Lev had done it as quickly as possible. He had even packed his spare outfit, which he had put on just before entering the estate. He'd rarely gone to so much trouble to change his clothes! Nevertheless, it was worth it. For if his hair was disheveled by the ride, it was perfectly in tune with his wife's grooming.
She was beautiful, although that damn veil covered her face. Dressed in a long silver dress, heightened with purple, she had the size underlined by a thick belt color amethyst. A bustier discovered largely its shoulders, revealing the delicate cut of its throat. At his neck was the necklace that he had given her at noon, before leaving. A purple diamond set in silver. Lev couldn't help but smile. He had ordered it especially for her.
He wanted to kiss her.
But by then, a bunch of rats were between him and his wife.
Lowering his eyes to the three noble couples, he clearly saw the panic in them.
-Madam, he said, turning his gaze to the marquise's, I think you're too much to talk about divorce, since you're on your third husband.
The red rose to the cheeks of the impudent. But he was not finished with her.
-If there is someone who has neither the skills nor the presence necessary to judge my married life, it is you. Try to avoid being cuckolded by your husband, then we'll talk about it.
-Oh!
-As for you, countess, the last time you invited a singer to your house who stole all your jewels. You are not really the best judge of the quality of our guests. As for you...
He looked into the eyes of the third offender.
- Your lineage is so shabby that until now I have never heard of you. But don't worry, your name is now engraved in my memory.
Going around them, he nodded to the husbands of the ladies, before joining his wife. Taking her hand in his, he looked at the audience.
-Your Duke and Duchess honor you with their presence. Will you not greet them?
The implicit threat was clear.
In a beautiful display, each of the guests took a knee before the ducal couple. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tamir and Autem, who were watching the scene with suspicious impassivity. Ouch. If those two took their cues from his social behavior again, he was going to get a fight from their parents.
We are delighted to have you here for our bi-weekly ball, said the Duke. I'm sorry I was so late, he added for his wife, kissing her hand. But everything went well.
Flavia nodded her head.
-That's the bottom line, Lev.
Yes, well, he would have liked to have been there earlier, to avoid all this trouble. Nevertheless, his wife had handled the situation very well. In fact, the three wives were dismissed, while the husbands were invited to stay. The latter were relieved. Of course they were. They were the ones who managed the business, through their shrews.
Lev took the time to greet Dana, as well as the children who had witnessed the entire scene. He learned that Flavia had defended their nanny, for which they would be eternally grateful. He smiled. She had gained the complete confidence of the children. As for the nanny, she didn't know what to do to thank her.
The time of a small lull, he pulled gently on the end of the veil of his wife, the glance riveted to his through the fabric.
-Tell me... You could take it off.
-I already told you that I feel more comfortable with it.
-Yes, but it prevents me from kissing you.
He knew it, she blushed there under. A Machiavellian smile on his lips, he approached her.
-Not in public, she stammered.
-Why not? The purpose of this ball is to show if we have consummated our marriage, right?
He moved closer again, his hand slipping under her veil.
-We even started in a carriage.
-Lev...
Ah, that way of pronouncing her name... Placing himself between her and the crowd, he hid her from everyone's view while he lifted her veil to kiss her. She was already blushing. However, his kiss did not have for only intention to taste her lips. Taking advantage of her distraction, he removed her veil, which earned him a swear word against her mouth.
Chuckling as he stuffed the cloth into his jacket pocket, he noticed that the other Protectors had arrived. He owed it not to his powers of observation, but rather to his hearing. The thunderous "daddy" of Rainier's two boys, and Tamir's scream as he ran toward his mother, would have been heard even by a deaf person.
It was rare to see Vera and Cara so well dressed. Dressed in sparkling gowns, they were resplendent. Rainier and Eleazar were not to be outdone, but in a different style. The ball became more animated. The atmosphere became more relaxed. Smiling, Lev waved to the musicians who had come for the event.
When the music started, everyone was sure it was time for the first dance.
Hand in hand, the ducal couple walked into the middle of everyone. Flavia was anxious, especially without her veil. Nevertheless, Lev's assurance reassured her. Drawing her to him, an arm around his waist, his fingers intertwining with hers, they began a waltz under the gaze of the audience.
Flavia's dress was supposed to illustrate the state of their relationship. This was the heart of the communication of the two weeks ball. Nevertheless, the colors chosen, which were Lev's, made it more difficult to decipher. Usually, women wore either white to signify that they were still virgins or red to symbolize the passion of their union. By wearing the purple and silver of the Clypeus, Flavia had decided to position herself differently.
