It had been like they were perfectly in sync as both their orgasms came simultaneously. And he hadn't disappointed in the 'fill her up' department. Not that she had any idea how much ejaculate there should've been, as she had never experienced it before. Still, it felt like a lot.

It hadn't been unpleasant. She sort of liked the feeling, but it had been quite messy. As he had withdrawn from her and pulled her close once more, it had jostled some of it out of her, leaving her thighs feeling moist and sticky. Of course, some of that was also her virginal blood.

Then he said the words she couldn't actually believe... he loved her? He didn't even know her, but she felt an unbelievable closeness to him. "I love you, too..." she replied quietly, knowing damn well she had no idea if this was 'love' or not. It was most likely an emotional response to orgasm, but maybe that was what love was.

There was something about the post-coital closeness that just filled her with more of that bubbling-over emotion. She felt a tear slip out of her eye, unwelcomed, and she quickly brushed it away. Still catching her breath, she whispered, "it really was quite amazing... I've never... experienced something like that before..."

Another tear slipped down her cheek, and she tried to wipe it too before he noticed. He'd think she was insane! Crying because they'd made love! However, it had stirred up so much inside of her she couldn't put into words, and it was certainly the closest thing to love she'd ever experienced. She just wanted to climb inside him, in his warmth and protection, and stay there.

His job was done for now. In their embrace, he let his face drop to the stoney neutral that reflected how he now felt. He had filled her with his seed and hopefully that was all it took. Otherwise it would be night after night of the same until they discovered she was with child.

He felt a fool for saying that he loved her, but at the moment, it felt right, as if that was what he needed to say. From his readings and experiences, girls often liked to have things like love brought up after intercourse. It made the act seem personal and reassured them that giving their virtue was the correct decision. Her repeating back of the statement sounded unsure, but that did not phase him. The more she said to herself she loved him, the more it would become a reality. A self actualising prophecy.

He could hear her getting emotional in the embrace and stroked her back comfortingly. Marcello almost felt bad for what had to come next, but now that there was a chance she was with child, he could take no further risks. He leaned back and tilted her head to face him before locking eyes and compelling her. "You will not run from me Natalia, no matter what you learn or hear about me or my family, you will not flee us." It was a simple precaution. If she had his child, he would have to explain the whole nature of what he was, and Natalia would not be allowed to escape. Even if she somehow found out before then, this ensured there would be no fleeing.

He broke the eye contact by leaning in for a kiss, a slow, passionate one. She would not remember what he had said, but should she try to leave, she would find herself unable to. He just hoped he had phrased it correctly enough that it didn't have any questionable side effects.

The room still had the lingering stench of the act they had performed, and there was plenty of physical evidence on the sheets of their exploits. There would be no question about their consummation, even if the cancellation of the bedding ceremony had begun certain rumours. The prince simply held her, as he did not need to sleep. The high from a fresh feed slowly edging off and his body and mind returning to a more level-headed state.

She slowly felt her body growing tired and drifted to sleep. Her eyes grew heavy, and safe in his arms, she let sleep claim her. Her dreams were a mixture of happy moments with her now husband, and a feeling that something was very, very wrong. She saw nothing out of the ordinary within the dream, but the feeling would come over her that something... something was wrong.

Watching her sleep was an unusual learning experience. He vaguely remembered how he used to truly sleep before transitioning completely. She just sort of laid there gently breathing and unmoving, as if she didn't realise she was vulnerable to pretty much anything. Normally when most slept, he would be at his most active: practicing new languages, painting, or the art of the sword, everything a Prince was expected to know. Tonight though—tonight his place was here beside her.

She awoke the next morning, still lying by her husband, her head on his shoulder, but he did not appear to be asleep any longer. He seemed to be simply waiting for her to wake. While it was odd, it was nice that he hadn't left her in the bed alone despite his waking before her.

"Good morning..." she smiled up at him, still in a sleepy haze. She wondered what the day would hold, what her life would hold. This was an entirely new adventure.
The room was still dark; the curtains blocking almost all the light that entered the room, but he could still see her in perfect detail. There was a glint in her green eyes that told him she was happy to be awake.

"Good morning," he said, unable to emulate the tiredness in her voice. He leaned forward to kiss her. "A kiss no longer seems as exciting after last night, does it?"

He traced a hand up and down her body soothingly. They wouldn't have that long until some plucky servant came knocking to take their sheets. For now, he just let her slowly wake up, not wanting to disturb the peacefulness of the morning just yet.

She shook her head no, but it didn't make it any less enjoyable. She could definitely get used to waking up next to someone. Now that it was morning, Natalia noticed how little light spilled into the room. Perhaps he was normally a late sleeper? He seemed very awake for that to be the case.

"So what does a day look like for you? I suppose I'll need to get into a brand new routine..." Not that they needed to spend every waking moment together, but most of the things she used to do, like studying, would not be as necessary anymore. Making her husband happy was now her number one priority. Whatever that comprised.

Her stomach growled. Perhaps that was her number two priority at the moment. She'd barely eaten the day before: too nervous before the wedding, and afterward, she only picked at her food. Now she was famished. They'd need to be dressed and out before long anyway, as someone would be by to collect the sheets.

He closed his eyes as her stomach growled. He, too, would have to adjust to a brand new routine. Sleeping with a wife in a bed, sitting down at 'meal times,' consuming human food, actually having to have conversations with visiting dignitaries rather than compelling them to remember a riveting and joyous few hours.

