Somehow, this bath feels longer than the journey.

I'm still kissing Alexander, with my eyes closed and my arms around his neck. I pressed my breasts on his chest, and I've sunk my fingers in his hair.

«Thea,» he whispers, trying to get my attention back. «The water...»

I open one eye and glance at the colour the water has. The foam has dispersed, letting me see the dirt.

I sigh, beaten, and try to forget about it. Still, it's impossible.

Also, it's not warm anymore. How long have I been kissing my Duke?

«Close your eyes!» I exclaim, and then I get out in search of a towel to wrap myself into.

Before the Duke can come out, though, I grab a sponge and start rubbing his back with strength. In the end, I got distracted and forgot this small detail.

«Done,» I say after finishing. I walk to the fire. There's a sofa close to the chimney, so I sit there and start rubbing my hair.

Alexander continues his bath and then dries himself. When he sits next to me, he's already wearing nightclothes. His hair is shorter, so he needs less time than me.

If I wear the nightgown now, it will get wet on the back. Wet and cold.

He straightens his legs and leans back on the sofa. He seems relaxed and, finally, at home.

He gets up just to add some wood to the fire.

I look at my bare feet, amused at how I'm not cold. The whole floor has been covered with heavy carpets. It looks so comfortable, even though a pain to clean.

«Would you like some wine?» Alexander mutters before getting up.

He brings me a cup, and I sip. I notice that he hasn't poured one for himself.

«Are you trying to get me drunk, or you just remember the after-effects?» I ask with a smirk.

«Don't remind me even more,» he whispers. «I don't want you to be drunk, by the way. I don't have any reason to.»

Who knows if I become like him when I drink too much, though?

«I have been working hard on building resistance, my Duke, but it's not going as well as planned. I always fall asleep immediately after a glass or two.»

«One or two?» he inquires.

«Well, two,» I shrug.

«See? You're improving.»

I giggle and sip the wine. This one is sour. It's not sweet like the one I stole in the capital. I taste it again, and I surprisingly like it.

«We don't have as many sunny days as in the southern regions. That's why our wine tastes bitter,» my Duke explains. «It's also a bit stronger, but I'm here, so you don't have anything to fear.»

«That is what I'm worried about,» I reveal. «You're going to take advantage of a tipsy wife!» I accuse him.

The Duke observes me with an amused grin.

«Is that so?» he inquires.

I nod and pout my lips.

«I suspect you're trying to take advantage of me!» I whisper in a conspiratorial tone.

The Duke nods, observing my behaviour quite amusedly.

«You don't believe me!» I exclaim and sip again.

This wine is exceptional. I like the taste, and also the way it slightly burns my throat. It makes me feel alive.

After finishing the cup, though, I feel empty.

«Can I have some more?» I whisper, trying to get up from the couch to reach the table.

«I'll pour it for you,» my Duke offers, and he indeed serves me another cup.

«You're so amazing,» I giggle. «You always bring me drinks and food!»

Maybe, I'm not supposed to say all of this.

«Tell me more,» my Duke utters, and I lean on the back of the sofa and place my head on a palm.

«About what?»

«Whatever you want,» he shrugs. Not that it makes any difference.

I blink, confused and lost. I look at Alexander until he realises that his words are forcing me to find an argument for the conversation. I can't think of anything, and the more I focus, the less I can think.

When a tear appears in the corner of my eye, Alexander bows over and dries it with his sleeve.

«What do you want to do tomorrow?» he asks, just to find a way to distract me from the failure of finding a topic worthy of being discussed.

«I want to eat chestnuts,» I mutter. Then, I realise that the Duke doesn't want to hear about my food preferences. «And also memorise the relevant spots in the castle.»

«I can show you,» he offers. «What do you think?»

«It would be two times wonderful,» I nod.

«Why?»

«First, because you're pleasant to look at. Second, because I do need to understand where to go and what to do. This place is still foreign to me, even though it's supposed to be my home.»

«What does it mean that I'm pleasant to look at?»

