The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 87
The first habit a royal must develop to survive in a palace full of schemes and deception is suspicion. And a suspicious mind was never truly innocent. Even the current Emperor, renowned for his just reign, was not purely benevolent.
The fact that the Crown Prince of Osk, who had survived up to adulthood, took a particular liking to the ‘Duchess of Bayern’?
From what Ash heard, it was just from a mere, trivial act of assistance.
“Beautiful and kind…”
Ash scoffed. There couldn’t be a less fitting description for his wife. If the Crown Prince had been briefed on basic information to avoid diplomatic blunders, he would surely know the rumors about his wife.
So what was the reason for this attempt to earn her favor?
Whatever the motivation, for a Crown Prince, such a clumsy maneuver was simply pathetic. Surely a woman who has heard countless flattering compliments wouldn’t fall for such a transparent scheme.
“……”
Ash, drying his damp hair, stopped just as he was about to enter the bedroom.
His wife lay asleep on the long sofa. Judging by the fluffy pillow and thick blanket tucked securely around her, it seemed she was serious about not using the bed.
He walked closer to her. A sheet of paper was precariously hanging from her fingertips, as though she’d fallen asleep preparing her lecture materials.
‘She must be exhausted.’
After traveling non-stop for five days by carriage with hardly any rest, then attending the banquet and returning to their quarters late, it made sense. He turned to leave, moving away from her sleeping form.
And he took two steps away… but soon stopped.
“……”
Ash frowned and returned to her side.
No one had forced her to sleep on the sofa—she’d chosen to give up the bed of her own will. There was no need for him to inconvenience himself for her sake.
Yet, leaving a worn-out woman to sleep on the sofa felt petty to anyone watching.
Sighing quietly, he leaned down and carefully lifted her, making sure not to wake her.
Her slight, delicate frame, almost fragile to the touch, filled him with a strange sense of tension, as if he were holding something fragile and precious.
“Mmh…”
He glanced down at her as she nestled her face unconsciously into his chest. Her warm breath against his bare skin made him feel a sudden warmth.
***
Nina clutched the soft blanket and murmured drowsily.
“Mmmm…”
It was cozy and comfortable—so comfortable she wanted to stay like this forever.
‘But why does it feel so comfortable…?’
She remembered falling asleep on the sofa while reviewing her lecture notes. Was the sofa always this soft and spacious?
Relishing the cozy comfort with her eyes still closed, a subtle sense of unease crept in. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
“…Huh?”
As her blurry vision cleared, she realized what felt off.
She was in bed, not on the sofa.
Bolting upright, Nina looked around in a hurry.
‘What… why am I in bed?’
Had she suddenly developed a case of sleepwalking? Or had she climbed into bed half-asleep, searching for comfort?
Panic set in as sleep rapidly faded from her mind.
No matter the reason, if her husband woke up, it would be a disaster. After all, she had a past incident—that attempt to pounce on him that still haunted her!
Turning pale, Nina scrambled off the bed, only to see…
“Aaargh…!”
There, lying uncomfortably on the sofa, was Ash, deeply asleep. She had explicitly told him to use the bed while she would sleep on the floor, and here she was, occupying the bed!
Stifling a silent scream, Nina tugged at her hair in frustration. If their hard-earned friendship reverted to its frosty past, what would she do?
‘This is driving me crazy. What do I even say…?’
She racked her brain, but panic had washed her mind blank.
“…What are you doing?”
Caught pulling at her hair, Nina froze, slowly lifting her head at the sound of his groggy, half-awake voice.
