The reception that started in the early afternoon continued until late at night. Cedine was only able to go up to the room at 10 PM.

In fact, if she had said she wanted to go up earlier to rest, no one would have stopped her. The rumor that Ivlik Wintermore was utterly devoted to his bride had already spread through both the Army Ministry and the Intelligence Bureau. Cedine didn’t know about the social circles as she didn’t participate in them, but since the upper cla$s was all connected, wouldn’t it be similar in social circles?

The real problem was Cedine herself.

‘It’s clearly a fake wedding. Fake! It’s a wedding that’s not real, just acting with Ivlik……’

Therefore, the wedding night should also just be pretended. A shy exit in front of guests winking and whistling, wishing them a good night. Late check-out the next afternoon. Leaving a generous tip for the maid. Deliberately messing up the bedding before leaving the room.

While her mind thought this should be enough, her heart was strangely fluttering. She had once overheard that it wasn’t uncommon for Intelligence Bureau agents who posed as couples for operations to actually fall for each other. It’s all good, and certainly possible, she thought. But why did it have to come to mind at a time like this?

‘We already kissed after he put the ring on. So what’s left is the wedding night. Hmm, hmm, surely not. Intelligence Bureau agents only do that because they have no one else in extreme situations……’

Besides, she suspects Ivlik of being Karen’s murderer from before the regression. No matter how handsome he is, how his voice that cracks slightly at the end makes her strangely tense since some time ago, or how soft his lips felt when they briefly touched, she shouldn’t mix bodies with him.

‘A sensible woman doesn’t have s*x with a man who might be a murderer……’

Ah.

Ah.

Ah?

Ivlik, fresh from the shower, entered the bedroom. He was completely n*ked, without even a towel around his waist. Cedine, who had finished her shower first, had been lost in thought, endlessly brushing her hair in front of the vanity. Upon seeing Ivlik, Cedine froze with the brush still in her hand.

It was her first time seeing a n*ked man.

She really didn’t want to, but instinctively her gaze went downward. The moment she saw that thing standing er*ect, she was reminded of a visit to the racetrack a few years ago. There was an incident where a stallion, excited by a mare in the next track, caused a commotion before the race. Fortunately, the jockey wasn’t hurt, and the two horses were immediately separated.

Was it when the stallion reared up on its hind legs? The men sitting behind Cedine had expressed envy towards the stallion, using vulgar expressions. Something like, ‘If I had that between my legs, I’d have no regrets,’ or so she thought.

The word that clearly stuck in her mind then was ‘horse c*ck’. An expression Cedine Liere would never use in her lifetime — horse c*ck. Cedine never expected there would come a day when she would recall that expression again.

“The Army Ministry people, they’re insufferable, aren’t they?”

Ivlik spoke to Cedine. As he did so, he poured sparkling water into a glass filled with ice and lemon. His actions were so natural. Could it be that Ivlik doesn’t realize he’s n*ked? Is he mistakenly thinking he’s wearing the pajamas hanging on the coat rack?

“Ever since the news of the marriage broke, they’ve all been in an uproar. Asking when they could see the bride-to-be. Then again, quite a few said they wouldn’t believe it until they saw the bride with their own eyes at the ceremony today.”

Ivlik took a few sips of the sparkling water. As he looked around the room with a seemingly nonchalant expression, Cedine made up her mind. He must be mistaking that he came out dressed. Now, Cedine’s task was to inform him of the fact as naturally as possible. How should she phrase it to avoid making the situation awkward?

“They say this is the best room in the hotel, and it’s not bad at all.”

“Yes, I was surprised when I first came in. It’s more like a townhouse than a hotel room. I didn’t expect we’d be using a suite with three rooms just for one night’s stay.”

Cedine tried not to look at his center. It’s not polite. But at the same time, she couldn’t stop the thoughts that kept coming. But it’s too big to ignore.

Can that all fit into a person’s body? As her mind wandered to such ridiculous thoughts, words left her mouth without passing through her brain.

“Um, Ivlik.”

