Chapter 148 - Good Night, My Wife (1) (2/2)

Carlisle slowly rose from his seat, then retrieved a decorative sword hanging from a wall.

Srrung-

Carlisle swiftly drew the blade across his palm.

Ttugttugttug.

Blood started to flow down his hand, and Elena jumped from her seat with a stunned cry.

“Caril!”

However, Carlisle’s expression remained calm. She was about to ask what he was doing, but after a moment it became clear.

Tog tog—

Carlisle allowed the blood to drip from his palm to the bed. There was an old tradition among imperial families to lay white sheets on bed for the wedding night. Superstition had it that if the blood-stained sheets were burned the next day, the bride would give birth to a healthy child.

Elena was speechless. She stared at Carlisle with a conflicted expression on her face, and he smiled first.

“You don’t have to say anything.”

Elena wanted to protest. There was no reason for him to do this. It was only a formality, and it wasn’t like a marriage could be annulled from the absence of virgin blood. And even there had to be blood, it should have been Elena’s.

Her complaint welled up in her throat, but she couldn’t find herself to say them. He really did care for her.

“…My debt keeps increasing.”

She had mixed feelings about him again. She had repeatedly pledged not to be blinded by him until the safety of her family was guaranteed, but she felt Carlisle was slowly reeling her in.

Carlisle studied Elena’s conflicted expression and gave another strange smile.

“I’m glad to hear that you feel more indebted.”

He seemed strangely happy in this situation. Elena hurried to Carlisle and took out a handkerchief, then wrapped it around his hand.

“I’ll treat it properly tomorrow.”

She made a despairing look at Carlisle’s wound without her even realizing it.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“…What?”

“Like you’re worried. I’ll want to get hurt more.”

Elena’s eyes widened.

“You…you want me to be worried about you?”

“More like I want your attention.”

“Then you won’t have to worry.”

She replied calmly, and he looked curiously at her. A smile flickered on her face.

“Don’t you know that my biggest concern is Caril?”

Carlisle’s blue eyes alighted at her words. His mouth twitched as if he had no idea how to react to it.

“That sounds good to my ears.”

“Before I’m your contract wife, I’m a bodyguard responsible for your safety.”

Carlisle’s smile faded away.

“I wish I hadn’t heard that.”

“…What?”

“You must be tired, so go to sleep.”

Elena froze at Carlisle’s suggestion. She would sleep in this bedroom, naturally, but where and how they would sleep had yet to be decided.

‘What do we do? I don’t know if I should sleep on the couch…’

As Elena’s thoughts raced in her head, Carlisle strode towards the couch and lay himself down without a word. The couch was long enough to accommodate several people, but his legs were somewhat cramped because of his height. Elena quickly recovered herself and spoke.

“I’ll sleep on the couch. You’re too tall, and it would be inconvenient for you to sleep there.”

“You sleep over there, and I sleep here. That’s not negotiable.”

Carlisle raised his arm to cover eyes as if he would not allow further argument.

She stood in place and debated with herself for a moment, but in the end she decided she would not be able to force Carlisle to stand up. She looked at the bed, which was far too large for a single person, then forced herself to speak.

“Alright. Then I’ll wash myself first.”

“…Whatever.”

She had to remove her make-up and change into a nightgown before going to bed, so she hurried to the bathroom.

After a few minutes, the sound of water echoed throughout the bedroom. Carlisle, who was lying on his back on the couch, tugged the cravat from his neck.

“…I don’t think I can last until I become emperor.”