His departing steps were impeccably neat. Viviana pouted her lips, then quickly dashed into her room.
‘Ah, it was good to send him off boldly, but what exactly am I supposed to do now?’
Now that he would be stepping into this bedroom with thoughts of a real marital relationship, it meant that Viviana, who had been the one to demand change, would have to take the lead in showing Alto how that relationship should be improved.
But when it came to marital relations, Viviana was just as clueless! In her previous life, after awakening to pleasure, the most she had done was masturbation.
‘I don’t know!’
If Alto came asking what the very first thing to do to improve their relationship was, what on earth was she supposed to say?!
As Viviana hesitated briefly, her hand reached toward the nightstand by the bed.
‘Should I read that novel again?’
It was to read the latter part of the novel she had been in the middle of.
The novel did not betray her. The story, which had paused at heated foreplay, soon moved straight into a passionate sex scene
—It was insanely big, like shoving a fist inside. My eyes went wide, and a scream escaped involuntarily.
‘Gasp!’
As she read the penetration scene, Viviana's face turned bright red. Even though no one was watching her, she quickly shut the book.
She kicked her legs in the air for no apparent reason. It felt like steam was practically billowing from her face.
‘I must be crazy! That was way too lewd.’
Unable to do anything but squirm alone, Viviana hesitantly opened the book again. The sex scene continued. All kinds of intense moaning sounds were spelled out in writing.
—Ahng, ahh!
It’s too big! More gently, please!
Ah! There, right there — that feels good.
Her face burned with embarrassment, yet, strangely, the corners of her lips crept up into a smile. After finishing the steamy scene in the novel, Viviana bit down on her lip, still holding the book open halfway in her hand.
‘Judging by the ‘shoved it in’ part, it’s probably the same act I did. But here, it seems way too enjoyable.’
The description of it feeling like a fist being shoved in really struck her. Alto’s was so big, she honestly thought she was being torn apart down there.
But the only thing Viviana knew about sex was pain. She had never let out cries like the ones in the book. She knew pleasure could come from being stimulated at certain spots inside. But Alto had never given her that.
Viviana peeked through narrowed eyes and glanced again at the scene describing the sex.
‘…Would it feel better than doing it alone?’
From the way it was written, it did seem that way.
‘The problem is whether Alto can even do this.’
Just as Viviana was holding the novel, locked in a kind of staring contest that wasn’t really a staring contest—
Knock knock.
"Oh my gosh!"
Startled by the sound from outside, Viviana sprang up and quickly snapped the book shut.
Perhaps mindful of how embarrassing it would be if someone else saw it, since it was such a steamy book, the novel had a perfectly normal, old-fashioned cover, with the title written in very small letters.
A curt voice called to her from outside the door. It was none other than Alto.
“Viviana.”
“P-please come in.”
Viviana set the book she’d been reading on the nightstand. Then, as if trying to appear composed, she lifted her chin and straightened her back, sitting upright with practised poise.
Alto stepped into the room and stood silently before Viviana, watching her quietly. Had he caught her reading that racy novel? Feeling strangely guilty, she asked in a voice that came out a little too high.
“W-What is it?”
Alto replied with a polite question.
“Where would you like me to sit?”
“Ah.”
‘What on earth am I thinking right now?’
Viviana cleared her throat and patted the spot next to her with her palm as she spoke.
"Come sit with me on the bed."
Without a word, Alto sat exactly where Viviana had indicated. Then, in his usual composed tone, he asked again.
"What should I do now?"
"I-I suppose so?"
Caught off guard, she answered without thinking, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
‘I shouldn’t be saying this! Let me think again, what did I just read in that book? So…’
The protagonists in the novel that Viviana had read about also spent their first night together. The story began with a woman, tense beyond measure, drinking and getting drunk, then undressing the man.
‘Then maybe I should undress Alto too!’
Alto happened to be dressed in a light robe. If she just pulled the tie at his waist, the front would slip open smoothly.
That much was nothing. With a determined expression, Viviana stared at the front of Alto’s robe.
‘Yeah. I can do this. What’s so hard about undressing him? It’s a body I was intimate with not long ago, after all.’
Although the lights had been completely off back then, leaving her unable to see him, and their brief encounter lasted only about ten minutes, they were still husband and wife. There was no reason to be nervous about seeing his bare body now.
‘Let's be brave. Whether Alto gets shocked and runs away, or our relationship changes, we have to make the first move and get things started.’
And once she undressed him, things would somehow work out.
Having made up her mind, Viviana was about to say that she would undress Alto.
“…Sh-should I hold your hand?”
But what slipped out of her mouth was something completely different.
At those words, Alto’s red eyes formed perfect circles. Embarrassed, Viviana’s cheeks flushed bright red.
‘You idiot!’
If Alto hadn’t been sitting right next ot her, she might have punched herself in the head.
‘I’m such an idiot!’
Her mind was filled with all sorts of naughty thoughts, yet the only thing she managed to think and say out loud was to hold hands!
‘What was I thinking when I threw the dildo in my past life?’
