"Shia..."
The Duke called me back to reality.
"Don't worry."
Two words... Just two words from him and no other explanations, all my worries were gone. I felt lighter. I tried to brush away all my tension with a smile and focused on the delicious food in front of me.
After we were done eating, I went back to my room, and the Duke left for some work. He told me to sleep before and not wait for him.
Honestly, I wanted to wait for the Duke, but the next day we were going to the marquis's party, so I would need to get up early to get ready. I thought it would be better to sleep in.
...
Around midnight, I felt a presence in front of my eyes. Slowly opening my sleepy eyes, I tried to look at what was standing in front of me, and I scared myself seeing a black figure. Holding my breath, with tightened chest, I reached for the lamp. Before I could light the lamp, a familiar voice travelled to my ears.
"Shia, it's me. I apologise for scaring you. I was checking whether you have slept or not."
Shahr.
I quickly turned on the lamp. Looking at the watch, I realised it was midnight, my eyes noticed Shahr's clothes, he was still in his outside clothes and not in his nightdress, I gasped.
"Have you returned just now?" I asked with gestures. Shahr let a small guilty-filled smile.
I quickly got up, "I'll go prepare your bath." I said before getting down the bed.
"No... You don't have to, I'll prepare it myself." Uttered Shahr.
"Why not? Yesterday you prepared my bath water, so why can't I do the same?" I asked?
"I don't want to bother you... Shia." He answered with a sweetness-filled voice. My heart melted then and there. Whenever he calls me Shia, I feel a tingle in my heart.
My cheeks puffed up, "If you don't let me help you, I won't talk to you."
He became nervous, "Please don't say that, Shia. If you don't talk to me..." For some reason, he paused, "I... I... Okay fine, you win. Do as you wish."
I instantly became happy. I ran to the washroom. While I was preparing the bath water, a thought came to my mind, why do Shahr prepare his own bath water? He is the Duke, there are no other Dukes. He comes right after the emperor in position, so such a person always prepares his bath water; can any maid do it? I can understand mine, I have always prepared my bath water myself, even other stuff, but Shahr?
As I was busy with my thoughts, a knock on the door brought me back to reality. I noticed the tub was overflowing with water. I quickly tapped the magical device that pours water. It stopped.
I turned to leave the washroom when suddenly I stepped onto a bar of soap. I slipped. Shahr ran to help me. I grabbed the collar of his shirt, and we both fell into the bathtub.
I could feel Shahr covering the back of my head with his hands before we fell into the tub.
... Splash ...
Water splashed everywhere and everything. When my eyes opened, I saw Shahr staring at me worried. Without any delay, I also scanned his whole body. He seemed to be fine, but my heart raced fast when I saw Shahr's face inches away from mine. His lips centimetres apart. With wide eyes we stared at each other, his breath hitting my lips. Our lips didn't touch when we fell though in my heart I wished it had.
"Are you okay?" He asked, and I blinked, indicating I was fine. He let a sigh of relief, "Wait, I'll help you, but let me get out first." He uttered trying to get out of the washroom.
Holding the edge of the bathtub, as he put pressure to get out, his hands slipped, and he fell right on top of my... Chest.
My heart almost popped out, my eyes widened as my heartbeat stopped for a moment. I could feel my cheeks getting hotter.
It was awkward and embarrassing to have him on top of me, but astonishingly, I didn't hate it; on the contrary, I felt a new feeling arousing inside of me.
I had the feeling of wrapping my arms around his head and tightly holding his head near my chest. My cheeks flushed red as these kinds of thoughts washed over my head.
I had the feeling of digging a hole and hiding myself there. Shahr abruptly lifted his head, "so-" he stopped mid-sentence again. Why did he keep doing that? I had the intense urge to know what he was about to say.
Without even realising I held his collar firmly and pulled him closer. Till this day, I still don't understand how I ended up with such courage.
Shahr was too stunned by my act, he couldn't say anything rather just stared at me, I showed my flaring eyes to him, he immediately understood what made me.
"I was going to apologise.", he murmured, feeling uncomfortable, he said, "would you let me go?"
It was then that I realised what an outrageous act I had done. I quickly let go of his collar and turned my head to the other side in embarrassment. I also wondered if I had angered Shahr by any chance.
Why did I have to do that? And on what grounds did I demand answers from him? Is it because he is my husband? But I had decided I wouldn't do anything that would get my feelings complicated, or is it that... I have feelings for Shahr?
While these thoughts were meditating on my mind, Shahr had got up and helped me to get up too.
My eyes turned to Shahr, who, for some reason, abruptly turned his to the side, covering his face. His shy and stuttered voice flowed from my ears, "Oh... Your nightdress is all drenched."
It was only then that I realised that I was in my freaking night gown. I looked down and saw my inner clothes were all visible because of the drenched clothes, and some parts of my figure were exposed.
Quickly covering my chest with my hands I ran outside. How did I forget that I was wearing a nightdress? Why did I not feel uncomfortable? Have I become too comfortable with Shahr?
Rushing inside the changing room, I swiftly changed my clothes. I didn't want to encounter Shahr, so I jumped on the bed, covering myself with the quilt, and pretended to sleep.
Rapid breathing, heavy chest, cheeks flushed, body hot, I didn't have an ounce of sleep in my eyes. The door opened and Shahr walked inside. My body froze along with my breathing.
From the rustling sounds, I could understand that Shahr was sleeping on the sofa again. I wanted to get up and tell him to sleep on the bed beside me, but I felt too embarrassed.
The bathroom scenes kept flashing before my eyes, it made getting sleep even harder. After a long time of struggling, I finally fell asleep.
...
The next day, I woke up due to the knocking of the maids. After I got up, rubbing my eyes, I got out of bed, only to realise Shahr was still sleeping on the bed. If the maids saw this, both of us would become a laughing stock, especially I.
I rushed towards him, lightly tapping on his arm I tried to wake him up. But it was of no use, he was in a deep sleep. I called again, but he didn't wake up. Finding no solution, I had placed my hand on his chest and jerked him vigorously.
That worked, he woke up but only to grab my hand tightly and pull me closer to him.
When the fog in his eyes vanished, he let go of my hand, "Oh, it's you. I thought it was an enemy attack."
I stood up wondering it's such a pity that all the knights have to be on such edge every time they go to war. They can't eat, sleep, or rest properly without fearing that something might happen at any time.
Knock...
The maids knocked again, I quickly pointed towards the door, and he realised what I was trying to say. Jumping down from the sofa, he hopped into the bed.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I went and opened the door. The maids were giggling, laughing and whispering, which I couldn't understand, why. I gave them a confused look, but they didn't say anything.
Simply bowed, uttering, "We have come to get you ready, Duchess."
I nodded and let them inside. Their giggling stopped when they saw Shahr sitting on the bed with a cold and fearful expression on his face. One mistake and their heads would be rolling on the floor.
They gulped.
"Duchess, what colour gown would you like to wear today?" Asked Seir to open the wardrobe.
Before I would say anything Shahr got down from the bed and replied, "She would wear silver."