Olivia and Leonard made their way to their room where maids were finished up preparing Olivia's bath. Leonard instructed them that once everything was ready, they should leave the couple alone. The maids complied with the given orders and upon completion, they informed the duke.
"The bath is ready, my lord."
"You may leave now."
Approaching Olivia, who stood cradling a small puppy in her arms, Leonard took the pup from her and handed it to one of the maids, telling her.
"Take this furball for a wash and treat its paw."
"Yes, sir."
The maids quickly exited, leaving Leonard and Olivia alone. The duke wrapped his arms around Olivia and carried her toward the bathroom.
"Please put me down; I can walk by myself."
"I will not set you down until I've checked for my injuries."
Once in the bathroom, Leonard seated Olivia on a small chair and began unbuttoning her blouse. Olivia's face turned a deep shade of red with embarrassment; she swatted his hand away and said.
"There's no need for this-I'm not hurt and can bathe on my own."
"I will not leave until I have checked you."
"But..."
Ignoring Olivia's protest, Leonard continued undressing her until she was only in her undergarments. She tried her best to cover up with her hands, reddening even further under Leonard's intense gaze. After a moment, he spoke.
"If you keep covering yourself, I won't be able to see properly."
"I have no injuries; you can leave now."
"I do not intend to leave."
"What? You said you would leave after making sure I wasn't hurt."
"Yes, but the mud stains on your skin prevent me from seeing properly, so you'll need to take a bath first, then I will re-examine you. Besides, I need a bath too."
"You plan to bathe with me?"
"Yes."
As Leonard began to disrobe, Olivia closed her eyes, embarrassed. Seeing his petite wife trying to cover her body with trembling hands, her face flushed red. Leonard found her adorable. He lifted her into the tub, and as she felt the water and saw his magnificent nude form, so perfectly sculpted, she couldn't stop the foolish stare until he stepped into the tub, and the water obscured his lower body.
Leonard picked up a sponge beside the bathtub and started cleaning Olivia's face, who did not avert her eyes from him, prompting him to say.
"It seems you quite enjoy seeing me without clothes, my little duchess."
"What! I do not..."
Feeling embarrassed for starting for so long, Olivia covered her face with her hands. Each of Olivia's gestures charmed Leonard; he moved closer, parted her hands from her face, and said.
"Are you trying to seduce me?"
"Of course not!"
Overwhelmed by the duke's proximity, Olivia's heart pounded wildly. She implored.
"Please don't come any closer, or I fear my heart will stop."
Leonard grinned, pleased by her words, and continued with the sponge over her body. Olivia trembled at each of his touches, unable to suppress a moan. Hearing her, Leonard lost control and they kissed passionately, intertwining tongues as he explored her mouth. Dropping the sponge to the floor, his hands gently roamed her body.
With her sense blurred, Olivia closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Leonard's neck, surrendering to his fervent kiss.
Embracing her, their naked bodies collided, igniting desire and passion. Leonard lifted her by the waist, placing her atop him without breaking their kiss.
The sounds of their kissing echoed off the bathroom walls. Leonard devoured Olivia's lips and invaded her mouth relentlessly, making her quiver with pleasure. He moved from her lips down to her back from the overwhelming pleasure. Leonard gently bit one of her breasts, and she cried out his name.
"Leonard... ah..."
Feeling his hardened member demand entry, he lifted her by waist and began entering her slowly to prevent injury. Olivia's tightness enveloped him, making him grow even more, while he watched her face to ensure he wasn't hurting her. But Olivia was far from pain; she was intoxicated with sexual fervor.
Leonard stood with Olivia straddling his waist, her back against the bathroom wall, moving his hips in a steady rhythm that increased in speed and depth. Olivia dug her nails into his back as he penetrated more deeply, and they were both swept up in a fiery wave that took them to ecstasy.
Their hair damp with sweat, both panted heavily, taking minutes to fully regain their senses. Leonard yearned to continue, but Olivia looked immensely tried, so he carried her back to the tub, so he carried her back to the tub, helped wash off the sweat, and then carried her to the bed, covering her with a sheet and embracing her until she fell asleep.
Afterward, he changed and returning to his office to catch up on work that had been piling up more each day.
...
The next morning Olivia woke up very early, light filtered through the windows of her room and birds were chirping on her balcony. She looked for Leonard in the room, but he had already left for work.
