The next morning, Olivia woke up in Leonard's arms. Her legs were entwined with his, they were both completely naked, covered only by a thin sheet. Olivia felt happy to be in that state, but also very ashamed. She didn't dare move a single finger for fear of waking him up.
As she admired her husband's handsome face, Amelia knocked on her door asking if she could come in. Out of nervousness, Olivia couldn't respond quickly, and the end, Amelia barged into her room and saw them both in bed. Realizing the duchess wasn't alone, she quickly turned around and said.
"I'm sorry my lady, I'II come back later. If you ned me, please right the bell on the table."
Olivia felt her burn with embarrassment. Unconsciously, she buried her face in Leonard's chest and woke him up. Pulling her even closer to him, he asked.
"What's wrong? Do you feel sick? Should I call the doctor or Amelia?"
"No need, I'm fine," Olivia replied.
Leonard caressed Olivia's back and asked again.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
Olivia didn't know how to tell him that what she was feeling was embarrassment for being caught in bed by Amelia. It was more than obvious that Amelia had noticed that they had done something more than just sleep that night. Their clothes were scattered across the floor, and the bed was a mess.
While Leonard gently stroked her back, Olivia could feel something hard and warm touching her legs. He pulled her slightly away from him and kissed her. His kiss was soft and sweet, his touches made Olivia's entire body heat up, and a moan escaped from her lips. Then she remembered that Amelia was most likely still behind the door waiting for her to call her and told Leonard.
"Please, stop."
Leonard continued to caress her and looked at her with his beautiful hazel eyes.
"Don't you like it?"
Olivia covered her face with her hands and replied.
"It's not that, it's just that it's daylight."
"And so what?"
"Such things can't be done during the day."
Leonard removed her hands from her face and said.
"Who told you that?"
"My nanny, before coming here. She said such things are only done at night."
Leonard could not help but laugh out loud at what Olivia was saying, her face was beet red, and hearing him making fun of her made her angry, she puffed her cheeks like a squirrel. Every expression of Olivia was something Leonard loved; her genuine reactions to things excited him. He kissed her hand and said.
"I'm sorry, but we can do it when we want, not just at night unless you don't want to."
Olivia was a bit upset about him making fun of her and said.
"I don't want to do it during the day, it's too embarrassing."
Leonard felt somewhat disappointed by what Olivia had told him. He was burning with desire, but he didn't intend to force her. He kissed the palm of her hand and said.
"Alright, if you don't want to during the day then I'II have to wait until the night, right?"
Embarrassed, Olivia nodded affirmatively. Leonard let out a long sigh and said.
"Ah! You're really cruel. I've never been rejected before."
Olivia understood what the duke meant. Who in their right mind would reject such a man? But she was young and inexperienced, and it was very embarrassing for her to do it during the day. Therefore, she flatly refused.
Leonard kissed her forehead, got out of bed, picked up his clothes, which were scattered all over the room, and got dressed. After dressing, he sat on the bed next to her and said.
"Well, even thought I want to stay in bed with you, I have work to do. If you don't want to go the ball tonight, I won't make you. You can do whatever you like."
Leonard kissed her lips and then left. As he opened the door, he was confronted by Amelia who had been waiting for Olivia to call her. She looked at him accusingly and said.
"I hope you were more gently with the duchess this time."
Without saying a word, Leonard left, Olivia had completely forgotten about the ball until Leonard mentioned it. Once again, she was anxious. She didn't know whether to go or stay home. But instead of agonizing over it, she rang the bell on the table and Amelia immediately entered.
Upon entering, Amelia picked up Olivia's nightgown, which was lying on the floor, and handed it to her. With her face burning, she took it, put it on. Once she was finished, Amelia asked.
"Do you think you can get up, my lady?"
"Yes, I can."
Olivia got up and sat down at the small table with two chairs that she usually used for breakfast. Amelia handed her a tonic and a few minutes later, Mari came in with her breakfast. After breakfast, Olivia took a long bath. That day, the servants massaged her shoulders, did her nails, and applied facial masks to her.
She still hadn't decided whether to go to the ball or not, but she didn't want to torment herself anymore. Luckily for her, the day had passed without any incident. Her hips hurt a bit, but she felt wonderful overall. Knowing she had the duke's support had calmed her down a lot.
As duke fell, Amelia and the other maids did her hair and dressed her in the beautiful dress that Madam Margaret had made especially for her.
When they finished with her, Olivia looked at herself in the mirror and was amazed. She looked beautiful. Olivia started to would what kind of face the duke would make when he saw her. In the end, she hadn't confirmed whether she was going to the ball of not. Still, he hadn't left yet, which meant he was waiting for her.
When she walked down the stairs, Leonard was waiting for her at the entrance. He was dressed in his general's uniform, blue and black, with several god decorations on the jacket to match his beautiful eyes. His hair was combed back, revealing his handsome face.