It felt like that was the moment she mustered the greatest courage of her life. Of course, it was a kind of courage she shouldn’t have shown. She thought she might have died from hitting her head after falling backward, but even if that hadn’t happened, she would have died from shame.
‘Sniff, you idiot. Alto must be completely stunned too.’
Viviana lowered her head in self-reproach. Just then, a large hand touched hers. It gently rested on her hand as if to escort it, then curled its long fingers around hers as he quietly asked.
“Is it okay if we interlock fingers?”
“Yes? Yes.”
No sooner had she given her consent than the large hand completely covered hers. Viviana stared blankly as she watched another person’s fingers intertwine with her own. Alto, seemingly fascinated, gently wiggled his fingers together, then spoke in a soft voice.
“Your fingers are slender. Your hands seem to be on the smaller side, too.”
“R-Really? I think they’re pretty normal, though.”
“The tips of your nails have a slight pink hue.”
“That’s right. I deliberately dyed them with flower pigment. The Duke disliked dark colours, so I couldn’t use anything too bold.”
“I see.”
Alto carefully examined Viviana’s hand from every angle, then spoke in a calm voice.
“They’re pretty.”
“...!”
Viviana unconsciously tightened her grip on his fingers. Before she realised it, she was holding Alto’s hand tightly, but she couldn’t let go.
‘Why am I trembling like this? It’s not even the first time I’ve held his hand.’
During the several years she had been his wife, she had often been escorted by him. But this was the first time her heart had fluttered like this.
Alto squeezed her hand firmly as if in response. Then he asked in a gentle tone.
“What shall we do next?”
“Huh? I-I mean…”
Flustered, Viviana’s lips trembled. Just before she fell into a panic, Alto came to her rescue.
“If you can’t think of anything, I’ll speak first.”
The suggestion that came from Alto’s lips was truly unexpected.
“How about we go see a play tomorrow?”
“…A play?”
Alto and a play. Those were two words hardly ever connected. In fact, during their time as husband and wife, she had never gone out with him for personal reasons.
‘Why is he making such a suggestion today?’
Viviana was confused by the completely unexpected suggestion. Alto’s explanation flowed smoothly and naturally.
“The theatre troupe sponsored by my family sends invitations every year. I’ve never attended before, though. Still, if you’re okay with it, I’d like to go together this time.”
She didn’t know exactly what happened or how, but…
“Of course, I’d love to!”
Viviana answered in a loud voice.
✦ ✦ ✦
After finishing their meal, Alto naturally followed Viviana toward her bedroom, but she turned him away.
Facing him with a cold expression, Viviana firmly ordered.
“Wash up properly, and come dressed in your nightwear.”
“...Huh?”
“What did I say our problem was?”
“Well…”
Sexual compatibility.
Alto’s face flushed red in an instant at the thought of such an indecent word. To be called to the bedroom to test sexual compatibility. It wasn’t the kind of proposal a proper lady would make.
Viviana Lorentz was the very epitome of a lady. That was… until just recently.
‘What on earth could have caused such a change of heart?’
After being turned down by Viviana, Alto headed back to his room and rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
Not knowing what had caused the change was one problem, but letting himself be swept along by her like this was just as troubling.
His grandfather’s repeated, earnest warnings came vividly to mind.
[Remember this, Alto: never lose yourself to a woman’s body. That’s the moment your reason is at its weakest.]
It was a chilling warning.
[Humans all love beauty. The moment your ugly side is exposed, you’ll be cast aside forever. Even by the kind-hearted young lady I painstakingly found.]
Considering the secret he carried, it was only right to refuse Viviana’s proposal this time. Even if it meant breaking off the engagement. That was how devastating the secret was.
But Alto didn’t want that to happen between them. Thinking about the hardships she’d face after the breakup, he couldn’t bring himself to let her go.
‘She seems emotionally unstable right now, so I have no choice but to pull myself together.’
Alto sighed. Naturally, he had tremendous patience and self-control, so it wouldn’t be easy for Viviana to break through that.
On his way back to his room, Alto unexpectedly ran into his aide, who thought he wasn’t around and was sorting through documents before leaving. The aide furrowed his brow and asked sharply.
"You’ve come back early, young master. Didn’t you plan to talk with Lady Viviana after dinner today?"
“Well…”
Alto couldn’t bring himself to tell the truth and remained silent.
‘I can’t exactly say that I need to go to her bedroom to prove our sexual compatibility.’
But no suitable excuse came to mind. Since Alto kept his mouth shut like that, the aide, prematurely assuming the meeting was over, became irritable.
“See? Didn’t I tell you to suggest a walk in the garden? You probably just stood there like a statue and missed your chance.”
“That’s not it. She didn’t want to take a walk or anything like that.”
“Oh, so you did suggest it?"
“...”
He hadn’t actually suggested a walk, so Alto had no answer and remained silent.
The aide sighed deeply, as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
“I’m truly worried. You two are about to become husband and wife and must support Fortuna side by side, yet your hearts aren’t even in sync. I even heard you argued just yesterday.”
“Yeah.”
“Is this possibly related to the wedding being postponed?”
“...”
Alto couldn’t answer. The furrow between the aide’s brows deepened. Eventually, clearly frustrated, he spoke.
