My Favorite Smut Author Is My Husband! - Chapter 23
“There’s something… there must be something.”
The night Lily returned after witnessing Ashulin’s self-pleasure, she fully expected they’d consummate their relationship immediately. But instead, Ashulin expressed how much he enjoyed their outing, shared a dinner with her, and left her with just a goodnight kiss on the forehead before returning to his room.
And even now, days later, Lily’s first experience remained unrealized.
“Well, I can understand that night… but recently… Could he be really exhausted from his work at the imperial palace?”
On the day she bought the chemises, he had relieved himself once, so maybe it was harder for him to get aroused again that night. Lily wondered, half-laughing to herself at the thought of Ashulin vigorously denying that.
The only guess she had was that, starting the next day, their honeymoon ended, and he’d returned to his duties at the imperial palace. Perhaps work was so demanding during the day that he had no energy left for the evening.
“Then maybe today is the opportunity…”
After all, tomorrow was a day off. Since Ashulin wouldn’t be heading to the palace, Lily thought that either tonight or tomorrow might be the perfect time. She was just about to nibble her nails without realizing it when she was gently stopped.
“My lady… oh, Madam. Didn’t I tell you not to bite your nails when you’re worried?”
“Oh.”
The maid, who Lily thought had left with the teacup, clicked her tongue in mild reproach.
This maid had served her since the time when Lily lived in her family’s count’s estate before she married into the duke’s family. She still had trouble coming to terms with her “little miss” now being married and was constantly worried about Lily’s delicate and pure disposition.
The maid, who was used to seeing Lily whine for playmates or scatter her clothes freely on the carpet, found it a bit sad that those behaviors had lessened since marriage. But Lily’s habit of murmuring to herself and nibbling at her nails whenever she was troubled hadn’t changed since her childhood.
Recalling the memories from over ten years ago, the maid asked gently, “Is something troubling you, my lady?”
“Oh…”
“My lady, I may not be able to offer much help, but I can listen. And if you wish, I won’t speak a word of it to anyone.”
Seeing the familiar face seated in front of her, holding her hands tightly, Lily almost felt as if she were back at her family’s count’s residence.
Right. Back at the count’s estate, she used to ask her parents and even the servants for advice about almost anything — well, except for self-pleasure matters. And since this was her home now, too, perhaps she should start feeling more comfortable here. Maybe starting by sharing her worries with familiar servants and gradually getting closer to the others would be a good idea.
Lily, forgetting all about her recent resolve to present herself as the “graceful and solemn duchess,” decided to let herself lean on the maid’s concerned gaze as she opened up.
“So… if men are tired, would it make it difficult for them at night?”
“Pardon?”
The maid, who had been wondering what her young lady could possibly be worrying about, felt her maternal instincts abruptly intensify — only to be struck speechless at the unexpected turn of the conversation.
Yet, like a dam that had broken, Lily didn’t stop.
“Actually, I’m not well-versed in this area… and there were a few issues on our wedding night.”
Lily, oblivious to the maid’s stunned expression, spoke with a hint of guilt, feeling bad about concealing the fact that she’d learned quite a bit on these matters through books. She continued, raising her voice slightly.
She whispered softly, lowering her voice.
Not realizing that her vague wording made the word “issue,” implying they hadn’t gone all the way, sound like “rough” to her maid, who had the instincts of a mother bird. It was no wonder the maid assumed this, especially after Lily, the morning after her wedding night, had panicked at the slight traces of blood, wondering if there was something wrong with her body.
“But since that night, the Duke hasn’t come to see me in the evenings!”
“What did you say?”
Of course, it was true that he hadn’t come to her at night and that they hadn’t gone all the way, though they had shared certain intimate moments. But Lily felt it would be too long-winded to explain everything, so she left it at that.
“I think he’s busy and tired from his work at the palace, and maybe, since I’m inexperienced, he’s putting it off to avoid extra trouble at night. So, I thought that perhaps tonight or tomorrow, when he doesn’t have to go to the palace, might be a good time. What do you think?”
“Oh, my heavens, Miss…”
“Do you have any advice on how I should go about it? By the way, you’re married, right?”
“Oh, my poor Miss, what should I do?” The maid, deep in shock, hadn’t even noticed that she had reverted to calling Lily “Miss” instead of “Madam.” She could barely see straight.
Not only had her poor lady’s first experience been taken by force, but now she was even being neglected! Men were often known to lose interest after the first time, but she hadn’t expected the Duke himself to act that way.
As stoic and intimidating as he might seem, he was raised under the loving example of the late Duke and Duchess, so she thought he’d be different!
“Miss, you must immediately write to the Count’s estate!”
“What are you saying? How could I possibly ask my parents about something like this? Just give me a few tips.”
“Oh, Miss, this isn’t just about marital issues! This could affect the trust between the Duke’s household and the Count’s family!”
Lily, who’d merely hoped for a bit of advice from a married woman, found herself baffled at the maid’s sudden reaction, her face flushed bright red.
Trying to understand, Lily supposed it could be because nighttime matters were often linked to family planning, but even so, sending a letter seemed over the top.
“We’ve only just been married, and it hasn’t been long enough to warrant writing home.”
The thought of a child who might look like either herself or Ashulin was… delightful, causing a slight flutter in her chest. Smiling brightly, she tried to calm the maid, who was visibly distressed.
And so, it was inevitable that whispers quickly spread among the Duke’s servants that “the Duke has been neglecting the Duchess.”
