Chapter 8: Dawn
“…Well, I can’t help it when it comes to living together. But I don’t want you to call me your husband. I still think this is just a fake marriage or something like a white marriage.”
“Do you think about divorce because I don’t have children? I think divorce is difficult.”
“It’s the current situation, I guess. The situation should change when His Majesty the King returns.”
Is Alex-sama kind or cruel? If we were to be divorced, there would be nothing left of my honor. No, I think it is only his ignorance of aristocratic society and women’s society, and he has no malicious intent.
“That would be nice.”
“Well, I missed dinner, but I will go to bed today. It’s dangerous to go out in this area near the slums after the sun sets. I don’t know the area well.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
There was a hand-pushed pump well in the garden, and Alex-sama drew water from the well for me. And I found a clean cloth from the box, so I washed my face with it.
“What is this!”
While he was on the second floor, I heard his voice shouting. And then he came down clumsily.
As he was opening his mouth widely and unable to speak, I approached him and spoke first.
“I don’t mind sharing the bed with you.”
“I don’t care! I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“But to let Alex-sama sleep on the floor…”
“I can’t sleep if we sleep together. You sleep on the bed today.”
“Vilhelmina.”
“Vilhelmina…you use the bed.”
“Understood. I’m also quite tired from yesterday and today, so I appreciate it very much.”
“Oh.”
“Goodnight.”
I took my leave and went up to the second floor.
In the room lit by moonlight and the night view of the capital, I took off my dress and corset and hung them in a small storage that couldn’t even be called a closet. I was glad I wore the simplest dress. At least I could take it off by myself.
Jewelry box… There is no jewelry box and fold the gloves inside the corset, then place them on top. Take off the high heels too, the floor is cold but it feels like my feet are finally freed. I would love to have house shoes too.
But all of that is for tomorrow. As I dive into the bed, I think goodnight before my consciousness falls into darkness in an instant.
***
I fell asleep too early, so I woke up at dawn.
The dawn casts on my face.
As I open my eyes, there’s not a peach-colored cloth with a rose embroidery canopy, but a gray ceiling instead.
“Commoners don’t paint pictures on the ceiling of their homes, do they?”
Looking to the side, there’s no curtains, and I didn’t even close the window last night. Light shines through the gaps between the boards attached to the window, shaped like a square frame.
I turn over to escape from the light, but the brightness gradually increases and the cold morning air caresses my face.
I got up slowly. It’s such an early time, but I am not sleepy. I guess I slept very deeply.
“It’s cold.”
While I was tossing and turning in my blanket, my voice leaked out.
“Yes, Hilka and the others are not here.”
When I woke up, the girls who always got ready for the morning are no longer here. Now I have to do it by myself.
When I made that decision, I noticed a noise from downstairs. Alex-sama must have gotten up too. The sound of footsteps going up the stairs changed to the sound of knocking on the door.
“Are you awake? Coming in.”
“Excuse me… uh!”
He fell back and almost stepped off the staircase.
He held his face with his palm, but his cheeks were bright red.
“Good morning, Alex-sama.”
“W-Wha… what, you…”
“It’s Vilhelmina.”
“Huh! Vilhelmina! Why are you not wearing anything?”
I tilt my head.
“Of course, it’s because I don’t have pajamas. And sleeping naked is not considered inappropriate, right?”
“B-But…! I’m here!”
“It’s in front of my husband, so there’s no problem.”
He didn’t answer that and went down with a loud noise, as if angry.
Just when I thought I heard the sound of turning over luggage, he came up the stairs again.
“It’s my fault, I don’t know the size, but wear one of these! I’ll buy breakfast, and in the meantime, make sure you wear something!”
Saying that, he piled clothes at the entrance to the room and ran down the stairs again.
“Have a nice trip.”
Hmm, he seems busy, he didn’t say ‘good morning’ or ‘I’m leaving’. I’ll try to get him to say them.
In my former family, the Duke household, all the servants greeted me properly, but my parents and other family members rarely greeted me. His Highness also did the same.
I decided to try my best to greet Alex-sama and be greeted. Because if I ask, the person will call my name.
