The Dragon Duke's Wife - Chapter 21
“How would you like your breakfast today? Would you like something simple like yesterday—milk and an omelette? I heard the chef is preparing some cheese; how about that?”
The maids chirped around her like little birds, guiding her toward the bathroom.
“Oh my.”
The maid who was tying her hair flushed with embarrassment. There were faint marks trailing from her neck down to her back.
As she soaked in the hot water, every muscle in her body seemed to scream. There were marks on her chest, abdomen, and the inside of her thighs.
Ancia lowered her head, feeling the aching sensation between her legs, and her face turned crimson. Khalid always said she wasn’t yet ready to handle the ‘real’ him, but even now, it felt overwhelming, and she couldn’t even begin to imagine what the ‘real Khalid’ might be like.
After taking her time with the bath, she emerged to find Laura waiting for her.
“Madam, the seamstress has arrived.”
Back then, the seamstress and jeweler’s first visit was on the third day since Ancia had come to the house.
Needing new clothes, Ancia gladly accepted their visit. Khalid, with a playful smile, said, “Don’t forget what I said.” It wasn’t until later that she realized he had meant she should wear the soft, light-colored chemise gown for the bed, and she blushed, recalling the suggestion. Her chest ached slightly as she thought about it.
The seamstress brought only the finest fabrics. There were silk threads woven into intricate patterns in three colors, luxurious velvet with a shine she had never seen before, and even white tiger hide, large enough to drape twice over a person’s body.
“The Duke himself hunted it last winter.”
Laura said with a pleased expression.
“I thought you might be uncomfortable with it, so I had it processed, but originally, the claws and head were still intact. The Duke is an expert marksman, able to hit even the smallest target, so the fur remained in excellent condition. He refused to let it be hung on the wall or placed in the lobby, but perhaps he anticipated that its rightful owner would appear one day.’
‘It’s too much.’
Ancia thought it was far too extravagant and excessive for her. She wasn’t sure how she would feel next year, but for now, she was still the temporary Duchess, having not yet fulfilled all the terms of the contract. Khalid’s generosity was appreciated, but she reminded herself not to become complacent. She needed to meet the standards of someone worthy to be at his side.
She first ordered several elegant, modest brown and navy dresses for everyday wear. A couple of simple outing dresses and, in preparation for social events, an afternoon dress and an evening dress as well.
Ancia, trying to ignore the blush on her face, also requested a chemise gown. The first two she ordered were dark-colored, as she had worn before, but the other three were different. These were made of thin fabric in white, pink, and pale blue, with small white embroidery and lace, making them truly only suitable for wearing in the bedroom.
Upon hearing her request, the seamstress seemed to quickly grasp the intended use. The first chemise gown to be completed was white, and it was so sheer that the lining was barely visible, almost as if it were transparent.
When Ancia tried it on, she felt so embarrassed that she thought she might die. It looked as if she had worn it to seduce Khalid. And, to be honest, part of her wanted to seduce him.
She wished he would see her as beautiful, but at the same time, she couldn’t bring herself to wear it for fear of her feelings being exposed.
As she hesitated, putting it on and taking it off, Khalid returned home. Unlike usual, he came to find Ancia, who hadn’t emerged from the dressing room, and after seeing her, he paused for a moment.
Ancia, feeling her silhouette was too exposed, tried to turn around to cover her chest and lower body, but Khalid’s gaze was so intense that she felt like a pinned butterfly, unable to move. When she was under his gaze, Ancia felt like the most beautiful temptress in the world.
“You are absolutely stunning.”
He growled with nearly a purr in his voice, and Khalid lunged toward her. He threw her onto the carpet in the dressing room, kissing her chest over her dress, before finally slipping his head under her skirt, tasting her with his tongue and pleasuring her with his fingers until she cried out in pleasure.
He didn’t stop until Ancia was limp and drained, and then he lifted her up, carrying her to the bedroom.
The chemise gown wouldn’t be worn again, but a few days later, three nearly identical ones hung in the closet.
Thinking back on it, Ancia couldn’t face the seamstress’s face. But she felt that avoiding it would be even more awkward, so she endured it.
“Regarding the dresses you mentioned, the afternoon and evening dresses have been completed. I apologize for the delay,” the seamstress said politely, showing Ancia the three elegant dresses.
The high-necked, chocolate-colored evening dress was a simple but perfect fit for Ancia. The afternoon dresses on the mannequin also pleased her.
She was very satisfied. The designs were elegant yet refined, and the fabrics were tasteful and sophisticated. Since she wouldn’t be parading around in high society, this was just the right level of sophistication.
“I like them. The ones you brought before were lovely too, and your craftsmanship is excellent.”
