Desire for Exclusivity

Dahlia let out a small groan without any rebuttal, and Clayton naturally lay down on the bed.

Then he gestured towards Dahlia, who was sitting at the edge of the bed.

At his silent signal to just sleep, Dahlia let out a resigned sigh.

"Let's think positively."

There wasn't really anywhere else to go, and sleeping alone on the sofa would be awkward as a married couple.

Besides, men and women bond through physical closeness. On closer thought, the situation was actually working in her favor.

Thinking this way made her feel more at ease, and she too lay down on the bed.

Of course, she barely perched on the edge. Dahlia pulled the sheet up to her neck and closed her eyes, but it was no use.

Clayton, who was lying on the other side, moved closer to Dahlia from behind and embraced her.

Before she could even react to the sudden contact, the warm breath tickling the nape of her neck made her body stiffen.

"Surely he doesn't intend to do that now…?"

Just as cold sweat ran down her back at the thought that his desire might be taking over, the man seemed to notice her concern and whispered softly.

"If you don't want it, I won't do anything."

Despite his words of doing nothing, his body radiated intense heat.

And as if infected by that heat, Dahlia's body began to warm as well.

She clutched at her chest as her heart threatened to burst. Afraid that he might hear it, her shoulders curled even more.

The doctor's warning against physical intimacy for the time being echoed chaotically in her mind.

As she struggled to calm herself and summon pure thoughts, at that very moment—

She felt the man's steady breathing behind her.

Clayton had fallen asleep while holding her.

Huh.

Feeling like she had been the only one lost in a whirlwind of imagination, embarrassment mixed with a hint of deflation washed over her.

She had overheard that he had been busy lately; he must have been truly exhausted.

And Dahlia was just as tired.

That day had been particularly exhausting for her, and her eyelids began to feel heavy.

Soon, she drifted off to sleep, feeling Clayton's breathing.

How much time had passed? As soft breathing filled the air and Dahlia's body moved rhythmically with it, Clayton's closed eyes slowly opened.

He silently gazed at Dahlia's sleeping figure as if to check her condition.

"Dahlia."

He softly called the name of the woman he was holding.

But the call did not reach Dahlia, who was already in a deep sleep.

However, it seemed that he hadn't called her to wake her, as Clayton continued speaking.

"The thing I said earlier was a lie."

What he said about her blood tasting bad was a lie.

Back then, he couldn't bring himself to say it, but now he could confidently whisper it into Dahlia's ear as she slept.

"It was so sweet."

A taste so exquisite that he had never experienced anything like it and doubted he could ever stomach another person's blood again.

The sweetness was so overwhelming, as though he had fallen into a pit he could never escape, binding him like shackles around his ankles.

"To the point where I want to lock you away somewhere no one else can reach you and keep you all to myself."

His red eyes, mingling with the moonlight, glowed ominously.

It was the desire for exclusivity.

* * *

Sunlight peeking through the curtains crossed over Dahlia.

Unable to resist the light tickling her face, Dahlia's eyes slowly opened. Her violet eyes reflected in the sunlight sparkled like amethyst.

"Where is this…?"

Still groggy, Dahlia momentarily forgot where she was, but soon realized it was Clayton's room.

Then she noticed the heavy arm draped over her waist and felt the steady breathing behind her.

"So, he really slept here."

It was the first time she had woken up to find that man by her side.

He was a man who, though he shared a bed with her, never actually slept beside her.

That's why it felt so strange to wake up and find Clayton there.

For the first time, she truly felt how much closer they had become.

She wanted to turn around and look at his face right then, but she didn't have the courage to do so.

So instead, Dahlia timidly stared at the man's fingers resting on her waist.

It was a hand large enough to wrap around her head in one grasp—rugged at first glance but undeniably elegant.

While Dahlia unknowingly fiddled with his hand—

The rustling sound was followed by a lightness as Clayton stirred awake.

Startled, Dahlia instinctively let go of his hand and shut her eyes.

Since she had never encountered him in the same bed in the morning, she was at a loss as to what to say.

Fortunately, Clayton didn't seem to notice that Dahlia was awake as he rose and headed to the bathroom.

As the bathroom door clicked shut, Dahlia sighed in relief and slowly sat up. But then—

"So, you were awake after all."

"Y-Your Grace?"

Clayton, who she thought had entered the bathroom, stood at the door in a robe, looking at her with what seemed like an amused expression.

"You knew I was awake?"

"How could I not, with you fiddling with my hand like that?"

"Haha…"

Embarrassed, Dahlia gave an awkward smile and avoided his gaze.

"No, more importantly…"

Why had he suddenly become so playful?

The change was so stark it was almost believable that someone else had taken over Clayton's body.

The man who never smiled and only spoke curtly about business matters had changed so much just because of one sip of her blood.

"If I'd known this would happen, I should have let him drink my blood as soon as I possessed this body."

If she had, they'd already be in love, and she'd be enjoying peaceful days by now—a thought that made her feel regretful.

"Even if it's uncomfortable, bear with it. The renovations will be finished this week."

Clayton's sudden remark snapped Dahlia out of her thoughts. He seemed to think that sharing a room with her was uncomfortable.

"Well, he's not wrong."

On the other hand, she saw it as a good opportunity to get closer to Clayton, so she didn't entirely mind.

"Come to think of it… this really is an opportunity."

The thought struck her that sharing a room might be an even better chance than going on a trip together.

They were sharing the same bed and could face each other morning and night. Besides—

"There'll be so many more chances for physical contact."

Just look at him now—standing there in nothing but a robe. If they were an ordinary newlywed couple, sparks would've flown between them by now.

But being pregnant meant she couldn't physically be with Clayton, so she had to resort to every other method except sharing a bed.

"This isn't the time to be idling around."

She couldn't let such a golden opportunity slip by.

To build a harmonious marital relationship, she needed to fulfill her role as a supportive wife.

For instance, preparing breakfast for her husband or sweetly tying his tie for him.

But as the duchess, she couldn't personally prepare his breakfast.

Instead, she could help him dress. And there was one more thing she could do.

It was a bit embarrassing and made her hesitate, but it would undoubtedly be effective.

"Your Grace."

That thing was...

"Shall I wash you?"

It was bathing him.

What was so special about bathing him? They were a married couple who had already seen each other naked.

All she had to do was wipe his body with a sponge while he sat in the tub.

However, Clayton didn't seem to take it so simply and responded with a slightly dumbfounded expression.

"…What?"

The corners of his lips, which had been curved upwards, dropped instantly as he seemed to process the meaning of what Dahlia had just said.

"You're saying you'll wash me? You?"

His gaze, as if looking at a slightly insane woman, made her hesitate momentarily, but she soon nodded again.

"Yes, I'll wash you."

"…Why would you?"

"Because we're married?"

What kind of question was that? It made her feel embarrassed just answering it.

However, Clayton still seemed to have trouble accepting the situation.

Clayton had never been fond of physical contact, which was why he had never accepted the bathing services nobles often received.

So, the idea of receiving such a service from Dahlia, when even his servants had never done it, was unimaginable.

He was about to firmly refuse Dahlia—

When Dahlia grabbed his arm with a sparkle in her eyes more dazzling than ever.

"I promise I'll do a great job."