Chapter 9

As Daniel began rubbing his lower body against her and his member touched her intimate area, Alice froze, recalling the illustrations her nanny had shown her, even though she was still clothed. Sensing Alice’s stiffness, Daniel stopped kissing her. Breathing heavily for a moment, Daniel looked at Alice, who was engulfed in fear. He gently kissed her cheek.

“…Don’t worry, Alice.”

Alice couldn’t bring herself to respond, and Daniel buried his face in her neck.

“I won’t do anything until you’re ready.”

Saying this, Daniel hugged her tightly. Once his breathing calmed, he got up from the bed and hurriedly left the room. Alice shivered slightly, feeling the cold in the absence of his warmth. Surprisingly, she felt relieved that Daniel had left her, yet there was a lingering sense of disappointment. Something inside her seemed to be protesting and blaming her. She pulled back the blanket to cool her suddenly heated body.

A little later, Daniel returned and lay down beside Alice again. As he settled next to her, she thought she caught a whiff of the same scent from last night. Blushing slightly, Alice moved closer to Daniel. He comfortably offered her his arm as a pillow and embraced her.

“Goodnight, Alice.”

With a voice that sounded somewhat weary, Daniel kissed her forehead and soon fell asleep. Alice watched him sleep soundly in the dark, then rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. Though his scent made her feel warm inside again, Alice forced herself to ignore it. Daniel’s embrace was warm, and his steady breathing was comforting. Listening to his breaths, Alice soon drifted off to sleep.

A few days after the wedding, Alice grew comfortable living at the Earl’s estate. Since the passing of the Countess, who had given birth to Daniel, everyone warmly welcomed the new young lady into the household. Today, she was busy decorating her room with the maids when Daniel knocked on her door from outside.

“Weren’t you planning to go into town this afternoon, Alice?”

“Oh… What time is it now?”

“If we don’t leave now, you’ll be late for your appointment.”

“Oh dear…”

In a hurry, Alice searched for her hat. Once she was ready, Daniel offered his arm to escort her.

“I have some errands in town as well, so I’ll take you there.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing Alice’s bright smile, Daniel also smiled. The staff watched with satisfaction as the young count gazed lovingly at his wife. The Earl’s carriage quickly departed, arriving at the famous café where Alice was to meet her friend. Daniel helped Alice out of the carriage and lightly kissed her cheek.

“I’ll pick you up around six for dinner. Let’s have dinner together.”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”

Alice stood in front of the café, watching Daniel’s carriage leave for his errands. As she entered the café, Dorothea, who had arrived earlier, pouted her lips at Alice.

“You’re late, Lady. Or should I say, Lady Lawrence now?”

Dorothea’s mischievous glint made Alice laugh.

“Sorry, Dorothea. I lost track of time organizing my room, and Daniel reminded me, so I left late.”

“Wow, even after marriage, the young Earl takes care of you, Alice?”

Teasing Alice, Dorothea savored her tea. She was the daughter of Duke Maxwell, who owned vast grain fields in the west. Raised in the capital to marry into a good family, Dorothea naturally became close to Alice, who was raised in the capital for similar reasons.

“Yes, he’s still the same. He said he’d pick me up at six.”

“Ha, Daniel is sweet even after marriage. I want to get married soon too. When will Raphael return to the capital?”

Dorothea muttered, looking a bit grumpy. Alice smiled softly at her friend. Dorothea Maxwell and Raphael Desium, the young Marquis, were an unusual couple, engaged by their families but deeply in love with each other.

“Is the young master busy?”

“Yes, he went down to the estate for urgent matters and hasn’t returned for almost half a year. I sent him a letter the other day, telling him to come back before I stray.”

“Stray…”

“I’m already hooked on Raphael, so maybe that’s why he’s not coming back.”

“Hooked…?”

Seeing Alice’s wide eyes, Dorothea leaned in and whispered.

“The King considered taking me as a consort, so I told him Raphael and I had already been intimate.”

Alice choked and coughed at the revelation, making Dorothea laugh heartily.

“Why are you so surprised? You’re married now, so you should know these things.”

“Well…”

As Alice’s cheeks turned red, Dorothea teased her.

“I used to think you were too innocent to talk about such things, but now I can.”

“You were intimate before marriage?”

Seeing Alice’s shocked face, Dorothea chuckled.

“It’s rare for a man not to touch a woman he’s been dating for so long, like Daniel. Honestly, I once thought Daniel saw you as a goddess to worship rather than as a woman, Alice.”

“…”

As Alice blinked in surprise, Dorothea laughed again.

“Maybe Daniel didn’t dare touch you because he sensed your purity, just like I did.”

“Is that so…”

“How is it with Daniel? Do you get along well at night?”

“Tha…!”

Alice’s face turned crimson, and she was at a loss for words, which Dorothea found endearing and laughed.

“Oh my, Alice, you’re so cute.”