Forever It's You (It's You Series #2)

9 ✽ The First Night

Several rituals later, the wedding drew to its end on that day. The royal newlyweds exchanged bows, wine and shared a meal behind closed doors, before leaving to change into their sleeping attire.

Now it was time for their first night together.

In the nuptial chamber, Eun-bi sat on the edge of the bedding and waited for her husband. Could she wait like a prim and proper lady, just like how Court Lady Kim had taught her to? Certainly not. Eun-bi's aching legs gave out, and she passed out on the bed with her arms spread out like an eagle, staring up at the ceiling.

A minute later, she began tossing around and clutching her head out of anxiety.

It wasn't like she had never spent the night with Yul before, but this differed from just sleeping. She was at a loss. What if she embarrassed herself?

What if she wasn't ready?

If she were to ask her own mother or Court Lady Kim, it seemed like the most embarrassing and preposterous idea to her. Knowing them, they would pester details from her later about the night–something which Eun-bi wanted to avoid the most.

Hence, hours ago, she had sought advice from others whom she could ask comfortably.

"Da-hee, I've a question to ask you. What should I do on the first night?!"

A frown flashed across the girl's face, whom Eun-bi realised wasn't as innocent as she thought. "You should play hard to get. Men like that. They would find it very arousing."

"So I should start a pillow fight and fling something to his face?"

"No, Your Highness. I didn't mean that kind of playing." Da-hee groaned and threw up her hands. "How am I supposed to explain it to you?"

Still confused, Eun-bi posed the same question to her sister, who laughed and gave her an answer that was comforting, yet still ambiguous.

"Be yourself, as always. That's what he likes about you."

Releasing a frustrated groan, Eun-bi searched for a pot of wine that was sitting on the table along with some night snacks that the servants had prepared. She realised she had approached the unmarried ones and their experiences were as lacking as hers.

What if she were to drink herself drunk? Would that ease her anxiety and provide her with some courage?

A memory jolted her mind, reminding her of what she did the last time to Yul when she became a drunkard. The idea suddenly felt dangerous, because she didn't know what she could do next if she got herself intoxicated again.

There was a shuffle of movement on the other side of the door, and afterwards, the servants announced Yul's arrival. In a hasty decision, Eun-bi bolted for the bed and threw the covers over herself, squeezing her eyes shut and remaining as still as a statue.

It went without saying that the best way to avoid the awkwardness was to pretend to sleep!

The door to the nuptial chamber creaked and slid shut. She could hear Yul's muffled footsteps as he entered the room, slowing to a quiet stop when he found her.

When he didn't emit a noise, she grew nervous, unable to imagine what kind of expression he was making. If he was upset or disappointed with her for hiding from him, well, it was too late for her to amend her way now.

The floorboard creaked, and she heard him move closer. She held her breath as she felt the edge of the bed sinking, followed by his breath tickling the back of her neck. Fingers began crawling up along her sides and around her waist, teasing her playfully.