into her ear before lightly biting it.

“Ah…”

Feeling her shiver, Tartenon found it hard to leave, but Heather’s report about Inferno needed immediate attention. He had to instruct Bruelin on how to handle the situation.

“Don’t fall asleep. I’ll be back soon.”

Reubellina nodded at his whispered plea.

“Promise me.”

“Mm…”

Seeing her small nod, Tartenon deliberately didn’t cover her with a blanket, thinking it would keep her from falling into a deep sleep.

As Tartenon left the bedroom and issued instructions to Paddington and Bruelin in the hallway, Reubellina began to move slowly.

“Why is it so hot…”

Struggling, she removed her dress, leaving only her undergarments, and crawled under the blanket.

“He said not to fall asleep…”

Repeating Tartenon’s words, she succumbed to the warmth of the blanket. She tried to keep her eyes open, but her eyelids were the heaviest thing on her body at that moment. Eventually, she fell asleep.

When Tartenon returned after giving his orders, the bedroom was filled with only the sound of her breathing.

“Reubellina?”

His startled voice echoed in the room, but she didn’t wake up. Seeing her deeply asleep, Tartenon sighed and began unbuttoning his shirt. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair and lay down next to her.

***

It was warm.

That was the first sensation Reubellina felt upon waking up. The blanket was unusually cozy, and it felt like Sandy had placed the fireplace right next to her. She burrowed further into the blanket until she hit something solid.

“Huh…?”

Before she could question it, she reached out with her hand.

‘It doesn’t feel like a wall…’

It was firm but warm. As she forced her tired eyes open, she saw a sea of skin. Realizing it was Tartenon’s broad chest, she gasped.

She couldn’t breathe loudly. Seeing Tartenon’s face, still seemingly asleep, made her even more cautious. He hadn’t rested properly for days, just like her, and he seemed even more exhausted.

‘He’s sleeping well.’

It felt strange. The blue eyes that always softened when they looked at her were closed, and his mouth was firmly shut.

‘I never thought I’d wake up in the same bed as him.’

So this was how their first night passed.

‘Oh no!’

Reubellina shot up, recalling the memories of admiring the curtains and calling Tartenon handsome. Her face flushed, but seeing him still asleep, she realized this was her chance.

Despite his insistence that she shouldn’t fall asleep, she had. And in such a state!

At least he had draped a robe over her, though it kept slipping off her shoulders. She tried to quietly get out of bed.

But then, her wrist was caught.

“Huh? Ah!”

With an unladylike cry, Reubellina tumbled back onto the bed. Tartenon’s lips brushed against her neck.

“Ah!”

“I told you not to fall asleep.”

The low voice of a man just waking up sent shivers down her spine. The fine hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and her body froze.

His blue eyes, slowly blinking open, met hers. Reubellina was momentarily paralyzed.

The passion in his eyes trapped her. As his blue eyes, like the ocean, fully opened, they curved playfully.

“Ah! What is this, ah!”

Tartenon pulled her into a tight embrace and rolled around the bed. Her hair became a mess, and her face, still unwashed, left smudges on his chest. The large robe slipped off, revealing her shoulders, and Reubellina hurriedly grabbed it. Tartenon’s startled eyes also turned to her shoulders.

‘Of all times!’

When Reubellina ended up sitting on Tartenon’s waist, he paused. Her long hair covered her undergarments, which was a small relief.

“Your Grace, are you awake?”

Paddington’s voice came from outside. Sensing movement inside, he had opened the door, only to close it immediately upon seeing Reubellina atop Tartenon. Reubellina, flustered, buried her face in Tartenon’s chest.

“Ugh, really!”

“What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean, what’s wrong!”

Reubellina, clenching her fists, lightly pounded Tartenon’s chest. It was more of a playful punch, but Tartenon accepted it silently.

“This is so embarrassing…”

“We’re married.”

“What?”

“We got married yesterday, so we’re husband and wife now.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

He had a point. If they were truly husband and wife, she would have been happy. But they were in a contract marriage.

Reubellina struggled to organize her thoughts.

‘But we’re a contract couple? No, that sounds too cold. Um… what should I say?’

“It’s obvious.”

“What is?”

