171

It’s not that I’m possessed by a lewd demon.

I just had a question. Countless romance novels I’d read showed arranged marriages proceeding without physical contact. But did love marriages go the same way? They all talked about purity and such, yet in reality it seemed they’d done all kinds of things… Of course not everyone would be like that.

‘Maybe it’s because I mostly read 19+ stuff.’

Since dating Ren, we often hugged and kissed. His kissing skill kept improving like his work ability, to the point I could barely think straight. When I got caught up in kissing, the mood sometimes felt like it could go further, but he stopped like clockwork. I tried to give subtle hints that it would be okay, but he seemed completely oblivious.

‘Am I rotten?’

Wasn’t he single from birth? How on earth does he hold back? Is it because he’s a noble? Well… that’s a pleasing thought. Still, I couldn’t honestly ask — my own romantic experience is almost zero, so I couldn’t bring myself to ask. For the record, I’m not strictly for post-marital relations; I was just too busy making a living to have time for dating.

‘I know pretty much everything…’

Between movies, dramas, and people around me, I’d heard so many different stories. Coming from the modern world, I knew most marriages progressed to some degree. But is it necessary to keep it this strict?

‘Are nobles different?’

I subtly asked Pinea, and she said commoners mostly date freely and there’s nothing special to observe. There’s no need to announce it, but when people are in love things tend to progress further. I thought about asking Kiara, but somehow instinct told me not to.

Someone might say this.

“If you love each other, does that matter?”

Yeah, that’s perfectly true. But you never know when you’ll get married… Honestly, sometimes it’s unsatisfying if it only ends with kissing, and I want to be together… it’s frustrating, even restrictive! That’s how it is…!

“Get a grip, Coco, go ask married seniors for some hard-earned advice.”

To wash away my anxieties, I went around to several married seniors in central ministries to interview them about happy married life.

“Listening to your wife is what keeps a household peaceful.”

The Minister of Finance had an arranged marriage, but he seemed utterly dominated by his wife. In central ministries his words were like knives in people’s mouths, yet he’d never won against his wife. From his expression he seemed to be on fairly good terms with her. I heard he’s a dutiful husband who doesn’t go out drinking much and goes straight home.

I thus received advice from the Foreign Minister, Simon, and various others. Then I learned a shocking fact.

“Senior, is that true?”

“Chancellor, please stop treating me like a subordinate…”

“Ah, I tend to be lightly formal with colleagues. It’s comfortable. Get used to it. Anyway, is it true?”

“Yes… In fact, at the wedding my wife was already pregnant.”

“Lucius, I wouldn’t have guessed…”

“It’s a secret known only to close aides. You get dragged into gossip otherwise.”

Lucius had broken the speed limit. So nobles don’t insist on only post-marital relations either? They don’t adhere to textbook standards of chastity.

“Hmm…”

Even after hearing all that, I, a coward in love, couldn’t do anything. Looking in the mirror I made a harsh self-diagnosis that maybe my cute image made me less attractive in that regard.

‘Maybe the answer’s in books.’

If nothing else, theory helps. I bought novels and tip books helpful for steamy romance and devoured them. From them I picked a few things that a coward like me could try.

Alright, if this doesn’t work, I’ll just quietly protect his purity.

After work, I dropped Father off at the Grand Duke’s residence and we were to have dinner together at the Duke’s residence. Since the engagement was official, the servants at the Duke’s residence treated me like the Duke’s wife.

“Butler… take it easy.”

I’m still not used to speaking casually to elders and being treated respectfully, let alone such lavish treatment. People who have experienced this seem to take to it well.

“Isn’t there a saying about not knowing until you enter the ceremony?”

It wouldn’t happen to me, but the world is full of absurd things—I often felt that way. After all, me falling into this world proves it.

But my words didn’t carry any weight with the butler.

“Oh my, the Duke will be hurt if he hears you. It’s the first time the Duke has had a lover, and the first time he’s brought one here. From watching Vespera from the Grand Duke’s house to the Duke’s house, let me tell you—does he take his eyes off you? There’s nothing to worry about. I’m the one worried: if the Count ever decides to break it off, who would deal with the fallout?”

“Really? Is that so? Good, I’ve got courage now.”

