Chapter 7: Pretending Nothing’s Wrong

No matter how much she pondered it, his words were difficult to accept. Lovely? Not only had she never behaved that way, but even searching for hidden meanings, she couldn’t comprehend it.

Bliss turned her face away from Caelan.

“Why would you say that……”

“Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”

“Well, no, but……”

It wasn’t that he couldn’t say such things. However, Bliss had never engaged in this kind of conversation with him before. She knew this well enough, despite not having been Bliss for long. Even on that first day when she possessed this body and Caelan acted kindly, she had assumed he was merely trying to put the necklace on her. Afterward, she only grew more suspicious of his behavior.

“Bliss.”

Caelan’s voice softened immensely, as if he could read her thoughts. His tone was so gentle it could melt one’s heart, causing Bliss to unconsciously lift her head slightly and meet his gaze. In that same moment, firm and slender fingers brushed against her cheek.

The warmth of his fingers seemed to leave an imprint on her skin. She could feel that warmth moving, causing her to blink awkwardly in response.

Surely Bliss hadn’t shared this much physical contact with her husband before…..

“I admit I’ve been negligent towards you.”

“Caelan?”

“At the ball……”

The mention of the ball made Bliss shudder involuntarily. Originally, it would have been the day she died after receiving Caelan’s gift.

“When I saw you alone, I realized our relationship might have grown distant because I left you feeling lonely.”

Had Caelan really had time to observe her that day? Bliss had noticed him the moment he entered the ballroom. But if he had noticed her loneliness, she wondered when he had started watching. Perhaps he had arrived earlier and remained somewhere out of sight. As these thoughts crossed her mind, she found herself falling silent.

Meanwhile, Caelan’s hand left her cheek and moved toward the invitation he had placed on the desk.

“Since you received the invitation, you should consider attending.”

The invitation fluttered as he turned it over in his hands.

“Since Viscount Jimilta came personally to deliver this to you, do as you wish.”

When Caelan extended the invitation, Bliss gazed at it briefly before accepting it. She placed it in her dressing table drawer and rose from her seat.

“Bliss.”

When she turned around, Caelan motioned toward the bed with his eyes.

“Don’t spend too long in the bath today.”

The implication that they should sleep together made Bliss suppress a sigh that threatened to escape her throat.

***

In the dining room, only the clinking of dishes broke the silence. No words passed between the couple as they quietly ate their meal at opposite ends of the large table.

Bliss cast furtive glances at Caelan across the table as he continued eating. When their eyes met—his striking blue ones meeting hers—she startled slightly and looked away.

Her reaction drew a soft chuckle from Caelan. His previously expressionless face transformed with a subtle smile.

“You seemed restless last night. Are you not tired?”

Sharing a bed with Caelan had made it impossible for her to sleep peacefully. She had tossed and turned throughout the night, which he had apparently noticed.

“I’m fine.”

Feeling thirsty, Bliss reached for her water glass as she answered. It provided a convenient excuse to avoid his gaze.

‘I can’t continue like this.’

She peered at Caelan over her tilted glass. Despite her lengthy bath the previous night, he had waited for her without falling asleep. Though they neither conversed before bed nor shared any intimate moments, merely lying beside him filled her with anxiety and discomfort.

Yet she couldn’t think of an immediate solution.

If only she could find a way to distance herself from Caelan.

‘Marriage isn’t something you can avoid simply by trying to avoid it.’

Even when he went to work, they still met at mealtimes, and naturally shared a room at night. Bliss felt her nerves becoming increasingly frayed.

“We received some new wine. What do you think?”

At Caelan’s question, Bliss offered an ambiguous smile while tilting her water glass. She wasn’t in the mood for wine, but Caelan had already made up his mind, gesturing to the servant to bring it in.

“We’ll be alone.”

As Caelan dismissed everyone, Bliss released a quiet sigh. Though she tried to conceal it, even the servants’ gazes weighed heavily on her. She remained constantly on edge, carefully monitoring her actions to avoid revealing to the staff that she wasn’t the same Marchioness they had known before.

