Arranged Marriage

Vol 2: Chapter 3

New chapter ❤️❤️🎀🎀

*****

The place where Karlyle and Ash stay is in the southernmost part of the mansion. Their bedroom is on the first floor, which receives the most sunlight, and near it is a separate study room, a ballroom and a dining room.

Karlyle didn't expect his grandfather to give him this room instead of the East room he normally used. That's why sometimes, he can't believe that he can wake up in a room dyed with sunlight like this. The south side rooms are usually given to special guests, so those rooms are designed to receive the best sunlight.

Especially on mornings like today when dazzling light pours through the curtain. Karlyle wakes up in a dreamy feeling.

"Did you have a good sleep, Lyle?"

As he struggles to lift his sleepy eyelids, he hears a soft bass voice from beside him. Karlyle looks up to find the owner of the cozy voice. It's Ash leaning against the bead head and looking down at him.

The fragrant smell of glass wharfs through the slightly open window. The curtain swaying in the wind creates ripples on Ash's cheeks. His hooded eyes sparkle in the gentle shadow.

It's such a frighteningly satisfying wake-up call that it makes him wonder if there will ever be a more beautiful morning than this.

Karlyle moves his body, which has become heavier recently. Even after marrying Ash, his wake-up time did not change much because of work, but he has slept a lot these days. Karlyle blinks with a guilty look on his face as he's still unfamiliar with this small but big change. To others, he looks as expressionless as usual, but Ash has somehow noticed it.

"What's wrong, Lyle?"

Ash must have been working, he puts down the tablet and brushes Karlyle's hair. It's only then that he realizes he's lying on Ash's thigh. Since when has he lied on his thigh? He was clearly lying on his pillow when he fell asleep.

"....I woke up too late.'

His expression becomes even stiffer as he wonders whether he moved around a lot while sleeping on Ash's thigh. He flinches slightly, trying to get up, but Ash shakes his head.

"Sleep more, honey."

What stops Karlyle from moving is the word "honey". It isn't the first time he heard it, but it isn't something he hears often. Karlyle raises his eyelashes in surprise. Ash smiles brightly at his puzzled eyes.

"Do you like it when I call you honey?"

"....."

Ash's pheromones flutter and tickle his skin. Those pheromones are signs that Ash's thinking of how cute he is. Karlyle loves that Ash thinks so, but he hasn't gotten used to it. Ash is the only person in this world to treat him like that, he has no idea how to react. Karlyle has no experience gained through learning about this matter.

"Honey, can you answer me?"

Ash once again digs in while he's pondering which answer would be appropriate. His heart pounds as he's called honey three times in a row. To calm his pounding heart from embarrassment and excitement, Karlyle decides to stop Ash from calling him that.

"I didn't hate it, I was just taken aback."

This time, it's Ash whose eyes bulge wide.

"Did I startle you too much?"

Following his anxious question, Ash cups his cheek with his warm hand. Noticing how surprised Karlyle is from his pheromones, Ash seems even more alert.