The first day of the ball ended with the reputations of both Théoden and Helen greatly elevated. Théoden was officially the Duke and Helen the Duchess. The Astalles Duchy was theirs for the taking.
The trio that came to the palace together headed back earlier than the rest. Back to the capital mansion. Marrianne didn't stay around for long as she said she had work to do. Each one of them went their separate ways as the day was tiring enough as it was.
Théoden was getting ready for bed after the long day. The evening routine was a bit longer than usual but it loosened his tense muscles. Currently, he was pacing in his room right and left.
His mind was filled with many things to figure out and his questions for Marrianne. His curiosity was eating at him but he barely held himself from knocking at his busy mother's door at the current hour.
Théoden didn't get the chance as Mary said the shocking reminder.
"Master, I will stand guard outside your quarters." Mary was no longer in his shadow as she was performing her maidly duties.
'???'
"I am sure you don't want me intruding on your night activities. You are married now. It would be inappropriate…" Mary trailed off but got the courage to finish her sentence. Her face was completely flushed. "Unless you allow it." Mary didn't dare refuse her master's will if so commanded.
"Fuck…" Théoden muttered a curse but the silent room made it audible enough.
Théoden paced around more nervously. This time going around in circles. He had forgotten what comes after a marriage ceremony. His mind was too preoccupied.
'Is that ritual even supposed to be considered marriage?' With no custom marriage ceremony, he didn't even think about it afterward.
"Sorry, Mary. I-I was just surprised. Yes, you stand guard outside." Mary nodded and left the room as silently as ever.
Théoden mind became blank and all his former worries seemed so small. The bigger issue right then was his first night.
'Who forgets their first night?'
Théoden was not ready at all. He wondered why the maids were enthusiastic about getting him ready for the night. Mary was also happy to spray some perfume on him.
'It makes sense now.'
Click!
The sound of a door opening came from one side of the room that had no doors. Théoden's sensitive ears caught the sound and he became alert. A door compartment like a hidden passageway slid open.
The sight on the other side was nothing like expected. A figure of a young lady walked through. Her face was flushed and her tiny hands were clenched. She seemed to take every step with great difficulty. She walked in and the door closed back like nothing ever happened.
'Holy mother of virgins.'
Helen was dressed in a very provocative black nightwear. It seemed to cover her private areas barely with a net and some straps holding her stockings to her panties. Her bra was non-existent. It was a thin loose translucent crop top of the same design making her seductive. Her melons shook against her will while the stubborn top threatened to expose them with a breeze.
Théoden found it hard to find a place to set his eyes. He focused on her eyes instead and she seemed to do the same.
"H-Helen."
Théoden was no different. He had a robe but it was hardly tied. His chiseled abdomen was in full view. He had simple shorts underneath the robe. It was obvious the robe was no part of his nightwear. Helen scanned his body to find a nice balance of muscle and height. His waist was slender while he had a firm torso and a well-defined backside.
His loose hair hanging on his face was very pretty. His long lashes made him more attractive. She found no issue staring at his face since she couldn't stare at his body. She responded to the awkward call with a similar response with a faint smile formed on her face to lighten the mood.
"T-Theo."
A silence fell in between the two. Théoden saw the hesitation in Helen's eyes and opted to find another solution. He opted to be the grown-up in the situation.
"Honey, I want to uphold the marriage custom, but I think it should wait until we are both adults. Don't you think so?"
Théoden formed those words with great difficulty but what of it? Helen was already his, but making her uncomfortable was another issue.
"Are you sure?"
'Why are you confirming with me?'
"Yes. I am sure."
"Then I do think so as well. When you turn into an adult in two years we shall finish the marriage custom." Helen seemed relieved as she was less stiff in her movements.
"Thank you, honey," said Théoden. Since it was his suggestion he had to appreciate her compliance.
"No, Theo. I should say thank you. I am fine sleeping here though."
Helen walk across the room as if it was her own.
"..."
'Are you kidding? What about the talk we just had?' Truthfully, Théoden was speechless.
'Wasn't she nervous a second ago?'
Helen's mood changes were a mystery to Théoden. She readily claimed her side of the bed. The left side.
Théoden got on the right side of the bed. The bed had undergone major changes as there were traces of roses and new bed sheets with the light dimmed.