“Let’s finish with some wine.”

As Caelan poured the wine, the red liquid rose in the glass. Bliss saw her reflection in the blood-like wine, and despite her attempts to maintain composure, she couldn’t control her trembling eyes.

Surely Bliss, who had attended countless parties, wouldn’t succumb to just one glass of wine. Yet as she worried about accidentally revealing her true feelings under its influence, Caelan set down the glass and gave her an expectant look, suggesting she should drink.

Her hand tightened around the glass.

Still uncertain of Caelan’s true intentions, Bliss approached everything with caution. Thinking a refusal might draw unwanted attention, she picked up the wine glass. With practiced nonchalance, she swirled it gently to sample its bouquet.

The first sip drew a flicker of surprise in her eyes. An initial burst of acidity melted seamlessly into rushing sweetness. The taste lingered briefly on her tongue before fading into a clean finish, leaving behind a subtle aftertaste.

Setting down the glass, she met Caelan’s watchful gaze with genuine appreciation, momentarily forgetting her suspicions of him.

“I like it.”

“I’m glad.”

His response was tepid, as though he had expected nothing less. He lifted his own glass.

“After dinner……”

As Caelan glanced at the time, ready to continue, Bliss tensed. She sensed he meant to suggest they spend more time together rather than part ways. Before her unease could show, the butler fortuitously entered.

“My Lord.”

“What is it?”

While the butler whispered in Caelan’s ear, Bliss remained seated, observing them indirectly. She swirled her wine, ostensibly gazing out the window while watching their reflection in the glass—a more comfortable alternative to direct observation.

‘Something urgent needs to come up.’

She found herself hoping Caelan would have to leave, granting her some precious solitude.

The aroma of her barely-touched wine lingered. Like Caelan himself, the wine was deceptive—its languid nature could lower one’s defenses, yet its potency remained unpredictable.

“You may go.”

“Yes, sir.”

After the butler’s departure, Caelan scratched his eyebrow with apparent concern.

“Something urgent came up.”

“Ah, it can’t be helped.”

Bliss feigned disappointment, though she had hoped for this outcome.

“I’ll stay a while longer, so please go ahead.”

Fearing he might suggest they leave together, she used her remaining wine as an excuse to stay.

When she looked up again, momentarily distracted by the wine’s sweetness, Caelan had vanished from his spot. She needn’t search for him—his shadow fell over her completely, prompting her to lift her head.

The man who typically regarded others with detachment now wore a gentle smile, his usual indifference nowhere to be seen.

“It was quite a pleasant time. What a shame.”

“I think so too.”

“You really think that?”

Bliss responded to his pointed question with a small nod, having no time to consider alternatives. She had intended to merely humor him until his departure, but then he reached out.

“Is there anything you want?”

His hand tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, long fingers trailing from her chin to her ear. The touch sent heat flooding to her ears, and she closed her eyes. Though light as a feather, his touch made her back tremble and her waist tense.

“I’m asking because you’ve been staying home lately. If you need anything, just say the word.”

His low voice flowed like honey. Bliss kept her eyes closed even after his hand withdrew, remaining still as though trying to preserve the warmth of his touch.

When the door opened and closed, her eyes fluttered open.

“Hah.”

A deep sigh escaped as her tension finally released. She gripped the table for support as her strength ebbed away, then pressed her temples and shook her head.

Despite her attempts to regain composure, her chin trembled and cold sweat broke out. Attempting to swallow against her dry throat, she choked. Doubling over, she coughed.

“Cough.”

Her trapped breath escaped in sharp bursts.

Wiping her mouth, she caught the wine’s aroma rising from her churning stomach. Though the coughing subsided, her heart continued its frantic rhythm.

Pressing a hand to her chest, Bliss released a long sigh. How long could she keep pretending that everything was fine?