Episode 12
The strong scent, like pouring perfume, made my head spin. There was no chance for aromatherapy.
The feeling of fatigue relief lasted at most thirty minutes.
After soaking in the water for nearly two hours, I felt dizzy and lightheaded.
I felt like a well-boiled spinach. Maybe a high-quality spinach with a scent of roses.
Leaning back on the sofa, I recalled what happened a while ago.
As Apollion attempted to greet the guests properly, an old butler suddenly appeared and started coughing.
Not even a ninja. Apollion hastily disappeared somewhere in the mansion as the butler, Wilson, introduced himself as the housekeeper of the Fontus Mansion and guided me to the room I would be using from now on.
But he had prepared the room neatly, perhaps indicating that he didn’t intend to refuse the night’s activities. Even the bed was decorated with various candles and petals.
It took only a few hours for the servants to clean and prepare me.
Seeing that Wilson informed me of Apollion’s expected return time, it seemed like refusing the night was his own plan.
I had to be alone until he returned. Because Apollion had left the estate empty for a few days due to wedding preparations, there was quite a backlog of work.
Until the bath, I spent my time exploring the room assigned to me.
The spacious room on the second floor had several small rooms attached to it, from the bedroom to the study, bathroom, and dressing room.
Although the room at the Count’s Manor was also quite large and luxurious, it couldn’t compare to the Fontus Mansion.
What I liked most was the round bed, large enough for about six servants to lie down comfortably.
There was a thin white canopy above the bed, and the fluttering caused by the sea breeze coming through the window was quite beautiful.
Moreover, even lying on the bed, I could see the sea through the window. In short, the location was perfect.
After finishing dressing up according to Apollion’s expected return time, I dismissed the servants and sat down on the edge of the bed.
As Selena and René left the room, their cheeks flushed. Maybe because they were like high school or freshman college students in Korean age, they seemed very interested in all sorts of love stories.
Before I knew it, thick darkness had settled outside the window. I lit a few candles dimly and checked my reflection in the window.
My golden hair, still slightly damp, glistened, and my lightly made-up cheeks and lips were a refreshing pink like primroses.
Thanks to the satin slip, my skin looked even whiter and more beautiful, and the collarbones rising above my smooth shoulders were distinct.
“…Isn’t this too revealing?”
At first, I just wanted to wear the slip alone. Maybe because I was born and raised in a Confucian country, I felt somewhat embarrassed for some reason.
Above all, I thought Apollion would be even more embarrassed than me.
Isn’t he a shy guy?
So, I roughly put on the nightgown hanging next to the bed. At least this way, he probably wouldn’t be surprised to see me.
It was already dark outside, and except for the senior servants like the butler and the housekeeper, everyone had been dismissed near the room.
Although I was a little worried that someone might be watching from outside, I felt much more at ease, thinking it was something ordinary for nobles.
While waiting for Apollion, I began to plan various things in my head.
First of all, Apollion hates taking off his mask, so I should be careful not to touch the mask. It would be better to turn off the lights as much as possible, right? Especially when it comes to showing his face, he’s quite sensitive.
First, I had to repay the sadness of the forehead kiss I received at the wedding, and then…
‘…What should I do?’
According to the original story, he was an inexperienced empathetic man.
Of course, even though he received a protagonist buff, he was somewhat reserved in his empathy, but I remember he showed a bit of awkwardness at first.
‘…Then, should I take the lead after all?’
But I also had experience before the possession, but it was my first time in Petunia’s body.
And even if I had experience, it was a very distant past. My last relationship was about two years ago….
I hadn’t met many people. I didn’t have much dating experience, so I hadn’t tried many different things (?).
‘But still, I’ll be better than someone who has no experience, so it’s better for me to take the lead, right? Besides, Apollion is younger than me.’
Superficially, Petunia and Apollion were only two years apart in age.
But considering my original age, when I had already graduated from college and was preparing for a civil service exam….
‘Yeah, it seems right for me to take the lead.’
I nodded resolutely.
Being so proactive was something I had only read in novels, so I felt inexperienced in many ways because I hadn’t tried it myself.
But isn’t everything difficult at first?
It might be hard to start, but once I repeated it a few times, I might quickly get used to it.
With a pounding heart, I was simulating various situations in my head to calm my nerves.
