Chapter 32: Behind Closed Doors

The heavy silence lingered long after Lance had left the manor.

Verbena's hands trembled slightly as she set her teacup down, the porcelain clinking faintly against the saucer. Theodore hadn't moved from his spot beside her, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the dining table.

The air felt… charged.

She peeked up at him through her lashes, only to find him already watching her. His gaze burned with something far more dangerous than jealousy — it was possessiveness, pure and unfiltered, like a predator sizing up his most precious prey.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked, her voice too light, too fragile.

"Just thinking," Theodore said, voice low. "About how my dear wife seems to attract trouble like a flame attracts moths."

She forced a smile. "It's not my fault every man in this kingdom has questionable taste."

He didn't laugh. Instead, Theodore stepped closer, his gloved fingers brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Verbena froze under his touch.

"You handled him well," Theodore said softly, his thumb trailing lightly down her jawline. "But next time, you don't have to be so polite."

Verbena's heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

"W-What do you mean?"

Theodore leaned down until their noses nearly touched, his breath warm against her skin. "If the prince comes sniffing around my wife again, I won't need words to handle him."

She swallowed hard. This man — her villain husband — was terrifying when he was calm. But when his emotions slipped through the cracks, like they were doing now, it was something else entirely.

Dangerous. Seductive. Addictive.

"And here I thought you didn't care about me," she whispered, trying to lighten the mood.

Theodore's eyes darkened, his fingers sliding down to her wrist, circling it gently but firmly. "Who said that?"

"You," she blurted. "You're always cold and sarcastic, and—"

Before she could finish, Theodore pulled her closer, until her hands were pressed against his chest and their bodies almost touched. "And yet you're still falling for me, aren't you?"

Verbena's breath hitched. "N-No!"

Theodore smirked. "Liar."

Her cheeks flamed. "I am not—"

He cut her off with a kiss.

It wasn't gentle or sweet. It was a claiming. His hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head back to deepen the kiss, his lips moving against hers with an urgency that made her knees weak.

Verbena's fingers curled into the front of his coat, clinging to him for balance. Her mind screamed at her to push him away — this wasn't part of the plan — but her body melted against him instead.

When he finally pulled back, they were both breathless.

"Why did you do that?" she whispered, her voice shaking.

"Because you're mine," Theodore said simply. "And I'm tired of pretending otherwise."

Her heart skipped a beat. "You… you like me?"

His smile was slow, wicked, and devastatingly handsome. "What do you think, my troublesome wife?"

Verbena shoved at his chest, though it was more for show than actual resistance. "This isn't fair! You can't just kiss me to win an argument!"

"Why not?" His eyes sparkled with amusement. "It's effective."

She huffed, stepping back to create some distance, even though her skin still tingled where he touched her. "You're impossible."

"And you're irresistible."

Her face burned so hot she was surprised her hair didn't catch fire. "Stop flirting with me!"

"Make me."

This man was going to drive her insane.

Before she could come up with a witty retort, the head maid suddenly appeared at the doorway, her eyes wide with barely-contained excitement.

"Pardon me, Your Grace, Your Ladyship," the maid curtsied, though her gaze flickered between them suspiciously. "There's news from the palace."

"More trouble?" Theodore muttered, his arm casually sliding around Verbena's waist, as if he had no intention of letting her go anytime soon.

The maid bit her lip, clearly trying not to grin. "It seems… there are rumors spreading. About the Duke and Duchess having a rather passionate marriage."

Verbena's soul nearly left her body.

"What?!"

The maid nodded eagerly. "It's said the Duchess is so enamored with her husband that she refuses to leave his side. And that the Duke has become a doting husband who can't bear to see his wife cry."

Theodore's smile was positively wicked. "Interesting."

"Please tell me you didn't start these rumors," Verbena groaned, covering her face with both hands.

"Of course not." Theodore's voice was pure innocence. "But I'm not exactly in a rush to correct them either."

Verbena peeked at him through her fingers. "Why?"

He leaned down, whispering against her ear, "Because I like the idea of everyone knowing you're mine."

Her knees gave out, and only his arm around her waist kept her standing.

The head maid clapped her hands happily. "Ah, young love! So beautiful!"

"We're not that kind of couple!" Verbena yelled, but no one was listening.

Not the head maid, who had already scurried off to spread more embarrassing rumors.

Not Theodore, whose lips were already trailing down her neck, teasing her skin with gentle kisses that made her toes curl.

And certainly not her own heart, which was betraying her with every beat.

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End of chapter