My Favorite Smut Author Is My Husband! - Chapter 20
“Clothes… Ah!”
“Lily?”
“W-Wait a moment! Please, just move aside for a bit!”
Unlike her clothes, it was a different matter entirely when it came to the first edition by author ‘K.’ Remembering that she had left the book on the floor, Lily’s face turned pale, and she quickly pushed herself out of Ashulin’s arms, which had seemed impossible to escape from.
“Phew, thank goodness.”
Her legs wobbled slightly, but Lily sighed in relief as she saw the book was farther away than she had feared. Ashulin had been so focused on their actions that, luckily, the book remained untouched on the opposite side.
Lily stared at the valuable book, knowing she couldn’t touch it with her sweaty hands, but also unwilling to leave it lying on the floor. Ashulin, watching her hesitation, suddenly remembered the reason this whole heated situation had started, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like his wife was about to open the book right away. If she did, the content of the book might be one issue, but the fact that his affection would be instantly forgotten in favor of the book… How humiliating would that be?
“You really treasure books, don’t you? I’ll be more careful in the future.”
“Thank you. But I can’t just leave it on the floor like this… What should we do?”
“I’ll have a servant, no, I’ll have the butler take care of it. Don’t worry, Lily. But… going back to your room might be more of an issue…”
“Ah.”
Now that she thought about it, her dress was ripped open at the back, and her tunic was stained with his seed.
There was no way she could make it back to her room without running into the servants in this state. It was also nearing dinner time… or rather, dinner time had already passed. Was the head chef waiting for them?
“What should we do? Should we just go out like this?”
“Absolutely not.”
But then again, they were newlyweds, weren’t they? Lily thought it might be better to just put the crumpled dress back on, head to their room, and wash up quickly rather than making the servants wait any longer.
However, Ashulin shook his head firmly, then looked around before striding off somewhere.
Lily felt a bit embarrassed for the first time, as she touched her disheveled hair. Then, she suddenly felt something heavy being draped over her.
“Would it be alright if I covered you like this and carried you to your room?”
Was it because of his long legs? In mere seconds, Ashulin returned with a large blanket, likely found somewhere in the study, and gently covered her, seeking her permission.
“Of course. I was about to ask you for that favor.”
“Then, for a moment.”
In truth, she could have simply asked for the blanket and walked on her own. But with her legs already weak, adding the long blanket would likely trip her up, making it impossible for her to walk without falling.
Lily’s face brightened as she nodded, and only then did Ashulin smile in relief.
“…”
“Lily? Are you uncomfortable?”
Something about that smile sent a flutter through Lily’s chest. Without realizing it, she stared at his face, not even noticing as she was wrapped up in the blanket and lifted into his arms. He shifted her slightly, adjusting to make her more comfortable.
“It’s nothing.”
The sunset had long since faded, but why was her heart still fluttering? She quickly lowered her head as her stomach growled, causing her to blush furiously.
Ashulin, of course, had heard the sound but said nothing. Instead, he moved with his long strides, carrying Lily to her room without a word.
Lily didn’t notice, but Ashulin couldn’t stop smiling as he looked down at her round, bowed head, her face and neck flushed with a different kind of redness than from their earlier passion. The few servants who happened to witness this scene were utterly shocked.
***
“Lily, are you sure you’re okay with not going to the usual place?”
“Of course. It’ll be nice to see something different. If it’s where Ashulin has his clothes tailored, they must be very skilled.”
After their intimate time in the study and a late dinner under the subtle gazes of the servants, Ashulin had suggested they go shopping.
Of course, Ashulin’s intention wasn’t some grand idea of a date—he simply thought he should buy her a new dress after ruining the one she was wearing. But to Lily, it felt like their first outing as a couple.
“The tailor is skilled, but the clothes are rather simple.”
The boutique they usually visited catered more to young ladies of the countess rank, far less formal than what a duchess might wear.
Lily, who had been secretly excited for their first date, couldn’t hide a slight pout at Ashulin’s somewhat stiff demeanor. She had no idea that the reason he seemed tense was because he was trying to remember whether the person who would be measuring her was a man or a woman.
“…Ashulin, do you think those kinds of clothes wouldn’t suit me?”
“Hm? Not at all, Lily.”
“It sounds like you do…”
“No, really, I don’t. I was just worried the clothes wouldn’t do justice to your beauty, that’s all.”
It seemed the one who had taken her measurements was indeed a man, and Ashulin, who had been about to grow sharp, was startled. His always-cheerful wife had turned her face toward the window, sneaking a glance at him with puffed-out cheeks, clearly showing she was upset.
Suppressing the urge to poke her soft, bread-like, white cheeks, he waved his large hand to deny it. Only then did Lily smile again.
“Lily, please think of me more comfortably.”
“Huh?”
In the middle of their conversation about clothes, Ashulin’s sudden remark left Lily blinking, not understanding his intention.
Ashulin, surprised himself that he had spoken the thought he’d intended to keep to himself, cleared his throat and continued.
“I know we haven’t spent much time together yet, and it might be hard for you to feel fully at ease with me, but I hope you won’t feel the need to be so formal around me.”
“I’m already quite comfortable, Ashulin.”
Lily tilted her head, looking confused, and Ashulin’s fist, resting on his knee, clenched tightly.
All those little moments.
Whether she was pouting, confused, or catching her breath in a suggestive way—he didn’t want to miss any of it.
The more she grew comfortable with him, the more of her hidden sides he could witness. His heart surged with excitement, anticipation, and even worry at the thought, leaving him speechless for a moment. Just then, the carriage came to a stop.
“It looks like we’ve arrived. The exterior is quite impressive.”
Unlike Ashulin, Lily quickly shifted her attention, her face brightening as she looked outside.
