Gold Coin and Freesia

“Are you angry with me now?” Cordelia asked, her voice trembling.

“It’s not like that…”

“We should have discussed it.” That fact made Cordelia furious.

“I’m your wife, and it’s only natural that we talk about such things.”

“It’s true that we should have. But…”

Edwin softened his tone, trying to match Cordelia’s mood before she continued.

“Then why didn’t you? It’s not like you didn’t have the time to tell me. Why did you decide the schedule without even mentioning it to me? I was really looking forward to the honeymoon!”

“Maybe you…”

Do you find it amusing that I feel like I was sold off?

The thought hit Cordelia suddenly. It was a deep-seated insecurity about her situation. No one had explicitly said she was sold off, but the reality of her being traded like an auction item to solve the royal family’s financial troubles and the Count of Neville’s slander was undeniable.

“You tend to be indifferent to things you don’t like, right? I guess that’s what I am to you?”

“Who told you that?”

“Hayley did.”

Cordelia mentioned Hayley’s name deliberately, knowing Edwin didn’t like her. Edwin let out a small laugh, recognizing Cordelia’s tactic.

“Your Highness.”

His low voice seeped into her ears. Cordelia, who had been brooding over negative thoughts, straightened her back and fixed her gaze on Edwin, trying to make her eyes look more intimidating. While her parents might have laughed off her glare, Edwin didn’t know her well enough to be so dismissive.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. It was thoughtless of me.”

Cordelia had been prepared for a fight, assuming Edwin had no intention of apologizing. His previous actions suggested as much. But now, his unexpected apology left her at a loss for words.

“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. It was wrong of me.”

The sudden apology threw her off balance. She had built up her anger, ready for a confrontation, only to have the rug pulled out from under her.

“So don’t make me angry by pretending to believe people you don’t trust.”

“I didn’t mean to belittle you, so please don’t think that.”

Edwin acknowledged his mistake and validated Cordelia’s anger, then reassured her that he understood her concerns.

“The most important thing for the royal family is the continuity and honor of the throne. Similarly, my primary concern is the Tride Corporation. The thought that Barton might threaten my position made me anxious.”

“But still…”

“Even if your marriage was one where you had to swallow your pride, it would harm your honor if your husband is seen as a fool who can’t protect his position.”

“What… what did you say?”

In her entire life, Cordelia had never heard such blunt language. She knew Edwin wasn’t a noble, but she hadn’t expected him to speak so directly.

“Are you cursing because you’re angry at me for questioning you?”

“No…”

Edwin paused, then sighed deeply.

“It means I’m desperate enough to not choose my words carefully, even in front of you.”

He was simply too agitated to watch his words. Understanding this, Cordelia could see his desperation.

“I understand your point. I can see how much the Tride Corporation means to you.”

Cordelia accepted Edwin’s explanation. It was possible to lose sight of things due to anxiety. Their marriage wasn’t one of love, so the honeymoon might not have seemed as important to him. Logically, she understood.

But what about my honeymoon? My plans to travel to Dostia? It was my chance to see beyond Rochester. It was something I had longed for recently!

“But still…”

Cordelia’s voice cracked as she felt her sense of injustice rising again. She understood Edwin’s reasoning, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being wronged.

“In six months, a cruise will be available. How about taking that to visit Dostia and other countries?”

Reading her distress, Edwin made a suggestion, moving closer and gently brushing away her stray hair. His low voice and tender gesture momentarily made Cordelia forget her tears.

“Are you serious?”

Edwin nodded earnestly.

“ That’s a promise…”

“Should I write it down?”

His offer to leave a written promise was reminiscent of his earlier suggestion to draw up a prenuptial agreement, indicating his sincerity.

Cordelia couldn’t hide her delight at his genuine promise and gave a small smile. Realizing they had been arguing, she tried to compose her expression.

Edwin, noticing her efforts, chuckled.

“I also postponed our departure by a day so I could show you around the capital tomorrow.”

“Really?”

This unexpected proposal brightened Cordelia’s mood. She had never been allowed to venture outside the palace alone before their marriage.

“If you feel this sorry…”

” ……”

“Then I suppose I can’t be too upset. But you have to promise this will be the last time.”

Cordelia replied in a tone suggesting she was reluctantly forgiving him, though she had already made up her mind to forgive.

“Of course.”

In reality, she had already forgiven Edwin. She exchanged the lost month-long honeymoon for the opportunity of a cruise in six months and a chance to explore the capital with her husband. There was no reason not to forgive him.

Cordelia couldn’t help but smile, trying to maintain her composure.

“Sharing the bedroom for a while is okay with you? It might be uncomfortable…”

Edwin finally brought up the topic he hadn’t been able to discuss due to the argument.

“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s fine.”

” ……Really?”

Edwin was surprised, almost disbelieving.

“I heard from Mrs. Lament that couples sometimes share a bedroom in common households.”

Cordelia truly didn’t mind. Given her current mood, she felt she could handle anything.

“Besides, it’s just for a short time.”

” ……If you say so.”

Edwin responded with a mixture of a smile and a grimace. His expression was so perplexed that Cordelia couldn’t help but laugh a little.

***

Nothing seems to go as planned.

Edwin thought as he watched his wife sleep, her arm draped over his chest.

“Are you comfortable?”

He had asked Cordelia as they were about to go to bed, hoping she would say she was uncomfortable and he could leave.

Royalty and nobility were typically raised apart from their parents, not used to sharing a bedroom. It was natural for her to be unaccustomed to it.

“I’m fine.”

But Cordelia, oblivious to his hopes, had assured him she was fine.

“Maybe I should sleep in the study…”

“This is your room. If someone should leave, it should be me. Do you want me to leave?”

“How could you leave? I can use the small bed in the study.”

Cordelia laughed and dismissed his suggestion. Edwin realized how oblivious his wife was to his discomfort.

If he outright said he was uncomfortable and wanted her to leave, she would probably cry or yell, and Aaron would come running in his pajamas…

“I’ll stay since you said you’re fine.”

The thought alone was exhausting. Edwin decided to stay in bed, resigning himself to the situation.

” ……”

He just hoped her skimpy nightgown wouldn’t touch him. He had no ill intentions, but Cordelia didn’t seem to realize the effect her nightgown had on him.

“Hah…”

Soon, Edwin found himself chuckling as Cordelia’s hand wandered across his chest. Instead of his wish being granted, her restless sleep habits were all over the bed.

After all, their first night together had been chaotic. It wasn’t entirely unexpected.

As he thought about this, Cordelia’s leg draped over his thigh. Her sleep was much rougher than he had expected.

Her slender leg pressing against his thigh was a bit much. Edwin closed his eyes tightly and pulled Cordelia close to stop her from tossing and turning. He gave up thinking about it.

Resignation it was.