Because her relationship with her husband was not about anyone else but them.
But what she didn't know was that once the ball was over, the stakes were no longer the same. It was no longer a question of when they would divorce, or when he would repudiate her.
Now everyone was guessing about when the first Clypeus baby would arrive. What she also didn't know was that Eleazar was behind the first bet, made with Cara. Vera decided that she refused to bet on the fact that her beloved sister was going to be knocked up by that poor idiot Lev. Rainier decided that in nine months a toddler would prevent them from sleeping through the night, which made the nanny giggle.
In any case, everyone had a good evening. The nobles chatted quietly with Flavia and Lev. Some of the women ventured to talk about scars, which got Lev to say that he had more scars than his wife. Since no one believed him, he asked his wife what was the biggest one he had on him. Since the answer was right above his penis, she turned as red as a tomato when she realized what he had made her show on her body. This earned him a scolding from his wife, despite her husband's hilarity.
No one here had ever seen the Duke of Clypeus so cheerful. So happy.
And if his wife's scars were clearly visible, after the ball, no one talked about it anymore. The only topic of conversation was the obvious connivance between the couple and the love they seemed to have for each other. But no one understood how such a thing was possible.
After all, they had only known each other for two weeks.
*
-Lev... Ah...
Lying on her stomach, Flavia moaned as she felt her husband's teeth nibbling the back of her neck. Her skin was raw from cumming, yet feeling Lev's erection against her buttocks turned her on again.
- Flavia... What if we tried this position? he whispered against her ear, one of his hands caressing the curve of her bottom.
-Is it... Is it possible like that? she gasped as he slid his fingers between her thighs. Ah...
-Oh yes... We stop when you want, but you will see, the feeling is...
-All hands on deck!
The voice, not quite awake, of Eleazar rose between them by the means of the collar. Breaking net this moment of intimate voluptuousness.
-No, Lev groaned, resting his forehead against Flavia's back.
Although she shared his frustration, she couldn't help but laugh.
-We've already had sex twice this morning! You can't really complain!
-But I still want to...
Turning on her back, Flavia took his face between her hands, to kiss him gently.
-When you get back, I'll be here. Don't worry.
-Is that a promise?
-If you're not too tired or injured, yes.
He smiled mischievously, before agreeing to get ready in fourth gear. Flavia did the same, in order to accompany him to the portal. There, she met Eleazar with a piece of toast in his mouth, performing the gestures for the making of the huge blue disk. Rainier was still half asleep, while Cara was dragging her feet.
-I have one of those hangovers, she moans.
-You've barely had two glasses of champagne,remarked the Duke of Hastam, with a raised eyebrow.
- I know, but I don't drink since I got pregnant. I can't stand alcohol... Ugh, Lev, you can smell the sex from a mile away! Ah... Sorry, Flavia, I didn't see you there.
Red-faced, she looked at Lev, who didn't seem at all embarrassed. On the contrary, he was smiling with all his teeth. This man... Would he still be proud of having made love? Of having made love to her?
-Don't talk to me about sex, Vera begged, rolling her eyes. Not when it comes to my sister!
-Yet, she gets banged every night, Eleazar remarked.
He took a blow in the ribs, which did not disturb him in the design of his portal.
-Don't tell me that!
-What do you think? That they're stringing beads?
- I don't care, I don't want to know! She's my little sister!
- Oh, it's okay. She probably suspects you get laid every now and then too, Vera.
-Shut up, Eleazar.
Even though they spoke unceremoniously about her sex life, Flavia couldn 't help but giggle as they exchanged. Vera seemed to be coming to terms with the fact that she and Lev were married. That was a good thing.
-Well, everyone goes to get their soldiers, yawned Rainier. Man, after a party like that, it's hard to go fight. Cara, if you have to throw up, do it now, otherwise it's going to be complicated.
- Argh, tell me about it...
The Dukes and Duchesses passed through the gate with a lag. Even the Protectors had a hard time leaving after the festivities. Lev kissed his wife goodbye and winked as he left. He walked through the portal after his friends, followed by his soldiers. Once everyone had disappeared through the gate, Flavia discreetly sniffed his arm. Indeed, a bath would not do him any harm.
An hour later, she met Dana and the four children for breakfast. Spring was beginning to show up in the north, but it was still cold outside. So they decided to go to the greenhouse. The room was warm, with lush plants, and plenty to occupy lively children.
