9. Perfect (Part 1)

The wedding ceremony held at the estate of the Duke of Bellaston was very grand and magnificent. Many people were invited into the estate, which rarely welcomed guests. Despite the sudden nature of the wedding, there were no absent attendees from the social circle, as no one wanted to miss the much-talked-about event.

The event was held in the middle of the dazzling garden, where the summer sun shone. 

As Eirin, dressed in a gown adorned with white lace like snow flakes, stood under the arch made of purple flowers, the people murmured.

“Was Lady Hamilton always this beautiful?”

A crown of white flowers from the garden adorned her head. Her skin, glowing in the sunlight, was soft and beautiful. Her eyes, gazing at her beloved, were full of life. The praises of the people brushed past Eirin’s ears, but she had no interest in them.

The man standing before her was all that mattered.

Ah, he is perfect.

Just looking at him made her heart race. With his eyes slightly squinted in the bright sunlight, Alexander reached out to her. As his strong hands, which always embraced her slender waist, extended towards her, her already radiant eyes shone even brighter.

This man is becoming my husband.

With each step Eirin took towards him, her heartbeat thundered in her ears. As they walked a few steps on the lush green lawn, Alexander smiled.

The usually stoic Alexander’s face lit up, causing Stefan, who stood beside him, to smile bitterly.

“Is it that good?”

Today, Stefan’s mood seemed complicated. It was understandable. After his parents’ carriage accident, he had raised Eirin for almost ten years. It was natural for him to feel both relieved and saddened by Eirin’s marriage.

Alexander turned to Stefan and chuckled.

“Yes, it is that good.”

“Now, make that troublemaker happy.”

“Eirin is already happy because she is your sister. But I will make her even happier.”

With a sigh, Stefan continued.

“You and marriage…”

“Are you envious?”

“No.”

Stefan shuddered, as if repulsed.

“Regardless of how well you and Eirin look together, I’m not cut out for marriage.”

“When you meet the right person, you’ll change your mind.”

“We’ll see…”

Alexander, about to tell Stefan that he might have already met someone, was soon distracted by the sight of his bride approaching. He could not take his eyes off her, his mouth slightly open.

The world before he loved her, and the world now that he has realized his love for her, were vastly different. The garden where Eirin stood was more beautiful than ever, and even her every breath seemed sweetly intoxicating.

Gazing at her in awe, Alexander took her hand in his and squeezed the bouquet.

“I love you, my Eirin.”

“Yes.”

It was not the first time he had expressed his love, but Eirin was elated to hear it every time. She smiled brightly at him.

“Are you ready to get married now?”

“Yes.”

“Even after the marriage, if you say you want a divorce, I won’t let you.”

Eirin’s eyes widened slightly at his playful remark, which reminded her of the time she had proposed calling off the engagement.

“Alexander, if you bring up that time again…”

“Then what?”

Eirin looked up at him, his lips curling into a smile, his eyes half-lidded. She couldn’t bring herself to say she disliked it, seeing the gentle smile on his face.

“I don’t like it.”

“Oh, that’s a problem.”

He leaned in and whispered in her ear.

“I promised to make you love me after we’re married, so I’ll do my best.”

Eirin shook her head.

“There’s no need. I already love you.”

Eirin buried her flushed face in his embrace, her words escaping her.

* * *

After the wedding ceremony, Eirin and Alexander entered the bridal suite to prepare for the evening reception. Eirin, exhausted from the early morning preparations, collapsed onto the plush bed.

“Phew, I was so tense.”

Alexander entered the room, removing his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his masculine neck muscles and the hollow of his collarbone.

“Are you very tired?”

Eirin simply nodded in response. Soon, they would have to change into their evening attire for the reception. While the guests were still energetically chatting in the garden, Eirin was weary from the early morning preparations.

Observing Eirin’s fatigued expression, Alexander spoke up.

“How about taking off your clothes first? Wearing that constricting corset any longer, and you might just faint.”

“You’re right. I’m surprised I can even breathe in this.”

This was not the first time Eirin had worn a corset, but the one she had on today was specially made for the wedding ceremony.

It’s like armor, this corset.

