TDWO Chapter 44

 

“Eek!”

Anri fled in a panic, as if her life depended on it.

Edwin, who had been staring vacantly at her retreating figure, snapped back to reality in an instant.

Realizing what had just happened, he covered his face with one hand.

‘…Has that woman lost her mind?’

He had felt a sudden chill while drying himself off after his bath.

Thinking that perhaps the door had been left open, he turned around, only to see, unbelievably, Anri standing there.

With her round eyes fixed on his naked body!

At first, he thought it was a ghost and was terrified, but when he realized it was a person, it was even more chilling.

It didn’t take long for him to register that it was Anri.

Edwin picked up Anri’s shawl that had fallen outside the door.

This was infuriating and humiliating.

Perhaps due to the shock, Edwin’s heart pounded wildly, as if it might burst through his chest.

He could still vividly see Anri’s round eyes staring at him.

Even the shape of his own body reflected in her pupils was clear.

“Hah……”

In the end, Edwin bent over and buried his face in his hands.

It was absurd and infuriating. To have someone enter his private space without permission…

This was an outrage.

There was a world of difference between showing oneself willingly and being secretly observed.

Roughly fixing his disheveled hair, Edwin put on his nightclothes: black cotton pants and a white shirt.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door, nearly causing his heart to stop.

Thinking it might be Anri again, Edwin’s eyes widened.

However, when he opened the door, it was a maid.

“Is everything all right? I heard a scream just now…”

“No, it’s nothing. Leave.”

“Yes, sir.”

Edwin frowned. He felt a strange heat on his cheeks, as if they were flushing, which was irritating, especially considering he had just come out of the bath.

He then took Anri’s shawl and headed towards the bedroom for their first night.

As he walked down the hallway, the heat in his chest intensified rather than subsiding.

It was a mix of anger and embarrassment.

‘Let’s see how she handles this.’

Finally arriving at the bedroom, Edwin opened the door without hesitation.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

“Eek!”

Anri ran towards her own room as if her life depended on it.

Then she suddenly remembered the contract stipulations.

They were required to sleep in the same room for the first night and a few days thereafter.

Realizing her mistake, Anri ran back towards the bedroom for their first night.

‘Oh no! We have to sleep together!’

Edwin’s gaze fixed on her in stunned silence was unforgettable.

It was like a flash of lightning that jolted her awake.

If this was the Edwin Anri knew, he wouldn’t let her off easily.

Of course, Anri had an excuse ready, but from his perspective, it was a case of unauthorized intrusion and illegal voyeurism.

‘What should I do? What should I do!’

Anri stamped her feet in frustration.

Fortunately, no one was in the bedroom yet.

The ridiculous scenario she had imagined for the first night had already disappeared to the far reaches of Andromeda.

Feeling a strong urge to hide somewhere, she couldn’t find a suitable place.

The only furniture was the bed and a table, and the curtains that could provide cover were on the windows and bed.

But even the curtains weren’t enough to hide her; she wasn’t as flat as a piece of paper.

‘Ugh! Should I hide on the bed or under it?’

Just as she was considering the options between the blankets and the wooden frame, she heard the sound of the door handle turning outside.

Anri hurriedly hid.

Edwin barged into the room, opening the door roughly.

The dim room was illuminated by a warm light, and the curtains fluttered gently as if a breeze was blowing, even though the windows were closed.

It was strange.

A brief, mocking smile flickered across Edwin’s lips before disappearing.

“…Miss Anri? Where are you?”

He reached behind him and firmly shut the door.

Edwin slowly and coolly scanned the room.

Oddly, Anri was nowhere to be seen.

“I know you’re here somewhere.”

Edwin took a few steps forward. There weren’t many places where she could be hiding.

He first went to the bed and pulled the curtains open. Only a few small white feathers floated on the plush comforter.

He lifted the blankets but found nothing.

Approaching the window, he peeked inside the curtains.

If she had hidden there, he would have noticed by now.

“Hmm, you’re well hidden.”

Edwin’s previously expressionless eyes took on a sly glint. He crossed his arms and turned his body halfway towards the bed.

Anri’s heart was pounding wildly.

She felt her hair standing on end and goosebumps rising on her arms.

Anri was pressed up against the hinges of the door.

Edwin had yet to notice her presence as he continued to move the blankets and curtains.

Seeing this made Anri feel suffocated.

It wasn’t just because she had inadvertently seen his naked body.

Edwin was almost fully turned around.

Anri subtly shifted to the side, not wanting to be seen by him.

He was slightly hunched over and seemed to be deep in thought. After a moment, Edwin spoke.

“I can’t see you, but I can hear you very well.”

“What?”

Oh no!

Anri, who had inadvertently responded, quickly covered her mouth.

However, Edwin didn’t look at her.