“So, in the end, Lady Viviana has decided to leave here. When the Duke returns, he might fall backward in shock.”
“…It’s not decided yet.”
That meant Viviana had indeed expressed her intention to leave. Frustrated, the aide raised his voice.
“You shouldn’t say it so nonchalantly! Are you really okay if Lady Viviana leaves like this? Don’t you feel anything at all?”
"It’s not like that."
Alto recalled the moment he first saw Viviana: the delicate, long pink ribbon adorning her luscious golden hair, and her beautiful eyes that looked like they were carved from gemstones.
‘When I first saw her, I thought a fairy had appeared.’
Although he hadn’t exchanged a single word with her, he was glad that she was his fiancée. He had a strange certainty that they would get along well. While his grandfather played a major role in making the engagement happen, it was also confirmed because Alto didn’t dislike the idea.
But she wasn’t thinking that way at all.
[Alto, would you be willing to marry me?]
Of course, it was fine. He had never once imagined anyone else becoming his wife. The very fact that she was having such thoughts sent a chill through his heart.
‘Have I not been expressing myself enough all this time?’
Still, he was relieved to have at least a chance to turn things around. Alto asked his aide:
“…How can I get closer to my fiancée?”
“Still, it’s a relief that you’re starting to think about that now. Just a moment.”
Though the aide scolded Alto sharply, he deftly rummaged through a stack of documents, found two theatre tickets, and handed them over.
“After watching the play together tomorrow, have a meal, then take a leisurely stroll around the capital before heading back. After all, dating is the best way to grow closer.”
“Why should we stroll around the capital? We already live here.”
“Exactly! Even though you live in the capital, you two have never once walked together through the busy downtown area! That’s the problem.”
“Hmm.”
Even after hearing it, he couldn’t really understand what the problem was. But since his aide said it so seriously, it must be a problem.
Given Viviana’s attitude, Alto decided not to assert his own opinion on the matter. Instead, he thoroughly sought advice.
“Where do couples usually go?”
“Anywhere! Go somewhere where you have something to talk about, like a bookstore or a clothing store.”
“A bookstore. A clothing shop.”
Alto diligently committed the advice to memory, then rested his chin on his hand and answered thoughtfully.
"I’ll try talking to Viviana. She might not want to take a walk, though."
"If you suggest a walk, she might actually like it. Just talk to her and see what she says."
“Well…”
Viviana might not allow him that kind of time. Even now, she had bluntly told him to come to the bedroom, almost as if she didn’t want to waste even a single moment with him.
The sky outside had darkened. Thinking it would be troublesome if the night deepened further, Alto quickly washed up, changed into nightwear, and headed to Viviana’s room.
When he opened the door and stepped inside, he saw Viviana hastily setting a book down on the nightstand, her face flushed bright red. Though she had told him to take a bath and put on nightwear, she herself had been reading, and now seemed embarrassed to have been caught.
Alto’s gaze swept over the nightstand. He wondered just how interesting the book could be.
‘Is that the novel?’
The title was too small to make out, but in any case, it ended up helping him plan their date for tomorrow.
‘She seems to like books, so I think she’ll be happy if we go to a bookstore tomorrow.’
He could have sent a servant, but even if she reacted sharply, saying it was a hassle to bring her along, Alto resolved not to take it personally.
‘But how exactly is she planning to check our sexual compatibility?’
All sorts of thoughts had run through Alto’s mind before coming, but when he finally faced Viviana, he had to force down the smile that was threatening to escape.
She was as red as a tomato. Not just her face, but all the way down to the nape of her neck.
‘What could she possibly hope to do, being that shy?’
Alto’s prediction was right. Not a single word that came out of her mouth was even remotely suggestive.
“Sh-should we hold hands?”
Alto secretly felt relieved.
Maybe that was why.
He naturally clasped the small, pale hand he had never held before. It was something he could never have imagined doing under normal circumstances.
‘So small.’
Matching her petite frame perfectly, Viviana’s hand was very small. When their fingers intertwined, her hand was almost completely hidden in his.
Looking down at the pink nails poking out between his fingers, Alto said in a calm tone:
“They’re pretty.”
“...!”
But Viviana’s face twisted at the compliment. It was a similar expression to the one she had when he complimented her clothes.
Seeing the look on her face, as if she’d just heard something from him she never expected, Alto realised something anew.
‘I see. All this time, I’ve thought countless times how beautiful she is, but never said it out loud.’
From the moment he first met her, he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but he had always kept those feelings locked deep inside and never expressed them.
‘From now on, I won’t just think it, I’ll say it often.’
As he made this new resolve, a chilling thought crossed his mind. The warning his grandfather had always repeatedly stressed.
[The moment your ugly side is exposed, you will be abandoned forever.]
It was a chilling warning, like a knife pressed to his throat. Though Alto always took his grandfather’s words to heart, this time he quietly pushed them aside into a corner of his heart.
‘Opening my heart this much won’t cause any problems.’
The palm that held her hand tingled.
Translator's Corner:
Hope everyone's been well! This included last week's chapters, which I missed posting, and this week's~ Enjoy the rest of your week!
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