Much more restrictive and tight than her usual ones. Alexander helped Eirin remove the beautiful dress, and as he pulled on the laces of the corset, her ample bosom sprang free, and Eirin took a deep breath.

“Ah…”

The corset had been gripping her full breasts and soft abdomen tightly, leaving red marks on her skin. Alexander’s fingers traced the indented lines, caressing her skin.

“Does it hurt?”

Eirin shook her head. As she moved, her soft breasts swayed, captivating Alexander’s gaze.

His fingers trailed up her smooth skin, along the indents on her abdomen, and towards her collarbone.

“Were you tense? Your shoulders are so stiff.”

“It tickles.”

As Eirin shrugged her shoulders, Alexander chuckled softly.

“Rest a bit. I’ll help you relax.”

“But the maid will be here in a little while.”

“It’s fine. She can wait.”

Alexander tried to guide Eirin to lie down on the bed. Her body, still clad in the disheveled dress, limply fell back.

“But still, doing this is…”

“It’s alright.”

Is it really alright? 

But she was so tired, just as he said.

In a few days, they were set to depart for Spain to celebrate their marriage. Last night, Eirin had worked late into the night to finish her second book, her hands too weary to write clearly at the end, barely managing to hand it over to Victoria.

I got up at the crack of dawn today to get ready for the wedding preparations…

And this bed is so perfectly fluffy that I could fall into a deep sleep right now if I lay down.

The bed, specially ordered by Alexander for their marital life, was so soft that Eirin couldn’t resist sinking into it.

“It’s so cozy.”

“Enjoy it to your heart’s content. It’s all yours now.”

Eirin smiled softly as she watched him gaze at her from above. The phrase ‘It’s all yours now’ particularly pleased her. This plush bed, and the man before her, they were all hers.

When Eirin closed her eyes, about to take a moment of rest, the man sitting right in front of her continued to remove her disheveled clothes. As her breasts, previously hidden by the corset, were fully revealed, Eirin whispered with her eyes still closed.

“Alexander, don’t look.”

“It’s alright. You just stay still. I’ll make you comfortable.”

“Hmm…”

It was a bit embarrassing. Worried about how she might look in his eyes, Eirin opened her eyes slightly, only to find Alexander undressing her further. The dress and corset fell to the floor. His shining eyes traced the beautiful form of her body.

She was tired and embarrassed.

But his touch was not unpleasant. So she lay still for a little while.

Keeping her eyes closed, she tried to calm her flushed face. At that moment, something cold touched her chest. Something flowed down between her breasts, causing Eirin’s tightly shut eyes to snap open.

“Hm? What’s this?”

“It’s scented oil.”

Scented oil?

Looking down, she saw a transparent oil dripping down the valley between her breasts. An indescribably fragrant scent was emanating from there.

“Yes, it’s an oil made from flowers. Applying this to your body will help you relax.”

“I see.”

How did he know all of this?

Blinking, she looked up at him as he whispered again.

“Just entrust everything to me and close your eyes.”

At his words, spoken like an incantation, Eirin firmly shut her eyes. She could feel his fingers slowly applying the oil all over her body. His strong fingers trailed down her neck. As his knuckles kneaded her tense shoulders, a cooling sensation spread to her fingertips.

“Mm.”

The manor’s hired hands would be horrified to learn that the famously snooty Duke was doing this.

Eirin recalled the time she had arrived at the estate a week before the wedding. The head maid had lamented, thinking the Duke would never marry, and that the master bedroom would always remain empty.

The butler, who had known Alexander since he was young, had welcomed Eirin, saying that although Alexander seemed cold and aloof, his heart was actually warm.

But no one would know how affectionate Alexander was in the bedroom.

As his thumb pressed firmly around her collarbone, Eirin let out a contented sigh.

“There…”

“Does it feel refreshing?”

“Yes.”

A low chuckle resounded. His hands, which had been tightly gripping the bouquet all morning, now kneaded the tired muscles of her arms and shoulders, soon reaching her pert breasts. Eirin’s slowly closing eyelids fluttered open as he cupped her ample bosom.

“Mmmm. Alexander, the maid will be here soon.”

The maid was coming, and we have to prepare for the reception. This could be troublesome.