While Olivia watched her husband's handsome face as he slept, he began to stir and clung to his wife's petite frame so tightly that she protested, claiming he was crushing her. Leonard quickly came to and said.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"
With her face as red as a tomato, Olivia replied.
"Yes, you're squishing me."
Leonard eased his grip immediately gave her a kiss on the forehead, and said.
"I regret being so unrefined at times."
He gave her a tender, sweet kiss on the lips while stroking her hair, which was a complete mess. Pulling back to take a better look at her, Leonard thought she resembled a lion with her tousled hair, and he let out a chuckle, telling her.
"Haha, you look like a lion this morning."
Upon hearing Leonard poke fun at her messy hair, Olivia became annoyed. She pushed him away from her side and said.
"Stop mocking me. I might not be as pretty as the woman you're used to, but that doesn't give you the right to laugh at me."
Taken aback by Olivia's words, because he had only meant to tease her a little, Leonard didn't just because he said her hair was a disaster. He thought it might genuinely bother her and told her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I was only joking. Besides, you look adorable to me no matter what."
Olivia thought he was just saying that to pacify her and became even more irritated. She hid under the sheets, sulking. She knew she might be overreacting, but she felt especially sensitive after seeing her husband talking to a beautiful redhead at the dance.
Leonard tried to calm her, but on this day, Olivia seemed genuinely angry, even severe. He tried to pull the blanket away from her, but she clung to it with all her might, so he thought that wasn't going to work. Leonard placed his hands at Olivia's sides and started tickling her so that she would release the blanket.
Olivia was very ticklish and couldn't the blanket, but eventually, she let go. Olivia's laughter filled the quiet room, and she could barely speak as she desperately tried to push Leonard's hands away, but he kept tickling her. It was the first time Leonard had heard her laugh like this, and he loved the sound, so he didn't stop until Olivia was red from the laughter.
Mesmerized by her laughter, Leonard wished he could keep listening, but he thought Olivia would be upset if her continued, so he restrained himself and asked her.
"Are you still angry?"
Olivia was still holding her stomach, laughing with small tears rolling down her cheeks. She gave him a searing look and said.
"I'm still angry, and you need to do a lot more if you want my forgiveness."
Leonard was shocked by her words because she usually never demanded anything, so he thought it would be nice to indulge his wife for once. He kissed her on the forehead and asked.
"So, what must I do to be forgiven?"
Olivia pondered for a moment and than said.
"Hmm... I want us to have a picnic in the garden."
"A picnic? Are you sure that's all you want?"
"Yes."
Leonard thought Olivia would ask for jewels or something else entirely. He never imagined her request would be so simple. With his work pilling up, he considered for a moment and then agreed,
"Alright."
With those words, Olivia's face lit up, a broad smile spreading across her face. She jumped out of bed, very excited, and said.
"Then I'II go tell the servants to prepare everything for our picnic."
Caught up in her enthusiasm, Olivia forgot she was naked. Just as she was about to ring for the maids, Leonard, who had been eyeing her with a lustful gaze, called out to her.
"Hey, don't you think you should put on some clothes before calling the maids?"
Realizing she was completely bare and Leonard's eyes were on her, she blushed, grabbed the blanket covering him, and wrapped herself in it, leaving him completely exposed in front of her.
Olivia was spellbound, observing her husband's magnificent naked body. It was the first time she had seen him so clearly because they always made love in the dark, and the dim light of the lamps didn't allow her to see much. But since it was morning and the sunlight streamed through the windows, she could admire him as God made him.
Without a doubt, he was simply perfect. Seeing Olivia gaze at him, Leonard stood from the bed, approached her, and said.
"My wife, are you pleased with what you see?"
Olivia was so absorbed in looking at her husband she didn't notice when he had come to her side. He wrapped his arms around her, kissed her on the forehead, and said.
"I love that you're looking at me, but unfortunately, I have work to do. Call me when the servants have everything ready for the picnic."
Leonard picked up his scattered clothes, dressed, kissed Olivia on the lips-who had been stunned, watching him-and left the room.
When the duke closed the door behind him, Olivia collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed by embarrassment. Once she calmed down, she searched for a nightgown in the closet but found none. Only then did she realize this was not her room. It was similar to hers but decorated more starkly, and the wardrobe only contained men's clothing.
Olivia scrutinized the room, and after a moment, she realized it was Leonard's room. The night before, he had carried her in his arms while kissing her, so she hadn't noticed they had entered his room instead of hers.
It was her first time in his room. Everything seemed orderly, with numerous papers on the side table in the sitting area and a beautiful sword hanging on the wall, made entirely of gold with a huge diamond set in the hilt. Olivia had thought it a waste to craft a pure gold sword and had trouble picturing her husband wielding it since he always dressed plainly. Yet there had to be some reason for it.
Olivia picked up her clothes from the floor to dress before calling the maids, but her shirt had torn buttons-Leonard had ripped them off without her noticing. She grabbed one of his shirts, which was far too big for her, and opened the door for the maids, but nobody was there.
