The Dragon Duke's Wife - Chapter 23
It wasn’t the first time he’d displayed such behavior, so the staff had mastered the art of looking the other way. Not a single one of them followed Khalid when he stepped out with her. They were likely whispering about it amongst themselves in another room.
Khalid toyed with Ancia’s chest, teasing her through her clothes and grazing her n*****s with his fingers. He said in an amused voice.
“Your neck’s gone all red. Look at this.”
“Whose fault do you think that is?”
“Mine, obviously. Should I touch you more?”
Though her undergarments covered her well enough to avoid any visible signs, she could still feel her n*****s stiffen and push against the fabric. Khalid, noticing, pinched them lightly between his thumb and forefinger. Embarrassed, Ancia placed her hand over his.
“Please don’t—ugh.”
“How about like this?”
“Mm…”
His palm pressed against her, kneading gently, making her exhale a hot, shaky breath.
“Not here, Kal. I don’t like this… not here.”
Reluctantly, Khalid released her chest. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her as though escorting her, while holding her hand in his. He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, then to her palm. Ancia’s heart raced.
“Wait a moment, will you? I’ll go cancel the order.”
“Do you dislike wanting to look beautiful? Should I keep you all to myself?”
“That’s not it—it’s just too much. And those kinds of clothes…”
“If they’re too seductive, you can save them for the bedroom.”
Her face flushed again as memories of the chemise gown surfaced. It felt too extravagant to waste on such occasions.
“It’s wasteful.”
“…..”
Khalid paused, studying her silently, before stepping back and letting go of her hand.
“Are the things I give you a waste?”
“That’s not… that’s not what I meant. It’s just too extravagant to wear only in the bedroom.”
Khalid’s smile turned enigmatic.
“Don’t you want to wear something just for me?”
“Don’t phrase it like that, Kal. I just… I don’t think I’m in a position to spend that kind of money so freely.”
“Because you don’t feel like a real Duchess yet?”
Ancia hesitated, unable to respond easily. Khalid sighed softly and extended his hand toward her again.
“Come here, Ann.”
“Why all of a sudden?”
“I want to see you come to me first. Are you afraid to?”
It felt as though he could see straight into her heart.
“I’ve told you—you’re my wife.”
“I know…”
Ancia lowered her gaze, turning her head away.
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him. But whether it was her lingering insecurities, the awareness of their contractual arrangement, or a fear of falling in love, she still couldn’t confidently call him her husband, her man.
The contract could come to an end sooner than she wanted.
According to the contract, she would receive an alimony that she could never earn on her own in a lifetime. So there was nothing for her to lose, yet the mere thought of possibly losing Khalid was unbearable and filled her with fear.
To lose something, you must first have it. If you don’t have it, you can’t lose it. She was afraid to admit that she loved Khalid.
He sighed and turned away, walking ahead alone. Ancia hurried after him in panic. Khalid had even extended his hand toward her, but she couldn’t bring herself to accept it, not wanting to upset him by failing to be the first to embrace him.
“Kal, I’m sorry. Kal, are you angry? Kal!”
He didn’t stop walking. Ancia chased him up to the second floor, but when he entered his study, she couldn’t bring herself to follow and stopped in her tracks. She felt like a fool, disappointed in herself.
What did the clothes matter? What did it matter that she couldn’t be the first to embrace him? If he bought her something, she could just wear it. If he wanted to hold her, she could run to him and be in his arms.
But still, she couldn’t be confident enough to be his wife in the way he deserved.
As she lowered her head and turned to leave, the door swung open with a loud crash, and Khalid’s face appeared.
“Really.”
He sighed. Ancia realized that her vision was blurry because tears had gathered in her eyes.
Khalid grabbed her arm and pulled her into the study, closing the door behind them. He gently lifted her into his arms and sat her on the sofa.
“It was just a little bit of mischief. How can you be upset over something like that?”
“I’m not upset.”
Ancia lowered her head, pressing the sleeve of her dress to her eyes. Khalid held her left hand, knelt in front of her, and lowered his gaze.
“If you’re not upset, then what is it?”
Because I’m afraid.
I’m afraid this might end, afraid I’ll be discarded because I’m just a trivial woman with nothing to offer. And because I already seem to be in love with you.
But she couldn’t say that. Khalid needed a contract partner who had served as a wartime nurse, someone strong, brave, and who knew her place. That’s what she thought he needed, at least.
“It’s nothing.”
The words ‘I’m sorry’ were on the tip of her tongue, but they didn’t come out easily. If he asked why she was sorry, she wouldn’t have an answer. Was she sorry for not being able to embrace him easily? Was she sorry for not being confident enough to be his woman?
It felt like something one would say to a lover.
