Rias sat at the edge of the bed, her fingers absently twisting the fabric of her dress.
At last, the ceremony was over.
Hours of greetings, formal smiles, and meaningless conversations with nobles had left her exhausted.
She had spent years preparing herself for a marriage like this.
A political alliance.
A responsibility that came with being the heir of House Gremory.
Yet Rafsan had made the entire thing difficult to understand.
Across the bed, Rafsan lay on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling.
“Today was exhausting.” Rias turned toward him.
“You say that as though you actually did anything.” Rafsan turned his head toward her.
“I survived several hours of noble small talk.” “So?” “That’s basically a battlefield.” Rias studied him with narrowed eyes.
A small laugh slipped out before she could stop it.
Rafsan immediately pointed at her.
“That’s three.” The amusement gradually left Rias’s face.
“Three what?” “Real laughs.” “You’ve been counting?” “Of course.” “Why?” “It’s important research.” “Research?” “Understanding what makes my wife laugh.” Rias’s face warmed.
“You really are shameless.” “I prefer efficient.” She looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.
For someone who had appeared so composed during the ceremony, he was remarkably irritating when they were alone.
Perhaps that was his real personality.
Or perhaps this was another act.
Rias studied him again.
“You’re completely different from how you behaved in front of everyone.” Rafsan gave a casual shrug.
“Because I don’t like noble gatherings.” “You didn’t seem to have any trouble pretending.” “I’ve had plenty of practice.” He leaned back, folding his hands behind his head.
“Besides, if I acted like this in front of every noble, I’d probably be executed before dessert.” Rias covered her mouth, but another laugh escaped anyway.
Rafsan’s lips curved into a small smile.
“There it is.” “Stop counting.” “No.” “You’re annoying.” “I’ve heard that before.” Rias shook her head, unable to argue with him.
She caught him watching her.
“What?” “You’re thinking again.” “I am not.” “You are.” “I am simply considering the situation.” “That’s noble-speak for overthinking.” Rias’s eyebrows drew together.
“You shouldn’t speak as though you know me so well.” “I don’t.” His answer came surprisingly quickly.
“That’s why I’m trying to.” Rias had no immediate answer.
That wasn’t what she had expected.
After a moment, she asked quietly, “Then tell me something.” “Hm?” “What do you actually want from this marriage?” Rafsan paused, caught off guard by the question.
He pushed himself upright, and the joking expression disappeared from his face.
“Someone I can trust.” Rias looked at him, clearly surprised.
“That’s all?” “That’s not ‘all.'” He thought for a moment.
“Someone who can tell me when I’m being an idiot.” She raised an eyebrow.
“You’ll certainly get that from me.” “I was hoping so.” A faint smile touched her lips.
Rafsan continued.
“And someone who doesn’t expect me to spend every waking moment attending meetings.” “There it is.” “What?” “Your true priority.” “Sleep is important.” “You’re hopeless.” “Probably.” Rias laughed again.
She hadn’t realized how much easier it had become to breathe.
Rafsan pointed at her, but this time he didn’t say anything.
The playful mood faded.
“Earlier, you told me that I hadn’t lost my right to choose.” “Yeah.” “Why?” Rafsan met her gaze.
“Because marriage doesn’t mean you stop being yourself.” For a moment, Rias could only listen.
She had expected conditions.
Political calculations.
Something he wanted from House Gremory.
Instead, he had simply given her an answer.
“Most people wouldn’t say something like that.” “Most people are exhausting.” Rias couldn’t help smiling.
“You really dislike noble society.” “I dislike pretending to enjoy it.” “Yet you’re surprisingly good at it.” “Survival skill.” Rias tilted her head.
“Are you actually lazy?” “Very.” “At least you’re honest.” “I have many virtues.” A short laugh escaped Rias.
“Name three.” “Sleeping.” “That’s one.” “Eating.” “Two.” “Avoiding unnecessary work.” She gave him a long, unimpressed look.
“Those are all the same virtue.” “Efficiency.” Rias laughed.
She hadn’t realized how much easier it had become to breathe.
The room no longer felt like the continuation of the ceremony.
For once, the silence felt comfortable.
Rias turned toward him.
“Husband…” The word escaped before she could stop herself.
One eyebrow rose.
“Yes?” She immediately turned her gaze elsewhere.
“Nothing.” “You just called me husband.” “I know what I said.” “Should I write it down?” “Don’t you dare.” He smiled.
“Understood.” Rias folded her arms across her chest.
“You really intend to be spoiled, don’t you?” “I made my position clear.” “You’re supposed to be the heir of the Barbatos family.” “And?” “Act like it.” “I did all day.” “That was the problem.” Rafsan let out an exaggerated sigh before dropping back onto the bed.
“Fine.
I’ll continue being dignified tomorrow.” Rias turned toward him.
“Tomorrow?” “I’m expecting breakfast.” Rias gave him a disbelieving look.
Then she laughed.
“You’re unbelievable.” “I’ll take that as a yes.” “It wasn’t a yes.” “It sounded like one.” Rias shook her head.
For the first time since the ceremony had begun, she felt herself relaxing.
She still didn’t know exactly what this marriage would become.
She still had questions.
And she wasn’t about to surrender her pride simply because Rafsan had managed to make her laugh a few times.
But perhaps…
She didn’t need all the answers tonight.
“Don’t get used to being spoiled,” she said.
Rafsan closed his eyes as though the conversation were already over.
“I’ll try.” Despite herself, Rias couldn’t suppress a smile.
She already knew he wouldn’t.
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