Duke of the Beast and the Vicarious Bride - Chapter 22

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

They said he was drunk, didn’t they?

A sudden worry assailed her: what if he could not perform? But if he was suitably inebriated, it should not be physically impossible. Instead, it would mean Fiona would have to move atop him in every sense. Yet however roughly she had been raised, she did not possess the brazenness to couple immediately with a man she had never seen—well, she could not see him even now—one who was little more than a beast.

Unable even to exchange names, let alone look into each other’s eyes in this pitch darkness, what was she to do? After a moment’s thought, Fiona decided to attempt conversation, awkward though it might be. Whether he was capable of communication, she did not know.

“Um, well…”

It was only then that she realised she had never once considered what to call her husband. Another unexpected obstacle. Though they had gone through the motions of a wedding, there was no way she could suddenly utter sickly sweet words like “darling” or “honey” in this situation. And formal titles like “Your Grace the Grand Duke” or “my husband” would seem nothing but mockery given the circumstances.

“Hey, you there.”

After turning the matter over in her mind, his provisional name became “hey, you there.” She called to him, feeling deeply awkward, but as expected, no answer came. Fiona was not discouraged, however. She was accustomed to conversations that received no reply.

“I’ve heard that even if you can’t speak, you can more or less understand what’s said. Is that right?”

Perhaps because she could not see him, or because she did not want to feel intimidated, the words came out naturally in informal speech. Again, no answer. She realised that at some point, the growling and the clinking of metal had also fallen silent.

Perhaps sensing her approach, he had fallen still, as if assessing this unfamiliar presence. His behaviour stirred a peculiar sense of déjà vu in Fiona. If her instincts were correct… she might know how to approach him.

“Good boy…”

After a moment, recalling a particularly fierce puppy at the smithy next to the butcher’s, she groped in the direction where his face ought to be. Reaching out to an unknown presence in complete darkness was a dangerous notion. Yet Fiona extended her hand anyway. She needed to ascertain his condition, and in her experience, the most effective way to communicate with a beast was…

‘Letting it scent you, and touch.’

For an instant, fear flashed through her—would those sharp teeth sink into her flesh?—but fortunately, the man remained quiet. She even heard sniffing sounds, confirming her judgment. Her reasoning was simple: if he was closer to beast than man, then approaching him as one would an animal might work. Not that she wished to treat her husband as a mere beast, but for now, it seemed the only way.

‘Good. If I can just make him understand I’m not a threat…’

His unexpectedly docile response kindled a spark of hope in this desperate situation. Though the thought of what she must do with this simple-minded man still churned her stomach, at least it was not the worst-case scenario—having her throat torn out or her fingers bitten off. If he remained this placid, coaxing him through the consummation might not prove too…

CLANG, RATTLE, CLANG, CLANG!

“GRRRRAAARGH! GRR!”

The sudden, thunderous roar and violent thrashing made Fiona start violently.

“AAAH! You scared me!”

At the abrupt uproar, Fiona shrieked and fell back onto her haunches. The sound, amplified by the stone walls, pounded against her from all sides. An utterly unexpected outburst.

“Haa, damn it, ha…”

After a moment, eyes squeezed shut, ears covered, screaming with all her might, she realised the commotion had subsided. So great was her fright that for an instant, behind her closed lids, she had seen a vision of a black shape hurtling towards her. Her heart thundered as if it might burst, and shamefully, tears welled in her eyes.