After greeting people, I returned to my room. I was so tired I collapsed straight onto the bed.
“Did you hear everyone saying how beautiful you looked?”
Lella came over and chattered.
“Yeah, I heard.”
“We’re the ones who made you look like that!”
Even at Lella’s emotional words, I remained in a dazed state. Meeting so many people had left me overwhelmed. Of course, I’d memorized all their names, but with everyone showing their faces at once, I got confused about who was who.
Next time, I should meet them in smaller groups.
“You need to wash up before sleeping! Miss, if you sleep like that, you’ll break out.”
At Lella’s urging, I barely managed to get up. I kicked off my heels under the bed and quickly grabbed a robe. I planned to remove my makeup, shower, put on the robe, and sleep.
Luden looked tired too, so he probably won’t come here.
I recalled the words I’d exchanged with Luden while dancing.
I still can’t believe it was Luden’s first time.
Grumbling, I washed my face with the cleanser Lella gave me and went into the bath to wash. Red roses floated in the bathtub.
Come to think of it, I didn’t see Anan today.
I’d held the engagement ceremony here hoping Anan could attend, but she’d lost consciousness this morning and couldn’t participate.
They said she woke up after the ceremony ended—she must have been very disappointed.
I felt sorry for Anan too.
When I came out wearing a robe, someone was sitting in the room drinking tea. Since they wore a robe similar to mine, I gulped.
“Luden, you’re here?”
Luden had come and was waiting.
Right. We’d have to do it after marriage anyway, so let’s get it over with today. There’s nothing wrong with doing it early.
I felt a bit sorry to the female lead for taking Luden’s first experience, but right now, I was Luden’s fiancée.
Lella and the other maids quickly excused themselves. They didn’t forget to throw meaningful glances my way.
My body trembled slightly. It got worse when Luden’s gaze from the sofa turned toward me.
“Shall we go to bed?”
He stood up and walked toward me with heavy steps. Stopping, he looked me over carefully. Like he was dissecting me.
“You seem nervous.”
At his words, I lowered my head.
“It’s a duty, so we should do it, right?”
Luden grabbed my shoulders.
“Is it a duty?”
Wh-what? Luden’s face didn’t show much emotion, but I could tell this bothered him.
“Ah, it’s not just a duty, but…”
I slowly rolled my eyes away.
It was partly duty, but I wasn’t forcing myself to do something I hated. But knowing Luden’s personality, he might think negatively.
“I-it’s not that I dislike it.”
“I see.”
Luden brought his lips close to mine. Then came a deep kiss—I lost myself momentarily in the gentle wave that washed over me.
The kiss was truly sensual and sweet.
Where did this man who claimed to be inexperienced learn to kiss like this?
While I was thinking this, Luden led me to the bed and laid me down. My hair rose into the air and fell back onto the bed. I lifted my head to look at him, and he slowly moved closer to my side.
“Annelia doesn’t know herself well.”
“What do you mean?”
“That you’re good at seduction.”
When did I seduce him? I never wore revealing clothes or gave him blatant looks!
His words felt a bit unfair. When I grumbled, Luden smiled. His gently curved eyes, affectionate gaze, and lips holding a smile—I’d never seen Luden look like this before, so I stared at him blankly.
Why is he looking at me like this?
I’m not the female lead, yet I had the illusion he had feelings for me.
“Luden, about your mother. If she’s feeling better tomorrow, how about we visit her together wearing our engagement ceremony clothes?”
He pondered and nodded.
“I was considering that too.”
Then he firmly grasped my cheek.
“Such a kind person.”
M-me? I guess I am kind-natured, right? But it felt stranger hearing Luden say it.
Then he came closer and closer. He overlaid his body on mine, approached again, and brought his lips close.
“We should start again.”
His words came out low. I closed my eyes and accepted his lips. The hot presence that pushed between my lips again made me feel momentarily dazed.
We’d kissed several times before, but this felt like we were really starting now.
He pulled away, breathing heavily. Then he began exploring me in earnest.
I felt pleasure in his arms.
* * *
Luden looked at Annelia. She looked so lovely with tears in her eyes.
“Luden.”
Annelia called him.
This felt unfamiliar to Luden, and Annelia seemed to feel the same. Seeing her clumsy gestures made him laugh.
She was the first woman to make him feel this way. This was his first experience, but he instinctively thought he might never be able to hold another woman like Annelia.
“Annelia.”
Luden called Annelia’s name.
He thought he’d probably call it often while making love with her from now on.
After his father died, the emotions that had frozen cold from watching what his relatives did were coming back to life.
He slowly took Annelia.
The night was long, and Annelia was so beautiful.
It seemed he’d possess her for a long time.
* * *
“Ah.”
My voice was hoarse. The sound coming out was very rough. When I tried to get up, my legs hurt so I lay back down.
We ended up doing it after all.
I never thought something like this would happen right after getting engaged. I heard breathing. Luden was sleeping soundly beside me.
‘Ugh.’
Last night, Luden did it several times. He held me and wouldn’t let go, exploring me for a very long time.
Like someone who’d been waiting for this moment for ages.
He called my name, whispered, and sought me even when driving me forward.
“Why would he do that?”
