Chapter 29: Traces (1)
“First,”
Eleanor broke the awkward silence.
“I’ve been thinking about how we can pretend we spent a passionate night together in this room.”
It might’ve been her imagination, but it looked like the man let out a small sigh of relief.
Avoiding his gaze, Eleanor opened the drawer of the table and picked up what Laura had left behind.
“This is the first method.”
The man stared at it quietly, his earlier panic seemingly calmed.
Eleanor spoke in a calm voice.
“It’s blood. The old-fashioned method of staining the bedsheets. I heard some noble families still demand physical proof, and that gave me the idea.”
The small bottle in her hand contained red blood.
It wasn’t human—it was chicken blood. But who would bother checking that?
In her past life, she never needed this. Kylus had never even entered her bedroom.
He made a grim face.
“Do we really have to go that far?”
Eleanor didn’t like the idea either.
But too many people were unhappy about their marriage and ready to spread any rumors they could.
They needed something more convincing than simply waking up in the same bed.
Something visible. Something that could be spoken about and passed on as undeniable proof.
“So you said ‘first method,’ meaning you have another one too?”
Kylus folded his arms, raising a brow.
Yes, he’s always sharp in times like this.
“That’s right. There’s another method that’s cleaner and doesn’t involve dirtying the sheets.”
“Then let’s go with that one.”
Eleanor stared at him like she couldn’t believe how easily he agreed.
“How can you say yes without even knowing what it is?”
“Still better than using animal blood.”
His sarcastic tone made Eleanor bite her lip.
As unpleasant as the first method was, she still preferred it.
Pretending to be sick and waking up late the next day would’ve been enough to make people assume things.
She had also secretly instructed Laura and Daisy.
If the rumors spread quickly, despite Kylus’s people staying silent, then it meant the maids her father sent were leaking information.
“…Fine. It can’t be helped.”
Eleanor sighed, seeing her husband’s blunt expression.
He never changed his mind when he looked like that.
You started this, she warned silently in her mind.
Then, standing up, she slowly loosened the ribbon on her nightgown.
“You chose the second method, so don’t complain now.”
“Wait. What are you doing?”
His voice was panicked, though he tried to keep it calm.
Eleanor calmly continued untying the ribbon.
“Dear husband, you didn’t like the first method. So now you have to go along with my second idea.”
Kylus froze.
“Then why are you taking off your clothes?”
“Well, if a man and woman spend a night together…”
The moonlight lit the room clearly, showing off her pale shoulder as the gown slipped down one side.
Eleanor narrowed her eyes and swept her hair to one side, exposing her shoulder more.
“There’s no way I’d have no marks on me, right?”
“…Don’t tell me.”
“Yes.”
Eleanor smiled brightly.
“Bite me, dear.”
“……”
A cold silence filled the room.
Kylus’s face went stiff, and his ears turned red like they were about to explode.
Now it was certain.
You… you really have no immunity to this kind of thing, do you?
She could hardly believe it.
That Kylus? My husband?
The man who, for ten years, had succumbed to desire and given her humiliating nights…
Was he ever this shy?
Then why had he seemed so experienced during their married life?
He didn’t gain experience from someone else, did he?
Katrina…?
Eleanor quickly stopped her thoughts.
She didn’t want to ruin her mood.
“Why are you standing there like that?”
He rubbed his face like he was going crazy, staring at her like she was unbelievable.
“Do you even know what you’re saying?”
“Why are you so stiff over leaving one little mark? The title of Duke of Carniel would cry if it saw this.”
“Are you seriously saying that?”
“What? Am I being too forward? But I can’t do this alone. I need your help.”
“Eleanor!”
She burst out laughing.
Even though he looked like he was about to explode, she found it more funny than scary.
His reaction was amusing.
“Oh, you finally stopped calling me Grace. Thank you.”
Unfortunately, Kylus had too much self-control.
He didn’t jump on her and leave a mark just because she showed a little skin.
After some back-and-forth, Eleanor sighed.
Still with one shoulder bare, she stepped forward like she was challenging him.
Under the moonlight, she boldly displayed her body.
His violet eyes shook so hard she could see it clearly.
He took a step back, looking almost pitiful.
“Dear, we’re married.”
“It’s a fake marriage.”
“Yes, but fake or not, we have to share the same bed for a whole year.”
“There’s no need for that.”
“Yes, there is.”
“……”
Eleanor snapped her fingers.
“We need to sleep together. It’s the perfect time to exchange information privately, without anyone interrupting. No one will question it.”
Step by step, she closed the distance between them.
“Besides, what better proof of affection than a couple sharing a bedroom every night? Everyone will believe it. We have to get used to this.”
Now, Kylus’s tall frame stood directly in front of her.
“Even if you hate touching me.”
“I never said I hated it.”
“That’s what it means. But don’t worry. I don’t enjoy it either.”
He used to pin her down so harshly in the past that she couldn’t even speak.
Now our roles are reversed.
She felt something hot and strange rise from deep inside her.
“Let’s just put up with it for each other, Kylus.”
“So you hate it too.”
“Yes. It means nothing.”
It was something close to twisted excitement.
“……”
“Now. Come on.”
Kylus swallowed.
“You…”
Eleanor licked her dry lips and tried to smile seductively.
“This isn’t our first time touching. So—”
She reached out and placed her hand on his chest.
She could almost feel his heartbeat through his shirt.
“Stop.”
“…!”
He suddenly grabbed her hand.
“Eleanor, you really are…”
Her eyes widened at the sudden action.
He spoke in a rough, biting tone.
“You make it so easy. Damn it.”
“Ah.”
His voice was bitter and full of anger. His grip on her hand was burning hot.
“Is it fun playing with me?”
“Ugh.”
“Why do you act like this on purpose?”
“W-Wait.”
He pulled her hand forcefully, closing the distance so much it was hard to breathe.
His muscular chest nearly pressed into her.
“You might be fine touching people like this. But I’m not. So stop it.”
His tone was cold and annoyed, as if angry at himself for being affected.
Maybe he thought his fake bride wasn’t modest enough.
But what could she do?
She had once been pure, but ten years of married life had changed her.
If anyone ruined me, it was you. Even if this version of you hasn’t yet.
He misunderstood something, but she didn’t want to correct it.
A bit of mischief rose inside her.
Why make such a big deal out of this?
The first time, he had been dragged in like a breeding horse, forced by her father’s threats.
He had left bruises like she had been beaten.
This is nothing compared to that.
