Chapter 9

2. Political Marriage (5)

Their quiet breaths mingled between them.

Waiting for an answer, Mirane lifted his head to look into the Grand Duke’s cold, masked face.

When their eyes met, silence lingered.

Then…

Mirane slowly began removing the Grand Duke’s clothing.

The heavy wool-lined cloak slipped from broad shoulders and fell softly onto the floor.

His hands moved to the high collar.

The Grand Duke’s black pourpoint was embroidered with a golden dragon from the Holy Scriptures and fastened with polished ivory buttons.

One by one…

Mirane carefully undid them.

The Grand Duke spoke quietly.

“Have you ever shared a bed with another man?”

No answer came immediately.

Mirane hadn’t expected one.

Instead, he answered honestly.

“No.”

“I read several books beforehand…”

“But I’m still nervous.”

A faint smile crossed his lips.

“I never imagined I would find myself in this situation.”

Then, lowering his eyes respectfully, he added,

“Your Grace…”

“I ask for your understanding.”

It was a roundabout plea.

A normal first night.

Nothing more.

Glancing at the Grand Duke’s expression, Mirane’s brow tightened slightly.

He deliberately kept his gaze away from the eyepatch.

His hands lowered.

Then—

The Grand Duke sighed.

Without warning, he reached out.

Large, elegant fingers firmly caught Mirane’s wrist.

Mirane flinched.

“I’ll do it.”

Pushing Mirane’s hand away from his abdomen…

The Grand Duke quickly unfastened the remaining buttons himself.

His coat dropped to the floor.

Then…

He reached for his shirt.

Mirane couldn’t look away.

The thin fabric revealed the outline of a powerful body beneath.

Long fingers calmly undid the collar.

Then each button beneath it.

Slowly…

The shirt opened.

Mirane stared in complete silence.

…Amazing.

Even as someone who had once served as a knight…

He couldn’t help but admire it.

Every muscle had been honed through relentless training.

There wasn’t an ounce of softness anywhere.

His body resembled twisted steel wrapped beneath smooth ivory skin.

Scars crossed it here and there.

Rather than marring it…

They completed it.

Like brushstrokes in a masterpiece.

It was the body of a knight who had reached perfection.

Without thinking…

Mirane murmured,

“…Magnificent.”

Before such a flawless physique…

The former knight could only admire it.

He never noticed…

That the Grand Duke’s body had stiffened ever so slightly.

Or that a faint trace of embarrassment had crossed the face hidden beneath the mask.

Mirane wasn’t looking there.

His attention remained entirely fixed below the Grand Duke’s neck.

Almost unconsciously…

He reached out.

His fingertips lightly brushed over one rib.

There was no desire behind the touch.

Only admiration.

As though appreciating a work of art.

“…Beautiful…”

Just as his fingers continued tracing those sculpted muscles—

“Hah!”

The Grand Duke abruptly seized his wrist.

Startled…

Mirane looked up.

Those piercing blue eyes met his own.

Only then did he realize what he’d done.

An awkward laugh escaped him.

“I’m sorry.”

He tried pulling his hand free.

It didn’t budge.

The Grand Duke’s grip was immovable.

Only after their eyes met once more did the Grand Duke finally release him—

As though discarding something insignificant.

Mirane immediately apologized again.

“Forgive me, Your Grace.”

Rubbing his slightly numb wrist, he smiled sheepishly.

“Your physique really is extraordinary.”

The Grand Duke offered no response.

Meeting those cold eyes, Mirane simply smiled.

The Grand Duke finally spoke.

“…Beautiful?”

A mocking smile tugged at his lips.

“I wonder if you’ll still say that…”

“After you’ve seen the face beneath this mask.”

Then…

He reached toward Mirane.

Instinctively, Mirane tensed.

Only then did he realize…

The Grand Duke was undoing his shirt.

His heartbeat quickened.

The true beginning of their wedding night had finally arrived.

Mirane unconsciously kept glancing toward the eyepatch.

His pale face betrayed complicated emotions.

Watching him…

The Grand Duke smiled coldly.

Mirane never noticed.

One by one…

Cool fingers undid the remaining buttons.

Only a few remained.

