The Dragon Duke's Wife - Chapter 8
Would she really be able to manage it? She felt a little uneasy. If Duke Velados had been a patient or had a disfigured face like she’d imagined, she wouldn’t have thought twice.
But Khalid was handsome, healthy, and showed no signs of physical disabilities or extreme flaws that would have required him to place a marriage advertisement to find a wife.
Her initial impression of him as a carefree nobleman now seemed like a prejudice. After all, a wealthy young nobleman wouldn’t follow an assistant around unless there was some reason for it.
Khalid had behaved rudely, but she now realized that such arrogance was likely tolerated as the Duke of Velados. Her reaction had been overly defensive, and now, looking back, it seemed that her sharp words were more about her own emotions than about him.
“You don’t really need to worry about it. I had permission from my late grandfather to marry as I wished. The elders in the family council may be old, but they are all beneath me. I don’t appreciate unnecessary interference. They’ll probably just repeat the same thing about needing a good heir.”
“That’s an important issue. And the way this marriage is happening…”
“If you don’t like it, we can delay it. But if you’re going to live as the Madam of the house, don’t you think it would be better to sign the papers now? If we wait until after you’re pregnant, it won’t be good for the child’s future.”
His words were truthful. As Ancia hesitated, Khalid pulled her close and kissed her.
Then, with his breath hot against her lips, he whispered softly, “You don’t need to think about it. You’re already mine.”
Ancia blushed as she recalled the events of the previous night. Khalid’s tongue parted her lips and entered, capturing her heated breath. Ancia, embarrassed, tried to pull away, but Khalid held her waist, his hand on the back of her neck, deepening the kiss.
“Ahem.”
The priest cleared his throat loudly. Ancia, startled, pushed Khalid away with all her might. Khalid let out a disappointed sigh but released her.
The Duke’s lawyer gave a slightly awkward smile.
“It’s nice that you’re getting along, Miss Fillermon. But the Duke will go on endlessly if left unchecked. Please, take the reins a little.”
“Th-that’s…”
Ancia lowered her head, unsure of what to do. The priest also cleared his throat and spoke.
“I understand the situation, Miss Fillermon. Given the unique circumstances of the Velados family, this kind of marriage has been allowed. But there’s no need to rush. It’s not a sin, so don’t worry too much about the pre-marriage status. You can take your time with the engagement until the ring is ready.”
“Oh, no. If it’s going to be like this anyway… it’s probably better to just go along with it.”
As soon as she got here, Ancia had been with Khalid. The maids, who had already cleaned up, were aware of the situation. Furthermore, if they were going to try for a child in the near future, it was better to have the marriage contract in place.
Ancia bit her lower lip in embarrassment. There had been no official wedding, not even rings, and they had immediately consummated their marriage without even exchanging proper greetings.
“The wedding might be difficult, but we can at least have a reception.”
“No, that’s fine. Really, this is enough.”
Ancia didn’t have any relatives to invite. She had friends, but none who were of a status that could be invited to a Duke’s wedding. Even if she reached out later, it would likely be much later.
The lawyer handed Ancia an ornate glass pen. After she signed, Khalid followed suit. The two witnesses signed beneath, and finally, the priest stamped the seal.
“With this, I recognize your marriage as valid before God. If possible, I would have liked for you to join me at the altar in the church…”
“Then it would just end up being a wedding. We won’t do that. We’ll have a proper one later.”
“Since the marriage contract is already in place, I cannot conduct the wedding, but I will assist with a ceremony if you wish.”
The priest stood and left. Khalid kissed Ancia’s cheek and said,
“Let’s have a wonderful first anniversary celebration and reception.”
He looked like he believed this contract marriage would last beyond a year.
Khalid handed gifts to each of the witnesses. The Duke’s lawyer carefully placed the marriage contract into a sturdy metal box with a key and took it away.
He left to see the priest and witnesses out. Ancia sat alone for a moment, staring at her hands, feeling strange. With this, she became the Duchess of Velados. Though it was only a six-month contract.
Her heart ached a little. Though she was poor and had no dowry, she had once dreamed of marriage. It might not have been the most extravagant dream, but she had imagined walking down the aisle in a white wedding dress that reached her ankles, wearing a veil, holding a bouquet of purple flowers, receiving the blessings of her friends, and stepping into the virgin path.
Even though she had become the Duchess of Velados, she hadn’t worn a wedding dress—or even white clothes—and she sat feeling empty.
Just then, a veil was gently placed over her head.
