As time passed, the day of the graduation exam that Edith had been so worried about arrived.
“It has been an honor to share the knowledge I have acquired with Your Highness.”
The scholar guarding the exam room said, bowing his head with a happy smile.
Edith also expressed her gratitude with a smile.
“Thank you for your teachings all this time. I was truly delighted to be able to attend the classes.”
With words of gratitude, Edith submitted the answer sheet for the final subject of the graduation exam and left the classroom.
She thought she would feel relieved after completing the exam she had prepared for diligently for days, but she couldn’t quite find her footing.
『 Now, all that’s left is the graduation party.』
Taking her classes here and interacting with others has been her dream for the longest time.
Now it was time for her to dream bigger, not as Edith Lowell of Fortrion Territory, but as the Crown Princess of Agnas. It was time to dream of something greater than becoming a better doctor than her mother after graduating from the Academy.
In fact, her next dream was already slowly coming true.
『 I’m glad that the progress of connecting the medical systems between the capital and the provinces is going smoothly.』
Edith boarded the prepared carriage. Her face reflected in the interior window had a gentle smile.
Though she didn’t explicitly mention it to those who accompanied her as guards, the smile on Edith’s face wasn’t just because she completed the academic pursuit she dreamt of.
Despite the great obstacles of Walter’s seduction and her own desires, she filled out the answer sheets perfectly. There were no questions she didn’t know, so she was sure that she would get a good grade.
Now, future generations will no longer be gossiping about how a Crown Princess took medical classes because she was bored or because she thought medicine was a joke.
As soon as she realized that fact, every last ounce of tension melted away and she was able to completely relax.
Edith leaned back comfortably against the soft cushion with relief. After a quick inspection of the carriage, Cassius spoke to her.
“His Highness instructed me to ensure that his wife rests during the journey.”
“I will, thank you.”
“Oh, and as you return, he asked you to check the dressing room. It seems that some of the custom-made dresses for the graduation party have arrived.”
The graduation party.
Edith mulled over those words as the carriage began to move smoothly.
Even when she was too young to take the entrance exam, she had heard about the Academy’s graduation parties.
『 It’s probably as famous as a debutante for girls that age.』
It was a place where one could confess to the person they have always had in their heart, and give a ribbon to the person who received the most attention.
The graduation party had many elements that energetic students would enjoy.
Although she couldn’t enjoy the party like a normal student, everything was okay since she would be attending the party alongside her first love, as she had dreamt.
『 Since Walter told me to leave everything related to the graduation party to him, I could focus on other things.』
Traditionally, the preparation for social gatherings fell under the role of the Crown Princess, but for some reason, Walter enthusiastically suggested leaving the responsibility of choosing the clothing to him.
Thanks to that, Edith was able to think about other problems that she had put off until after the exam.
For example, Adrian’s request to have a little sibling.
『 I wonder what Walter thinks about that.』
From what she had observed so far, Walter truly loved children. He not only smiled at his son, Adrian but also at other children who visited the Imperial Palace.
Edith remembered how Walter’s eyes reddened the moment he safely held Adrian in his arms after all the hardships.
As she had heard from Theos, she wouldn’t have to go through the same difficulties if she decided to have a second child.
Now that Walter had completed all the academy classes that the Emperor’s heir was traditionally required to take, it seemed like a good idea to bring up the topic of having another child.
『 After the graduation party, I’ll casually mention it.』
As the carriage arrived at the Imperial Palace, Edith had made her decision.
If she pounced on him with the idea of having a second child as soon as the exams were over, Walter would probably consider her an animal who had been obsessed with such thoughts throughout her studies, so she decided to wait a bit before bringing up the idea.
If she brought up the idea of having a second child to him today, Edith was sure he would surely smirk and ask her if she was being so proactive because she was starving all this time.
『 I’m sure Walter has his hands full with state affairs, so I shouldn’t disturb him just because I have some free time now.』
From what she heard from Cassius, Walter had been secretly studying something in his spare time.
Edith naturally assumed that what he was studying was for the graduation exam that was just around the corner. After all, it was said that previous Imperial Family members who studied at the Academy took the exam lightly just to leave a record.
Even if the exam was a formality like having their portrait painted, wouldn’t they still strive for an average grade?
