Chapter 7 (2/2)
There was a soft voice, ”I'm afraid I'm not ready, Alexis.”
”No need to apologize, Anna.”
Karenin regained his usual calm. He left the edge of the bed and pulled up the quilt to cover Anna's chilly body.
”Are you angry?”
His little wife still did not look up, as if she were going to talk to him through this pile of cotton.
”It's nothing to do with anger, Anna.”
”So you'll give me some time, won't you?”
Anna finally poked her head out of the pile of cotton. Her hair was a little messy, but it just looked more beautiful.
”It's not a big deal. I should take that into account. You don't know me yet, intellectually.” Karenin's voice seemed very calm, so that Anna was not sure whether the other side was really angry. So she decided to be honest.
”I didn't understand why I was suddenly a little scared. I thought that might be normal, but I still want to tell you. I mentioned, honesty and trust in each other, didn't I? ”
Karenin looked down at his little wife. At the moment of being rejected, he said that he didn't care if it was fake. But after listening to her frank and serious explanation, it didn't matter.”Are you afraid of rumors?” He asked.
”I'm not afraid, but I'm afraid the message will hurt the people I care about.” Anna replied.
”Then you have to be prepared, Anna, we can't be perfect all the time until you,” he said after a pause, ”when you're not afraid.”
”I won't be afraid all the time.” Anna blushed a little, then looked up again and said, ”I think we forgot a step.”
”What?”
”Before marriage, you know, there's an essential ceremony.” Anna laughed, as if for the perfect reason for this slightly awkward time.
”A little love affair.”
She sat down on her knees and covered herself with her nightgown. She said shyly and boldly, ”you have accepted my proposal to get married, so you should not refuse love?”
The air is quiet, and the moonlight outside the window is flickering with candlelight. The smell of grease suitable for the wedding night is almost intoxicating. His little wife was half kneeling on the bed, her shoulder was half bare, and she was smiling. Karenin didn't know what words he could say if he agreed.
So, after a silence for a while, he said:
”although I don't quite understand the so-called love, but”
”I agree.”
Hearing Karenin's ”agree” word, Anna showed a brilliant smile, she almost cheered. Fortunately, she realized her current situation, and could only make a red face.
”You can get dressed, Anna.” Karenin said in a low voice, turning around, waiting for Anna to say it.
In the dim candlelight, his little wife sat on the edge of the bed. Her bare legs were like a layer of milk, shining white. Her ten toes were round and rubbing against each other uneasily.
”Never do this in front of outsiders.” It was so soft that it was almost inaudible.
”What?” Anna looked up a little puzzled, but only saw Karenin come to her side, half kneeling down, holding her feet in her left hand and cotton slippers in the right hand, hiding her delicate white feet gently.
No one has ever worn shoes for Anna, and she has never looked down on anyone else in this way. Her back will be slightly bent, her fragile neck will be exposed, and her ankles will still be itchy but warm when her fingers touch her ankles.
Then she burst out laughing and whispered, ”Alexis, I've found another reason to marry you.”
A good husband will put on shoes for his wife, who can feel happy for the first time.
”Why?”
Anna laughed. ”I can't say it now. I think about it. That's right.” Her eyes brightened. ”I thought of what to give you for your 50th birthday.”
Karenin couldn't understand why his little wife could always think of so many strange situations, but at least it proved a point.
”Is it your rule to kiss your wife?” Karenin asked.
Anna froze for a moment, then blushed again, and finally said, ”it's allowed, logical, isn't it?”
So, that night, Anna got a second kiss from Mr. Karenin.
It's magical, like magic, sunshine, grass
All in all, it's all good.