Morning light filtered through a gap in the heavy velvet curtains, casting a pale golden band across the luxurious yet cold bedchamber.
The air still held the incense from last night's celebration, along with a... unfamiliar, faintly feminine fragrance.
Chris slowly opened his eyes. He gazed at the familiar velvet canopy for a while before his mind gradually woke.
Oh, yesterday was the Harvest Festival. I got married, consummated the marriage, and my wife is right beside me.
Chris turned his head and saw Elena's flawless face, along with a pair of wide amber eyes... yes, she had woken before him.
"Morning, Elena."
Elena did not respond. Instead, she shyly pulled up the thin blanket to cover her face and naked body.
Chris smiled, then got out of bed naked, stretching with a great pendulum dangling between his legs.
Putting aside the minor flaw that she might not be particularly bright, Elena had been an excellent wife last night. So far, her manners and appearance were beyond reproach.
Fair skin, a curvaceous figure, delicate features.
Although Chris had little affection for her, and she had little for him, that did not matter. Chris believed affection would grow with time-and repeated bedding.
As for anything more, Chris did not ask for much. As long as Elena did not cause him trouble in the future, he would be an adequate husband.
Ding...
Chris pulled the cord beside the bed. Almost before the bell's final note faded, the heavy carved wooden door silently opened a crack.
Four maids in matching plain gray cotton dresses and white aprons, their hair meticulously pinned up, filed inside with bowed heads like well-trained precision instruments.
All four carried clothing. Two approached him, one holding a folded, soft cotton towel soaked in warm water to wipe his body,