“Don’t you hear your own heartbeat? It’s very loud.”

“……”

“It’s been audible since I came in.”

Only then did Edwin lift his head. He locked eyes directly with Anri’s wide, round eyes.

It was indeed strange that he hadn’t noticed earlier.

‘Ugh, my heart was pounding so hard it felt like my ribs would break. This heart is really a nuisance!’

Anri awkwardly smiled, trying to play it cool.

“Ha ha. You’re here?”

You’re here?

Anri greeted him casually, as if she hadn’t been snooping at his body earlier. It was absurd.

Edwin approached Anri. Her eyes darted around nervously.

As he got closer, a fresh scent wafted from him— the kind of soap women go crazy for.

She hadn’t noticed it when she was alone, but now that he was close, the room felt cramped and suffocating.

“Why did you…”

His voice was stiff, and his lips were slightly pursed.

Anri clasped her hands together and bowed her head, looking as apologetic as possible.

“I’m sorry. I was worried that something had happened to you since you weren’t here, so I came to check on you.”

Anri’s eyes were as pitiable as a drenched puppy.

In reality, she had wanted to eat cherry jelly, but she couldn’t say that she had come looking for him because he hadn’t shown up.

But despite Anri’s apology, Edwin’s gaze narrowed suspiciously.

She didn’t seem to be genuinely sorry at all. This woman is something else.

“…Are you very angry, Duke? I’m truly sorry.”

Anri’s eyes took on an even more pitiful look, and her lips pursed into a round, cherry-like shape.

The more she tried to appear remorseful, the more Edwin’s expression hardened.

He bit the inside of his lower lip and said, “Don’t lie. I know you’re just pretending to be sorry and pitiful.”

“It’s the truth. I knocked and knocked, but there was no sound, so I thought something might have happened!”

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“But there was a sound of something falling!”

“That’s strange. I didn’t drop anything.”

Anri watched Edwin closely. His mood was as tense as the calm before a storm.

“But don’t worry too much. I didn’t see your front side at all…?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Edwin was taken aback.

The sudden flush on his face was hidden beneath the warm light.

“Anyway, you saw my back entirely. You were staring without blinking!”

What a troublesome woman!

“I won’t look again. It wasn’t on purpose…”

Anri flinched and shrank her shoulders.

But the more she spoke, the more incredulous Edwin became.

“Enough. It’s not like I don’t know Miss Anri’s brazen attitude.”

He coldly spat out his words and turned his back.

But it was like showing a fish to a cat.

As soon as Edwin’s back appeared, Anri’s retina was flooded with the image of the back she had just seen. The perfect form, as if she had gained the privileges of the male protagonist all to herself.

It wasn’t intentional to keep thinking about it, but with the person in question showing up, it kept replaying…

In truth, Anri felt sorry for accidentally seeing Edwin’s naked form but wasn’t embarrassed by it. It’s odd to feel embarrassed about seeing a sculpture.

Edwin let out a short sigh and pulled the rope roughly. The wide expanse of his chest was still pounding from the shocking event earlier.

Anri stood rooted in place, unable to move.

‘Why is he calling for a servant? Is he going to send me away?’

Edwin climbed into bed and covered himself with the blanket. He looked at Anri with narrow, unfriendly eyes.

“Are you not coming over?”

“What?”

Anri looked back and forth between Edwin and the desserts on the table.

The untouched wine, cakes, and cherry jelly remained as a luxurious still life.

“I need to eat that…”

Edwin propped himself up slightly and checked the table. His impatience sharpened, accompanied by a brief sneer.

“Come over here quickly.”

“…Why?”

Anri hesitated, her eyes darting back and forth a few times.

It was unclear why he had called for a servant but was now pulling her into the bed.

“Just come here. I’ll let you in.”

“Yes?”

“Hurry up.”

Edwin’s gaze was intense. Anri, observing his demeanor, reluctantly moved closer.

As she approached the bedside, Edwin suddenly pulled her into his arms and embraced her.

“!”

She was swept into the depths of the bed, the blanket warmly enveloping her.

For a moment, Anri felt as though she had become a cocoon. Shocked, she was left speechless.

Edwin lay on his side, holding Anri tightly against his chest, and remained silent.

Anri didn’t even have a chance to resist. Her view was blocked, and his shoulderswere so high, it felt like she was pressed against a wall.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard, and the door opened.

“Did you call, master… Oh!”

Alyka, a young maid who had worked for the Duke’s household for over seven years, opened the door and immediately turned away in shock.

“I-I’m sorry. You called so urgently…”

Edwin held Anri even tighter and gestured towards the table.

“Clear that away. It seems the the madam isn’t hungry.”

“What? When did I…! Ugh!”

Anri tried to lift her head but ended up pressing her lips against Edwin’s chest. He had pulled her head against his chest so she couldn’t speak.