Chapter 163: Preparations
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 163: Preparations
The bedroom was decorated so romantically it made my head spin.
A large, spacious bed sat right in the center of the room. Sheer, delicate lace curtains cascaded from the ceiling, elegantly draping around the edges of the mattress. Red rose petals were scattered across the white sheets, and the dim, subtle lighting filling the room twinkled like starlight.
As I took a breath, a dizzyingly sweet scent wafted into my nose. It was a room perfectly suited for a honeymooning couple on their wedding night.
My eyes went wide, and I turned to look at Loik.
Did Loik prepare this?
However, his expression was even more flustered than mine.
"What on earth is...!"
Fumbling, Loik hurriedly grabbed the handle and pulled the door shut.
"W-would you like something to eat? You only had a sandwich earlier, so you must be hungry."
I had been peeking into the room with curiosity, but feeling a bit embarrassed myself, I simply nodded.
When we headed to the dining room, we found a spread that was practically a full-course feast laid out on the table. Perhaps a thermal magic tool had been used, as warm steam was still rising from the soup.
"When was this prepared?"
I sniffed the savory aroma. The dishes on the table were somewhat different from what I usually saw at the Grand Duke's Castle, yet they looked strangely familiar.
"Oh? This is Lady Marie’s cooking!" I exclaimed, looking at the golden-brown roasted chicken legs.
"Can you tell just by looking?"
"Of course! This is part of the Couples' Night Package...!"
I shouted triumphantly, only to realize what I was saying and clamped my mouth shut.
A romantically decorated bedroom and a full-course dinner. Though this was much more luxurious...
This is the Couples' Night Package!
Yesterday afternoon, Cecilia had suddenly insisted on borrowing Reta and the maids for a while. Even when I asked why, she kept her lips sealed; it seemed she had sent them to the villa ahead of time to prepare. Now that I thought about it, the knights arriving late was likely part of the plan as well.
Wait, then...
Are Loik and I the only ones in the villa tonight?
Is this actually a "Couples' Night"?
The moment the realization hit me, my face flushed bright red.
"A couples'... I see."
Loik covered his mouth with one hand, the back of his neck turning a deep crimson.
*
"This is driving me crazy."
I submerged myself up to my chin in the bathtub Loik had filled with warm water.
Lady Marie’s cooking had been delicious.
...Probably.
To be honest, I hadn't been able to taste a single thing throughout the meal.
Couples' Night.
The phrase kept floating around in my head.
Loik seemed just as nervous. He had even tried to stab the garnish with his spoon twice.
Does he think tonight is his chance?
Honestly, he said he was going to seduce me, but he hasn't really tried that hard yet.
What should I do? If he tries to seduce me, should I just let him?
I haven't made up my mind yet.
I glanced at the table beside the tub. Scented oils, flower petals, and soft towels—everything needed for a bath was perfectly prepared.
Just in case...
I picked up a bottle of expensive scented oil and poured it generously into the tub. Soon, a sweet floral fragrance filled the bathroom, carried by the steam.
Who am I kidding about not making up my mind?
I scoffed at my own hypocrisy.
I'm already fully prepared to fall for him the moment he touches me.
But then again, we kiss several times a day; it would be stranger if I didn't fall for him. The moment those hot lips touch mine, every distracting thought in my head evaporates. Besides, lately, I’ve been feeling... thirsty, for lack of a better word. Every time I see Loik struggling to stop himself, I even find myself thinking we should just go to the next step.
No, that's not right.
Everything has its time and order. Even if we progress, sharing our feelings and hearts comes first.
It’s unlikely, but if Loik gets ahead of himself, I’ll have to soothe him.
My cheeks kept twitching upward at the worry of what I'd do if Loik was too aggressive. I tried to wipe the wicked grin off my face as I rubbed my arms with a soft towel.
Oh, right. I don't have any clothes to change into, do I?
It was when I stepped out into the dressing room after finishing my bath. Since all our luggage was on the transport carriage, I hadn't brought a single change of clothes.
Hoping for the best, I opened the wardrobe, and my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
Inside the wardrobe hung a pink negligee with thin shoulder straps. The deep neckline was decorated with luxurious lace, and the hem of the skirt fluttered like flower petals. Even at a glance, the garment was incredibly risqué.
"Cecilia!"
Even so, this was way too much!
