My Favorite Smut Author Is My Husband! - Chapter 5
“I’m actually grateful that you and Dad gave me a little push. Don’t worry too much!”
“Yes, well, if things go awry, you can always divorce and come back to live with us, so don’t hesitate to tell us if anything’s troubling you. By the way, where are you off to? You’re all dressed up, even wearing a hat you never wear in the morning.”
Though they had indeed nudged her into it, Lily’s parents had hoped she would take about a year of slowly getting to know him during an engagement period. They were still struggling to calm their confusion.
And now, seeing their lazy daughter getting ready to go out early in the morning, they narrowed their eyes, scrutinizing her. She was as lovely and precious as ever, but they couldn’t help but suspect she might be heading out to meet the sly Duke who had so easily won her over. What sweet words could he have used to ensnare their daughter?
“Oh, I’m just heading to the bookstore. I’ll be back before lunch.”
“The bookstore? I thought you hadn’t been going much recently. But you know, once you’re married, you won’t have the freedom to read as much as you do now. I heard that one young lady from a noble family had to give up all her hobbies, even embroidery, after getting married.”
“Mom, really. Don’t worry.”
Relieved that she wasn’t going to meet him, Lily’s mother took one last chance to try and scare her about married life.
But Lily’s eyes only sparkled even more brightly as she listened.
“His Grace will absolutely love the books I’ve chosen.”
***
“What? No man has ever bought a book by K? Are you sure a maid didn’t just buy it for him?”
“Miss Artea is a regular and has a personal connection, so I can assure you. Even if a maid or servant buys the books, the owner’s name is still recorded in the ledger.”
“And you’re saying there hasn’t been a single man’s name in the ledger?”
“You mustn’t tell anyone! This is supposed to be a secret!”
The bookstore owner placed a finger over his lips, shushing her.
Though he had been in business for years, every time he saw Lily’s innocent face and her sky-blue eyes, he felt the urge to bend the rules to protect her. Of course, considering the books she bought, she wasn’t entirely naïve. Still, since she didn’t seem to apply that curiosity in real life, she was, in some ways, genuinely innocent.
“There are rumors all over the capital. A marriage between the Count’s family and the Duke’s! Is it true you’re really marrying Duke Dike?”
“Yup! I’m getting married to him in a week. By the way, can I take a look at the ledger?”
“Oh no, that’s not allowed! I wasn’t even supposed to tell you there were no men’s names.”
“Tsk.”
The bookstore owner, though not her parent, couldn’t help but feel concerned that this naive young lady was marrying such a stern and imposing Duke. But despite the worry around her, Lily’s mind was racing in a different direction.
‘Author K is famous for only publishing through this bookstore.’
If someone wanted to buy their books, they had to visit this store and leave a record. So, if there were no men in the records, there were only two possibilities:
Someone had gifted the book to him, or… he might be the author himself!
“Ahhh!”
“My lady?”
Unable to contain herself, Lily let out a burst of excitement.
The bookstore owner rushed out, asking if she was feeling unwell and offering to call for a carriage, but Lily, overwhelmed by the possibility, covered her face with both hands, stomping her feet in delight.
An author! An author! Could it be that she was about to marry the person who had written such obscene words?
“My lady, perhaps it’s best if you head back now.”
“Yes, thank you. See you next time.”
As the most memorable lines from K’s novels raced through her mind, Lily felt her lower abdomen tense. She climbed into the carriage, struggling to calm her flushed face.
“Ahhh…”
But as soon as the carriage began to move, she buried her face in her hands again, letting out a small groan and shaking her head.
She could feel her makeup rubbing off onto her gloves, but at this point, what did that matter?
Although she wasn’t yet sure whether the Duke had been gifted the book or had written it himself, something deep inside her was telling her it was the latter.
There was no way any woman had gifted him such a scandalous book.
Despite his attractive status, the Duke wasn’t particularly popular in high society.
Since she was going to marry him, she had looked into his reputation and past a bit. Apparently, he had spent his youth at an all-boys academy and, after graduating, had been too busy managing his newly inherited estate to socialize much.
Even when they first met, their conversations hadn’t exactly been smooth or charming. He had even spilled tea all over her, hadn’t he?
“Maybe I should have arranged for at least one date before the wedding to make sure.”
