Chapter 11

On the other hand, Celiana greeted the morning with happiness.

“Ah, how wonderful.”

Was the world always this clear and beautiful?

Even the air on her skin felt so refreshing.

“Lily, the weather is so nice today. Don’t you think?”

“Huh? The weather today?”

Lily glanced at the window.

Outside, gray clouds filled the sky. No one would say the weather was nice today.

‘Was Madam’s eyesight failing?’

‘Was there something wrong with her health?’

But today, Celiana looked healthier than ever. Her face was lively, and the shadows that used to appear from time to time were nowhere to be seen.

Unable to contradict her master, Lily replied very quietly.

“M-maybe a little, I suppose.”

“Isn’t that so?”

Celiana’s high spirits continued even during breakfast.

Everything tasted especially good today.

“Robert, did the chef find some excellent ingredients somewhere? Why does the food taste so good today?”

But that wasn’t the case. In fact, the chef had faced supply issues early this morning, making it difficult to obtain proper ingredients.

The chef had just apologized to Robert, saying that better ingredients would only arrive in the afternoon and that he was sorry for the lackluster breakfast.

However, Robert chose not to tell Celiana. Her happy expression as she ate was so endearing that he couldn’t help but smile.

“That’s true. It’s nice.”

“Right? Especially this bread…”

“The way you eat so well.”

“Pardon?”

“Haven’t you had many days recently without much appetite? I was worried, but I’m relieved.”

Celiana’s face turned as red as a ripe peach.

Her honest reaction was so lovely that Robert’s eyes softened as he picked up a slice of bread topped with ham and took a bite.

But unlike his wife, the food tasted bland to him today.

Robert, ever rational, knew it wasn’t a problem with the ingredients, but with his own heart.

The reason was, of course, last night’s dream.

They say dreams reflect desire.

Watching Celiana look so bright today, Robert’s guilt only grew heavier.

What was he thinking, about his wife who smiled so innocently?

His mind felt heavy, but outwardly he looked as usual.

Even Celiana, who saw him every day, didn’t notice anything; no one would, not even the Emperor, could guess Robert’s troubled thoughts.

Unaware of her husband’s worries, Celiana smiled brightly as she brought up her business.

“Robert, you remember, right? Your mother and father are coming tomorrow.”

“Of course I remember.”

“I’ll do my best to prepare. You just finish your work and come home.”

“Thank you, for caring.”

“It’s only once a year. You visit my parents much more often.”

As their conversation suggested, tomorrow was the day Robert’s parents would visit the mansion.

The previous Marquis Dalton and his wife had moved to the provincial estate after Robert’s marriage to spend their later years there.

But they’d decided to visit once a year to see their son.

Celiana was busy all day preparing for their visit.

She still lacked experience, so she couldn’t surpass the previous Marchioness Dalton, and had to spend more time getting ready.

She checked if everything was tidy, if the garden was neat, what tomorrow’s menu would be.

She even inspected the tableware for any signs of aging.

Welcoming guests at a noble house meant paying attention to countless details, even if those guests were family.

Because of this, Celiana couldn’t leisurely enjoy the lingering bliss of last night’s memories.

Still, whenever she had a spare moment, yesterday’s events naturally came to mind.

‘Does Robert really think it was a dream?’

To be honest, even Celiana found it hard to believe.

She had nearly fainted from countless climaxes before falling asleep.

But when she woke up, all traces of last night were gone, everything restored.

Given those circumstances, it was logical to think it was a dream, not reality.

But Celiana was certain.

Yesterday was not a dream.

She could still feel the silk slip stuffed in her mouth and the tingling in her jaw. She couldn’t mistake the thrill she felt when her left side was struck for the first time.

Secretly, Celiana hoped Robert might realize it wasn’t just a dream, like she did.

But today, Robert seemed as usual.

‘Maybe he doesn’t even remember?’

A brief doubt crossed her mind.

If last night didn’t exist for him, even as a dream, she felt even more disappointed.

‘No, the old woman said he’d think it was a dream.’

Celiana was sure the old woman was the reason for what happened. So Robert probably didn’t remember everything.

‘How did Robert feel?’

He hadn’t seemed to dislike it last night.

Of course, he might have been under some mysterious spell, moving without his own will, but maybe last night awakened a slightly more daring side of him.

‘That would be nice.’

