* * *

“Sir Sylvian, the Duke has invited you for tea.”

Sylvian, who had been lounging comfortably in bed after a late lunch, shot up at Elgana’s words.

Tea time with him wasn’t just about drinking tea.

As the memory of that fact returned, Sylvian straightened his posture instinctively.

“Sharing tea time every day—what a lovely sight the two of you make.”

“The Duke’s kindness in accommodating someone as lacking as me is something I’m deeply grateful for.”

Becoming the Duchess meant there was hardly anyone Sylvian needed to speak formally to anymore.

After their marriage, a slip of overly formal speech had led to the Duke killing a servant.

From that day on, Sylvian had made every effort to avoid any mistakes.

“What should I wear?”

“Something simple should suffice.”

It’s going to come off anyway, so…

Zeroth didn’t limit himself to the nights—he would summon Sylvian during the day to torment him too.

The main partner of a dominant spouse would roll around from morning to night, but Sylvian was definitely at a lower frequency.

Even if he enjoyed the act, he wasn’t looking to die in bed from overindulgence.

“Still, wouldn’t it be better to wear something a little more dressed up? Even for casual tea times at home, proper attire shows respect.”

“Is that so?”

What a waste.

It really felt like a waste.

Wearing expensive clothes only to have them ripped apart was the height of extravagance for Sylvian, who had become a commoner in spirit.

Kim Hansung, who had once been successful, was reborn into a poor baron family, forcibly learning frugality over two decades.

“Of course! Dressing up would surely please the Duke as well.”

“Then, something not too excessive, please.”

A faint blush appeared on Sylvian’s face, and Elgana, grinning brightly, hurriedly sent a few maids to the wardrobe room.

She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt that Sylvian hadn’t yet fully enjoyed the wealth of the Duke’s household.

The Duke wouldn’t mind spending this much on his young bride.

Given they were still enjoying their honeymoon, her job was to ensure the Duchess was showered with love.

“Elgana! This is… too extravagant!”

It was obviously expensive at a glance.

A very pale beige pair of trousers and a blouse with fluttery frills adorning the sleeves made Sylvian look like a nouveau riche trying way too hard.

The buttons on the blouse gleamed golden, clearly real gold.

“If I wear this, won’t I risk making mistakes while having tea?”

Each movement of his hand caused the frills fluttering over the back of his hand to sway lightly.

Why am I wearing something like this?

Feeling the constriction of the frills, Sylvian flapped his hands, drawing gasps of admiration from the maids.

“You look absolutely adorable.”

“Don’t worry. The Duke isn’t someone to nitpick over such trivial things.”

The snugly fitted trousers that cinched perfectly at the waist and the blouse tucked just enough to appear effortless accentuated Sylvian’s slender frame.

From his slender waist to the loose hem of his trousers swaying slightly above his ankles, every detail drew the eye.

Paired with light leather shoes, he looked radiant, a fresh beauty in bloom.

The blouse’s material clung lightly to his upper body, highlighting his delicate figure, and with each motion, the fluttering frills added a charming touch.

The Duke would surely be satisfied.

Though the maids knew exactly what Sylvian was worried about, they feigned ignorance, keeping their faces perfectly neutral.

After all, weren’t young couples naturally brimming with passion?

“The Duke must be waiting. Shall we head out?”

“Yes!”

Elgana, seeing the faint flush on Sylvian’s youthful face, entertained hopeful thoughts of a baby’s cry filling the Duke’s estate soon.

She guided him to the parlor.

“My Lord Duke?”

Sylvian’s soft voice called for Zeroth.

As the door opened, he stepped into the parlor, but only an empty room greeted him.

At the center of the room, a large sofa that looked suspiciously like a makeshift bed dominated the space.

“Ze-Zeroth?”

‘Where did he go after summoning me?’

Unwilling to sit down in the owner’s absence, Sylvian clasped his hands together, glancing nervously around.

When he strained his ears, he could faintly hear the sound of running water in the distance.

Click.

“You’ve arrived right on time.”

Zeroth emerged from the adjoining bathroom, greeting Sylvian with a warm smile.

“You didn’t sit while waiting?”

“It’s improper to sit in someone else’s room without permission.”

“There’s no need for such formalities between husband and wife.”

With a gentle gesture from Zeroth, Sylvian hesitantly moved toward him and sat down.

His body sank into the soft embrace of the sofa.

“Shall I prepare tea?”

Sylvian glanced around but saw no tea in sight.

“We’ll have tea in a bit. There’s something else for you to learn first, isn’t there?”

Sylvian’s face showed confusion as Zeroth reminded him of the lessons he’d been given.

“T-Today as well?”

“Of course, Sylvi. It’s my duty as your husband to teach you until you’re fully comfortable.”

Save me, please.

Sylvian fiddled with the frills at the end of his sleeves, pretending not to hear.

Zeroth chuckled softly at the sight.

Elgana had clearly put significant effort into dressing him up.

The thin fabric of the blouse, paired with the bright sunlight streaming through the windows, revealed Sylvian’s delicate frame.

“Does my bride even realize she’s been dressed so provocatively on purpose?”

“I-I don’t… usually do things like this—”

“And what sort of ‘things’ are you referring to? You’ll have to be specific.”

“I-I only do them with Zeroth!”

Sylvian’s face turned a deep shade of red, like steam rising from a kettle, as he lowered his head.

Zeroth let out a dry chuckle at the pure response, questioning for a moment if this soft, innocent creature truly suited his tastes.

Normally, he preferred someone with experience—someone who could handle whatever he threw their way.

“I trust that’s the case. After all, I can’t imagine my bride, newly wed, seeking the company of another man.”

At his words, Sylvian looked up, a glimmer of hope crossing his face, only for Zeroth to smirk mischievously.

“Which is all the more reason for you to prove your loyalty to me. It’s something all spouses must do, though my dear Duchess seems a bit slow to learn.”

“N-No! But I’ve never seen my parents do such things—!”

“No parent would expose their child to such private matters.”

The gentle smile left Sylvian with no escape.

Though he tried retreating against the tall sofa, he knew he’d be caught in no time.

All he could do was shake his head with a tearful expression.

“I know it’s difficult since this is your first time, but it’s a necessary part of confirming our love as a couple. I hope you won’t fear it.”

“Ugh… I-I’m sorry.”

Sylvian’s eyes welled up with unshed tears, and Zeroth, finding the sight endearing, moved closer to him.

“That wasn’t my intention, to make you cry like this.”

This is classic gaslighting.

He’s determined to strip me bare.

Even as Sylvian’s expression crumpled, he subtly checked Zeroth’s face for his reaction.

The red eyes gleamed with amusement.

“If it’s too difficult, why don’t we try together?”

“T-Together?”

Seeing Sylvian’s hesitation, Zeroth sped up his persuasion, clearly confident of his victory.

“It’ll be less frightening if we do it together. Though I was initially uneasy about your lack of training, I now find it fortunate.”

“I’m sorry… I-I’m just not good enough…”

Silvian’s head drooped again at the subtle reproach about his lack of s*x education.

The hand that had been fidgeting with the frills was now caught by Zeroth’s hand.

‘Should I just keep acting dejected and try to endure this?’

* * *