1.1. CHAPTER FOUR: THE WEDDING NIGHT

1.1 CHAPTER FOUR: THE WEDDING NIGHT

Maya combed Karme's hair once more after the younger woman changed her clothes to welcome her new husband into the bedroom. She could see her charge's eyes, sad and scared–expressions people would not usually see at a wedding, especially from the bride herself.

"Do not worry, my lady," Maya whispered into her ears, crouching slightly to be at the same height as Karme, who was sitting down. "I am sure your husband is a good man,"

"I am not worried about him, Maya," Karme honestly answered, turning in her attendant's direction with eyes wide as a coin. "I–I do not know anything of between a husband and wife,"

She explained, her voice growing lower and lower at each word as blood rushed to her face. Maya stared at her in shock–unable to utter a word as she searched the young lady's face. A minute had passed before Maya started to chuckle softly.

At her reaction, Karme pouted as she crossed her arms over her chest and turned back towards the mirror. "It's a. . . reasonable worry, Maya! Do not laugh at me,"

Maya was quick to sober up. "I am sorry, my lady. I didn't mean to laugh at you. But, worry not,"

"How can I not worry?" Karme cried, hiding her face in her hands. "This. . . this is not even in the books I read, Maya. I have little to no knowledge about the duties of a wife!"

Maya returned to brushing the younger woman's hair. "My mother has always told me that a man leads a woman. And it goes the same way when it comes to the bedchambers. So, just take his hands and let him teach you, my lady. If he makes you cry or hurt you, tell me, and I shall castrate him,"

Karme laughed at the threatening words that came out of her attendant. "Despite that, I know you cannot do that, Maya; I feel better now. Thank you,"

~oOo~

Karme waited with bated breath for the door to open. Her chest was packed with a mixture of feelings. She was worried still–she could not help but fret. What if she dismayed him? Was she even beautiful in his eyes? She wrapped her arms around her as she suddenly felt conscious about how thin she was. Would he even want to look at her? Much less hold her?

"My lady, lord Urian is here," the familiar voice of Maya announced.

Karme's eyes widened. She was not ready. Her mind was still in a whirl. But before she could answer, the door opened and revealed the impressive figure of her husband. The two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity for Karme. Though she knew it was only a second.

He walked towards her. As slowly as he could, he placed his arms on his side right where she could see them, Karme noted. The little things he did to not scare her tugged at her heartstrings.

He stopped in front of her. The distance he left between them was barely an arm's length. He stared at her, but Karme could not read his expressions. He was careful around her. Probably since she was the Royal Duke's daughter and not because she was his wife.

After all, Karme knew he was forced into the marriage just like her.

Suddenly, she saw his hand coming for her. She flinched as a whimper escaped her lips and her father's imposing figure flashed in her eyes. She saw him clench his eyes closed, and her heart stopped. Had she failed? Would he be mad and lash out at her just like her father does?

When those thoughts came into mind, Karme started shaking in fear. He opened his eyes and looked at her once more before he took a deep breath.

"Do not be afraid," he whispered as he lifted a hand and touched her cheek.

He lifted her face gently so that they were facing one another. But Karme could not look into his eyes.

"I won't hurt you. So please, look at me,"

She was afraid of what she would see in them.

Disappointment.

Disgust.

She couldn't.

Silence befell them as courage escaped Karme. But as minutes passed, Lucian let go of her. He stepped back away from her with a sigh. Karme watched as he walked toward the center of the room. Where a small table had been filled with drinks by the maids.

He sat down on the canape, poured himself a mugful of liquor, and downed all of its content with a single gulp. He released a long, heavy sigh, and Karme jumped involuntarily at the action.

Would he leave and tell her father he doesn't want the marriage?

No.

Karme took a deep breath to calm herself. He chose her. In front of Krianna, she was the one he chose. She needed to believe in him.

"Uhmm. Uh, lord Urian?" she called, unsure what to call him. After all, she calls her own father 'your highness'. Would the same be for her own husband?

Her husband put down the bottle he was holding and looked over his shoulder. Karme shivered at the intensity of his gaze and averted her eyes. She felt vulnerable at the unfamiliar heat coming from him.

But she knew she needed to face him. He chose her. She needed to believe in that. So, she gathered all her courage and turned back to him again.

He released a relieved sigh, and for the first time since their sudden meeting, he gave her a smile.

"It's Lucian," he answered.

"Eh!?" Karme squeaked. Not because she was afraid but because she had not expected his normal voice to be so deep. During the ceremony, his tone was firm–tense even.

Karme watched as he stood and walked towards her with all his glory.

"My name; it's Lucian," he continued.

His smile grew wider as Karme's cheeks reddened. His voice flustered her in a way that was never done before. He cleared his throat, and Karme realized he was waiting for her to repeat his name.

"Lu. . .cian?" her voice trembled, unsure if she should really be calling her husband by his name and not 'my lord'.

But her doubts were erased as Luciano gave a happy laugh. He raised a hand and held her cheek.

"That's right. . . Karme," he approved, his voice was heavy with something unfamiliar with Karme.

He leaned in towards her as his eyes dropped to her lips. Despite being innocent with her marital duties in the bedchambers, Karme knew what was coming. She read about it plenty of times and never thought it would happen to her.

She closed her eyes as her husband's lip met hers.