«It means that you're handsome,» I shrug. It was so obvious, how didn't Alexander understand on his own?

«So, if I were less handsome, you wouldn't want to look at me?»

«Oh, no!» I stop him. «It wouldn't change much, for me.»

«Why?»

«Because you're also smart. And skilled, and so competent. You're such a good strategist. And you make me feel so...»

«So?»

«So fuzzy,» I stutter.

I almost forget who I am and who he is when we're together.

«Is it a bad thing?»

«I don't know,» I shrug innocently. «But it's not good either. You're so distracting, and so...»

I look at his face and his lips. He didn't shave after the bath. The beard started to grow, but it makes him look even more masculine. I bite my lower lip, analysing his features for a couple minutes more.

After a while, I lean my head on his chest.

«So, this is your limit,» he suspires.

«I'm still fine,» I point out. «What are you talking about?»

«Of course,» he sighs. «You're fine. Totally. Fine.»

«You're so cute when you pretend that you're not annoyed,» I chuckle. «It makes me want to tease you even more!»

«Please, don't! It's enough like this.»

«Alexander... Why are you so cold?» I ask as tears fill my eyes. «I wanted to play with you, but you don't want me!»

«Why do you think so?»

«Because you're not touching me!»

«Is that the reason?»

I nod, and he accepts to hug me. I settle in his arms, and he sighs so desperately.

«What do you think of sleeping, now?» he asks.

«I don't know...»

«The bed is comfortable, and I'll make it warm.»

«Will you?»

«Of course! Also, I'll make sure my Duchess sleeps like a baby.»

«Oh,» I mutter. My Duke is so nice all of a sudden. «And what do you want in return?»

«Nothing.»

«Are you sure?»

«Thea.»

«I'm just asking,» I shrug. «It sounds like a trap. I would fall in the trap, though. It sounds so alluring... Will you torture me?»

«No, I'll just sleep alongside you.»

«Just sleep?»

«Yes, Thea. Especially when your eyes are so watery.»

«What?»

«You're drunk.»

«I'm not!» I protest. «I just had a cup!»

«Looks like it was enough.»

«So, it wasn't your plan to get me,» I realise. Somehow, I feel disappointed.

«My dear, I wouldn't use such underhanded means.»

«But it would be so interesting.»

«Maybe next time,» he concedes.

«Alexander,» I call him again.

He looks at me, waiting for the next words. However, I don't have anything to say. I just wanted to call his name.

«Thea, you're so unreasonable today.»

«Don't you like this unreasonable Duchess?»

«I like you, no matter what.»

«So, you won't punish me if I become even more unreasonable...»

«No, but you should wait for the morning and then decide. It's safer.»

«Morning is far.»

«All right,» he exhales. His one arm is circling me, while the other hand is stroking my back. It's so cosy and warm and calming. «Now, sleep...»

I close my eyes and let his presence and movements guide me towards the god of sleep's lands. It's difficult, but, in the end, I can rest for the whole night.

My Duke has learnt so much about me in such a short time. How to tease me and how to soothe or comfort me... And also how to make me relax enough for sleep. No matter the anxiety, or the amount of wine I drank, he knows how to treat me.

«You're so exceptional,» I state, not even opening my eyes.

«You are even more,» he replies. «You don't even know how much.»

«But it's different,» I explain, while the tiredness of the long day reaches me. «You chose to be like this. You weren't forced, which makes you even more admirable.»

«Aren't you proud of your husband?» he chuckles.

«I am,» I nod, rubbing my ear on his chest because of that movement. «I am so proud of you. And I'm also very pleased that you take care of me. It makes me feel safe... It will be nice until you decide to leave me.»

«I won't leave you, Thea. Why do you think I will?»

«Because I'm just a toy for you. Once you get bored, you'll throw me away... I'm not complaining, though. It's fine. After all, you're the one that won.»

«Oh, Thea...» he murmurs. His hands are still comforting me, and his eyes are looking at me in such a sweet way. If only I could believe this will last forever.