Chapter 4

While preparing for the night, I struggled to keep my drowsiness at bay.

The massage in the large bathtub was so blissful that it felt almost toxic to Raphina's tired body from the long journey.

Called multiple times to get ready, I headed towards the master bedroom.

Once alone, the tension finally overcame the drowsiness.

(Ah... my heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest.)

"The Poison Flower of the Capital" is a groundless rumor, and Raphina has had no such experiences.

In her previous life, she was so busy with work and daily life that she died without ever having a romantic relationship.

She had the knowledge, but when it came to the real thing, her heart felt like it was about to burst through her skin with tension.

Moreover, her husband, Berion, had that appearance.

(W-What should I do...)

Just as I was about to let my imagination run wild, I shook my head lightly.

I shouldn't be thinking about unnecessary things.

To clear my mind, I decided to look around the room.

As befitting a master bedroom, the bed was large and, of course, had a canopy.

The sheets were probably silk and neatly arranged like in a hotel.

I quickly averted my gaze from the two pillows that were placed side by side.

A lamp was placed on the amber side table.

It was one of the common magical tools in this world, which could be turned on and off with a slight infusion of magic. It could also be operated with a knob for those without magic.

The light was set to a dim level, so I turned the knob to increase it to the maximum.

It might have been for setting the mood, but a dim room wasn't good.

After that, I wandered around the room, observing the patterns on the curtains and gazing out the dark, invisible window.

The door leading to the hallway opened just as I had nothing left to look at and dove onto the bed.

"..."

"U-Uh..."

I hurriedly sat up, straightened my nightgown, and sat formally on the bed.

It was embarrassing to be caught in the act of diving onto the bed.

"Good evening..."

"..."

Berion, who entered the room, was still covered in cloth as he was during the ceremony, but he quickly removed it.

His cold-colored scales and red hair came into view.

Of course, the jewels and luxurious clothing he had worn, as well as the golden chains wrapped around his horns, were gone.

He was definitely more comfortable than during the ceremony, but it wasn't a nightgown.

It was clear he didn't come to sleep.

"May I ask one thing?"

"Y-Yes."

Berion's voice made me unconsciously straighten my posture.

Despite his reptilian appearance, his voice was no different from a human's, which felt strange.

"We are married, but we cannot share a bedroom. I came here just to tell you that."

"..."

Not sharing a bedroom.

When I finally understood the meaning, Raphina let out a deep breath.

It seemed all her worries and tensions had been for nothing.

In essence, it was a white marriage.

It was a common plot in web novels, so she knew about it.

The ceremony had felt like a mere formality, and Berion didn't seem to welcome Raphina.

He might have heard the rumors about "The Poison Flower of the Capital."

In a noble society that values bloodlines, he was probably wary of being impregnated by someone else.

(Well, that's normal, isn't it?)

It was more unusual for parents to marry off their biological daughter and leave a non-blood-related adopted daughter at home.

"I understand."

Still sitting formally, I bowed three fingers to show my understanding.

Then I got off the bed, passed by Berion, and left the master bedroom.

"Good night, my lord."

As I closed the door, I noticed his deep green eyes watching me.

Perhaps he was surprised that "The Poison Flower of the Capital" had quietly retreated.

(I don't care anymore...)

I returned to my own room and slipped into a smaller bed.

As my body sank into the soft bedding, I felt like I could never move again.

(I'm so tired... I want to sleep...)

I was enveloped by the clean scent of the bedding.

As I slowly let go of consciousness, I wondered if this was just a long dream before I died in the fire.

Maybe, if I fell asleep, I wouldn't wake up again.

*

To cut to the chase, Raphina slept soundly and woke up properly.

"Madam, are you awake?"

"...Good morning, I'm getting up..."

The voice belonged to Isty, the maid who had prepared me for bed last night.

The canopy curtains were gently opened.

Bright sunlight streamed into the bed, making Raphina blink.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Thanks to you. What time is it now?"

"It's almost time for lunch."

"...I overslept..."

I didn't remember closing the canopy curtains before bed.

Isty must have done it when she came in this morning.

Thanks to that, I wasn't woken up by the sun and was able to sleep until just before noon.

"You were tired from the long journey. It's your job to rest and recover, madam."

"It's a relief to hear that."

Additionally, I was grateful that Isty didn't mention the fact that I was supposed to be in the master bedroom but was sleeping alone in my own room.

I washed my face with the basin Isty had prepared.

After she helped me change, I had brunch in my room.

"Lord Berion said you should rest in your room today."

"Lord" referred to Berion.

He was also called "lord," "lord of the manor," "margrave," and "southern margrave."

By the way, Raphina had called Berion "my lord" last night.

Given that it was a white marriage and he was a high-ranking noble she had just met, it seemed appropriate.

"I appreciate your concern. I'll take it easy today, then."

"Please ring the bell if you need anything."

"Thank you."

Isty showed me the bell on the table next to the bed before leaving the room.

A warm southern breeze blew into the quiet room, gently swaying the curtains.

The sky was blue beyond the window.

As I sat and watched the clouds drift by, it felt like time was moving slowly.

(How long has it been since I could relax like this?)

In my previous life, I worked day and night to pay off my debts.

The time I spent locked in my room in this life, unable to do anything, didn't feel like a rest.

(I'm in trouble. I've forgotten how to spend my days off.)

Raphina got up from the sofa and decided to explore the room again.

This was the room prepared for her as her private quarters.

I looked through everything, from the drawers to the corners.

I found that there were not only everyday clothes and dresses but also shoes, hats, jewelry, and undergarments, all of which were well-prepared.

I sat at the dresser, where new cosmetics were lined up as if it were nothing.

Although I was the daughter of a marquis, the only things I brought were a wedding dress that didn't fit and a few changes of clothes.

I had come without a maid and with only the clothes on my back, so I was deeply moved by the consideration of the Argalord margrave family.

"How could a marquis family be like this..."

I sighed, looking at myself in the mirror of the dresser.

My loosely tied hair was a light flaxen color, almost golden. My half-lidded eyes were a clear sea blue, a mix of pity and bewilderment.

My nose was straight, and my eyebrows were well-shaped. My rosy lips were modest and small.

The eyelashes framing my almond-shaped eyes were so long that they seemed to make a sound with each blink.

My face was that of a slightly stern beauty, with upturned eyes.

Even without much makeup, she was undoubtedly considered beautiful by the standards of this world.

"I used to have more droopy eyes, I think."

The face in my memory was familiar, but in my previous life as a Japanese person, I had a more raccoon-like face.

Perhaps it was because the feeling of my previous life was still too strong that I wasn't used to the cat-like eyes.

The sense of discomfort I felt was quickly dispelled.