Olivia didn't have any work to do, but she had gone to bed early the previous day and was not sleepy. She got up, washed her face, and picked out a mauve shirt with flower embroidery around the collar and cuffs from her closet, pairing it with black trousers.
When Amelia and the other maids entered Olivia's room, they found her already dressed, to which Amelia said.
"Milady, why didn't you call us?"
"I did not want to bother you since I hot up very early."
"Does milady want her breakfast brought?"
"Yes."
Amelia ordered the maids to bring Olivia her breakfast as she began to comb her hair.
"Please sit milady, so I can comb your hair."
Olivia complied and sat down in front of the vanity. Looking into the mirror, she was startled by the sight of her hair, which resembled a lion's mane because she hadn't dried it the night before.
Amelia spritzed rose water on her hair to detangle it ease painfully, as it had taken on the appearance of a bird's nest.
Amelia worked skillfully on her hair, plaiting it into a braid and coiling it into a bun before securing it with a mauve ribbon that perfectly matched her shirt. Olivia was amazed by Amelia's skill. She always managed to make her hair look beautiful and elegant, something Olivia could never do herself.
When Amelia finished combing her breakfast. Olivia rose from the vanity and headed to the table where her food was being served. After she finished eating, she asked Amelia.
"Where is the puppy from yesterday?"
"He is in the garden with Mari. Would you like me to bring him?"
"No, it's okay. Today is a good day, I'II go out to the garden."
"As you wish, milady." Amelia replied.
In the garden, she found Mari looking after the little puppy, which growled at her whenever she approached. When Olivia approached, however, the pup limped over to her with its bandaged paw, and started to run around her in circles.
The little wolf pup, freshly cleaned, looked even more adorable than when Olivia found him. She bent down and picked him up. He began to lick her hand and wagged his tail in glee.
"I see you've treated his wounds. Have you fed him?" Olivia asked Mari.
"No, Milady. I tried to feed him, but he won't let anyone approach."
"Don't worry, bring me his food. I will feed him."
Mari fetched a bottle of milk from a basket and explained that the pup was still too young to eat solid food and needed to be bottle-fed. Olivia sat on a nearby bench and began to feed him. At first, he sniffed the bottle, but once her recognized the smell of milk, he began to suckle with his paws gripping the bottle.
Watching him eat, Olivia felt a surge of affection for the little creature. Once he finished eating, he settled into her lap and fell asleep.
As she stroked his soft, fluffy ears, Olivia pondered what name she should give him.
"What name do you think suits him?" she asked Mari.
"Milady, are you planning on keeping the puppy?" Mari asked surprised.
At Mari's question Olivia was reminded that she would have to return the pup into the wild once he was old enough to fend for himself. The thought of parting with him broke her heart.
Meanwhile, Leonard had been working in his study. Looking out the window, he noticed Olivia in the garden, and sensed that something was bothering her. He decided to take a break and check on her.
When he approached, he saw Olivia gently petting she wolf pup. He sat next to her and asked, "What's wrong?"
Nestled in her thoughts, she didn't notice him until he spoke, startling her and waking the pup, who began to growl at Leonard. Olivia tried to soothe him by stroking his back, but the pup clearly didn't like Leonard.
Leonard stared daggers at the pup, making it whimper and curl up in Olivia's lap.
"Don't torment the puppy, Leonard. He's still terrified after everything he's been through."
"I'm not tormenting him. And you shouldn't become too attached to that beast. Once it gets a little bigger, you'll have to return it to the woods."
"I know," Olivia laments.
"What's wrong? Why are you so sad?"
"I just... thinking about having to leave him alone in the woods again... it breaks my heart."
"Really? You like that ball of fur that much?"
With a pleading look, she replied, "Yes. He's just a sweet, little pup. I wish I could keep him."
Seeing her so sad, Leonard couldn't help but soften. "Do you really want to keep him?"
"Yes..."
He sighed deeply and didn't have the heart to refuse her. "If you want to keep him, I'll let let you. But if he poses any threat to you as he gets older, I will kill him myself."
"Do you mean it? I can keep him?" Her face lit up.
"Yes, you can do whatever you want with him."
"Oh thank you for letting me keep him. This makes me so happy."
Leonard was moved by her radiant smile. Though he didn't quite understand why, his heart swelled when he saw her happiness, and hoped he would get to see it more often.