When You Don’t Get Along With Your Husband - Chapter 28

Tatiana could understand perfectly well when it was explained like that.

The princess had said earlier that parties were battles too. Battles were originally physical fights, and they always started with eye contact. At this point, which side looks down on the other is indeed quite an important issue.

Tatiana and Scarlet nodded in agreement, forming a bond despite talking about completely different fields.

It was quite an enjoyable time, but as the princess and the princess consort were engrossed in conversation, people couldn’t help but take interest in that as well. The ones who requested to join them were noble ladies with extensive party experience.

As soon as they sat down, they asked Tatiana,

“Your Highness, how is married life? Are you enjoying the newlywed bliss?”

Ah. Here we go again.

Tatiana had received this question more than twenty times today. At this point, even a parrot would find it slightly tedious to answer.

However, this was originally the fate of all newly married brides.

You might occasionally find it tiresome, but if you retort ‘Is that really all you have to ask me?’ you’ll be left out of this society centered on friendliness, so let’s decide to be a parrot with a bit more patience.

In times like these, you just need to answer appropriately. Smoothly.

“Yes, everything is comfortable and good.”

But people don’t want others’ stories to end so blandly, without any ups and downs.

The noble ladies opened their fans with a flourish, snap, snap, and fluttered them like butterflies. It was a signal to start some real gossip.

“I’ve never seen His Highness Gideon smile like that before.”

“That’s right. I used to shiver just from getting close to His Highness.”

Ah. That wasn’t for any other reason, but because of the killing intent.

Since people could die without knowing why if they’re not careful, Tatiana thought she should definitely warn Gideon about that part later.

“Come to think of it, isn’t this the first time he’s stayed this long at an event? He always used to frown in the banquet hall. Like this, with his eyebrows so fierce…”

Ah. That was probably because of his sensitive sense of smell. It seems he was bothered by strong scents irritating his nerves as they penetrated his nostrils.

Why do royals usually have nasty personalities? Ironically, it’s because they have the power to control most situations.

They are accustomed to that power and authority.

But more ironically, they can’t control their own senses as they wish. So even in situations that are ordinary for others, they get irritated.

Tatiana nodded her head while half-listening to their words. Sometimes she even smiled foolishly for no reason.

But at that moment, a somewhat malicious and embarrassing question flowed from the ladies surrounding Tatiana.

“He never gave a glance to women, but seeing this, I guess it’s true that everyone has their match.”

“But his cold nature hasn’t changed, has it? What do you think, Your Highness? Is His Highness Gideon… still like ice even at night?”

The nobles’ eyes converged on Tatiana’s lips.

But to this question, which was mixed with excessive curiosity and could even be considered rude, Tatiana thought.

Isn’t this the time to ask, ‘Why are you so curious about others’ private lives?’ and admit that I’m not suited for this social world centered on friendliness?

If this had been just her own private matter, Tatiana would have talked about it casually and gone along with it. However, what happens in bed is not the story of one person, but of two.

Tatiana didn’t want Gideon to become an actor moving in people’s imaginations. What sin did Gideon commit to have his s*x life consumed as others’ gossip while sitting quietly in that chair over there? He didn’t do anything today except frown a little.

However, Tatiana couldn’t sternly say, ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t want to talk about such things,’ or evade the question by changing the subject vaguely.

Her husband already had dirty rumors clinging to him. If she responded ambiguously, people would latch onto those rumors and embellish them.

It’s troublesome either way. In that case, wouldn’t it be better to just say he’s very healthy?

“I don’t know about being like ice. To me, he’s warm both at night and during the day. …Hot even.”

Indeed. Though he doesn’t look it at all, Gideon might actually have a higher body temperature than others. Considering how he always sleeps shirtless even though the night temperature has become quite chilly now.

Tatiana really said that with pure innocence. If anyone interpreted it differently… well, she won’t take responsibility for that.

The noble ladies exchanged meaningful glances, pursing their lips into an ‘ooh’ shape.

Tatiana looked around at the people and then glanced towards Scarlet. The princess didn’t say anything, but upon closer inspection, she was swallowing back laughter that was about to escape.

Tatiana felt relieved, thinking this might have gone over relatively well.

However, if she thought the conversation would end with just this much, Tatiana had greatly underestimated her opponents.

“We might see a cute little one soon.”

“How wonderful would it be to have a strong son?”

“Oh my, madam. You only have sons, so you don’t know how delightful it is to raise a daughter.”

“Hoho, is that so?”

Tatiana almost let out an ‘Eeek’ at the sudden new development.

But even if Gideon and his wife were to have a cute baby soon, people would give more unsolicited advice. Next, as if following a set pattern, would come the words ‘But you should have two, you know.’ If they had a son, it would be ‘You need a daughter too,’ and if they had a daughter, ‘You need a son too.’ There’s no one in the world who doesn’t know this formulaic repertoire. Why do people create a predetermined cycle for human life and try to force everyone into it?

Tatiana had read about this in a book her mother left behind.

First, the lifestyle and family structure chosen by the majority would have been advantageous for human survival and continuation. Second, the fact that I belong to this majority method gives psychological stability.

But Tatiana wonders about this. Surely not everyone can go around the same hamster wheel without a single exception?

Those outside the cycle are not threats to the lifestyle I’ve chosen. They’re just people who have found a different cycle that suits them and are working hard within it. You don’t have to applaud or cheer them on, but in this short life where we all grow old together, it’s a bit ridiculous to lecture others as if only your way is right.

However, there was no need to move on to such grand discourse, Tatiana was just a bit annoyed. With people talking this and that about others.

And as the noble ladies’ conversation topic gradually shifted to child-rearing, Princess Scarlet, who had been sitting quietly, opened her mouth to change the subject.

“Ladies, don’t make my newly married sister-in-law uncomfortable. At this rate, you’ll be arranging marriages for my unborn nieces and nephews.”

“Oh my, Princess Scarlet. We’re just reminiscing about old times. It’s such an enjoyable time, isn’t it?”

“Hmm, isn’t married life pretty much the same everywhere? Let’s stop with the obvious talk and have a more interesting conversation. Madam Ellen, about that dress today. Whose designer is it? I’ve always thought that the color that suits you best is…”

Princess Scarlet suddenly started passionately discussing personalized colors. I thought she was tired from walking around so much, but it seems energy was suddenly springing forth from somewhere again.

If Tatiana was someone who could lecture all night about falling techniques, Scarlet was someone who could talk for three days and four nights about a single piece of clothing.

Tatiana learned for the first time today that human skin color could be divided into seasons.

‘But she’s helping me now, right?’

It was when she glanced at Scarlet with half doubt. The princess winked at her, blinking one eye.

That look was so cute and refreshing that Tatiana couldn’t help but smile, her eyes wrinkling.

* * *

Gideon and Tatiana, who left the banquet hall when the party was in full swing, headed to their bedroom.

It was the first time the two had completed an evening schedule together. Of course, it was also the first time they had returned home side by side like this.

However, Tatiana was unusually quiet throughout the walk down the corridor.

That silence continued even after she removed her makeup and Gideon came back from washing up.

What could Tatiana be thinking about, lying on the bed with her back to him? Gideon couldn’t guess that far. The only strange thing was that he could clearly feel that her mood wasn’t very good.

How is it possible to know this just by looking at his wife’s back? Is this how all married couples are?

‘Did something happen at the party?’