If You Wish For A Married Couple’s Duties - Episode 96

“Of course not!”

He burst into laughter as Dooha flushed.

“What’s there for my wife to be so ashamed of? We tangle together everyday…”

“If you continue along that line one more time, I’ll really hit you.”

“Oh dear then I’ll have to refrain from those words.”

Leonhart raised his eyebrows like there’s nothing he could do.

“I know how ferocious your fists are.”

“You make fun of me every day, despite being someone I know.”

“I’m saying that it’s alright even if you hit me.”

“I can’t even say anything.”

Dooha stood up after slapping her husband on the shoulder.

“If you want to do that, go and wash up first. Even if it’s you, something that’s dirty is dirty.”

“Oh, how can you say that your husband is dirty.”

Leonhart made an angry expression and suddenly fell into bed like a fish out of water.

“All of a sudden, I’m so tired that I can’t even lift a finger.”

“What are you up to?”

“What do you mean?”

Leonhart pulled her towards him by the waist.

“Can’t my wife help me?”

“Do you want me to help you wash up?”

“Yes.”

“You aren’t even a child, so what do you mean help you wash up?”

“I heard that other aristocrats even ask for maids to help them take a bath.”

“Then let the maids……”

“Why did you stop talking halfway?”

When Dooha stopped speaking, the corners of the duke’s mouth rose.

“I asked you because I didn’t want to show my body to other women, but if you don’t mind……”

“I, I got it! I only have to help you wash up, right?”

Dooha got up huffily.

Her face, which was much brighter and glowy than when she first arrived, was as red as a ripe apple.

She had the face of a woman that was obviously loved.

* * *

Steam rose over a fairly large wooden bathtub.

Leonhart turned his head to both sides and let out a satisfied groan.

Even if the monster subjugation was simple and easy, he felt exhausted when he returned.

As he soaked his body in hot water, he seemed to gain relief from his fatigue naturally.

“By the way, you must have received an invitation.”

“If you’re talking about the invitation to the hunting contest, I’ve received it.”

The imperial hunting contest that was held in the fall.

It was a large-scale event that involved numerous prestigious nobles, including the castle’s central aristocracy, and the Duke of Esbaden was also one of the invited guests.

“You’re going to the imperial castle in half a month, right?”

“Yes, the contest is in a month, but I’ll have to go earlier and give my greetings to the Emperor in advance.”

The emperor of the empire.

Dooha’s expression turned blank.

It’s been a while since her marriage, but she rarely had a chance to meet him.

He’s the one that arranged the marriage between them.

“What kind of person is His Majesty?”

“What kind of person is he?”

Leonhart frowned like he was asked a difficult question.

“Someone that’s most suitable to be the emperor?”

“Isn’t that obvious? He’ll be the emperor because he’s suitable.”

“That’s right. But other than that, I can’t find anything else to express myself.”

The current emperor of the Krone Empire, Franz von Bentrum, was truly an ‘ordinary’ emperor.

Although the modifier ‘ordinary’ wasn’t appropriate for an emperor, it was the truth.

He maintained an appropriate reputation amongst the people of the Empire, without achieving much or committing great misdeeds.

However, that was thought to be the most remarkable part by previous emperors.

“His Majesty wouldn’t treat anyone as an enemy, nor would he treat his allies as his allies.”

Since he didn’t have enemies, he wouldn’t suffer a direct stab in front of him, and since he didn’t have allies, he wouldn’t suffer a stab in the back.

Of course, while there were several nobles that the emperor trusted in particular, it was still a conditional cooperative relationship, and not a master-servant relationship based on unconditional loyalty.

The same was true even of the Duke of Esbaden, who was called the Emperor’s loyal dog.

The emperor grants the duke autonomy over the territory of Halton, and in return, the duke defends the border with his life.

It was a relationship that would sour if one side was dissatisfied, but strangely, the emperor, who wasn’t particularly special at anything, has never allowed this delicate balance of power to be broken.

It’s probably because the emperor himself has never violated the terms of the deal.

Of course, he’s never forgiven anyone that violated the terms of the deal.

As such, the emperor, who was ordinary and perfect, has developed great concern in recent years.

It was none other than the issue of succession to the throne.

“Since there are only two remaining children, either the first princess or the fourth prince will succeed the throne.”

The emperor originally had many children, but most of them were sequestered from the world.

It was understandable, as the imperial family was such a difficult place to survive in.

“You’ve met the prince, so you probably already know this.”

Dooha’s eyebrows wriggled at the word ‘prince’.

It was because unpleasant memories naturally surfaced to her mind.

Leonhart seemed to have also noticed Dooha’s feelings.

“Don’t worry, I’ve told you before. The fourth prince, that punk will never become the emperor.”

