Chapter 70: Seduction of a Guileless Wife

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Seduction of a Guileless Wife

Too drowsy to even open her eyes, Elysia gave the offending presence a weak, half-hearted shove.

When it refused to budge, she let out a tiny, dissatisfied murmur.

Giving up, she wriggled backward in search of a little more space before promptly drifting back into sleep.

Somewhere between dreams and wakefulness, she vaguely thought she heard a quiet sigh.

But sleep proved far more persuasive.

---

It felt like only moments later before she slowly awakened.

A distinct sensation crept over her.

Someone was watching her.

Her lashes fluttered.

She cautiously cracked one eye open...

Only to find Cassiel quietly gazing at her.

Their eyes met.

Startled, she immediately squeezed hers shut again.

"Awake?"

His deep voice broke the silence.

Caught red-handed, Elysia hesitated before reluctantly opening her eyes once more.

A faint flush colored her cheeks.

Cassiel regarded her thoughtfully.

"It seems..."

He chose his words with unusual care.

"...you still aren’t accustomed to having me beside you."

Accustomed.

It was a gentle word.

A considerate one.

Elysia shook her head almost immediately.

"That’s not true."

She searched hurriedly for proof.

"If I weren’t used to you...how could I possibly share the same bed?"

Cassiel looked at her steadily.

"I didn’t return last night. When I came back this morning, you kept your eyes closed..."

"...but you tried to push me away."

The tips of Elysia’s ears instantly turned pink.

She lowered her gaze guiltily.

Cassiel continued,

"And several nights ago... I returned very late. I thought perhaps you’d wait for me."

Instead...

"You were already asleep."

Elysia opened her mouth.

"I..."

"Fast asleep."

His quiet correction left her completely defenseless.

Unable to deny it, she fell silent.

After a brief pause, Cassiel spoke again.

"I’m not blaming you."

His tone softened.

"I simply think..."

"...since we’re husband and wife..."

"...we should grow accustomed to each other sooner rather than later."

Elysia considered his words carefully before nodding.

"I understand."

Cassiel leaned slightly closer.

"What was that?"

She met his gaze earnestly.

"I said... I understand, my lord."

She smiled shyly.

"In the future, I’ll wait for you. And I won’t push you away anymore."

A faint smile finally appeared in Cassiel’s eyes.

"Good."

"My lord..."

Elysia glanced toward the window.

"You worked through the entire night."

"It’s still early. Would you like to rest for a while longer?"

"I should."

He answered simply.

Seeing him agree, Elysia instinctively tried to sit up.

"Then I’ll get up first—"

Before she could move, a warm hand settled gently around her waist, stopping her.

"Stay."

She blinked.

"...Me?"

Cassiel gave a quiet hum of affirmation.

His arm rested loosely around her waist as he closed his eyes.

"We just agreed... We should get used to each other."

Elysia froze.

She could clearly feel the warmth radiating from him.

The steady rhythm of his breathing.

His heartbeat, slow and reassuring.

Her own thoughts became a tangled mess.

From everything he had said...

It sounded as though he genuinely intended to build a peaceful married life with her.

Did something happen... to the woman he truly loved?

The question lingered on the tip of her tongue.

But she swallowed it back.

If there really had been someone, bringing her up now would only reopen an old wound.

For now...

Living quietly in Draevenor Manor wasn’t so bad.

Besides... She still needed to decide what her next novel would be about.

"What are you thinking?"

Cassiel’s voice interrupted her wandering thoughts.

She nearly jumped.

"...Nothing."

Cassiel opened his eyes slightly.

"Your body’s very tense."

His hand shifted almost imperceptibly against her waist.

"Are you nervous?"

Elysia stiffened.

Her waist had always been unusually sensitive.

That tiny movement alone sent warmth rushing into her face.

Even her voice trembled slightly.

"My lord..."

"Please don’t tease me like that..."

Her soft, embarrassed plea made Cassiel’s eyes widen.

Almost instinctively, he lifted his hand and gently covered her mouth.

Elysia blinked at him in confusion.

Her cheeks had turned a lovely shade of crimson.

Those clear, watery eyes looked up at him without the slightest trace of resentment.

Only bewildered innocence.

Cassiel swallowed.

His throat suddenly felt dry.

Zephyrus’s words resurfaced in his mind.

"If she doesn’t know anything, then teach her."

"If you’re bold, simply tell her you want children."

"If you’re embarrassed, start slowly. Hold her first."

Cassiel wasn’t embarrassed.

But he wanted to respect Elysia.

He had decided to take things one small step at a time.

He had never expected... that simply touching her waist would make her react so strongly.

Elysia shifted slightly beneath his hand, clearly uncomfortable.

Cassiel immediately withdrew it.

"Aren’t you going back to sleep?" she asked softly.

He closed his eyes again.

"...I am."

His voice sounded oddly strained.

Elysia hesitated.

Then, after gathering her courage, she reached out with both hands and gently caught his wrist.

Cassiel opened his eyes again.

Without meeting his gaze, she carefully guided his hand back to rest lightly against her side.

He went completely still.

"What are you doing?"

Elysia’s voice was barely above a whisper.

"You said... I should get used to you."

After another tiny pause, she added shyly,

"Just..."

"Please don’t press or squeeze like before. If you’re only holding me... that’s alright."

Something inside Cassiel melted completely.

How... could anyone possibly be this adorable?

His palm rested lightly against the small of her back.

He shut his eyes firmly.

Summoning every ounce of restraint he possessed, he forced the unruly thoughts from his mind.

A long moment later...

He quietly withdrew his hand.

"You should get up first."

Only after hearing the bedroom door close behind her did Cassiel slowly open his eyes again.

He let out a long, helpless breath.

Perhaps...

Growing accustomed to one another...

Would be far more difficult for him than he had anticipated.