So it was only right that she kept her thoughts of Walter’s ragged breathing and heavy, hot body to herself from the moment she turned in her answer sheet and waited a little longer until his schedule became more relaxed.
『 He acted like exams were nothing to worry about.』
Edith thought it was adorable that he was studying in secret as she headed to the dressing room.
She planned to express her gratitude and examine a part of the attire he had prepared for her amid his busy schedule.
But her excitement and delight melted away as soon as she untied the ribbon on the box.
『 What the… is this?』
Edith examined what was inside the box with her wide eyes.
It was black and glossy lace, woven into a dress shape. However, it seemed more like a dress worn underneath outerwear as it appeared completely see-through.
Do these kinds of fabrics really function as clothing?
The contents of the other boxes weren’t significantly different. All the clothes seemed to be a bit too frugal with fabric. Even the garter belts used to secure stockings had a surprisingly provocative design.
『 Oh my god.』
To Edith, who only knew how to be naughty with her body, the ‘clothes’ that Walter specially ordered were truly a new world.
Edith felt dizzy as she looked at his gifts. And her face heated up just by looking at them.
Could it be that the study that Walter secretly studied was not about the graduation exam but rather about the erotic culture of the capital?
Even though Edith decided not to obsess about her exam score, the thought that she might be the wife of a crown prince with the lowest score ever gave her a headache.
Apparently, she wasn’t the only one whose head was filled with such thoughts before the exam.
Creak—
While she nervously examined the contents of the box with trembling eyes, Walter quietly opened the door and entered.
Seeing the flush on Edith’s cheeks, it seemed he had chosen the gifts well.
“I did okay on the exam, so it’s time to prepare for the graduation party.”
Edith was relieved that he didn’t fail the test, but she couldn’t hide her embarrassment.
“Walter, what is all this?”
“It seems like M’lady wanted something new and provocative.”
Walter spoke slyly and thoughtfully wrapped his arm around Edith’s waist. Just having her in his arms filled him with a strange sense of anticipation.
He realized it was a bit animalistic to pounce on his wife as soon as the exam was over after she skipped a night’s sleep to prepare for it, but his self-control was long gone.
“Shouldn’t you try on the clothes I ordered to make sure they fit?”
Walter carefully pulled the ribbon on her back that secured her dress. It was something he could do now without looking.
His gaze quickly shifted from the sensation of her body tensing up to the flustered expression on Edith’s face.
Her eyelashes which cast a shadow over her already feverish cheeks trembled slightly. Seeing her quietly gulp, it seemed like she had no intention of resisting.
Unknowingly, Walter smiled. A few days ago, Edith had made a facial expression that begged to be teased, but she pushed him away. Today, it seemed satisfying that she didn’t avoid him at all, and he felt like melting at her lack of resistance.
Actually, Walter liked whatever reaction Edith made.
When she pretended to show no interest in intimate contact, he wanted to lean his body against hers and tempt her. And if she willingly allowed it, he wanted to respond mischievously.
In any case, he had no intention of rejecting anything.
Today, it seemed like she was quietly waiting for his touch, so he wondered if maybe he should play a little trick on her. Instead of pulling the ribbon and finding her lips as usual, Walter bit the tip of her ear without causing any pain.
Edith’s body, already very sensitive, tensed.
His teasing lips nuzzled her earlobe and moved down her neckline, little by little. Her lips became dry every time Walter’s hot breath touched her skin. She had the urge to have someone wet them.
“… Kiss me like you always do, Walter.”
Her imploring voice stimulated his lust, but Walter casually played it cool.
“I don’t think I can do it because I don’t want to bore you.”
His grip on her tightened.
Edith couldn’t immediately understand what Walter was talking about. The pleasure he provided was far from boring. It was overwhelming to the point where she needed to push him away for a moment.
『 Could he have misunderstood when I avoided him as I was studying for the exam?』
Even though she might not know, there seemed to be a reason behind his teasing voice and touch.
Edith wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, pulling him closer. She knew it was a little embarrassing to say, but she wanted to clear up any misunderstanding Walter might have had.
She couldn’t afford to go around in circles right now.
“I didn’t avoid you because it was boring… I did it because after spending time together, I couldn’t think about anything else for a few days.”
Hearing her voice, the way it sounded like she couldn’t help herself, something inside of him snapped.