I hurriedly opened the adjacent wardrobe, but it was completely empty. It felt like a manifestation of Cecilia’s strong will, refusing to allow any other clothing.
Left with no choice, I took out the negligee and put it on. Perhaps because the material was so soft, the fabric clung pleasantly to my body the moment I wore it. Once it was on, it wasn't quite as embarrassing as I expected.
Well, it is a bit naughty, but...
Annette’s skin was quite fair, so the pink negligee suited her better than I thought. I wondered what Loik would say. He’d probably be so flustered he wouldn't even be able to look at me properly, right?
I felt self-conscious in such an outfit, but honestly, part of me was curious about his reaction.
It was then that I boldly opened the door leading from the dressing room to the bedroom.
Loik’s bare back came into view as he paced in front of the bed.
He was half-naked.
Below his broad, square shoulders, his well-defined back muscles tapered down toward the center, forming sharp, clear lines. Before I could even admire the sight, I narrowed my eyes.
Loik was tying something that looked like a ribbon around his neck. Every time he moved his massive arms in concentration, his back muscles rippled powerfully.
Wait, what is he doing while bare-chested?
At my call, Loik hurriedly pulled the string loose as if he’d been caught doing something shameful, then turned around awkwardly.
With his upper body fully exposed and wearing only trousers, Loik held a red ribbon clumsily in his hand.
I let out a small gasp.
Was this the first time I’d seen him in such bright light?
Along with his firm chest muscles, his thick arm muscles boasted an extraordinary presence. His solid abs rose and fell gently with every breath he took. When my gaze landed on the deep indentations of his obliques above his waist, the tips of my ears turned red involuntarily.
*
A short while ago, after finishing his bath in the opposite bathroom, Loik had frowned upon opening the wardrobe.
A single, luxurious red satin ribbon was hanging there all by itself.
Why is there a ribbon in the wardrobe?
Puzzled, he rummaged through the closet and found a pair of trousers, but no matter how hard he looked, there wasn't a single shirt. Just as he was considering searching elsewhere, Leon’s voice echoed in his head.
In that moment, Loik realized the purpose of the ribbon and screamed internally.
Why would they do something I didn't even ask for!
It seemed they had intentionally cleared out every piece of clothing he had. No matter how much he searched, he couldn't even find a common robe.
After agonizing in the dressing room for a long time, Loik finally entered the bedroom wearing only his trousers and carrying the ribbon.
The bed was decorated in a way that forced anyone to have suggestive thoughts. Loik couldn't even bring himself to go near the bed and awkwardly sat on the edge of the sofa.
After sitting still for a long time, he felt self-conscious about his exposed chest. After prodding his chest a few times, Loik eventually stood up and did about two hundred push-ups.
When he pressed his palms against his chest again, he could feel his muscles were much firmer and more pumped than before. Only then did he feel a bit more confident.
Then, his gaze drifted toward the red ribbon he had tossed aside.
Should I... try putting it on?
Loik hesitated before picking up the ribbon. He struggled for a long time, not knowing where to tie it, and had just managed to knot it around his neck when he turned to see Annette.
He was lost for words.
Annette, her pale blonde hair flowing down, was wearing something ethereal. Beneath her damp hair, her white face was flushed. Her wide, blue eyes sparkled, and her slightly parted lips were as red and luscious as if they were about to drip with juice.
Annette was... so beautiful it made his mind go blank.
"What are you doing?"
Annette asked, looking at the ribbon in his hand, but no words would come out of his mouth.
Loik’s gaze instinctively drifted downward.
Beneath shoulders as white as snow sat her shapely breasts. Loik knew exactly how soft and tender that fair flesh was. He clenched his fists tight to keep from losing his reason.
"Why... aren't you wearing any clothes?" Annette asked in a small voice.
"T-this was the only thing in the wardrobe."
As Annette self-consciously wrapped her arms around herself, the fabric clung to her body, revealing the soft curves of her waist. The moment he saw that, a dull ache throbbed below his waist.
He couldn't give her his own clothes, and he had never been in such a difficult situation. Should he call for someone to bring their luggage right now?
While he was agonizing, a hesitant Annette stepped a little closer.
"Are we... sharing the same bed?"
Her clear face looked up at him as she asked.
"...Do you dislike the idea?"
The words tumbled out of Loik’s mouth of their own accord, his eyes fixed on her white skin.