No matter how I thought about it, he seemed to like me a lot. Even I, dense as I am, could tell that much.
Well, if there were no affection, he wouldn’t have hesitated when divorcing Annelia in the original work either.
Anyway, I might have to see Anan today, so I should get a massage first.
When I fidgeted, Luden opened his eyes. He turned his hazy red eyes toward me, then silently reached out to touch my cheek.
“Did you sleep well?”
“I’m not in great shape.”
When I grumbled, Luden chuckled and said quietly.
“I’m aware I pushed too hard.”
“Good that you know…”
“But I might not be able to control myself in bed from now on.”
“Hm?”
When I looked flustered, he pulled me close. Then he kissed my chin and moved lower.
“Luden, what are you doing?”
“We’re not finished yet.”
“Aren’t you going to work?”
“I’m taking today off.”
No, it’s scary when someone who’s always been addicted to work says something like this!
No, before that—he’s going to take me again?
“Annelia.”
He called me desperately, like he was craving me. My heart softened at that, and I grabbed his shoulders with both hands.
Then came the kiss.
And his gentle voice.
I gasped at the pleasure that washed over me gently.
* * *
“Are you okay?”
Lella was massaging my legs. Wearing a robe, I grumbled.
After that, Luden did it two more times before letting me go. Perhaps because he was the male lead, his stamina was incredible.
He’d checked on Anan’s condition and said she’d opened her eyes after several days, so I was getting a massage to go see her.
For days, Anan hadn’t regained consciousness. To show my beautiful appearance to her now that she’d woken up after so long, I was quickly preparing.
Once my legs felt better, I got up and changed clothes.
Luden said I didn’t need makeup, but I still did it simply.
“Miss, you look so good being loved.”
“Whatever.”
“Now you just need to have a baby.”
A baby—I think Luden used protection yesterday.
Maybe he doesn’t want to have children right away. And since we’ll divorce someday, it might be better not to have kids.
I put on the engagement ceremony dress and opened the door. Luden was waiting for me outside.
Maybe because we’d crossed the line, he looked more familiar than before.
I quickly approached him and linked arms.
“Let’s go quickly.”
Then he looked at my hand.
“It’s rare for Annelia to link arms first.”
“So you don’t like it?”
Luden’s expression hardened.
“I’m just saying.”
His voice seemed to tremble.
* * *
Anan was quietly awake. I felt happy to see her after so long.
“Luden, and Lady Rosaline.”
“Please call me Annelia.”
Anan smiled and reached out her hand.
“Is that your engagement ceremony outfit? It suits you wonderfully.”
“Mother, we finished the engagement ceremony yesterday.”
Hearing his words, Anan smiled. The kind smile she gave Luden seemed to reveal Anan’s heart.
“I wanted to see it—what a shame.”
“Next time when you’re healthy, let’s have another engagement ceremony.”
I spoke impulsively, and Luden looked at me.
“Thank you.”
Anan laughed softly.
What I said was odd, but I felt good making her laugh.
After staying with Anan briefly, we walked down the corridor.
“Annelia sometimes says unexpected things.”
“So is that wrong?”
“No.”
He smiled bitterly.
“That’s why I can’t let go.”
“Let go of what?”
“It’s something like that.”
Meanly, he only said his part again without satisfying my curiosity.
“Uncle Millen didn’t come. I thought he’d cause a scene.”
“I sent knights to keep him confined inside his house. He tried to attend without an invitation.”
What did he just say? Something terrifying just came out of Luden’s mouth!
“You mean you prevented him from coming?”
“I heard Millen Rosaline dismissed all his retainers. His financial situation isn’t good, so I thought he’d come here. It was annoying that he kept persistently contacting me about collaboration, so I just gave him a warning.”
“By sending knights!”
I gripped Luden’s hand tightly.
“You did well!”
“I’m trying to make sure nothing happens that disrespects Annelia.”
I thought he’d simply prevented Millen from coming because he’d be rude. I looked at him in surprise.
“Annelia should become my wife. I don’t like my wife not being respected.”
It seemed like he was returning the exact words I’d said at my debutante.
Why do I feel strange?
I choked up.
Emotions surged.
“Thank you.”
I smiled. Luden looked at me, then opened a small door in the corridor.
“What are you doing?”
“This.”
He pulled me in and kissed me. At his heat coming in roughly, I opened my lips too.
After the long kiss ended, he whispered.
“I’ll be with you all day today.”
Then he took my lips again.
“Doing things like this, really!”
He pushed me against the wall and explored my lips again.
“Too sweet.”
He seemed to have fallen for me beyond control. Like he couldn’t help but explore my body even a little.
Intoxicated by his passionate appearance, I accepted him too.
“Annelia.”
After the kiss ended, he whispered in my ear. He called my name with emotions he couldn’t suppress leaking out.
Hearing that name made my heart pound. I felt excited in this moment.
But not wanting to admit it, I just thought I felt that way because I was intoxicated by the atmosphere.
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Ravingcrow1118
Yeah, I am like 99.9% sure the female lead was just a teenager before reincarnation/transmigration because who just accepts someone’s unilateral decision to consummate an engagement just because they will eventually get married? She doesn’t even think, “A time and place exists,” or “I’m not ready for that.”