Yelena figured she was prepared.

Shed been petrified when Duke Mayhard came to the chambers yesterday, but it wasnt because she disliked him or felt uncomfortable.

The only reason she had to be nervous was because shed heard that a womans first time hurt a lot, as if her body was being split into half.

Even if it feels like Im dying, I wont actually die, so itll be fine.

Yelena thought, keeping bold statements like these in the forefront.

Will this be our first night together? She wondered. Yelena hoped that would be the case, if for no other reason than to give birth to a son, and as soon as possible at that. This was all to save the world, after all.

She didnt know who she was making excuses for, but waited quietly until night-time had arrived.

It was then that Duke Mayhard found his way to Yelenas chambers.

Just like yesterday, Yelena had the lights dimmed.

Do you feel tired today? asked the Duke whod climbed onto the bed next to her.

Yelena viewed that as a sign. If youre not tired, then doesnt that mean something will happen between you, as a married couple???

No, not at all, Yelena answered.

The Duke chuckled at the emphatic head-nodding that accompanied Yelenas response.

Thats a relief. You must have slept well yesterday?

Yes, yesterdays sleep was very refreshing.

I hope tonights the same, then.

Yeah, tonight too! wait what? I should rest well today too?

She stared at the Duke, bewildered, but he had already laid down and turned out the lights.

I thought it was a sign. It mustve been a fluke Ill have to try again tomorrow.

Its rather unfortunate, but today isnt the only chance I have.

Yelena fell asleep, looking forward to the next day.

The next day.

Yet another day.

Then the next, next, next day.

Although they slept together in the same bed for several days, nothing actually happened between Yelena and the Duke.

A week had already passed and Yelena began to worry.

Is he really going to keep this up for two whole months?

She remembered the daily life of the countess who waited two months for her husband.

That cant repeat itself here.

To let two months pass without any night-action; that was far too long of a wait.

That night, Yelena had a serious conversation with the Duke when he arrived in the chambers.

Are we going to continue like this without doing anything?

She was too nervous to bring this up while sober, so shed had a glass of wine before the discussion.

Or maybe it was two glasses? She didnt really remember.

Duke Mayhard hesitated at the nature of the question that the tipsy Yelena had so abruptly spouted.

You dont have to worry about that.

Worry?

You may be my wife but I will not lay a single finger on you.

What was he saying? Yelena thought, her mind going blank.

She didnt know what he was trying to say, but she knew she couldnt just accept it without a counter of her own.

Is that so? Then, can I touch you instead?

What?

Truthfully, Yelena did not know much about what happened between a man and a woman during the night.

The romance novels she read did not go into depth on what happened during intercourse and she was not that interested in knowing, either.

She had received sex education but the madame that used to teach her only told her this: Relax your body and let your husband do everything.

That was not going to help her here at all, she realized.

The one thing she knew for sure was that you had to undress to spend a night with your lover.

Yelena extended her hand towards the confused Duke.

Only

Undress.

Wait, wife-

Are you going to try to do it with your clothes on? Undress!

She had drunk wine like water while waiting for the Duke to come to bed, and wasnt exactly sure how much shed had, but one thing was for certain: it was definitely more than a mere two-and-a-half.

She didnt know how much she drank because she didnt keep count but it was more than two glasses and a half.

Seeing Yelena acting on pure instinct, Duke Mayhard froze, his eyes as wide as saucers.

I told you to undress!

Wife, please calm down first