The Protectors, like the guests at the ball, had all slept here, which explained their joint departure. Nevertheless, it was still early for the other nobles. So Flavia could rest easy with the nanny, whose dark circles were due to a big crying fit from Ena. This also explained Rainier's face before leaving. Given his attitude with his children, he had to take care of them for part of the night.
-Do you want to go take a nap, Dana? worried Flavia.
-No, no, thank you... I'm used to it, after all I am their nanny.
A strong coffee wouldn't hurt, anyway. As she watched the three boys play, Flavia wondered if she could ask the question. The two blond heads and the dark-haired Tamir.
- Tell me... How is the mother of Autem and Eorum?
- The Duchess of Hastam? She is... She is...
Dana seemed to be thinking about what to say. Flavia raised an eyebrow. She suspected that it was not at all okay, given Rainier's attitude and remarks. But she didn't want to show unwelcome curiosity.
-You don't have to answer me. I sense that this is a sensitive subject. It's just that I'm surprised... not to see it at all.
-Absent, said Dana. I think the right word for it is absent.
-Oh. That bad?
The nanny nodded, while looking at the children sadly.
-Auntie?
Ah, Tamir.
For a ten-year-old, he was quite tall. With brown hair, dark skin and red eyes, he had an absolutely adorable face. Although his irises were atypical. Although, given her husband's face, Flavia wondered who was the more atypical of the two. Men with silver hair and violet eyes, there were none besides him. The fact that Tamir was a unique example of his physical characteristics meant nothing. In any case, he seemed to have something important to say to her. Autem and Eorum had joined him, shy.
- We have a question, said Cara's son.
-Yes?
-Are you in love with uncle Lev?
Their nanny raised her eyebrows in surprise, before looking at the Duchess. Who had turned crimson. She had never thought to say a word about her feelings for Lev, until now. For five years, he had been a part of her life in a discreet, but constant way. But in the last two weeks... things had taken such an unexpected turn that everything she had kept to herself for five years was exploding into the open.
-Or... Yes. Um... Why?
Tamir looked at Autem, who crossed his arms thoughtfully.
-So, it is possible to be married and in love? said the little blond man.
The question clutched at her heart. She could see the problem coming.
-Yes, we can. It can be done.
Eorum, Rainier's second son, shook his head.
-But then... Why isn't daddy in love?
-Because it's Mom who he's married to, Autem thought aloud.
-Your father is unhappy, isn't he? asked Tamir.
The two blond heads nodded.
-Well then, why doesn't he do what my mother does? He only has to be alone.
Flavia's eyes widened at this exchange. The three kids seemed particularly serious. Obviously, this was not a subject they were talking about for the first time. They had noticed that Rainier was unhappy in marriage? Although, even she, who had known him for a short time, had understood it.
-Can you be alone when you're married? asked Autem. Your mother, she has never been married.
-Yes, but she got me. And she's happy like that.
They had a moment of reflection. Then they turned back to Flavia, who was frankly worried about what they were going to ask her.
-Auntie, nanny, how do you manage to be alone when you are married?
The situation seemed unsolvable. Flavia and Dana looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
- One of the solutions is the death of one of them, Tamir remarked, seeing that they were not responding.
- But I don't want mom to die, said Eorum. It's Mom, but... she doesn't deserve to die. Does she?
-I guess not, sighed Autem.
-There is another solution, Flavia said, giving up her weapons.
-Really? said Tamir.
-Yes. This is called a divorce.
Faced with their faces, she made a point of explaining what this was all about. Autem came to the very serious conclusion that he had to tell his father. Maybe he didn't know about it.
Then they went to make a plan to talk to Rainier.
Flavia turned to Dana in amazement. The latter seemed sorry.
-Dana? Is everything okay?
-Hmm? Yes. It's just that... I didn't think Autem and Eorum understood the root of the problem. They're sharper than kids their age.
She contemplated for a moment the profile of the beautiful redhead. Her eyes were sad.
-Is it that hard for Rainier?
-I don't know. The Duke never talks about it. I think... he doesn't even realize his own suffering with regard to his relationship anymore.
On the contrary, he was aware of it. She'd caught enough of his jabs about her marriage to know that he hadn't turned a blind eye to the situation. But then, why hadn't he already divorced her if things were so bad? No... She looked at Ena, who was chewing on a pancake. She knew why he wasn't doing anything.
It wasn't hard to understand, once you got to know him.
He would never divorce, for the sake of his children. Even though they are not his.
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