Chapter 66: A Pillow War and a Heart Laid Bare

The warmth of Theodore's lips still lingered on hers as they pulled apart, breath mingling in the soft glow of candlelight. Verbena's mind was a swirl of conflicting thoughts — the plan, her fake amnesia, her desire to escape — but none of it could overpower the undeniable truth sitting right in front of her.

She liked him.

Dangerously so.

"Are you going to stare at me all night?" Theodore's teasing voice broke through her haze, his hand brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

"Maybe I will," she shot back, refusing to let him have the upper hand. "Your face isn't that bad to look at."

"Oh? High praise from my fake-amnesiac wife." His lips curled into a wicked smile. "Should I be flattered?"

"Suit yourself." She folded her arms, trying to appear unbothered, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her.

Theodore leaned back onto the bed, propping himself up with one arm, his shirt still half-unbuttoned. "Since we're being so honest tonight, should I tell you something too?"

"Go ahead." Verbena's curiosity sparked, though her heart beat just a little faster.

"I like it when you argue with me." His smile turned almost fond. "It's strangely charming."

"Charming? You're insane."

"Possibly." He shrugged. "But if I wanted a meek, obedient duchess, I would've married someone else."

Verbena rolled her eyes, but her lips tugged upward despite herself. "You're stuck with me now, Duke. Poor you."

"Poor me indeed." Theodore suddenly grabbed a pillow, tossing it at her head without warning.

"HEY!" Verbena shrieked, grabbing the pillow before it could completely ruin her hair. "What was that for?"

"For being impossible." His eyes sparkled with rare mischief. "Consider it revenge for every time you drove me mad."

"Oh, you wanna play?" She narrowed her eyes, grabbing another pillow and launching it at him.

The bedroom erupted into a full-blown pillow war — feathers flying, laughter echoing off the walls, and all the heavy tension from earlier dissolving into playful chaos. Verbena tackled him at one point, straddling his waist as she mercilessly whacked him with a pillow, only for Theodore to flip her over and pin her beneath him, both of them breathless with laughter.

Somewhere between the playful wrestling and uncontrollable giggles, the moment shifted.

Theodore's weight pressed against her in a way that felt… far too intimate. His hands braced on either side of her head, eyes flickering down to her lips once again. Verbena's laughter faded, replaced by a nervous excitement she couldn't hide.

"Careful, wife," Theodore's voice dropped lower, "you keep climbing on top of me like that, and I might start thinking you like me."

"Who says I don't?" The words tumbled out before she could stop them.

Silence stretched between them, her heart hammering against her ribs. Theodore's smirk softened into something gentler — something dangerously close to affection.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I won't be able to stop myself," he warned.

"Maybe I don't want you to stop," she whispered back, her fingers curling into his shirt.

Theodore's lips crashed down onto hers, no longer gentle or hesitant. This kiss was deeper, hungrier — the kind that left no room for doubts or denials. Verbena's hands slid up to his neck, pulling him closer, her own desire surprising her.

But then, just as things were heating up, a loud knock echoed at the door.

"Duke Theodore! Duchess Verbena! The carriage for tomorrow's royal luncheon has been prepared!"

Theodore groaned against her lips, muttering curses under his breath. Verbena couldn't help but laugh, pushing him off her gently. "Duty calls, my dear husband."

"Damn duty," he muttered, sitting up with clear reluctance. "It's always the worst timing."

"You'll survive." She smoothed her dress, cheeks still warm from everything that had just unfolded. "We have a royal luncheon to attend — and you know the nobles will be watching our every move."

"Let them watch." Theodore's eyes darkened slightly as they traveled over her still-flushed face. "I want them to know exactly who my wife belongs to."

Verbena's heart skipped a beat, but instead of swooning, she flashed him a wicked smile. "Oh? And who do you belong to, Duke?"

Theodore leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "Take a wild guess, my little troublemaker."

And just like that, the war between love, pride, and fate continued — only this time, Verbena wasn't entirely sure which side she wanted to win.

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To be continued...