Chapter 52

VII.

Fiona’s arrival at the Grand Duke’s castle had now entered its fifteenth day.

After that first day, which had been a succession of chaos and shock, her life had fortunately found swift stability.

Compared to the beginning, which had been nothing but uncertainty and anxiety, it was a surprisingly sweet peace. As always, fickle life seemed to show a clear sky only after making one experience the worst.

Fiona’s daily routine these days was exceedingly simple and regular.

Upon waking in the morning, she first ate the meal Marie prepared, then with Marie’s assistance bathed and dressed in one of her few garments. From then until sunset, she enjoyed complete freedom.

In truth, this was less freedom and more a state of neglect.

Aside from producing an heir, Jayden and the imperial officials assigned Fiona no tasks or duties whatsoever. She need not worry about managing the territory nor concern herself with social obligations.

Considering her position as Grand Duchess, this was somewhat unsettling, but Fiona resolved simply to accept the reality given her.

Liberated from the harsh labour that had plagued her entire life, her mind found room for ease. Perhaps because she had never rested peacefully in all her twenty-three years, this suddenly granted respite was not unwelcome.

With Jayden overseeing finances and servants alike, Fiona’s only occupation was to eat, sleep, and idle away the days.

Only after sunset did her sole duty await: the effort toward producing an heir.

Whenever Jayden commanded, she obediently—perhaps even with some willingness—met with Caligo. And since she was in fact using contraceptives, their congress was not for conceiving a child but merely for physical pleasure.

To be fed by others, to laze about all day, and come nightfall to couple vigorously with her husband. At times she felt a measure of self-reproach, but before she knew it, half a month had passed in this fashion.

* * *

Yet even within this indolent existence, Fiona had discovered several sources of satisfaction.

One concerned her husband’s markedly improving condition.

Fiona.

Though his vocabulary remained limited, his pronunciation and articulation grew clearer with each passing day.

The sounds he had produced, scraping his throat clumsily as if articulating language for the first time in ages, now formed her name without a single growl.

Moreover, beyond Fiona’s and his own names, Caligo had learned new words. Chiefly those she had repeatedly emphasised, such as “wife” and “husband and wife.”

Not only did he understand nearly everything Fiona said, but most recently, a measure of volition had begun to appear in his actions.

‘Ugh, wait, Caligo… haah, stop moving for a moment…’

Despite priding herself on her boldness, she could not help but blush at the memory of last night that suddenly surfaced.

At some point, Caligo no longer simply lay still accepting Fiona’s ministrations.

Instead, as if he had realised something, he had begun to lift his hips in rhythm with her movements, and even thrust deep with force.

Clearly these were instinctive actions in pursuit of pleasure, but for Fiona they proved most troublesome. For whenever Caligo moved thus, indescribable sensations overwhelmed her.

Having gained a brief reprieve just yesterday, she need not worry for a while. Thanks to the sudden arrival of her monthly course. Of course, after this she must resume her “duty,” but until then she intended to prepare herself mentally a little more.

“My monthly has begun. I cannot go down for a while.”

Though she disliked revealing such intimate matters to that man, she told him nonetheless.

At this, he said she had worked hard coupling every night without fail and should rest, dismissing her with those words. His manner of speech grew increasingly unpleasant with each passing day, just like the Count.

“While I cannot go down, Caligo will…”

When she saw the menstrual blood on her undergarment, her first thought was concern for Caligo, whom she would not see for some time.

Taking the opportunity, she considered asking Jayden to release him from the cellar.

“I told you to leave. If you trouble me further, I shall take it as meaning you wish to couple with it regardless of your condition.”

But for some reason, Jayden had been in low spirits lately, as if a thorn had lodged in his backside.

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