Olivia felt very nervous when she saw him. her husband was one of the most handsome men in the empire but also the most fearsome. That's why no woman had dared to marry him. But she was anxious thinking that someone might snatch him away.
Noticing her presence, Leonard lifted his head and was amazed by how beautiful she looked.
...
When Leonard's gaze met Olivia's, she became so nervous that she didn't see where she was stepping and tripped over her dress; but before she could fall to the ground, the duke caught her. She hated dresses for this very reason; she had always been clumsy and kept tripping over them all the time.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied.
Leonard helped her stand up and offered his arm for her to hold onto. Olivia gratefully accepted; she was afraid she would fall again. As they left the house, a large black carriage with the insignia of an eagle, which was the emblem of the Forest family, awaited them.
Leonard helped her climb into it and they seated facing each other. Olivia had never left the mansion since their marriage. Her palms were discomfort, Leonard took her hand and pulled her onto his lap.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, Leonard said.
"You don't have to be so nervous. If someone dares to offend you, do not hesitate to tell me. I will handle it."
Feeling heat from Duke's body, Olivia felt more relaxed. Upon arriving at the palace, the crowd turned to see who was stepping out of the carriage arm in arm with the duke.
Entering the ballroom, their names were announced, and the room fell into complete silence. All eyes were on the ducal couple that had just arrived. The attention made Olivia extremely nervous.
They descended the staircase and paid their respects to the royal family. Olivia barely dared raise her head. She curtsied as Sir Wilson had taught her, and then clung to Leonard's arm.
Everyone in the hall was watching Olivia; the ladies with envy for having married the duke, and the older woman were pitying her for having married the Duke of Forest.
Several people approached them to greet them, but rarely said anything more due to Leonard's intimidating aura. The only one who approached with a smile and gave Leonard a few pats on the back was the crown prince. On spotting Olivia, he observed her closely and said.
"You must be the young Duchess of Forest. You're even more beautiful than I had imagined."
Olivia curtsied and introduced herself, "My name is Olivia Carter, a pleasure to meet you."
As soon as she finished speaking, both Leonard and the Crown Prince turned to see a beautiful blonde woman in a pink dress with ruffles and laces. She intertwined her arm with the prince and said.
"Darling, don't bother the ducal couple."
The crown prince placed a kiss on her forehead and replied, "I'm not doing that."
Looking at her accusatory gaze, he seemed a bit nervous since he did intentionally come over to tease Leonard. It appeared this woman was the Prince's wife. The princess turned to them and introduced herself.
"Oh! I apologize for my rudeness. My name is Leticia. It's a pleasure to meet you, Duchess."
Olivia curtsied and replied, "The pleasure is mine, your majesty."
"You don't have to be so format. You can call me Leticia. I'm glad he could attend the party; I head your health was poor."
"Yes, fortunately, I'm much better now."
"I hope the Duchess could attend the tea party I'm hosting in a few days."
"I'd be delighted to attend."
Several noblemen approached Leonard and the Prince, while Olivia was talking to Leticia and a group of ladies clustered around her. Each one of them was asking questions and Olivia ended up feeling dizzy from the barrage of inquires.
Seeing Olivia's pallor, Leonard came to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. She startled, but relaxed a bit when she saw it was him. However, so many people starting at her was making her dizzy again. Everyone present was surprised to see Leonard's display of affection for her. he told the woman surrounding Olivia.
"I apologize for the interruption, but my wife seems to be unwell. I'm taking her to get some fresh air."
The other woman didn't have a chance to say anything before Leonard took Olivia and they headed to the balcony. Olivia felt better as soon as she felt the cool air on her face.
"Are you alright? You looked pale back there."
"Sigh, I'm much better now, thank you for bringing me out here," Olivia replied, breathing a sigh of relief.
Leonard moved behind Olivia and wrap his large arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder, he commented.
"You look very beautiful tonight."
Feeling Duke's warm breath on her ear, Olivia shuddered at his words. They stood there for a while, admiring the garden, until Olivia felt better. The music drifted over from the ballroom, and they returned to the salon. Several pairs were already dancing and Leonard, bending at the waist, asked her.
"Would you honor me with a dance?"
Olivia stiffened at this proposition as she was terrified of dancing. But before she could refuse, Leonard pulled her onto the dance floor.
Olivia froze in place. Sensing her apprehension, Leonard wrapped an arm around her waist and whispered into her ear.
"Relax, you will do fine."
Olivia was doubtful, but since being on the dance floor, it would be rude to leave Duke alone. She did as Sir Wilson had taught her and placed one hand on Leonard's shoulder. She spent the entire time looking at her feet, fearing she might step on him. Leonard lifted her face and told her.
"You should be looking at your partner when dancing, not your feet."
"But I'm afraid I might step on you."
"You're so light that even if you did, it wouldn't hurt me. So, don't worry about that."
Feeling much more relaxed after hearing Duke's words, Olivia stopped paying attention to her feet and started focusing on her husband's handsome face.