The details of the room made it hard to keep his mind in harmony from dark thoughts. More so with the major culprit right beside him.
"They went out of their way, didn't they?"
Helen who cutely covered herself to her neck said looking around.
"I guess they did. Do you like it?"
'What is wrong with my mind???'
"I don't hate it, Theo. I would have gone for a less eye-catching theme though. Make it natural with the room's interior."
"Yes. I couldn't have predicted them to act like this. No wonder the workers were busy in the morning." Theo said chuckling just remembering he had forgotten about the night activity.
Helen eyed him from the side of her eyes and felt a bit relieved there wasn't so much tension around them. He wasn't angry at all.
"...Theo. Are you fine with me?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I mean, don't people look forward to their first night... Even I would say I was looking forward to it. But…you seemed so uninterested. Am I not pretty enough?"
Helen grew up with more criticism than praise. It was natural that she thought it was a problem with her. She couldn't think that Théoden didn't want to be forceful on a lady who seemed unready for it.
A hand touched her cheek. Her soft baby skin filled his hand.
"You are pretty. You have the most enchanting eyes. You have a pretty mouth and a cute nose as well. Your hair is like cotton candy. You have an attractive body." Théoden said each word adoringly. "But, you being beautiful doesn't mean I will force myself on you. I want to respect your space and consider your feelings. I don't think you are ready for this and neither am I. Don't feel insecure. You are simply beautiful."
"Well the major reason being, I am a modern person. Me doing you goes against so many laws and breaks so many taboos. I just can't cross that line like it's nothing." Théoden thought but didn't utter such words. The rest of his words were as genuine as they could be.
"Really?" Helen was happy listening to Théoden's words she acted spoiled to get more of such treatment. She loved the intense desire-lazed gaze she was currently receiving.
"I will say it every day if you like. I do think you are pretty and attractive…Do you want to check?"
"Mhh!"
Helen was so insecure. She nodded in acknowledgment of getting proof.
'She is adorable.'
Théoden grasped her shoulder and pulled her into his embrace. Their bodies softly collided underneath the covers. The thin fabric was almost non-existent.
Helen felt a hard bulge underneath her belly. The clear proof she wanted. She laughed instead. Seeing the reaction of Théoden who seemed to be painfully holding it. Her bridal lessons made it so that she could read a man at night.
She extended her arms and hugged him back.
She positioned herself so that she could whisper into his ear.
"This is proof enough, Theo."
Théoden who was working with reciting sutras in his head quickly let go of her and laid on his back.
She smiled and stayed within his embrace which seemed to get warmer in contact with her heat. She felt so safe in his arms. His heartbeat was fast and strong but constant and steady. The sound felt nice.
Helen confirmed the earlier feeling she had in his embarrassment was only something he could give. She would be disgusted had it been anyone else or uncomfortable to feel safe afterward. His embrace on the other hand felt like a home. Sweet and warm despite his low body temperature. Helen soon fell asleep not long after that with a satisfied face.
'She is so defenseless.'
'A young man's body is so…energetic.' Théoden cursed his body which didn't calm down even after several sutra recitations that drove him to slumber instead.
Théoden fell asleep looking at the ceiling with his newly wedded wife beside him cuddled into his arms.
Théoden fluttered his eyelids open, feeling slightly uncomfortable and slightly hotter than usual. His body had rested enough but he was somehow stiff. The first sight was a pink mess of countless fine threads on his pillow. The pink mess was the hair of the girl who was now in his embrace. She snuggled very close and her warm breaths tickled his chest.
After a long time of staring at her without tiring, she fluttered her eyes and met his gaze. She went back to sleep before realizing something was amiss.
"Morning, wife."
"M-morning."
Helen answered realizing something was very wrong with that sentence. She had fluttered her eyes open to meet with a very attractive view which she didn't think was real and went back to sleep only to be pulled back from slumber by a low soft voice beside her ear.
Helen opened her eyes to meet the gaze of a youth she had gotten used to staring at. This time she had a very close view of that handsome face. No quite…She had a front-row view of his pecs and abs which were exposed from the missing covers right in front of her face. A masterfully chiseled masterpiece with a pretty face to boot. Her body was within his embrace so she felt the heat underneath. She was flushed soon after.
'I am now his wife. How could I show such an embarrassing sight.'