My Lady Chef
Chapter 27: Hesitation

Ezran's POV:

I was right.

My wife seems to love the Lamb Stew with Spicy Rice dish we ate for supper at that exotic restaurant.

We attracted a lot of attention because it was not every day they see the new Duchess of Aisenburg dining with her husband.

But the way she seems to savor the complex spices inside the dish as she ate and enjoyed every bite was worth seeing.

Most females abhor strong tasting foods but it seems like we both love spicy cuisine. Thanks to that, we managed to enjoy each other's company and talked about a lot of things.

My wife even mentioned her father and brothers and it seems like she wanted to see them for the wistful tone of her voice. I did mention to Baron Beaucamp that he may visit Aisenburg Mansion when he recovers enough to travel and settles his affairs on his estates while he was absent.

I will have to pen another missive to ask when he is available for a visit or ask him to send letters to cheer my wife up.

As for her two brothers. I will have to send them letters as well. According to her, Her elder brother was sent as part of the Fourth Prince's Army while her younger brother was sent as part of the mage knight unit under Viscount Orsino's command.

What were their names again? Ah yes. The Baron mentioned one was named Yusef and the other was Dhante.

My duchess was in her room now, being bathed by her maid. She looked exhausted but the happy smile on her face somehow alleviated my worries that in my selfishness to have her to myself, I may have caused her discomfort.

After a quick bath, I wrote three letters and addressed them to each of the Beaucamp males, and stamped it with my own personal seal.

One of the manservant that was near my door knocked as soon as I rang my room bell.

"Make sure Milford send these by carrier falcon tonight," I instructed him and he trembled before taking the letters.

As I closed my door. I heard muffled laughter from my wife's room; the excited sounds were soon replaced by hushed voices whispering and I heard my wife sounding nervous followed by the rustle of clothes being put on.

I waited by the connecting door, listening to my wife's voice; somehow just hearing her dulcet tones mixed with an energetic laugh never fails to make me aware of her presence.

I heard the main door to her room open and close before I realized that I was holding my breath.

Once again, I was wondering whether I should even come in.

The last time I hesitated, I regretted it. At least my wife tried to come to me but females should not have to seek out their mates.

My ancestor would have flamed me for making my woman feel so insecure and lonely.

But it also clashes with my promise to wait until she agrees to sleep with me again. Because I am sure that when my hands touch her soft flesh or feel her sweet warmth. I might just lose control and just take her.

The swift arousal that followed those thoughts shocked me. I do not get easily aroused but just the idea of my wife waiting on the other side in a flimsy nightgown and robe. The reaction of my lower body was immediate.

I reached out to open the door. The moment I opened it, she was there in front of me; her hand frozen in the air as if to open the door knob on her side.

She was wearing her robes but underneath was a rather erotic kind of nightgown. Usually, female nightgowns are shapeless halter tops but this certain design used braided ribbons that went under her breasts. pushing it up like ripe melons. The pleated texture looked like wrapping paper with lacework that made her look like a piece of dessert.

I involuntarily swallowed as our eyes locked with each other.

Then she laughed, her shoulders shook as her limbs wrapped around her stomach. Her cheeks were flushed, her loose hair bounced as her eyes sparkled in the firelight.

A reluctant chortle escaped me and we both tried to stop laughing but whenever we attempt to be serious; she would giggle and I would snort as I try to halt my mouth from smiling.

Until at long last we were both out of breath and I managed to clear my throat.

"We should really stop meeting like this Ez. It is bad for my heart." Her voice was hushed this time as she brushed away tears that formed in her eye.

I stepped forward and raised a hand to wipe away to remaining dampness from her cheek and her eyes widened as I closed the door behind me.

"Have you given a thought about what I asked you?" My fingers went to her chin and she shivered.

"I...I have not decided yet." she looked away from me as she hugged herself.

"And yet this was not the first time you stood by the connecting door." I reasoned out in a gentle voice as I came closer to her until I could practically smell her clean scent. "Can you tell me what's holding you back?"

That was when she made eye contact with me again. The longing that glimmered behind her hesitant actions.

Something was really holding her back.

"Alaina, my wife." I rumbled softly as I put my arms around her waist. " there is no need to be scared. I merely want to sleep next to you till you are ready."

"That is not the problem. I do want to be with you Ezran. But this started as a marriage of convenience." She bit her lip and looked away. "I never expected it to be this way and now...I-I am afraid to want more."

My heart skipped a beat at what she said. It was true that at first I merely married her because her family has no power to interfere with my own house but now...

I also want more...

Never have I expected that the scared little girl I first met would enchant me as my wife.

At first, I thought that it might be because she is half-fey but I am a full-blooded dragonkin. A half-blood cannot overpower me unless they are very strong purebloods as well.

But there is something about this woman that just makes me feel so weird. She was like an unforeseen change I never expected.

And yet...I cannot count this as love.

I like how comfortable I am with her. How she cares for my people and doles out punishment to the ones who deserve it.

She is firm but not cruel nor is she self-centered in the last few days I have observed her. Even Milford and Niles who were my eyes and ears have nothing but praise for her kindness, intelligence, and warm personality.

"Is that the only reason why you are concerned?" I looked at her and she gave me a new expression.

It reminded me of a cute hedge bunny puffing its cheeks in irritation before it fires its sharp quills at you.

"Milord, I cannot feel too much for you if you don't feel the same way. To do such a thing is selfish and insensitive. It will hurt one of us in the end." she stopped before she lost control over her emotion. "Forgive me...I have said too much..."

"What if I want the same thing. Does that count for something?" I leaned against her ear and whispered huskily.

Her breath sharpened as she refused to look my way. Then she raised a hand towards my chest just to pinch me.

"Milord, please...do not tease me...." I saw that her ears had turned red as she pressed her hot face against my chest.

"Then let us at least try this, seeing as how we run this estate well together. Let's try being a husband and wife." I took her hand and kissed them.

"A...As in..a real couple?"

How adorable can this woman get?

Taking her hand, I pulled her towards her bed. To think the reason why she did not want me to share a bed was so simple...

"Why don't we give it a try?" I smiled at her as she started walking.

Somehow, It seems like I have come to understand my wife a little bit now. She was too scared to admit it because she was unsure of my feelings towards her.☐☐☐☐☐

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