To sleep close to you

Charlotte and Édouard arrived at the room, which was well decorated. Édouard has already sent everyone away, but he had asked a servant to bring a light meal.

Charlotte had lowered her head. Édouard didn't speak a word and kept his gaze fixated at her. He wanted her to initiate the conversation when she would feel better. The servant soon brought the light meals and placed the tray on the sofa table.

"Leave. No one shall come inside," Édouard said. The servant bowed and walked out.

Édouard rested his right elbow on the sofa hand rest and his chin on the calloused right fist. He was studying Charlotte's face and wondering if she was still thinking about her marriage with Mathieu.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for thinking about me," Charlotte finally spoke and lifted her head to look at him, "and bring me out of the hall. And forgive me because your mother might be upset thinking we left early."

"Mother will not be upset. She knew that I was desperate to marry you," Édouard said.

Charlotte was bewildered to hear his statement and asked him if he got Beromont in the marriage. He hummed and lowered his arm. He leaned forward and removed the gold dish cover. "Have your meals first and then we will talk. I don't want to hear that you have no appetite," he opined. "I heard your stomach growling earlier," he added.

Charlotte bit her bottom lip and then picked up the spoon. She tasted the broth first and started to eat. Édouard had poured water for her in a glass.

"Does the Duke want to eat some food?" Charlotte asked after a while.

"Sure," He said and took the fork from her. He brought it to his mouth and took in the steak which was on it. Charlotte blinked her eyes a few times and asked him why he did that. She looked at the tray and found there was only one fork and it was in Édouard's hand.

"It will increase our bond and love," He said with a smile before handing her the fork.

"Does the Duke love me?" She asked and knitted her brows in confusion.

"What do you think?" Édouard asked her.

Charlotte didn't answer him and continued eating. After she finished the food, Édouard called in the servant who cleaned the table and carried the tray to the kitchen.

Charlotte knew what would happen next? She was scared about it and most importantly, she didn't want to do it. Her waist and back was hurting because of the tight corset.

"Why don't you change into comfortable clothes?" Édouard suggested to her.

"The night dress is already in the bedroom," he informed her.

"Will the Duke go to his room?" Suddenly Charlotte began feeling better. It seemed to her that Édouard wasn't interested in sleeping with her. If he was, he didn't have waited.

"Why would I sleep in the separate bedroom on the wedding night?" His eyebrows arched. "I will sleep with my wife," He replied.

Charlotte hummed and rose to her feet. She went to the bedroom and closed the door behind her. "He is not thinking of that, right?" She mumbled and walked ahead to the bed. She looked at the white night dress and moved her hand above it.

She removed her veil from the head and put it down. Her hands moved behind her back and she started to untie the lace knots on the corset. Even after five minutes, she was unable to undo them. Tired, she went out of the bedroom to the drawing room and asked Édouard if he could send a helper.

"I've sent everyone away. They will not be here until the morning. What happened?" He asked and rose to his feet.

"Ahh, I am unable to untie the knots on the corset. If the Duke can ask any helper, then it will be of great help," she stated.

"I will help," Édouard asserted. "It will not be wise for me to go out for this. You also are aware how words spread," He said. Charlotte agreed with him and walked in.

Édouard walked behind her and found her standing near the bed with her back towards her. He quietly closed the door and then, approached her. He gently moved her hair to the front and then hooked his fingers into the silk laces. He untied it and started undoing it. The dress loosened and she breathed in relief.

"I will do the rest," She promptly turned to him and was startled to see his intense gaze at her. "P-please wait outside," She requested.

"Hmm." Édouard walked away while she quickly changed. She had put the wedding dress in the cupboard and then made a good barrier in the middle of the bed.

"I will sleep on the left while he will sleep on the right," she mumbled and her gaze landed on the ring in her hand. She removed it and put it on the bedside table when the door opened. She turned and found Édouard had also changed his dress.

He looked at the bed and a tiny smile crept on his lips. He shut the door behind him and locked it before turning to her. He went to the table where Charlotte had put her pictures with Mathieu and he put them down. Later, he started to walk in her direction.

Charlotte wondered why he was approaching her and she decided not to look at him. Édouard halted before her and lifted his hand to remove the roses which were laced on her hairstrands.

"Make sure not to jump on the other side of the pillows' barrier that you have created," He remarked and smirked at her.

"I do not move in my sleep. It's for you," She stated and her tone turned informal.

"Really? I don't even need a barrier to sleep close to you," He affirmed and the never ending smirk on his lips intimidated her. His hand rested on the side of her neck and his fingers moved gently over her skin.

"Thank you for marrying me, Charlotte," Édouard said. "Thank you for staying alive," he stated and smiled at her. He took a step back and went to the right side of the bed.

Charlotte sat on the mattress and then laid down after pulling the blanket up. Édouard closed the lights and kept a single lamp turned on. He also got into the bed and slept facing her back. "Goodnight, Charlotte. Have dreams of me."

Charlotte closed her eyes, "Goodnight," she said in a low voice.

Édouard's heart fluttered to hear her response and a wide smile appeared on his lips.