Tartenon reached out and pinched her cheek. Gently, he tugged at her cheek playfully, making her sway.

“You think we’re not a real couple and that this is just a contract marriage, right?”

“How did you…”

“How do I know that?”

His eyes were playful as before, but the light in them was different. His blue eyes, cold and sharp, met her golden ones.

‘Well, I feel like I made some kind of mistake.’

She couldn’t figure out what it was. She had a vague idea but couldn’t define it precisely, so Reubellina held her tongue.

As she hesitated and didn’t speak, Tartenon, who was stroking her cheek, spoke first.

“Are you going to stay like this?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Reubellina quickly got off from on top of Tartenon. As she fastened her robe, Tartenon shouted towards the outside.

“Paddington!”

Hearing his call, Paddington opened the door and came in. Behind him, the servants of the Grand Duke’s household were lined up. They bowed and greeted politely.

“Greetings, Your Grace.”

All the servants in the room bowed to her. It felt strange. Until now, they had always called her “Your Grace,” but they had not shown proper courtesy. Now, after the first night of the wedding, they were showing proper respect.

‘Is this also a custom of the North?’

The way they had addressed Reubellina until now was just a title. It wasn’t meant sincerely. Just as she was about to smile bitterly at the thought, Tartenon hugged her from behind.

He placed his face on her shoulder so she couldn’t move and said,

“Those who treat my wife carelessly will no longer be forgiven.”

She knew that not long ago, he had taken a servant who hadn’t greeted her properly and severely scolded him. So, Reubellina quickly turned her head at Tartenon’s words. His face was so close to hers that she almost kissed his cheek, but Reubellina asked nonchalantly.

“What was that I saw a while ago?”

“That was me being lenient.”

“Was it?”

“Not beheading someone who was rude to the Grand Duchess is quite a generous act on my part.”

As he answered lightly, she saw some of the servants’ shoulders move. As Tartenon’s gaze slowly scanned each servant, she noticed some of them trembling.

Reubellina calmly raised her hand and stroked his cheek. She felt his jaw tighten against her shoulder. Stroking his cheek as if petting a cute pet, Reubellina whispered very softly in his ear.

“This is embarrassing, so let’s stop now, okay?”

“Oh, you caught me.”

“Caught you indeed.”

Tartenon regretfully released her waist from his embrace.

“What’s the schedule for today?”

“There’s the wedding reception, and the nobles who brought gifts are waiting.”

Paddington answered promptly, as if he had been waiting. Reubellina fastened her robe again and pulled the bell rope. Sandy entered with the maids who had been waiting outside.

“Your Grace!”

Sandy’s way of addressing Reubellina had changed. Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Tartenon’s lips. Reubellina noticed his change but asked Sandy nonchalantly.

“What about the bathwater?”

“It’s ready. Please follow me this way.”

Following Sandy’s guidance, Reubellina moved. Tartenon didn’t take his eyes off her back as she left the bedroom.

Once Reubellina was completely out of sight, Tartenon turned and asked Paddington,

“Has the Second Prince arrived yet?”

“He hasn’t arrived yet.”

“He’s still at Lady Viverna’s villa?”

“Yes, he is.”

“He’s out of his mind.”

As the Grand Duke of the North, his wedding was the biggest event in the North. If he didn’t guard the borders, not only barbarians but also monsters could enter the capital. Such behavior was a complete disregard for Tartenon, who protected the Freynante Empire.

“They must think I’m a joke because I’ve been sitting still.”

“Your Grace.”

Paddington tried to speak up in defense of Inferno, but he closed his mouth under Tartenon’s fierce gaze. Stopping Tartenon when he was this angry could backfire.

Tartenon rarely got angry, but when he did, he would quell his anger by exterminating all the barbarians in the North. Paddington held his breath, silently praying that Tartenon wouldn’t mention heading to the border for a subjugation right after his marriage.

No matter what Paddington thought, Tartenon couldn’t let this matter slide. Sending the Second Prince to his wedding was one thing, but not attending the wedding was another. If this got out, it would be a disgrace to the Speraum family.

“Don’t think I’ll let this go.”

At Tartenon’s sharp words, everyone waiting inside knelt. The heavy atmosphere that weighed down the room continued until Reubellina came back out.