Calling Ivlik by his name was a mistake. Cedine had never called him by name, either before or after the regression. However, what shocked Cedine was not her own mistake.

‘Why does it seem even bigger? It twitched and suddenly got bigger. Neither of us did anything.’

Fidgeting with the silver brush, Cedine continued speaking.

“It seems you left your pajamas in the bathroom. But if you were very thirsty, that could happen.”

“I didn’t bring any pajamas.”

“I see. You didn’t bring pajamas……”

Unconsciously repeating Ivlik’s words, Cedine’s eyes widened.

“Then what do you plan to wear to sleep?”

“I usually sleep without wearing anything. Didn’t I mention that?”

“No, you didn’t. I don’t remember hearing it. To leave out such important information……”

“Is this really such an important issue?”

How can he ask so nonchalantly? What was Ivlik Wintermore’s first requirement? It was that husband and wife should sleep in the same bed. There’s no way to know when Ivlik, who’s never been married before, developed such a sleeping habit. All Cedine knows is that for the rest of their fake married life, she’ll be sharing a bed with his n*ked body every night.

“By the way, there’s a reason we’re staying at the hotel tonight instead of the viscount’s residence. Before I explain, I’d like to apologize in advance for the lecherous and macho low-class culture of the Army Ministry.”

If only Ivlik knew how embarrassing it is to say that while n*ked, and even in an er*ect state.

“Some of the Army Ministry people will be staying in the rooms next to and below us tonight. They intend to check if proper sounds befitting a wedding night are made. After we check out tomorrow, they’ll barge into this room before the maids do.”

“What are they trying to do by barging into an empty room……”

At that moment, something occurred to Cedine. Ivlik could tell what she was thinking just by her expression.

“To check how raucous a night we spent, I suppose.”

“That’s right. The bride’s underwear left on the bed will be considered a key piece of evidence. They’ll also look for things like a n*gligee torn by force or stained sheets, and so on.”

“I’ve heard that the internal atmosphere of the Army Ministry isn’t favorable to female soldiers. But that was an understatement, sugar-coated even. Checking the bride’s underwear? Ugh, it’s completely……”

“The worst, right?”

“It’s the worst.”

Cedine frowned deeply. Apart from her disgust at the repulsive individuals she didn’t want to associate with, she worried about how to overcome this sudden first hurdle. To think they would even check for sounds through the wall. It seemed she would have to act out ecstatic moans from their very first night.

‘But I’ve never done anything like that before, won’t it be obvious?’

Ivlik seemed to be pondering similar concerns. His brow furrowed. The silence that lasted for over 5 minutes was broken by Ivlik’s long sigh.

“Shall we start by soiling the bed sheets?”

* * *

Cedine shifted her sitting position. The strap of her slip, precariously perched on her shoulder, slid down smoothly. As she unconsciously moved to lift the strap, Ivlik stopped her.

“I’d like you to leave it as is.”

“Like this…… with it fallen down?”

“Yes.”

That low voice mixed with heavy breathing really does sound erotic. Cedine gently bit the soft flesh inside her lip. Ivlik’s low moans filled the bedroom, lit only by soft indirect lighting. He had been m*sturbating while staring at Cedine sitting in the chair since earlier.

“Ugh…… Cedine, I think I’m about to come, can you help me a little?”

“How should I?”

She had been thinking that just sitting still and waiting was already too much. The news that it would be over soon couldn’t have been more welcome. Cedine asked him back, ready to do whatever he told her to.

“Look me in the eyes.”

Ivlik said to Cedine, who had been averting her gaze and staring at the corner of the bed.

“And I want you to look at my body.”

“Look at your body?”

“Yes, just let your eyes wander over it. You can even stare at one spot if you like. Hah.”

Ivlik moaned.

“Tell me what you’re thinking as you look.”

He wasn’t asking her to touch his body, just to look with her eyes. Cedine told herself. It’s not too much to ask. If it’s just looking at his body, she had done that earlier when he came out of the bathroom. Cedine swallowed hard. He said it would be over soon. Just a little more.

“Alright.”