“So don’t feel burdened; stride confidently around the Duke’s residence.”

The butler said things that would make others faint if they heard them, completely calmly. He didn’t mean to, but it recharged some of my confidence.

Then Ren, who had stepped away for a moment, returned.

“The tea is ready. Shall we eat here in the dining room or in my room?”

It felt like choosing a dialogue option in a dating sim. For the record, I’m a goal-oriented person!

“Let’s eat cozily in Ren’s room!”

“Alright. Shall we go?”

When he elegantly offered his arm I moved to his side and linked arms. I always felt secure when holding his hand or linking arms. I’d been to Ren’s room a few times. It had a clean interior with pristine white bedding.

“Huh?”

But when I opened the door the decor had changed. The overall tone was navy with golden accents. The wallpaper was white, but the lower parts and some walls matched the bedding in navy. It felt optimized for sleeping.

“The butler said he changed it since the weather’s turned chilly. Do you like it?”

“Yes? Yes. I like it very much.”

Should I be relieved it’s not red? Ren slowly picked up the wine on the table.

“The butler even prepared wine. Tea? Or wine? As you wish.”

‘Ah, I’m going crazy.’

I agonized over the new choice again.

‘It’s for the best. Sober it would just feel awkward.’

“Wine, then.”

He rolled up his shirt sleeves and began to pour the wine.

“This is the first time we’ve had a drink like this outside of meals, right?”

“It seems so. We’ve known each other for quite some time but never had an occasion like this.”

Though I said that, my gaze was stolen by his forearm and I babbled. My head was full of rotten thoughts, and even nothing made my heart flutter.

“Don’t drink too much so you don’t have a sore stomach tomorrow.”

“I don’t get hangovers?”

I didn’t know. In this body I’d only had a beer or two. But in my previous life I drank fairly well and liked it. Ren chuckled at me and offered his glass.

“Still, just drink as much as you can handle.”

“Ren, you do know drinking capacity and swordsmanship are different things, right?”

We clinked glasses and sipped the wine. It was smooth and dry, with a faint sweetness that went down easily. As we chatted and drank, tipsiness crept in. I stopped after a small sip to keep from getting drunk. I had a plan tonight.

“I think I’m a little tipsy.”

“What, tipsy?”

He pulled my cheek as if finding it cute and shook it.

“Oof… it hurts. I told you to moderate yourself, so Ren should drink more.”

He obediently drank more wine at my words. His complexion didn’t change, so making him drunk seemed a failure. Anyway, the alcohol put me in a good mood. I found myself giggling. My nerves relaxed and it didn’t feel bad. He, meanwhile, frowned slightly.

“It would be problematic if you drank like this in front of others.”

His jealous look was cute. I gestured toward him. When he bowed his head I whispered into his ear.

“Don’t worry, you’re the first to see me like this.”

I couldn’t help but blow a breath in his ear. His ear flushed bright red in an instant. With his handsome face so close I wanted to look even closer. I held his face and stared before laughing. That was all. Then he suddenly stood, grabbed my cheek, and kissed me.

Our tongues naturally tangled. He cupped the back of my neck with one hand to make me comfortable. Unlike usual, he rummaged through my mouth with urgency. I tasted sweetness of wine on his tongue. I grew progressively dazed. Was it from reading too many books? From running too many simulations? Even tipsy, I carried out my plan, skating my tongue over his teeth, the roof of his mouth, and his cheeks.

“…!”

His breath became even rougher. He moved like he would devour me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed closer. His hand at my nape slid down and gripped the chair’s armrest tightly. My legs trembled and heat rose in my body as I stroked his nape and slipped a hand into his collar.

“Huft…”

His lips lowered to my nape with a growl. His breathing grew shallow. His hands began undoing the straps of the dress at my back one by one. It was the most we’d gone so far. Emboldened by his reaction, I slipped my hand under his rumpled shirt and lightly caressed his abs and chest. Then he suddenly startled and abruptly stopped.

“Hah, hah…”

Then he sprang up and abruptly left the room. Frozen by how quickly it happened, I could only blink.

“This makes me feel like I did something terribly wrong.”

The armrest of the chair I looked down at was completely cracked.