DCEB | CH 26

Chapter 26: The Couple’s First Night (1)

“You really did think about it, didn’t you?”

The man stayed silent, as if guilty, then shamelessly replied.

“So what if I did?”

“Well, it’s not exactly wrong. I already know you hate me.”

Eleanor stared at him with displeasure. Even though he talked stubbornly, he looked strangely relaxed.

‘But for someone who says that…’

Every time he moved a little, his clothes slightly opened, showing off his well-built muscles.

Even though they were a tired old couple, and they had shared many intimate nights, it still felt strange.

Honestly, the way he was dressed wasn’t something you’d expect a groom to show on his wedding night—especially to a woman he didn’t trust.

Especially him, the Duke of Carniel, who always acted like he had walls made of steel.

‘And why does he keep avoiding my eyes?’

Why was he looking away like he was hiding something?

She bit her lip while staring at her strange-acting husband.

Anyway, these thoughts didn’t matter.

Why did she always start overthinking whenever this man was around?

Even now, after throwing away all her feelings!

She didn’t care what he was thinking. She didn’t want to guess anymore.

“Anyway, let’s get to the point. Let’s take care of the business you came for.”

Eleanor pointed to the table.

“Did you bring the contract that puts your life as the guarantee?”

“……”

Why wasn’t he answering?

“Kylus?”

Then—

“Before that.”

“……?”

With his usual cold and unreadable face, he suddenly held something out.

Eleanor, thinking it was the contract, reached for it but paused.

She blinked slowly.

“What… is this?”

It was something she hadn’t seen often before her death.

But in this new life, she had seen his thick eyebrows shake like that a few times already.

‘Is he… nervous?’

He slowly turned his head and finally looked at her.

“What.”

“What did you say?”

He looked handsome, but he also seemed disappointed, like her reaction wasn’t what he expected.

“Don’t you even know what this is?”

“It’s not that.”

Kylus was definitely better than in her past life, when he barely talked.

Now, he showed emotions more clearly and talked more when they were alone.

That part wasn’t bad.

But—

‘Why does he always talk like that?’

The husband she knew for ten years wasn’t childish, overly honest, or bad at controlling his emotions like this.

Eleanor held back her anger and forced a smile.

“……Looks like fruit. Is this a gift to repay the sandwich I gave you earlier?”

It was a plate of fruits.

They were neatly peeled and arranged with care.

He had clearly picked a variety based on her preferences.

“Marie gave them to me.”

“Oh.”

“She said you gave me dinner.”

That kind nanny probably gave him the fruit to encourage him to not waste the wedding night.

Eleanor let out a dry laugh.

Of course.

‘As if I thought otherwise.’

There was no way he went to the kitchen and asked the chef to prepare these at night for her.

‘Still, it does look delicious.’

There were grapes, apples, oranges—

Even fruits from other regions and off-season types.

Knowing the financial struggles of the duke’s house, this was quite a generous gesture.

Eleanor, who understood their situation well, felt a little warmth in her heart. Her lips curled up slightly.

“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it. Your nanny is really kind.”

“You’re smiling because she gave it to you? What, did it disgust you when you thought I brought it?”

“Darling, why are you always so bitter?”

What now? She didn’t want to argue, so she just held out her hands.

“Anyway, give it to me.”

Since he brought it but wouldn’t hand it over, she simply took the plate from him.

She placed it on the table and nodded toward a chair, and the man sat down with a slightly calmer face than before.

Crunch.

“It’s delicious.”

“……”

She took a bite of the sweet and juicy apple, and her mood instantly got better. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was.

Meanwhile, the man quietly looked around the room.

The way he looked at the space, as if it were unfamiliar, felt strange.

Then his eyes returned to her—watching her chew the fruit eagerly.

He looked once at the shrinking fruit plate, then at her.

Eleanor frowned as she swallowed.

“Why are you watching me eat? Are you going to criticize me for not acting like a refined noble lady? You brought this, remember.”

“Seeing you eat so well… no, forget it.”

Was he about to insult her for being unladylike?

“Finish your sentences properly, like I told you before.”

Eleanor was very confident in her manners.

She had a great memory for etiquette and learned everything quickly.

She wasn’t clumsy either, so she mastered gestures, dancing, posture, and table manners in no time.

Even her father, who always found faults in her, never had anything to say about her manners.

‘Ah.’

Or maybe—

“……Today must’ve been really tiring for you. You probably skipped dinner, knowing your personality.”

“What?”

There was only one fork, so she assumed it was just for her.

‘Because we never used to share anything.’

That’s how it was before.

Even after marrying, they barely saw each other.

He probably avoided her on purpose, since she was an awkward match for him.

But he was also very busy.

‘He was constantly being called to places.’

The imperial palace called for him all the time.

The duchy also had many problems. Monsters attacked, and he always led the defense.

Then he had to come home and deal with the troublemaker wife.

He also had to watch the Grace family people treat his home like theirs.

‘No wonder he hated me.’

She had learned all this slowly. But back then, they weren’t a couple who could sit and talk through things.

They loved and hated each other. Even small misunderstandings became wounds and sadness.

Eventually, sharp words became the usual. She knew that.

“Here, say ‘ah.’”

“Hey.”

Thinking bitter thoughts, Eleanor held the fork she had used and stabbed a fruit piece before offering it to his lips.

The man’s expression twisted.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

He looked horrified.

She, on the other hand, felt amused by his reaction.

“What? Is it disgusting because I’m a Grace?”

His strong shoulders flinched. He growled angrily.

“That’s not the problem. When did we become this close? Take it away.”

His cold voice sounded like a warning, but she wasn’t the type to back off so easily.

“Oh, really. But Kylus, aren’t you the one putting too much meaning into this?”

“What?”

“I’m just trying to get along with a partner. Not because I think of you as my real husband. We need to look natural in front of others, and our daily habits are part of that.”

“……”

Seeing him frown made her feel mischievous.

“It’s nothing big. I just appreciated the gift, and the fruit is tasty. I felt bad eating alone, so I’m sharing. Of course, I didn’t imagine that you brought all this because you felt guilty for not apologizing.”

“……”

“If you don’t eat it, I’ll take that as a yes.”

A few hours ago, when she argued with his knight, she remembered how satisfying it was to do whatever she wanted.

“So unless you think I’m dirty because I touched it, just eat it.”

“…You’re unbelievable.”

She would be honest now.

She wasn’t the wicked wife of Carniel anymore.

There was no need for that. She didn’t have to stay quiet anymore.

She wouldn’t stay nervous or scared. If she was angry, she’d show it. If she had doubts, she’d ask.

But one thing was for sure—it wasn’t love. Not that foolish love.

In the end, the cold man took a bite of the apple, and Eleanor just shrugged.

The atmosphere relaxed a little.

She looked at his still-wet black hair and asked,

“What about you?”

“What now?”

“Did you just finish work?”

“……”

“I was pretty tired. From the wedding until now, everything’s been so crazy. You must’ve been too.”

He quietly nodded.

“You must’ve had a hard day.”