Both Ivan and Alicia flinched at the door’s sudden knock.

Alicia quickly shut her eyes from the fervent embarrassment while Ivan’s lips parted slowly.

A hint of sadness and anger flashed in his eyes as he said, “Let’s leave this here for this morning. We’ll have many nights together in the future.”

He spoke without much hesitation and bashful shame. He smiled lightly and covered her body with a blanket. Afterward, he stood up and put on the robe resting quietly next to the bedside table.

“Come in.”

As his commanding words echoed, two maidservants entered. They came to collect evidence of their marriage. Ivan carefully handed them a cloth...