Welcome Duchess

Manipulation.

I woke up to a gentle feeling and stirring. I found that I couldn't move very freely. Ah, that Duke...he must be holding me in his sleep. I wriggled around to face him and couldn't help but smile softly. His sleeping face was so peaceful.

As I was thinking his eyes blinked open and he seemed like he was taking a moment to just look at me and absorb my presence.

"Is this a dream?" he questioned slightly, half asleep still.

I pinched his cheeks, stretching them widely, "You tell me!"

He pulled away and rubbed his cheeks that were now red from my pinching. He seemed shocked I'd even touched him.

"What...did you? To me?" he questioned dumbfounded.

"Humph, I pinched you for entertaining such a silly notion."

If this was a dream then it should be me, begging to wake up from it.

To my shock, he drew back suddenly his eyes shimmering almost as if tears were going to fall.

"I-...my lord I didn't think I pinched you so hard."

"That's not it at all. This is my first time..." he said taking my hand and pressing it against his cheek, which felt so soft.

"First time doing what my lord?" I questioned.

"Not waking up alone...getting teased...these things have never happened to me before." his voice was quiet and sad as he said those words.

Oh? That really was unfortunate but perhaps I could use this to my advantage. Doing my best I managed to create a few false tears and I avoided his gaze.

Vincent turned my head towards him and wiped them away seemingly panicked,

"Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?" he questioned worriedly.

"I'm sorry that your life was like this. I'm also sorry for not being kinder...I was just so scared...I really don't know how to live here and you seemed so scary..." I apologized while tears fell.

Go on you stupid vampire, fall for your ladies pitiful tears for you.

His embrace was warm and gentle, "This too is a first. No one has ever cried for me before. Thank you Naomi." he continued to wipe my tears.

Hmm, this was good. If he took a liking to me then my position as Duchess would be secured. He'd protect me from dangers and even die for me if it came to it. Heh...perfect. So then I supposed my job was to play the role of the gentle bride who just wants to help her precious husband. I was about to question him about his past when my stomach growled. I blushed deeply and hide under the covers. How embarrassing...

I felt the covers getting pulled away, and I curled up tightly in protest. I felt Vincent's soft hands on my waist before he lifted me up and set me on the floor. I spun around to look at him and he smiled quietly.

"I'll get someone to prepare some breakfast. As well as some maids to help you get ready for the morning." he pulled at a rope similar to the one in his office, and soon a few maids came in as well as Mary.

"Mary, head downstairs and have someone prepare breakfast for my wife and I." he instructed.

As for me the maids came forward with a bundle of items and helped me into a simple but beautiful black dress with lace sleeves. They combed and carried my hair up into a bun adding a necklace of black stones carved into flowers. A bit of makeup was applied to redden my lips and accentuate my eyes with black power. Finally, I was spritzed with perfume and I coughed slightly.