From the beginning, he had no intention of supporting a rascal like the fourth prince to become the emperor, and he had the best option of being the first princess.

“There’s no need to argue whether it’s second best or second worse. For the sake of the empire, it is best for Her Highness the First Princess to succeed the throne.”

Curiosity filled Dooha’s eyes at the assertion that was close to firm belief.

“What kind of person is the first princess?”

“She’s really smart. Although her weak body is a flaw.”

Naturally talented at magic, outstanding diplomatic skills, witty eloquence and attractive appearance.

The first princess, Julia von Ventrum, had great talent to be the emperor.

If it weren’t for her weak constitution, she would have ascended the position of heir apparent immediately.

‘A sickly constitution.’

Dooha shook her head when the thought of a certain someone suddenly came to mind.

Ever since the last day of the carnival, Daniel hasn’t appeared in front of her.

She was worried about him when he disappeared after saying that she could rely on him at any time, but there’s nothing much that she could do.

Come to think of it, he was always someone that would appear at random and disappear suddenly.

Although it was rather coincidental that it always happened whenever Dooha needed him.

“You’re thinking about something else in front of me.”

Dooha came to her senses at the Duke staring at her.

A sullen look was already on his face.

“I’m sorry. When I hear those words, I keep……”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

With a dissatisfied look, Leonhart pulled on her arm.

Dooha, caught unaware, was dragged into the bathtub without any sort of resistance.

Splash!

“What the hell are you doing!”

Dooha, who was suddenly turned into a drowned rat with clothes on, got angry.

“I’m drenched!”

“Isn’t that better?”

“What’s so good about being drenched……”

Dooha huffed before her eyes widened.

This was because she spotted a playful smile on the lips of the duke, who was hugging her with both arms.

His blue eyes contained burning desire.

“You’re already drenched like this anyways.”

Leonhart narrowed the distance, and pushed her damp hair to the side.

“It doesn’t matter, does it?

The fingertips that brushed against her face were too hot.

The bath water couldn’t still be warm right now, so this dizziness was definitely because of his hand.

Dooha decided to believe that and closed her eyes.

In an instant, sticky sounds rang out in the bathroom, which only contained the both of them.

With deft skill, Leonhart took off her wet clothes immediately and threw them out.

The clothes fell onto the floor with a loud plop, but they didn’t hear it.

Was it because of the bath product? The skin underneath each other’s fingertips were slippery.

Dooha couldn’t help but dig her nails into the duke’s back while hugging him.

“Huu, ungh.”

A moan that she couldn’t believe was hers kept flowing out through Dooha’s lips.

Small wings began fluttering at the same time within her lower abdomen, tingling constantly.

She had to find something to relieve the unbearable itch and heat.

Dooha unconsciously wrapped her legs around the duke’s waist and pulled his body towards her.

Leonhart raised an eyebrow like he was touched by his wife’s active gestures.

“…No matter how I look at it, it seems like my wife is more lascivious than I am.”

“Shut up, and do it, ngh.”

“I shall do as I’m asked.”

“Heuugh.”

Dooha closed her eyes and hugged the uselessly teasing Leonhart’s head.

Every time they did it, she couldn’t get accustomed to the feeling of her hairs standing on her spine.

Whenever Leonhart burrowed into her embrace, the water in the bathtub would fluctuate like waves and flow out of the bathtub.

“Hah.”

Leonhart buried his head in the crook of Dooha’s neck and bit her tender skin like an animal.

Just like he’s leaving a mark that she’s his.

* * *

“I know that you’re newlyweds in your prime.”

The head maid murmured in a weak voice, like she couldn’t believe the terrible sight before her eyes.

“But I don’t understand why you left a perfectly normal bed and turned the bathtub into this.”

“…I’m sorry, Sylvia.”

Dooha turned around at the sight of the shattered wooden bathtub, like she was ashamed to face anyone.

“There’s no need for Madam to apologise to me. However, it’s a little embarrassing for the subordinates, so please speak to the Duke about this separately.”

“…I will.”

The head maid glared at the constantly giggling maids that were cleaning up the remains of the bathtub, and turned her head around.

“You’ll be heading towards the Imperial castle soon, so you’ll be busier from today onwards.”

“Is there anything to be occupied about? If it’s the tributes to the imperial family, I’ve already prepared everything…”

“It’s the first time that the Duchess will be appearing before the central aristocracy. You have to be fully prepared. From now onwards, we will focus on skin care, and all the dresses will be…”

Dooha sighed as she looked at the head maid, who was talking about the future plans more enthusiastically than anyone else.

She had a hunch that it would be a series of tiring days until she made her appearance before the imperial family.

* * *