The Hungry Tyrant's Bedroom - Chapter 16
“Since I was also a widow who lost my husband at a young age…”
Catherine, though now approaching middle age, had lost her husband soon after marriage and had since entered the royal palace to work as a wet nurse.
“I don’t know much, so I’m afraid I’m not of much help.”
Frowning and rolling her eyes in thought, Catherine suddenly clapped her hands.
“Your Highness, now that I think of it—didn’t you bring some books from Altomole?
I remember hearing that Her Majesty the Empress had included some books on etiquette and daily life for you to refer to.
I believe she also mentioned a book about marital relations.”
At her words, Floria furrowed her brow.
Now that she thought about it, that did ring a bell.
Her mother, anticipating Floria’s lack of experience, had given her a book on marital relations and told her to read it when necessary.
But she had never imagined that was what the book was about.
“I’ll have a lady-in-waiting fetch it right away!”
With that, Catherine dashed out of the room.
From the luggage Floria had brought to Siefer, the maid retrieved a book—an exceptionally thick one.
<A Guide to Marital Relations for Couples of Altomole>
A classically bound leather volume. With trembling hands, Floria opened it and began reading the table of contents.
― What Marital Relations Mean for Couples
― How to Please the Man
― How to Please the Woman
― Basic Positions
― Advanced Positions…
Why are there so many?
Floria had not received much formal education, but her sisters had gone through years of bridal training. It must’ve taken them a long time to study all of this.
But Floria didn’t have that kind of time.
She hurriedly flipped to the relevant section, and found a woodcut illustration: a man pressing his hips close against a woman bent over.
The woman’s loosened corset exposed her b****t, and the man was holding the tip of it in his hand.
The artist must have drawn it from real-life observation—it was so vivid and detailed, it felt like witnessing it firsthand.
It was disturbingly reminiscent of her own experience that night.
“Oh my.”
Startled by the image, Floria shut the book with a snap. Her small gasp made Catherine, sitting across from her, peer over curiously.
“What’s the matter? Was it something strange?”
Apparently, Catherine hadn’t looked through the book herself. Had she known it contained such illustrations, she probably wouldn’t have spoken so nonchalantly about it.
Afraid she might see the image, Floria quickly lowered her head, blushing furiously.
“Ah, um… No, it’s just—the content is so long, and thinking of reading it all felt overwhelming, that’s all…”
Thankfully, Catherine didn’t press further.
“I see. But since Your Highness enjoys reading, I’m sure you’ll finish it in no time.”
“Mm, I hope so.”
Worried Catherine might ask to look inside, Floria pressed the cover down firmly with her hand and gave a small smile.
“Um… I’d like to focus, so could I be alone for a bit?”
At her request, Catherine rose from her seat.
“Of course, Your Highness. Please call me if you need anything.”
“No, Catherine. You should rest well today.”
She would need more than a day to read this book, after all. With a bitter smile, Floria held up the thick volume.
Night fell. Floria sat alone in the Grand Duke’s bedroom. Her heart pounded from nerves, and her hands and feet had gone cold.
From the moment she opened her eyes in the morning until late in the afternoon, she had skipped meals and read the book without pause.
Because Floria had been bedridden for several days after their first night, Aidan had reportedly slept elsewhere to give her time to recover.
“His Grace is such a considerate man.”
That was what the head lady-in-waiting had said, but Floria found it hard to believe that Aidan was kind. Especially after hearing what the head maid said next,
Floria could only sigh.
“But he said he would share your bed tonight, so there’s no need to worry.”
No need to worry, huh.
Worry would begin the moment that door opened and he walked in.
