Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 97: In Charge Of The Night

Chapter 97: In Charge Of The Night

Aideen positioned herself carefully on the edge of Tillian’s wide and comfortable bed, wrapped in several fluffy, soft white towels that smelled so fresh, it felt as if they were just brought in from the outside.

Her glowing eyes fixated upon Bella, who was in the midst of a fidgety task, surrounded by an overwhelming array of perfumed powders and lotions carefully arranged on the small wooden table before her.

The one-hour-long bath that Aideen had just endured, which included a thorough body scrub and a nearly artful hair-washing, had proven to be more exhausting than expected and her body was already resolved to surrender to the strong clutches of fatigue, especially since she practically had to repeat the same intricate bathroom routine she had in the afternoon before she started her wedding preparations.

And now her already anxious state was completed with a heavy blend of tension and weariness.

As she watched the maid’s meticulous preparations, the princess could not help but experience a surge of nervousness once more.

’This is not the first time for me, yet I am but a raw knot of nerves. My very first night with Count Crueder was painful and humiliating, I have never enjoyed spending such time with him afterwards as well... I cannot help but wonder –– does it feel better when you share the bed with the man you like? Or do they all act the same and this is just something I simply must endure again?’

"My Lady? My Lady?"

Bella’s soft and cheerful voice broke through the thick veil of Aideen’s contemplation, forcing the lady to redirect her focus towards the woman standing before her with a face beaming with a somewhat sly smile.

"Everything is ready, Your Highness. Now, we are only left with your nightgown. I believe there was something..."

The princess raised her thin eyebrows, unaware of the meaning carried by the maid’s words.

"Oh, I think my usual nightgown will suffice; there is no need for excessive preparations, please, you have already done enough, Bella."

The woman, however, had other things in mind. She shut her eyes, her expression acquiring a somewhat disapproving shade, and vigorously shook her head in disagreement while she added,

"Nonsense, Your Highness! I must confess, Safie and I did something outrageous and without your knowing, but please believe me that we had no ill intentions in mind."

"What did you do that was so outrageous?"

"We took one of your regular nightgowns and altered it a little... To fit the occasion."

Aideen had no idea how to react to that statement.

On one hand, she was somewhat touched by the maids’ effort to make something special for such a notorious occasion; on the other hand... Well, it still could not make up for the fact that her body was buzzing with anxiety, and no matter what she wore, it would still remain a fact.

She released a resigned sigh, recognizing that she did not have the heart to discard the item. With a deliberate nod, she surrendered, her tone bearing calm compliance,

"Very well, I do not see why I should refuse such a gift. Thank you, Bella. Please assist me in dressing."

***

Once all the preparations had been completed, the clock had already advanced past midnight, and Aideen found herself nestled within the reserved yet still comfortable confines of Tillian’s bedroom. Alone.

’Although I have stayed in this room before, I never expected the residue of my scent to stell be present here. Did it attach itself to the walls somehow? Was Ahspid right and my mana indeed "marked" the territory? This is silly... It is still all him; all his scent; it’s everywhere. I find solace in sharing this space.’

With a nervous exhale, the princess closed her eyes, succumbing to the inviting embrace of the Duke’s soft bed. Her senses were greeted by the gentle, unexpectedly warm touch of the silk blanket with delicate embroidery beneath her body. She stretched her arms out, allowing her fingertips to trace intricate patterns on the bedcover, and felt as if she was making a snow angel in freshly fallen snow, and a faint, contented smile graced her plump lips.

’I love his scent. How peculiar that I’ve grown accustomed to recognizing his smell no matter where I am. I wonder... If I spent enough time by his side, will our scents blend together or will they create something entirely new?’

As that thought flowed through her steady mind, the Duke’s scent grew more pronounced, almost as if he were there, right before her. As if guided by instinct, Aideen’s eyelids fluttered open, her yellow-green eyes widening in astonishment as they recognized Tillian’s presence.

He hovered over her, his flustered face leaning dangerously close to hers, and his deep red eyes moved frantically across her beautiful features.

"Your Grace... you’re already here..."

For some reason, the princess found herself completely frozen, unable to collect her thoughts or make any discernible movements. Eventually, as her mind struggled to regain its footing, she finally realized that Duke Valentine had joined her on the bed, his strong, muscular frame leaning fully into her space, his long blond hair cascading over his broad shoulders and onto her own.

His breaths were unsteady, and the anxious rhythm of his heartbeat reverberated through the hushed room like a distant drumroll.

Summoning tremendous effort to quell her own anxiety, Aideen swallowed an invisible lump that had seemingly stuck in her throat and parted her lips, mustering the resolve to speak.

"Your Grace––"

"My Lady..."

At last, Tillin’s quiet, velvet voice found its way past his soft lips. His gaze briefly lingered on his wife’s mouth before he continued,

"I understand that this might not be something you want to do, given your past experiences and all... If you do not want to go through this, I will understand and never pressure you until you are ready. So... Please voice your answer, Your Highness. I will agree with either yes or no."

Aideen’s eyes widened in astonishment. It dawned on her that the man before her was brimming with genuine desire. Genuine desire for her. And yet, unlike Count Crueder who never asked for her consent, Tillian gave her a choice and he was willing to accept anything.

No, he insisted on her being the one in charge of the night.