After making a couple of friends, the ball doesn't feel so tedious anymore. However, when it ends, all my energy abandons me as soon as I sit on the bed.

Oh, goodness! I should have changed out of the gown before sitting here. Now I don't want to get up!

«I'd just sleep three days straight,» I mutter.

«Three days is a bit too much, wife. But you can sleep in tomorrow. What do you think about getting up at midday?»

«Can I really do that?» I ask, hopeful.

«Of course,» Alexander shrugs.

Oh, being a duchess is so wonderful!

I smile happily to my Duke, and I ponder whether to ask him help for getting out of my clothes.

Before I have time to make a decision, though, Alexander sits by my side, and his hand reaches the buttons of the dress.

«Need help?» he inquires while starting to unbutton them one at a time.

So much of asking.

«I do,» I nod, and I let him undo all the buttons for me.

«You were beautiful tonight,» he adds.

He passes a finger on my cheek and pecks my temple. He then gets up and walks to the dressing table.

«Which one?» he asks, looking at the products on it.

«The one in the right corner,» I utter. Amazing! I don't even need to get up to clean my make-up.

«You're really exhausted,» Alexander replies. I just nod, as any other activity would require too much energy from my side. «What a pity.»

«I'm sorry for not being as athletic as you are,» I pout. «But I'm just a delicate lady. Not a warrior like you.»

«Mhm?» he mumbles, surprised. He lifts an eyebrow, and he analyses my face trying to figure out if I'm messing with him.

Of course, I am. Yet, since I just decided that I will sleep till midday, then... there's no need to be cautious.

When he figures out my intentions, he tilts his head and narrows his eyes.

«Has your bleeding stopped?» he inquires.

I slowly nod. It's a bit embarrassing. I don't know how Alexander can be this straight-forward about it.

And also, yesterday I lied about it. I wanted to save energies for the ball, instead of walking around like a ghost among all the guests.

Now, I don't have any reason to hold back.

«That's good,» Alexander smirks. He walks to the armchair and retrieves my nightgown. «I was starting to worry.»

That's not what I was expecting.

«Here,» he whispers while passing me the cloth. Does he really want me to dress, now? I haven't yet taken off the ball gown, but the back is open, and it would be so simple to make it slip down.

There are other two layers underneath, but I don't think that my Duke would stop just because of that.

Even though I'm just sitting silently, my stomach has long since started tingling. The sleeves of the dress cover the goosebumps. My back is straight and rigid to hide the fact that I'm actually itching.

I've delayed touching my Duke for so long, and now he plays dumb?

I let one sleeve of the dress slip down as unnoticeably as I can.

When the shape of my right breast is revealed, I turn to the left. I'm pretending to be working on a detail of the belt.

I can feel my Duke's gaze on me, yet he doesn't make any move towards me.

When I steal a glance in his direction, I find his wily grin and an undoubting expression.

In this very moment, I understand that he will help me undress if I ask him. He might also massage my shoulders or legs if I complain. However, he won't cross the line and do anything I don't expressively ask for.

He requires me first to admit that I want him. And then to ask him out loud to hold me.

Since that will never happen, I'm bound to sleep unsatisfied, this night. I will be warm, at least, since my husband won't let me freeze.

I'm not even completely sure whether it will just add to the torment, by the way.

I open my mouth to word my concerns, but no sound leaves my throat. After trying for the second time, I give up and change clothes.

Alexander politely turns his eyes away for the few moments I need to wear the nightgown, and I lie down in the cold bed with a slight pout.

«You earned yourself a bath in the thermal pool,» my husband whispers while settling by my side. He pecks my hair and lets me accommodate in his arms.

He surrounds my waist, and his hand moves down on my lower back. I hold my breath for a couple of seconds, hoping to finally get what I want, but... No.

He just keeps his hand there, like every time we sleep so close to each other.

I rub my face on his chest and sigh noisily. My right arm circles his neck, and I press my breasts on his chest. Our legs intertwine, and I notice his hardness pressing on my thigh.

Why is my Duke resisting to his own urges? I'm right here!

I bite my tongue to suppress a sob, and I close my eyes to prevent tears. I fall asleep out of tiredness, and I don't notice how my body relaxed in my husband's arms.

When morning comes, my hyperactive brain turns on around seven. So much for sleeping till midday.

I try to turn on my back, but it's rather impossible. I've moved in my sleep, and I'm now turned towards the chimney. My Duke is hugging me from behind, and his breath tickles my ear. His arm is casually leaned on my belly, not moving even an inch towards more proper destinations.

Not until he wakes up as well.

His lips split to form my name, and his gasp makes me shiver like a sinner.

«Good morning,» I whisper, moving my head just a few degrees.

«Has my wife slept well?» he inquires, kissing my temple with his usual tenderness.

«Not bad,» I chuckle. «Could have been better, though.»

Sure, if only you weren't this damn stubborn.

«Mhm, it's good that you're already awake. It means we have time, till midday,» Alexander continues.

«Time for what?» The second round of sleep?

«Time for knowing each other better,» he breathes.

His hand moves lower, reaching in between my legs just a second before I register what he's doing.

It was damn time!

«I was planning to sleep,» I point out, while his fingers press just on the right spot. I inhale abruptly, and Alexander chuckles against my ear.

«Are you sure you were planning that?» he questions me, starting to caress my hidden part with light, circular motions. Even though my skin is covered by the gown, his touch makes me quiver.

What does this mean? Does he only want me when I'm not willing? He completely ignored me yesterday.

Is this just another way to show me how he has complete control over me?

Just the thought of that makes me scoff, and I roll away from my husband's arms. It's cold and uncomfortable, on my side of the bed. At least, my nerves are safer here.

I can't believe I was so desperate for the touch of such a depraved man, really! I should have known it was all a part of a wicked plan. Who knows what his real interests are, by the way. Does he want me to do something absolutely over the boundary?

I swallow, realising that pondering about my husband's desires might not be suited for my self-control. I just realised that my mind is as wicked as his, so I better stay away from unruly thoughts.

Also, I'm still quite annoyed that he rejected me without a second thought... I mean, because he's playing with my emotions and asking for intimacy only when I don't.

He's just a bit too spoiled.

I slip out of bed and walk to the table. I collect a shawl and sigh.

«I'm hungry,» I complain. «I'm going to look for something to eat.»

«No need!» my Duke exclaims and jumps out the covers, all ready for action.

What? Is he asking me to stay hungry?

«I already knew my Duchess wouldn't be able to resist in the bed for too long. Hence, I organised breakfast.»

«Where is it?» I mutter, tilting my head like a murderer. He promised food, but I can't see any. He better avoid toying with my feelings like this.

«By the pool. We can bathe together and...» My Duke notices my stare and corrects himself rather promptly. «We can eat by the pool, and then take a bath. We can eat, and only later bathe.»

He's treating me like a hungry wolf, rather than an adorable little lady.

Still, if there's food, I can accept it.

«What do we eat?» I ask. I need this piece of information to decide whether to follow him or not.

The words he says are so on the point that I can't help but sigh in resignation.

He could win with less than this. It's playing foul!

«Sweet breakfast,» he voices, and I drop my shoulders and hold his hand obediently.