A small hope bloomed in Celiana’s heart, something she’d never had before.

***

The next day, the carriage carrying the previous Marquis Dalton and his wife arrived.

They stepped down and greeted their son and daughter-in-law with smiles.

The first to speak was the previous Marquis, Kyle Dalton.

“Robert, Celiana. It’s been a while.”

Robert and Celiana, who had come out ahead of time, greeted them immediately.

“It’s been a while.”

“Oh dear, my only son is so stiff.”

Robert’s mother, Everuze Dalton, frowned in mild disapproval.

“Welcome, Mother.”

“Oh my, Celiana. You’ve grown even prettier in a year.”

Everuze smiled broadly in response to Celiana’s greeting.

“No, I’m always the same. Mother, you look even better.”

“Life in the countryside suits me. The air is fresh and it’s peaceful.”

Celiana, laughing off Everuze’s playful apology for leaving everything to her, led her straight to the garden.

Naturally, Robert and Kyle followed.

“I’ve prepared a place in the garden today.”

The Dalton Marquisate’s garden, famous for its beautiful landscaping, was still well maintained under Celiana’s care.

She’d set up a canopy in the center to shade them from the sun, with a tea table underneath.

Everuze sat down happily and looked around the garden.

“Do you remember, Celiana? When you were little and followed Robert, you fell badly around there.”

At that moment, Robert’s mouth tightened as he listened to the conversation behind them.

Everuze just meant to recall a past event, since Celiana was healthy now.

But for Robert, it was a memory he’d rather forget.

“……Yes. I shouldn’t have called Celiana over.”

Regret colored Robert’s voice. The mood suddenly sank.

“Ahem. You two filled this place with guests for your wedding, and time has flown by.”

Kyle Dalton quickly changed the subject.

“That’s right. Even back then, I thought you two suited each other so well.”

Everuze promptly agreed, shooting a quick look at her son for spoiling the mood.

But Robert’s face remained tense.

He’d been visibly shaken the day Celiana was hurt.

‘He’s cherished her since then.’

Her son’s love for Celiana was overwhelming.

‘He’s always sung her praises, even back then.’

Everuze smiled fondly as she looked between the two.

Her eyes radiated warmth.

Meeting her gaze, Celiana instinctively knew what would come next…

“So. Isn’t it time to think about children?”

Of course.

It was inevitable.

Celiana wasn’t surprised, having braced herself for this since she heard they were coming.

“Actually……”

She was about to say they were preparing for it, a formal but somewhat sincere reply.

“Mother, things are different these days.”

Robert answered a beat faster than Celiana.

“Besides, Celiana took on the role of lady of the house earlier than most her age, so she’s been busy.”

His words gently rebuked his mother for urging them, implying it was her fault for leaving the estate.

“Oh my, look at you, taking your wife’s side.”

“Did I say anything wrong?”

“Raising a son is pointless. You even throw shade at your own mother.”

Everuze joked, but there was no malice, so no one felt offended.

Still, Celiana was grateful for Robert’s response, though it made her a bit uneasy.

He must have spoken first, worried she’d be uncomfortable with the topic.

But today, Celiana wanted to speak up herself.

Two nights ago, after her dreamlike night with Robert, Celiana had begun to hope.

She wondered if Robert might have awakened to a slightly different taste, and she herself felt a change.

Even if the rough actions and crude words were just a dream, the one who acted them was Robert.

His thrilling voice, his body that filled her completely—they were Robert’s.

In other words,

Even if things weren’t exactly as they were that night, maybe intimacy with Robert could be enjoyable.

Before, she’d feared their nights together would be only gentle, but now, maybe even just the act itself would satisfy her.

Robert’s size alone excited her, the way her body stretched to accommodate him.

She didn’t know how she’d feel about intimacy without the tying, spanking, or crude words, but she was willing to try regular s*x too.

So when her mother-in-law mentioned having children, she wanted to let Robert know she was ready.

But things didn’t go as planned.

‘No, it was only one time. There will be more chances.’

Determined, Celiana tried to find chances to tell Robert she was ready for intimacy.

But, as the saying goes, it’s hard to catch a departing carriage; the opportunity never came again.

‘What should I do?’

But she was too embarrassed to bring it up directly.

Despite being unable to hide her feelings, all her noble upbringing made it hard to speak openly about such a private matter.

So the day passed without her finding a chance, and evening arrived.