Olivia glanced both ways and noticed her maids standing at the end of the corridor in front of her room. She felt a tinge of embarrassment at the prospect of them seeing her exit Leonard's quarters, but knowing they would remain stationary until she opened the door for them, she took a seep breath and walked out.
Upon witnessing Olivia emerge from the Duke's chambers, the maids expressed shock. Amelia even shed a few tears as she approached Olivia, grasping her hands and exclaimed.
"Oh! My Lady, I am overjoyed that you've grown so close to the Duke that he shared his room with you."
Olivia knew that wasn't the case, but as Amelia was so pleased, she chose not to clarify and merely smiled back. Entering her room, the maids readied her bath, and as Olivia bathed, they added exquisite floral essences and massaged her shoulders. She felt so relaxed she nearly forgot about the picnic until, with a jolt, she remembered and abruptly stood up from the tub, stating.
"Amelia, there's no time for this. I have arranged to have a picnic with the Duke in the garden. We need to prepare the food and find a lovely spot."
"But, My Lady, we've yet to finish your bath."
"There's no time for that."
"Don't worry, my Lady. Ana, go inform Alfred to set up everything for a picnic in the garden. Mari, find something appropriate in the wardrobe for the Duchess to wear."
Both maids nodded and set about their tasks as Amelia requested, while she remained with the Duchess, entreating Olivia to finish her bath, cautioning.
"My Lady, please sit down. You might fall it continue like that."
"Alright."
"There's no need to be so anxious, my Lady. I assure you everything will go smoothly."
"I know. It's just that I'm a bit excited; it's the first time I'II have a picnic with His Grace, and I want it all to be perfect."
"I am sure it will be perfect, my Lady. Now, please, stop fidgeting, or it will take me longer to finish."
Amelia watched the young Duchess, content at the thought of the picnic with the Duke, and was glad to see their marriage was flourishing, despite it not being a love match.
At first, when she learned the Duke was marrying at the Crown Prince's insistence, she was saddened at the thought of a loveless union. The Duke had always been intelligent, handsome, and skilled with the sword, but also rational and cold, never letting any woman drew near.
After returning from war, he earned the moniker 'Bloody King,' a title not well-received by the royals. But as the Duke was feared by all, they thought it best to have him as an ally and appointed him general at a young age. In every battle he led, victory followed, and his ruthless reputation grew.
Noblewoman were charmed by his looks, but very dared approach. Those who did were turned away, and as time passed with the Duke showing no interest in matrimony, Amelia had resigned herself to the possibility he would never marry until the Crown Prince began his campaign, which ended in securing a bride.
The Duke was so displeased he didn't attend his wedding, sending Alfred with the marriage certificate. Initially, he was cold to the young Duchess and indifferent, but now he even allowed her into his chamber, a privilege never given even to the maids-hence Amelia's surprise at seeing Olivia exit the Duke's room, a sign she was accepted as his wife.
After her bath, Maru had chosen a dress, but Olivia, displeased, insisted on her usual attire. She detested dresses, wearing them only when necessary, which it wasn't in this case, so she wouldn't wear it. Eventually, as Amelia dried and styled her hair, Mari returned with a fashionable choice; wide-legged black trousers and a garnet shirt adorned with tiny white flowers embroidered at the cuffs. This selection pleased Olivia greatly.
Amelia braided Olivia's hair, adding white wildflowers matching the shirt's embroidery. Once ready, Olivia descended to the mirror and approved of her appearance, then rushed down the stairs-sliding down the bannister, startling Alfred, who exclaimed.
"My Lady, that it very dangerous! Do not do that again, what if you injure yourself or break a bone?"
"Alright, Alfred, I promise not to do it again. But I was in a hurry. Have you chosen the picnic spot?"
Although Alfred seemed resigned to the Duchess's disregard of caution, he sighed and replied.
"Yes, My Lady. Would you like to see the location I've selection?"
"Yes, I'd love to."
"Then, please, follow me."
Olivia followed obediently, and he led her to an unseen part of the garden. Maids were setting a table with beautiful flowers by a small lake, swans swimming about. The sight took Olivia's breath away, yet the table wasn't quite pleasing to her, so she suggested.
"Alfred, instead of the table, let's lay a blanket on the ground."
"My Lady, I don't think that's appropriate for the Duke to sit on the ground and eat."
After a brief consideration, Olivia decided.
"Remove the table and lay the blanket. The Duke agreed to a picnic with me, so I don't think he'II mind dining on the ground."
"But, my Lady-"
"Oh, and don't forget to add fresh fruit, and do prepare an apple tart. Also, arrange some fresh cheese on a plate, bake some bread and jam, and of course, bring butter."
Foisting further picnic preparations upon Alfred, Olivia ignored his protests and returned to the mansion to ensure all was to her liking. Ultimately, Alfred had no choice but to accede to the Duchess's directions.