Lina woke up alone. Though, she'd hardly call it solace. When she opened her eyes and decided to rise out of bed, making the slightest creak on the floor, there came a curt knocking on the doorway.

  Lina was startled when she let the people in and a group of handmaidens were at her beck and call.

  Lina had this treatment in Teran, but the entourage in Ritan was even bigger. In the front, she saw the three maidservants that came with her to Ritan. She was told that they were orphaned, had no family, nor any specific ties to Teran, therefore, the only people who accompanied her.

  "Good morning," Lina slowly said.

  Lina hugged the blankets tight to her chest.

  "Good morning, Princess!" Ritan's handmaidens declared in unison, their voices enough to shake the walls. They lowered their bodies first, and then, their foreheads met the ground.

  Lina froze. She wasn't used to this extreme treatment, even in Teran. Her breath was caught in her throat. They were so polite to her, she was surprised.

  "Where is the Seventh Prince?" Lina asked.

  "Answering the Princess' question, the Seventh Prince has departed early in the morning!" One of the handmaidens enthusiastically stated.

  Lina's eardrums popped at how loud her voice was. She was certain her ears would bleed by the end of today.

  "Rise. There's no need to scream," Lina warily said. "Please prepare the bath and dress me."

  "Yes, Princess, we will perform as commanded!"

  The handmaidens got to their feet, but kept their hands and head tucked low. They didn't look up, not even once.

  Lina realized the training in Ritan must be highly disciplined. These handmaidens looked like they were willing to go to hell and back for her. And she just met them!

  Lina was always mindful of her servants. Sometimes, her maidservants in Teran would randomly be replaced. She knew it was one of the Empress' schemes. Lina was worried the same would happen here.

  "The scent I'd like for the bath is—" Lina paused.

  Lina didn't know what Kade liked.

  "Shall we prepare what young ladies favor, Princess?" One of Ritan's handmaidens politely asked.

  Lina let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, please."

  "Right away, Princess…" The handmaiden raised her head, but her eyes instantly dropped to the floor.

  Lina's face grew warm when she saw a blush rise to the handmaiden's ears. She touched her neck and chest, realizing Kade's mark hadn't faded yet. He imprinted them just a few hours ago. Additionally, she was still wearing his clothes.

  Dear God, what were these people going to think of her now?——

  When Lina was bathed, dried off, and dressed, Kade suddenly returned. She had just risen from her chair when the doors slammed open. She jumped at the sound and spun to his direction.

  Kade walked in all his glory. His body glowed with health and stamina. A large sword was strapped to his waist belt and he strolled like he owned the entire empire.

  When his eyes met hers, she was as stiff as a tree.

  "My lord husband…" Lina trailed off.

  Kade narrowed his eyes. He seemed pissed off, bright and early in the morning.

  Lina noticed his hair was tousled and his clothes were loose. Her feet grew cold with fear. She swallowed hard. Where did he come from…?

  "Leave us," Kade snarled.

  Quickly, the handmaidens dispersed out the door, fleeing for their lives. They had sensed that the atmosphere had become tense. To intervene meant a life or death situation.

  "Where were you?" Lina hesitatingly asked.

  Lina wired her fingers together in hope of calming her nerves. Was she not supple enough? Did she not please him enough last night that he had to get it from another woman? They had only been married for three days and two nights!

  A mistress… already?

  "Exercising," Kade curtly said.

  With a woman? Lina could not ask.

  The conversation ended there.

  Lina dug her nails into her palms. Did she have the right to be angry? In this era, men were allowed to marry many women so long as he could support them.

  If a wife had a problem with it, she'd be thrown out of the house. Not even her blood family would take her back, for she would have brought dishonor to their name.

  Suddenly, Kade began to approach her.

  "If you've returned from exercising in bed with another woman… or man, please don't show up with evidence of it!" Lina blurted out.

  Kade came to a stop. What did she just say?

  Lina raised her head and shot him a glare. "I don't want to see evidence of the affair."

