Seeing the teasing glint in Evan's eyes, Elara finally realized she was being played. This wasn't just a whim; it was calculated revenge for every time she had retreated, for every night she had kept her distance, and for the bruise she'd inadvertently dealt his ego by hiding on the floor.
"Husband... I was wrong," Elara whispered, her voice thick with a mix of shame and longing. She crawled toward the edge of the bed, her hands reaching out to hug his legs through the silk sheets.
"Oh? Tell me, where did you go wrong?" Evan leaned back against the headboard, propping his chin on his palm. He looked down at her like a king presiding over a beautiful, repentant subject.
"I should have listened to you," she prayed, her eyes wide and watery. "When you asked me to come up, I shouldn't have pretended to sleep. I was scared... I was foolish. I'm sorry, husband."
Seeing her so sincerely admitting her fault—her small body trembling as she clung to him—Evan felt a surge of triumph. He reached down, running his fingers through her hair. "Well, since you've been so honest about your mistakes, I suppose I have no choice but to forgive you."
"Thank you!" Elara beamed, her face lighting up with a joy so pure it almost made him guilty. She moved to scramble onto the mattress, but Evan's hand immediately pressed against her shoulder, stopping her.
"???"
"Don't be in such a hurry," Evan purred, his smile widening. "I said I forgave you. I didn't say the punishment was over. For the sake of your discipline, you'll spend one last night on the floor. You can join me tomorrow."
"Ah... okay," Elara sighed, the disappointment visible in the slump of her shoulders. she lay back down on her mats, looking up at him with the eyes of a starving pup watching a feast.
"Don't look at me like that," Evan chuckled, pulling the quilt up to his chest. "You were the one who insisted on the floor before. Now that I'm giving you exactly what you wanted, why the long face?"
"How can it be the same?" Elara pouted, her voice muffled by her blanket. "Before, I thought you were testing me—that you'd be disgusted if I actually touched you. Now that I know you're sincere... I really want to be up there."
Evan just laughed, the sound rich and warm in the dark room. He closed his eyes, the scent of her skin still lingering on his lips. "Sleep well, Elara. Tomorrow comes soon enough."
The next morning, the sun had barely crested the horizon when Maya stepped out into the yard. She stopped dead, blinking in confusion.
By the water urn, Elara was humming a soft, melodic tune while splashing water on her face. She was glowing. Her movements were light, almost bouncy, and she had a wide, dreamy smile plastered on her face that made her look ten years younger.
"Hey... is this still my sister?" Maya muttered. Usually, Elara moved with a heavy, steady maturity, weighted down by the world. Seeing her act like a giddy schoolgirl was jarring.
Maya walked over, leaning against the well. "What's the occasion? Did you find a pot of gold under your pillow, or did the yeast finally stop giving you trouble?"
"Happy? How can you tell?" Elara asked, though she couldn't stop her grin.
Maya rolled her eyes. "Sister, it's written all over you. Your teeth are going to fall out if you smile any wider."
"Ah! Is it that obvious?" Elara touched her cheeks, her face turning a vivid scarlet.
Maya barked out a laugh. "I was joking about the teeth, but you really are in the clouds. Come on, tell me. Why the sudden change?"
At the mention of the cause, Elara's demeanor shifted. She began to twist the hem of her skirt between her fingers, her eyes downcast. "It's Evan," she whispered shyly. "He... he kissed me."
"What? Brother-in-law actually kissed you?" Maya's jaw dropped.
In truth, Maya had been worried sick. She'd seen Elara retreat from the bridal chamber that first night and sit alone in the yard with a wine jar. She'd assumed Evan was too cold or Elara too scared to ever close the gap. She hadn't said anything to protect her sister's pride, but she'd been racking her brain for ways to push them together.
"It wasn't just last night," Elara continued, her voice barely audible. "He kissed my cheek the day before yesterday, too. I was so shocked... I ran away."
"You ran away?" Maya stared in disbelief. "Sister, he's the most handsome man in the kingdom and he kisses you, and your instinct is to bolt? You really are hopeless."
"I was nervous!" Elara defended herself. "But last night... I was jealous of that monk, Lu Zhi. He could tell. He asked me to sleep in the bed, but I thought it was a test. Then... he came down to the floor. He kissed me properly. He even... he touched me."
"Brother-in-law is that bold?" Maya whistled, her eyes sparkling. Then, she paused, her expression turning thoughtful as she rubbed her chin. "But... usually, men who move that fast, especially with that kind of confidence... they're often... 'experienced.'"
"Don't be absurd!" Elara snapped, her protective instincts flaring. "Evan is a virgin. He told me so himself."
"Sister, don't get angry, I'm just being realistic," Maya said, softening her tone. "Smooth talkers usually have a history. I just don't want you to be fooled."
"He isn't like that," Elara insisted. "Even if he wasn't... even if some woman like Mrs. Black took advantage of him in the past, he'd be the victim, not the sinner. He doesn't care that I'm a 'short cripple,' so why should I care if he's 'innocent'?"
"I know, I know. He's a good man," Maya said, putting up her hands in surrender. "But aren't you even a little curious?"
"Curious about what?"
"Curious if he's actually telling the truth about being a virgin."
Elara opened her mouth to argue, but Maya cut her off. "Don't tell me you aren't. Every woman cares. It's not about whether you love him; it's about the 'expectation.' It's like buying a piece of fine white jade. Even if it has a small flaw, it's still beautiful. But if it's pure, white, and completely flawless? That's a treasure you'll guard with your life."
Elara fell silent. She had to admit, the thought of being Evan's absolute first—in every sense of the word—sent a thrill of possessive heat through her.
"To be honest," Maya added seriously, "a man that perfect is coveted by every woman with eyes. If he managed to keep himself pure while living in the Black Mansion, my respect for him would triple. It would prove his character is as strong as his face is beautiful."
"Then... how can you even tell?" Elara asked, her curiosity finally winning out.
"It's simple," Maya whispered, leaning in close. "I've heard the elders say that men who are still virgins carry a specific mark—a faint line or a spot of color that vanishes after their first time. Tonight, when he's bathing, you should go in. Use the excuse of rubbing his back to get a good look. If the mark is there, you'll know for sure."