Chapter 33: Secrets Behind Locked Doors

Verbena couldn't sleep that night.

She tossed and turned, her cheeks still hot from Theodore's shameless teasing and those kisses that had left her head spinning. Every time she closed her eyes, she could still feel the ghost of his lips on her neck.

"This isn't fair," she muttered into her pillow, hugging it tightly. "He's supposed to be cold and distant! A villain! Not… not some ridiculously attractive tease who knows exactly how to fluster me."

She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling.

Her plan had been so simple — fake amnesia, push for divorce, secure her freedom, and live a quiet life somewhere far away from political plots and dangerous men. But now? Now her villain husband was acting like a male lead in a swoony romance novel, and worst of all…

She liked it.

"Ugh!" She sat up abruptly, her frustration bubbling over. "Focus, Verbena! You can't get distracted just because he knows how to kiss!"

Determined to clear her head, she grabbed her shawl and decided to take a walk through the manor. A little fresh air would definitely help. Maybe. Hopefully.

The halls were quiet, bathed in soft moonlight streaming through the tall windows. Most of the servants were asleep, and even the guards seemed to be dozing off at their posts.

As she wandered, Verbena found herself near the east wing — a part of the house she had never really explored before. It was mostly used for storage, or so the head maid had told her. But tonight, a faint flicker of light glowed beneath one of the doors.

Curiosity prickled at her spine.

Should she ignore it? Probably.

Did she turn the knob anyway? Absolutely.

The door creaked open, revealing a small study — bookshelves lined the walls, and papers were scattered across a large desk. But what caught Verbena's eye was the half-open drawer stuffed with letters.

She stepped inside, her fingers itching with temptation. "Just a peek," she whispered.

The first letter she pulled out was addressed to Theodore. The handwriting was unfamiliar, elegant but hurried, like someone had written in a rush.

'The situation with the Crown Prince has grown complicated. If you still intend to proceed with the plan, we need to act before the Duchess discovers too much.'

Verbena froze.

What plan?

Her heart pounded louder with each letter she skimmed. There were mentions of "keeping her under control," "managing rumors," and even one ominous line:

'If necessary, eliminate the obstacle.'

Her blood ran cold.

"Am I… the obstacle?" she whispered.

Suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder.

She shrieked, spinning around, only to come face-to-face with Theodore himself. His expression was unreadable — somewhere between amusement and warning.

"Midnight snooping, my dear wife?"

Verbena's heart threatened to burst right out of her chest. "I-I was just walking around! I couldn't sleep and—"

"And you ended up in my private study?"

She swallowed hard. "It's not marked private!"

Theodore leaned against the desk, arms crossed, watching her with that infuriatingly calm smile. "What exactly were you looking for, hmm? Love letters? Secret affairs?"

"Maybe!" she snapped, trying to regain some footing. "Or maybe I just wanted to know what my mysterious villain husband does after dark."

His smile widened. "And? What have you learned?"

"That you're hiding something."

Theodore's gaze darkened just a fraction, but his voice remained playful. "Everyone hides something, Verbena. Including you."

Her stomach twisted. He wasn't wrong. After all, she was the one faking amnesia, manipulating her way to freedom.

But right now, her secrets didn't seem nearly as dangerous as whatever was in those letters.

"What's this 'plan' you're working on?" she asked boldly.

Theodore stepped closer, his fingers tracing a lazy line down her arm. "Curiosity can be dangerous, my love."

"Stop dodging the question!"

His hand slid to her waist, pulling her flush against him. "If you're so interested in what I do after dark," he murmured, "why don't I show you?"

Her brain short-circuited. "W-What—"

He leaned down, lips brushing against her ear. "I work very hard to protect what's mine. Including you."

Verbena's heart skipped wildly. "That doesn't answer anything!"

Theodore chuckled softly. "Maybe I'll tell you the truth… if you ask nicely."

She glared up at him, ignoring how annoyingly handsome he looked under the moonlight. "I'm not playing this game."

"Oh, but you already are."

Before she could respond, Theodore's lips captured hers once again, slower this time, coaxing rather than claiming. His hands slid up her back, drawing her even closer until there was no space left between them.

Verbena knew she should pull away — demand answers, accuse him, remind herself this was all temporary — but her body betrayed her completely.

When they finally broke apart, her lips were swollen, her breath shaky.

"You're distracting me," she accused softly.

"Good." Theodore's fingers traced the curve of her jaw. "Because if you dig too deep into secrets you're not ready for, you might not like what you find."

His words sent a shiver down her spine.

Was that a threat… or a warning?

Before she could decide, Theodore brushed one last kiss against her forehead and stepped back. "Go back to bed, little wife. Sweet dreams."

He left her standing there, heart pounding, mind spinning, and desire burning in her veins.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Verbena whispered to herself, "What in the world have I gotten myself into?"

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End of the chapter