Mirane could no longer suppress his nervousness.

A strained breath escaped him.

The Grand Duke suddenly stopped.

“…Ah.”

Mirane exhaled softly.

Cold sweat had gathered across his forehead.

The Grand Duke watched him closely.

Then quietly asked,

“…You’re afraid.”

Mirane blinked.

“…Are you afraid of me?”

Afraid?

Steadying his breathing…

Mirane answered honestly.

“…Yes.”

Then he immediately continued.

“But…”

“That’s not why.”

After a brief hesitation…

He sighed.

“Could we…”

“Please spend tonight…”

“As an ordinary married couple?”

The Grand Duke remained silent for a long while.

Finally…

“…What?”

Embarrassed, Mirane admitted,

“I told you.”

“I’ve never been with another man before.”

For the first time…

His composure cracked.

Covering his face with one hand…

He lowered his head.

…Damn.

Everything’s gone wrong.

Then, after gathering himself…

He quietly pleaded.

“Please remove the eyepatch.”

“After tonight…”

“I’ll obey whatever you ask.”

Silence.

“At least tonight…”

“I’d like to avoid feeling embarrassed.”

His respectful tone wasn’t merely courtesy.

It was caution.

After witnessing arrogant nobles like Count Laster and even the Emperor…

Mirane knew exactly how easily pride could be wounded.

He carefully lowered himself rather than risk provoking the Grand Duke.

“If that’s your wish…”

“Of course I’ll comply.”

“But still…”

The answer came immediately.

“I won’t.”

Mirane looked up in surprise.

“…Really?”

“Enough.”

The Grand Duke reached toward him again.

Mirane instinctively leaned back.

Instead of striking him…

The Grand Duke simply covered his mouth.

Looking down with eyes emptied of emotion…

He spoke quietly.

“…So that’s how it is.”

Mirane blinked silently.

The Grand Duke opened his mouth as though to continue.

Then closed it again.

With a tired sigh…

He reached for Mirane’s hand.

Confused…

Mirane watched as a strip of white cloth was gently tied around his wrist.

“I won’t treat you that way.”

His expression looked exhausted.

Carefully fastening the knot…

The Grand Duke explained,

“This is…”

“For your peace of mind.”

Only then…

Mirane understood.

“…Ah.”

Embarrassment washed over him.

He had misunderstood everything.

The Grand Duke looked directly at him.

“This is your last chance.”

“Mirane Laster.”

Sitting upon the bed…

He gently tugged the cloth tied around Mirane’s wrist.

The pull was slight.

Yet Mirane obediently stepped closer.

“If you want this to stop…”

“Now is the time.”

Without another word…

The Grand Duke finished removing Mirane’s remaining clothes.

Mirane quietly covered the Grand Duke’s hand with his own.

Then whispered,

“I won’t stop.”

A hollow laugh escaped the Grand Duke.

The shirt slipped from Mirane’s shoulders.

Suddenly—

He was pulled forward.

His vision shifted.

Before he knew it…

The Grand Duke stood directly before him.

“You’ll regret this.”

Mirane hesitated.

Then slowly closed his eyes.

It had been…

His choice.

The Grand Duke sighed.

“…Fool.”

Then…

He lowered his head.

Their lips met.

“…Ah…”

A warm hand traced lightly across Mirane’s side before settling against his back.

He quietly accepted the arm encircling his waist.

When their skin first touched…

His brow tightened ever so slightly.

The kiss remained unexpectedly gentle.

Patient.

Careful.

As though soothing his nervousness.

The lingering touch gradually eased the tension from Mirane’s body.

Only after a long while…

Did the Grand Duke finally draw back.

Meeting those sharp blue eyes…

Mirane unconsciously lifted his fingers to his lips.

Feeling the lingering warmth there…

A faint smile appeared.

“…Thank you.”

His fingertips brushed lightly over his lips.

Noticing the Grand Duke suddenly stiffen…

Mirane whispered once more.

“Thank you…”

“Your Grace.”

He quietly found the Grand Duke’s hand…

And held it.

When warm fingers gently covered his ear…

Mirane didn’t resist.

Their wedding night…

Was nothing like he had imagined.