The Duke's Passion

Chapter 636  [Bonus chapter]She wished she had no expectations

Rufus fulfilled his promise to join her for dinner. On the long table, Rufus sat at the end while Florence was on the other end. From start to finish, they didn't talk throughout the meal. 'I thought I will have indigestion.' A shallow breath slipped past her lips.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Florence glanced up, staring at Lavina through the mirror. "You've been sighing a lot today. Do you not feel good?"

"I'm alright, Lavina. It's just... nothing." She smiled, shifting her attention to her reflection. "Just a little nervous, since we will consummate our marriage."

"Your Highness." Lavina sighed with a smile, staring at the dainty Florence. "Don't worry, your highness. I'll make you pretty so His Majesty won't let you go from his arms."

"Lavina..."

"Hehe. Apologies, Your Highness."

Florence let out a deep exhale while her maid continued to brush her hair. Tonight would be the night Florence and Rufus had to fulfill their marital duties. She wasn't scared of what was about to happen, but what truly made her nervous was what wouldn't happen. Although Florence had classes before being married to Rufus, and women had the liberty and voice in the empire, it scared her. Even though there were changes, there were certain traditions that would always remain. For example, if Rufus refused her or left their bedroom without touching her. That would put a strain on her reputation as the empress. "Thank you, Lavina. I would like to be alone." "Yes, Your Highness."

When Lavina left the room after taking care of Florence, the latter stayed in front of the mirror. She stared at herself, wondering if there was something wrong with her face. Was she ugly? Was it the color of her skin that was the problem? Rufus didn't even bat her an eye during their wedding. She thought he would feel something once they see each other eye to eye. But, no. 'Why did His Highness choose me to marry him?' she wondered once again, eyes beaming with bitterness. 'He didn't give me a task aside from saying, do my duties as the empress. What kind of duty was that? Bear his children? Or... act like a true empress? I'm having a headache.'

Florence pinched the space between her brows, massaging her brows. She already had a vague idea that this marriage wouldn't be a happy one. With a man like Rufus, who was akin to a wall, all lingering expectations in her heart disappeared without a trace... or what she wanted to believe.

Right now, she could only hope she wouldn't get humiliated by him again. That he wouldn't leave this room just like how he left her after their wedding.

KNOCK KNOCK

Her shoulders instantly tensed up as soon as the faint knock on the door caressed her ears. She turned around, hearing the door creak open.

"Welcome, Your Majesty." She curtsied, clad in a thin nightdress that showed a lot of her toned skin. Rufus blinked, gazing at her from head to toe. "Your Highness, you already know the reason I am here, correct? To honor our marital duties." He spoke in the same distant tone, hand on his nape while he stretched his neck.

"Yes." She raised her head, noticing how he looked exhausted. Her fingers slowly curled, holding her breath as he looked at her once again. A shallow sigh slipped past his lips before he sauntered towards her. He was tired, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't fulfill his duties as her husband. Sleeping with a stranger... he didn't mind, since leaving her would tarnish her reputation.

It was ridiculous, but a lot of people were watching his every movement. That includes the detestable Heliot. As he approached her, Rufus held the hem of his shirt, taking it off to reveal his muscular physique and the countless scars across his body. Standing toe to toe with her, Rufus looked down. His wife was beautiful. He already knew that during their wedding. She looked reserved and had a timid personality, making him feel sorry for her. "Then." She tensed up when he cupped her jaw. "Scared?" he quirked a brow. Florence breathe out carefully and shook her head. "It's alright, Your Majesty."

"That damn Heliot..." he mumbled with a frown. 'Why did he send someone like her? Knowing I don't have time for this?'

In his mind, Heliot was laughing evilly — something the man wouldn't do. Heliot guaranteed him that his sister wouldn't expect anything from him and would play the part of the empress. Rufus simply wanted to shut everyone about having an empress. But if Florence were like this, she wouldn't survive the empire.

"Your Majesty?" he was brought back to the current lapse when she called. He looked at her once again, studying her eyes full of anticipation for a burning romance. "Your Highness, I want to be clear about something between us," came out an icy voice with eyes as sharp as daggers. "I will do the basic duties of being your emperor, such as giving you a place to shelter you, food to fill your stomach, protect your reputation as the empress, and keep you from harm."

He paused as he bent over. "Aside from that, don't expect anything else from me, such as being a doting husband. I married you for convenience and you married me because it is your duty as a Von Stein. I will only expect you to be a dutiful empress that will protect my people alongside me. Do you understand?"

Florence secretly gritted her teeth while staring into his eyes. She knew that already, but hearing them from his mouth was like knives slicing through her delicate heart. He didn't even sugarcoat his words without a care if it would hurt her pride. Despite that, she appreciated his honesty. At the very least, she wouldn't hope for something else other than being his ally that he would share the bed for the sake of honoring their marital duties.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand," came out a weak voice, forcing a smile.

"Good." He nodded, pretending not to notice the bitterness in her eyes as he leaned his face closer to claim her lips. Although his lips were gentle, and he was considerate and patient on their first night, Florence could only think about pain. Turned to the side on the same bed as him, tears rolled across her nose. 'I wish I didn't have expectations.'