Chapter 13: First Night

Linnon and Harry's first night of marriage was very different. When she marries Linnon, Claudia really does it full of love. However, for now, did the first night really happen even though they still don't love each other? 

Expectations differ greatly from reality. Harry decided not to use up all his energy after carrying out the wedding ceremony which was quite tiring today. Slowly backing away while looking away. Likewise, Claudia could breathe a sigh of relief because Harry still understood a little about her feelings of not wanting to do it in the first place. 

"Tomorrow I want to go to the hunting ground. "I want to rest today," said Harry as he lay down next to Claudia. 

Claudia was still silent as she squeezed the blanket tightly. This stupid behavior actually seemed to Harry to be the butt of a joke to be ridiculed to the extreme. 

"Why are you silent? Shouldn't you be glad I didn't do it?"

Finally, Claudia dared to turn her head to look at her handsome husband. "Thank You."

"That is it? You're usually very talkative." Harry laughed derisively. 

"It turns out you are indeed a gentleman. I thought you were the type of guy who liked to satisfy your desire to defame random women in bars."

"If I really did, why would I marry you? I cannot marry a woman if my hands have been used to tarnish another woman." Harry held out both palms. 

Seeing that Harry's attitude so far had not shown a cruel side, Claudia was a little curious whether Harry was actually acting in front of her or not. Especially when it comes to playing with women, Claudia still doesn't believe it one hundred percent. Considering that in a few days, Alice will mysteriously disappear according to the novel's storyline. 

"You forgot that I am a man who is very indifferent to anyone? If you tell me to play in a bar or club, it's just a waste of my time!" added Harry, looking away shakily. 

"By the way, who do you want to go hunting with tomorrow? Can I come along?" Claudia cooed with a cute wink. 

"Usually I go with the ministers. But, since you're coming along, should I kick them out?"

Claudia shook her head quickly. "No need. I'm comfortable hunting with them."

"Okay. If for example you are not comfortable, you can go home first tomorrow. Usually I go hunting for half a day."

Talking about hunting, Claudia is still curious about the reason why Harry likes hunting. Even though the game was a very cruel game for him. Even Claudia holding a gun was scared, let alone being told to kill an innocent animal. Can she change Harry's attitude so that he doesn't like hunting animals? 

"Actually, I'm still curious. Why do you like hunting?"

Harry let out a weak breath. "Just to fill my free time on holidays."

"So … you'd rather hunt than ask me out?"

Harry's gaze grinned at his wife. "Tomorrow I'm going to ask you out on a date. If you marry me, you must also be good at hunting."

"But, this is not the date I want, Harry."

With a look full of teasing, Harry touched his nose to his wife's. "You forgot the rules of our marriage contract? Should I give you a punishment now?"

*****

What could be done, Claudia was forced to comply with Harry's wishes to go hunting rather than have her life lost so quickly just because of a small problem. Learning to do things she hated made her very miserable. Even though he hasn't left for the hunting grounds, it feels like it's hard for his two feet to step out of this house. Even though she wasn't in a very good mood since waking up, she still had to carry out her role as a wife. She cooked breakfast for the two of them with a variety of foods. 

While Harry was tasting one of the menus, what was on Claudia's mind now was wanting to put sleeping pills in all the food on the table, so that Harry couldn't take her out hunting. Even in her heart she continued to curse Harry to immediately disappear from this world. 

"Why aren't you eating?" Harry asked while looking sharply at his wife's suspicious movements. 

"I was just about to eat!" said Claudia in a curt tone as she took the spoon. 

Harry put the spoon and fork on the plate for a moment, then folded his hands. "You don't put poison in food, right?"

Claudia widened her eyes as she grabbed her husband's plate. "It's nice of you to carelessly accuse me as if I were a murderer! Then you can't eat!"

A sinister smile appeared on the duke's handsome face. He pulled the plate again, then used his right hand as a wall so that his wife wouldn't snatch the plate. 

"I'm just testing you, but you're already angry."

"Sir duke, let me get this straight! I have never killed, neither animals or humans. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't do it by poisoning your food!"

His wife's current behavior managed to make him laugh a little. Claudia was surprised to see this cruel duke finally able to laugh in front of her, even though he had always been fierce. Should she change her method to make Harry laugh more easily? 

"Thank you for being honest as you are, Miss Claudia. Today my mood is quite good because you cooked a very delicious breakfast for me. Even the food tastes like the food at my residence or in the palace." Harry raised his right eyebrow. "Who did you learn from?"

What is this? Why was Harry suddenly asking questions related to his personal life? Just being asked such an easy question, Claudia was starting to get nervous. 

"Because I've always been good at cooking."

"Is it true? But, said Harris, you are usually lazy about learning to cook at home. Is it true that you taught yourself to cook? Didn't you learn from Harris or other men?"