Duke of the Beast and the Vicarious Bride - Chapter 16 - III.

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

`III.`

After cleansing her body and drying her hair, the maids dressed her in a thin robe. Preparations complete, the maids vied with one another to leave the room, offering no farewell. Only the maid called Marie lingered, hesitating until the last, then approached Fiona and offered something resembling encouragement.

“Congratulations on your wedding, miss. And this… it’s something usually prepared in the bridal chamber for the first night. Just in case…”

What Marie pressed into Fiona’s hand was a small vial of fragrant oil. It must have been among the baggage she had brought from the Count’s manor. Fiona, who had not even known such a thing existed, let alone thought that oil might be needed for the marriage bed, was grateful. Of course, imagining the situation in which she might use it still filled her with dread, but gratitude was gratitude nonetheless.

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

It felt strange to express pure thanks to someone; it had been so long. At Fiona’s short, brusque words of appreciation, Marie returned a faint smile and promptly left the room.

Moments later, the door through which Marie had exited opened, and Jayden appeared. The warmth that had briefly touched her heart froze solid in an instant.

“Oh dear, no need to be so formal.”

Still in his travelling clothes, he strode in and, upon seeing Fiona in her robe over her nightdress, let out a whistle. She longed to hurl something at him, but barely restrained herself.

“I did tell them to prepare you, but it was unnecessary trouble. In truth, your husband is a man who cares little whether you bathe or not.”

“So where is this so-called husband of mine?”

Rather than react to his drivel, she wished to get the necessary deed over with quickly. To bear the brat they all so desired, she needed to consummate the marriage without delay, did she not? At Fiona’s blunt speech, Jayden’s expression momentarily soured. He seemed vexed that she showed no fear at all.

“I look forward to seeing if you remain so confident shortly.”

Jayden muttered through gritted teeth, turned, opened the door, and gestured with his eyes for her to follow.

Fiona walked a long while down dark corridors behind him. This path led not towards the central staircase she had ascended earlier, but deep into the castle’s interior. Passing several staircases and narrow passageways, they came at last to a corridor’s end, where a metal door gaped black as a monster’s maw, on some floor impossible to determine.

“This is your husband’s chamber.”

Jayden gestured at the entrance, posturing as if revealing a delightful surprise.

“…”

She wished to peer inside, but beyond the door was a darkness that threatened endless fall the moment one set foot within. Unlike the warm corridor, a chill air seeped from it. It was a place that felt ominous and damp, fit to be called a gateway to a lair rather than a bridal chamber awaiting a new groom.

“What, afraid?”

Jayden asked, as if he had been waiting. Fiona, momentarily frightened by the unexpected sight, came to her senses at his provocation.

“No, not at all. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Are you the one who’s afraid?”

Her excessive denial made her seem like a child bluffing, but she did not realise it. At her answer, Jayden regarded her for a moment, then picked up one of the lamps hanging in the corridor.

As the light illuminated the previously invisible interior, a spiral staircase descending downwards was revealed. Fiona once again silently followed Jayden, who led the way, beginning her descent down the long, seemingly endless steps.

She huddled her shoulders against the chill emanating from the cold stone walls and drew her collar tighter. The enormous shadows cast by the lamp flickered grotesquely, creating an even more eerie atmosphere.

“What’s his name? My husband, I mean.”

The question, born of a desire to break the silence, made her realise she did not even know her husband’s name. Following her voice echoing through the narrow passageway, a twisted answer returned, laced with some displeasure.

“Well now, I never thought to give a name to a mere beast.”