  Lina bit on her bottom lip. Even her Father had the decency to look like he was refreshed after sleeping with the Empress or First Concubine. He never looked like he had just slept with them when he visited the Second Concubine's Palace.

  "Affair?" Kade sharply said.

  "Affair," Lina affirmed with a nod.

  "With a man?" Kade insisted.

  "With a man," Lina agreed.

  "Hah…" Kade let out a sigh.

  Without warning, he yanked her close. She was startled and he glared down at her. Her eyes grew as large as the moon in Teran.

  Kade could see hatred and haughtiness reflecting from them. She had long lashes, he just realized.

  "Do I seem like the kind of man to—" Kade sharply cut himself off.

  Kade pinched the spot between his brows and let out another sigh.

  "There's so many wrong things in your statement," Kade asserted.

  Lina's shoulders dropped. "Woman, man, a-a-and a-animals—"

  "Lina," Kade growled.

  "I just heard there were people who did it with animals, and I didn't want to think you did it with them too, but if you did t-then please don't touch me. I also don't want you to uhm, do it with me after you—"

  "Lina!" Kade hissed.

  Lina frowned to the ground.

  "You're damn lucky I find it cute," Kade seethed, gripping her upper arm in disapproval.

  "Firstly, I don't have anyone on the side. Woman. Man. Animal. Secondly, I only have a preference for you. Thirdly, it's husband, not Lord Husband," Kade demanded, his tone hardening.

  Lina felt like a mountain was lifted off of her shoulders. "Oh…"

  "Lastly," Kade poked her hard on the forehead.

  "Ow!" Lina's head flew back at his rough action.

  "It's normal soldier exercises," Kade concluded.

  "Oh…"

  "Oh," Kade mocked her in a girly voice.

  Lina shoved his hand away, scowling to the ground. She felt like a fool. She was used to her father's antics, that she thought he'd do the same.

  "Then why don't you smell?" Lina asked.

  "Pft."

  Kade shook his head in amusement. She was astonishingly adorable. Did she know that? She must have. He observed her and saw the oblivion written all over her face. God. He just wanted to corrupt her.

  "I bathed before coming here. I didn't think you'd wake up this early," Kade stated, dropping his hand.

  Lina missed the warmth his touch provided, but didn't dare to voice it. She didn't want to be clingy.

  "Have you eaten?" Kade remarked.

  Kade recalled how frail she felt in his arms. She was as tiny as a baby deer. It was heartbreaking.

  Kade wanted to be careful with her, for she looked like she'd shatter any time. But when he entered her, he lost control. He found it difficult to compose himself inside of her. She'd squeeze him tightly, her breathy moan in his ears, and her hands on his shoulders.

  Great.

  Now he was hard.

  "I haven't eaten yet," Lina admitted.

  'Good. Let me eat you.' Kade dryly thought to himself.

  Kade scrutinized his naive wife. Even though Lina was in new clothes, not much could hide his marks. It went all the way below her jawline. No high collar could hide his possessiveness.

  "And how does your body feel?" Kade asked, grabbing her waist and pulling her close.

  Lina was shocked by his action. Her hands landed on his chest.

  "Sore."

  "Unfortunately," Kade deadpanned.

  Kade bent his head, almost like he was going to kiss her. Then, he stopped and pulled back.

  Lina's shoulders fell. Did her breath stink? She already washed her mouth thoroughly and had morning tea to sweeten the scent.

  "Let's get you fed then," Kade declared. "Afterwards, I'll take you on a tour of the palace grounds."

  Lina gasped with joy. A tour? She rapidly nodded her head, excitedly tugging his collar. She grinned up at him.

  "Then let's eat now!" Lina chirped, urging him to call the handmaidens.

  Kade's lips twitched at her excitement. He held back a smile, grabbed her hands and nodded. When she was happy, she was like a child.

  "Alright then," Kade promised. "Now, stop pulling, my wife."

  "Hurry then, my husband!"