It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 102
It seemed this was another fundamental difference in character.
The male leads of A Night of Entwined Serpents wouldn’t have hesitated at all. They wouldn’t have cared whether Vivian was asleep or not, and would have just done it.
Yet here Lionel was, being so incredibly conscientious. Honestly, how lucky could I be, having a man like this as my future husband?
“Serenia, then right now…”
Just as he was about to say something, my stomach let out a loud growl.
…This… This was a complete accident.
I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon.
And then everything that followed had been so overwhelming that I hadn’t even noticed how hungry I was, until now.
I wasn’t just hungry. I was starving.
“…We should eat first.”
I said, sneaking a glance at his expression.
“Shall we have something brought to the room?”
“If that’s what you’d like.”
Lionel reached over and pulled the bedside cord, summoning the attendants.
Then, as he slipped on a robe, I hurriedly got out of bed and rushed toward the bathroom.
Because ever since I woke up, one thing had been on my mind.
‘I hope I didn’t drool in my sleep…?’
Lionel had stayed up all night looking like a radiant god, and meanwhile, I had just woken up like this. I was terrified to find out what I looked like right now.
So if it seemed like I was running away to the bathroom, then yes, that was exactly what I was doing.
I mean, isn’t it only natural to want to look good for the breathtaking man you just spent your first night with?
That said, I didn’t want to keep him waiting too long, so I washed up quickly and checked my reflection in the mirror, making sure nothing looked off.
‘My lips look a little swollen…’
…Actually, that wasn’t a bad thing?
At least nothing seemed too out of place, so I grabbed the robe hanging nearby and wrapped it around myself.
‘I’ll just nibble on some bread, pretend to eat, and then crawl back into bed.’
Sure, last night had been my first real experience, but I was a seasoned reader of 19+ novels. I had read and imagined countless steamy scenes, analyzing them to perfection.
Now was my chance to make those fantasies a reality with Lionel, and I wondered if it was possible.
‘We’ll roll around for a while, and then I’ll make sure Lionel gets some sleep too.’
Feeling thrilled with my own plans, I pulled open the bathroom door, only to freeze in place. Lionel stood by the table, already fully dressed, exuding the poised, untouchable presence of the Duke of Luanax.
“…Oh.”
I hesitated without thinking, lingering by the doorway of the bathroom.
“…Are you heading to the palace?”
Judging by the way he had dressed so impeccably, that seemed to be the case.
But his answer was not what I expected.
“You’re coming with me.”
“…What?”
Go with him? Where? Surely not the Imperial Palace?
“His Majesty has personally reviewed our engagement documents. He has summoned us both to the palace.”
A chilling sensation ran down my spine.
I had always known that, by agreeing to marry the Duke of Luanax, I would eventually have to step foot inside the palace. As his wife, I’d be expected to attend official events, banquets, and countless gatherings.
But not yet…
Still… Not this soon.
The sheer terror creeping up on me made that painfully clear.
Sensing my unease, Lionel approached me.
“Serenia.”
He bent slightly, bringing himself to my eye level.
“There is nothing to fear. I promise you, no matter what happens, I will protect you.”
His hands enclosed mine, radiating warmth. That warmth spread from my ice-cold fingertips and slowly eased the tension in my body.
“With my life.”
He was smiling gently, clearly trying to reassure me, but when I looked into his eyes, I understood.
He wasn’t as calm as he appeared, either.
And somehow, that steadied me.
‘If this is something I have to face eventually… then I have to face it.
This wasn’t the time to be paralyzed by fear. This was the time to prepare.
