Duke of the Beast and the Vicarious Bride - Chapter 36

Volumes 1 - 3 of DOTBATVB are available uncensored on ko-fi!

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

“What now? Has Jayden sent you to verify something else?”

Still aggrieved by her recent ordeal, her words came out harshly, even though she knew that when the maids had descended upon her, Marie alone had stood helplessly twisting her apron.

“No, nothing of the sort. It’s just…”

Trailing off hesitantly, Marie extended something toward Fiona. A glass of water.

Without softening her sharp gaze, Fiona accepted it silently and drank. Only after draining the entire glass did she realize how desperately thirsty she had been.

As the thirst receded, so too did some of her resentment toward Marie. Thinking of it, Marie was the only maid who had shown her any consideration. Without the oil Marie had secretly pressed into her hand, she might have failed to consummate the marriage tonight, or returned with her womanhood torn to shreds.

“I thought you might require assistance with a bath. You must feel… unclean…”

Through her slightly softened mood, Marie extended an irresistible temptation. Feeling rather like a child sulking petulantly, Fiona accepted the offer with feigned reluctance.

“Please wait a moment. I will prepare the water.”

Thus, with Marie’s help, only after sinking into the bath did the tension she had unknowingly carried finally release.

Clean and refreshed, Fiona lay upon the bed and sank into sleep. Into a sleep like the darkness of that underground cavern, where nothing could touch her.

‘Did Caligo wash himself? Sleeping on that cold floor… it must be uncomfortable…’

Before slumber claimed her completely, the last thought to drift through her mind was of the beast she had left behind in that darkness.

* * *

Consciousness, swimming through dreams, abruptly returned. Blinking dazedly, Fiona remembered after a moment where she was.

Yes, yesterday had been her first day at the Grand Duke’s castle.

Too many things had crashed upon her at once, making even her arrival here feel like distant history.

In her hazy state, she wondered if everything that had happened might have been a dream, but the aches throughout her body and the dull pain between her legs told her that was merely wishful thinking.

Fortunately, aside from some muscle soreness and fatigue, there were no serious injuries or damages. Her body, hardened by years of labour, seemed to have endured both the long journey and the arduous wedding night without significant harm.

Fiona rose from the bed. Drawing back the curtains, she saw that outside was immersed in faint twilight, as dawn was just beginning to break. Her body, accustomed to the butcher’s daily routine, had apparently awakened on its own.

She lay down again, but sleep would not come. With a clear mind, she stared at the ceiling for a long while, contemplating what she ought to do now. When Marie finally appeared after the sun had fully risen, she looked startled to find Fiona already awake.

“When did you rise? Knowing you must be exhausted, I purposely came late…”

“My eyes opened on their own.”

“Then why did you not pull the bell cord?”

At Marie’s words, Fiona belatedly recalled the existence of the bell cord. She had had opportunities to use it a few times at the Count’s estate, but it was a device she had never quite adapted to.

“Never mind. I have no particular need of anything, why would I?”

At her brusque response, the maid smiled wryly and began to take out food from the basket she had brought.

“You could have called for washing water, or asked for help with your toilette.”

“And yet you, unsummoned, have brought breakfast.”

“You barely ate last night. I thought you must be hungry.”

Until a moment ago, she had felt nothing, but at those words, hunger suddenly struck. Rising from the bed, Fiona approached the table Marie had set and sat down.

Perhaps due to the barren region, the food was quite simple. Of course, that was only in comparison to the Count’s estate; for Fiona, it was a sufficiently luxurious meal.

“I tried to prepare as well as I could. But provisions are scarce here, so…”

“This is enough. How much does one need to eat in the morning?”

To Marie, who murmured as if in apology, Fiona replied gruffly. In truth, the meal was more than sufficient.