"A day for me..." he started as he rolled out of bed as spry as if he'd been awake for hours. "Typically, I dress myself, nice and comfortable clothing, have some food and enjoy some time in the morning sun. Then I'll allow my servants to prepare me for the afternoon whether that be official business, or just partaking in some of my hobbies." He pulled some loose-fitting shirts out of his wardrobe and dressed. It was hardly standard princely attire, but he was in his own home; and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to be comfortable. Well, he might be damned already if the church was anything to go by.

While he had his back to her, he pulled a vial out of a drawer and had a quick shot of cold blood. He knew it was risky having it in his room, let alone drinking it with her right behind him, but at the rate this marriage was going, she'd know before long. Her finding out would spare him hours of tedium if she knew what he truly was. Then again, it might just cause hours of hysteria.

She wasn't sure what he took out of the drawer, but he appeared to knock it back like a shot. Was it alcohol? Did he have a hangover? Or was it medicine? Was there some sort of health condition she was yet unaware of? She didn't pry. She simply wondered. If he wanted to tell her, he would. It was a man's prerogative to share what he wished, and it was her job as a wife to accept what he was and wasn't willing to.

Once dressed, Marcello sat down on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through her unkempt hair. She looked precious like that: sleep still in her eyes, dark hair tousled about. He was tempted to stay there beside her, but instead placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I'll call a handmaiden if you'd like to dress, and I'm sure the cook will have prepared a variety of foods for us to eat. I trust you also have some activities you enjoy? Something to help fill our free time together?"

Natalia nodded, getting out of bed and wrapping the dressing gown around her tightly. "Of course I have hobbies. I enjoy horseback riding. I love gardens... walking through them, helping tend them, gathering flowers to brighten up my room...." she assumed that would be fairly droll for a man though.

"Reading is a decent pastime..." it wouldn't be at the top of her list, but it made the days go by faster. "Though I'm sure getting to know my husband will occupy a good bit of my time in the near future," she added with a smile. "What do you enjoy?"

She thumbed through the wardrobe, choosing a dress for the day that a handmaiden could help her slip into and properly lace. She had more than a dozen to choose from. So the decision was harder than one might imagine.

He watched her from the bed as she perused the selection of dresses. For a human she was exquisite, and it intrigued him to see if she choose to change what subtleties could even be improved by the process. The quick fix of blood was taking effect, and he felt himself relaxing, less frustrated with her already.

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Pulling her into him and kissing her neck. "What do I enjoy?" He nuzzled her for a moment, a wide grin stretching across his face. "I believe I enjoy my bride." He nipped at her ear then continued, "but I also enjoy a good bit of sport, horseback riding and hunting. As a Prince I have to train in the art of combat. Oh! And painting of course. I've painted a few of the pictures you might see around the palace."

He could feel her pulse quicken as he held her. It was exhilarating to feel beneath his fingers. Something living that could bolt at any moment—warm and full of life. It took a good deal of self-control not to toy with her. Her obedience was less thrilling for him. He hoped in time she could become more herself.

Marcello released his grasp, as he could hear someone approaching. He was eager to see which of the staff were chosen. He knew most of them, whether impures, aspirers or the compelled.

"You paint?" She asked, intrigued. "I was taught to draw, but unfortunately it is not my strongest skill. I play music, well piano, and I sing..." she heard the servants approaching as well and stepped away from the bureau with a deep blue dress in her arms. "I would love to see your paintings." She looked genuinely interested, not just feigning it to please him.

Before he could answer, there was a light rap on the door, and she looked back at her husband to see if he had any objection before calling, "come in." Two girls entered, both young: one had been the girl from the evening before who had helped her undress and ready herself for her husband. The other she didn't recognize. She knew neither by name yet.

The one she did not know went to the task immediately of collecting sheets and changing them. She had crisp, fresh linens in a basket in her arms and stripped the bed in no time, remaking it once she had completed her crucial task.

The one Natalia had met the night before smiled and approached her. "My lady, do you need assistance dressing this morning?" She asked with a polite curtsy.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I don't know your name yet..."

The other one gave a small nod. "Do you require anything else of me, my lord or my lady?" She asked, basket in hand, ready to depart as soon as she was dismissed.

He instantly recognised both Lucia and Giovanna. Lucia was an aspiring impure. She wanted to be changed, which would explain her particularly polite and helpful attitude. Perhaps she was hoping to gain Natalia's favour and then use her friendship to get herself turned. Giovanna was in a similar position, but he could straight away tell the feeling of jealousy she had towards Natalia. Both girls had volunteered for the position.

"That will be all Giovanna, if you could please inform the cook that we will take breakfast outside on the veranda?" Marcello waved her off, and she gave a short curtsy before exiting. He made a note to keep an eye on her, then turned back to the two ladies as they were undoing the laces of the chosen dress.

"Lucia, my lady. I've served this family for quite some time and am honoured to serve you too," the girl answered Natalia's earlier question before helping her step into the dress and lacing the corset, skilled hands making quick work of the entire ordeal.

"Lucia, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Natalia nodded. She was a beautiful young girl and very adept with her hands. She had to wonder how many of the maids he might've slept with before. The one who gathered their sheets seemed particularly unhappy with her. Perhaps she was one of them.