Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Miexha's point of view

Madam Lirra stood, her long skirt sweeping behind her like a closing curtain. She picked up her clipboard and pointed a perfectly manicured finger at me.

"That's all for today, darling. Your brain looks like it's about to melt. We'll continue tomorrow."

I nodded furiously, my face still burning.

"I suggest you review the materials I left with you, hmm? That one, especially."

She winked and gestured to the hardbound book on my lap as if it were a treasured family heirloom instead of... whatever it actually was.

Then she turned and left, a swirl of rose perfume trailing after her.

Silence filled the room.

I exhaled slowly.

Then I peeked down at the book again.

Studying. Out of curiosity.

Yes. That.

It's my duty and responsibility.

Very carefully, I opened it again.

The moment the page revealed two illustrated human figures—completely naked and doing what I could only assume were sacred married things, my eyes expanded into full moons.

I squeaked. My fingers fumbled—

"WHAT THE—?!"

I jumped so violently that the book nearly launched itself across the room.

I hadn't even noticed Jayson standing right in front of me. He had apparently been peeking over the book.

Now he took a full step backward.

His ears were red. His face was red. His neck was red.

"Why the hell do you have something like that?!"

I hugged the book protectively.

"I-It's not mine! Madam Lirra gave it to me! She said I have to study it for you!"

"Study?! What?! For—fo—fo—fo-for me?! That?!"

I nodded quickly, my face probably as red as his now.

"She said if I study hard enough, I'll become a perfect wife! One who doesn't get cheated on because her husband will be so happy and satisfied that he won't even think about having a mistress!"

I said it all in one breath. Very proudly.

Jayson blinked. His expression was shattered somewhere between horror and disbelief.

"Wha—Miexha?! You don't need that nonsense! Even if—even if you end up marrying me next year, I would never cheat on you!"

My lips parted in surprise.

He rubbed his temples.

"Mistresses are forbidden in our family. My parents would kill me. My twin sister would kill me. My ghost ancestors would come back to life and kill me again."

"But Madam Lirra said a happy marriage means I have to please my husband. Naked. That's how babies are made! That's why every family has babies."

I whispered the word naked like it was illegal.

"She said it's my wifely duty... so I have to study this book..."

Jayson made a strangled sound.

Then— Snatch!