Since I didn’t have anyone to practice with, I thought it would be best to practice in my imagination.
‘Wow, this is insane.’
My face flushed with embarrassment at the absurd fantasies that kept unfolding.
I fanned myself with my hand to cool down the heat rising to my face. I felt like I was about to nosebleed soon.
I gave up on my imagination and flopped down onto the bed. I needed to calm my chaotic mind.
“Phew…”
I closed my eyes calmly and started deep breathing. As my pounding heart found its rhythm, rational thinking returned.
‘But, what if I insist on taking the lead unnecessarily and Apollion learns something weird? Then, is my happy and passionate night life goodbye…’
However, rational thinking resulted in a side effect of viewing all situations pessimistically.
“Wow, this is the worst…”
I should have studied various things if I knew it would turn out like this. I was too fixated on the night to think about specific details.
For starters, I shouldn’t overdo it from the beginning. It might make Apollion uncomfortable.
When he arrives, I’ll chat with him for a bit and then take off my nightgown…
“Hehehe.”
As I slowly sorted out the situation that would unfold in a few hours, laughter escaped me without my realizing it.
I covered my flushed cheeks with my hand, wearing a foolish smile. My laughter was practically devilish, much different from a smile.
I’ll get back at him for the forehead kiss from earlier, several times over!
* * *
Lost in ominous thoughts, I was lingering in front of the door when there was a small commotion outside. It seemed Apollion, who was supposed to be with me starting today, had arrived.
Come to think of it, the time he was scheduled to arrive had passed a bit.
Despite sensing activity outside, no one came in. I hastily wrapped my gown around me and opened the door.
Peeking my head outside, I saw Apollion and Wilson engaged in a silent scuffle.
“Apollion?”
“….!”
My voice made Apollion and Wilson freeze in their movements.
With their bodies frozen, Apollion’s eyes started doing an enthusiastic breakdance.
“What are you two… doing here?”
Wilson, who had been holding Apollion’s arm politely, let it slide down gently and coughed awkwardly.
To alleviate the awkward atmosphere, Emma, the housekeeper, hurriedly spoke up.
“Uh, in fact, just now, we were about to announce that His Grace, the Duke, has arrived!”
“…Is that so?”
I narrowed my eyes and glanced at the three of them in turn.
It seemed like it took too long for someone who just arrived.
“His Grace is quite shy, so I was just trying to boost his spirits for a moment.”
Unlike the stumbling Emma, Wilson spoke calmly without any change in his complexion.
“Hmm, is that it?”
As I pressed for answers, Apollion reluctantly nodded.
Upon this, Wilson gave him a reassuring smile and nudged him gently.
“It seems like you’ve relaxed a lot, Your Grace. We’ll be waiting outside, so please feel free to call us if you need anything.”
“Got it.”
I replied as I received Apollion from Wilson, who treated him like luggage.
“Wilson…”
Apollion called out to Wilson with a faint voice, but Wilson just smiled brightly and bowed to him before they gradually closed the door, disappearing along with the smiling Emma.
I locked the door with a trembling hand. It was to enjoy a private time just for us as a couple.
As the door locked, Apollion’s back noticeably stiffened.
I led Apollion away from the door. Despite staring coldly at the securely locked door, he obediently followed my lead.
Once we entered the bedroom, I released his wrist.
“Apollion.”
“…”
“Darling?”
At the endearment, Apollion’s back twitched again. He avoided my gaze, staring down at the floor. If anyone saw us, they might think I was extorting money from the Duke.
I took a step towards him, but he stepped back. Every time I approached, he retreated. We repeated this several times.
Apollion continued to step back without realizing that there was a bed behind him, and eventually, his leg got caught on the bed and he fell backward.
Quickly, I stopped him from springing up like a coil. Supporting myself with my arms placed near his head, I looked down at him trapped in my embrace.
Apollion, suddenly finding himself under me, trembled like a herbivore caught in a predator’s trap. It was an unexpected cuteness that didn’t match his stature.
“Apollion?”
“…”
“Darling?”
“…”
“Sweetheart?”
“…”
“My adorable… blueberry cake?”
“…”
Ah, now he’s finally looking at me.
I stared at him intently, inputting the incorrect information into my mind that I had to say such a pathetic line to get a reaction from him.
