Gold Coin and Freesia

It was planned, yet impulsive. Edwin admitted this to himself as he watched Cordelia sleep peacefully beside him, her smooth shoulder exposed in the morning light.

At first, he had planned to persuade Cordelia that one night together would be enough. But at some point, he had lost control. He moved beyond his plans, driven by his impulses.

“…Sigh.”

Edwin covered his face with his free hand, letting out a small sigh. Had he been alone for too long?

But it was done, and there was no going back. Removing his hand, Edwin gazed at the sleeping Cordelia. He carefully slid his arm out from under her head.

“…Mmm.”

Cordelia stirred slightly, frowning in her sleep, but did not wake up. Edwin rotated his stiff shoulder and got out of bed. He dressed quickly and opened the door to the bedroom.

“Greetings are unnecessary.”

The guards, startled by Edwin’s unexpected appearance, stiffened. They knew Cordelia was married, but seeing her husband in person was still unfamiliar.

“We greet the Princess’s husband.”

“Mrs. Lament.”

“Why are you up so early? And the Princess?”

Edwin couldn’t leave Cordelia alone in the palace. He intended to take a walk to clear his mind, but many people were already entering his view.

“I was thinking of taking a walk. The Princess is still asleep, so there’s no need to wake her.”

Upon hearing about Cordelia, Mrs. Lament’s face softened. It seemed she was still adjusting to the fact that the girl she had raised like a daughter was now married and had spent the night with her husband.

“I’ll have the servants prepare a bath for you.”

Mrs. Lament’s insistence that he not wander around the palace looking disheveled restrained Edwin. She was strict and could not tolerate anything she considered improper. Having her around would certainly be exhausting.

“…Very well.”

I must find a way to keep her away from Cordelia, Edwin thought, forcing a polite smile.

***

Cordelia woke up after Edwin had already left the bedroom.

She wasn’t usually an early riser, but it was rare for her to sleep this late. However, she had spent her first night with her husband, and not even Mrs. Lament would dare to enter uninvited.

“How long have I slept…”

Cordelia sat up, thinking to call for someone to help her dress and bring some food. 

“…”

But as the blanket slipped down, revealing her body covered in reddish marks, she silently screamed. Quickly pulling the blanket back up, she reconsidered her plan. No matter how accustomed she was to being attended to, she couldn’t let anyone see her like this.

I begged him to stop, but he didn’t listen. It seems he used my body as a canvas, she thought, her breath hitching with indignation.

“Did he leave without me?”

She glanced around, but Edwin was nowhere to be seen. Annoyance and embarrassment mingled in her chest.

How could he leave me here alone after our wedding night? How inconsiderate! She fumed, thinking about the previous night’s events.

“Are you awake?”

At that moment, Edwin appeared in the doorway. Fully dressed and looking immaculate, he was a stark contrast to Cordelia, who was still wrapped in the bedcovers. Her face turned redder.

“You were quite restless last night, but you left me alone this morning!”

Her indignation burst forth. She felt like she had been the only one thoroughly exhausted by the night.

“I thought you might need to rest after last night, so I let you sleep in.”

“Your words are smooth. So you do know you tormented me?”

“I went for a walk and ran into Mrs. Lament, who insisted I take a bath.”

Hearing Mrs. Lament’s name, Cordelia sighed. Knowing the woman, she could imagine how Edwin might have been caught up in her routines. She couldn’t stay angry.

“Are you looking for your clothes?”

Edwin noticed Cordelia searching around. Her nightgown lay discarded nearby, resembling the wings of a fallen moth. He picked it up and handed it to her.

“Thank you.”

Cordelia accepted it, embarrassed.

“…?”

They stared at each other, both puzzled for different reasons. Cordelia broke the silence first.

“Could you… look away?”

Stuttering like an idiot! Her face burned with embarrassment.

“Oh.”

Edwin’s brief exclamation seemed to suggest that he hadn’t even considered the request. His indifferent response carried an undertone of acknowledgment.

“I didn’t think of that. My apologies.”

Edwin turned away, and Cordelia quickly slipped into her nightgown. She was clumsy, unused to dressing herself without help.

Meanwhile, Edwin drew back the curtains, flooding the room with light. Cordelia stole glances at him, feeling more composed once she was dressed.

“All done.”

She watched him, relieved that he had patiently waited without turning around. When Edwin finally turned, he froze, looking stunned.

“What’s wrong?”

Cordelia’s confused question came out before she could stop it.

“…Nothing.”

Edwin closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before responding. He removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“I will call the maids.”

He hurried to pull the bell cord, summoning Mrs. Lament and the maids into the room.

***

Does she really not know?

Edwin wondered, glancing back at where Cordelia had stood.

“What’s wrong?”

Her thin nightgown was so transparent in the sunlight that her entire figure was visible, just as he had seen it last night.

Instead of pointing this out, Edwin covered her with his jacket. He feared that mentioning it would embarrass her.

It should be fine. Surely, she won’t always be this unguarded.

His worries about the future dispersed like dust in the sunlit room.