The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 56

Waking up in his bed was starting to feel a little like a part of daily life. Opening her eyes in her own bed had always felt familiar, but waking up in his arms, skin to skin, brought a different kind of comfort.

Sasha didn’t know how Kyler felt, but after she had reached out to him last night and allowed herself to be touched, her heart had reached its conclusion. She was deeply in love with him.

He and the people around him had made her feel accepted. Within that space, she had even forgotten what it meant to survive. She simply lived each day, one after the other.

Honestly, if she gave up life in high society, she might be able to go on without conflict, without having to learn anything new. No one would bother her. She could simply live quietly within his world.

But the man lying next to her was someone deeply connected to the empire. Just standing beside him felt like carrying a weight. She didn’t want to be protected. She wanted to help him.

“You’re awake.”

His voice came from above her, and immediately she felt warmth rise to her face. She had just woken up, but already her body was responding. While she tried to compose herself, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Then, still holding her in his arms, he lay back fully.

Her bare body was pressed against his like a blanket, creating a soft friction between them. He didn’t seem to mind at all. Wrapping one arm around her comfortably, he looked completely at ease.

“Your Grace, it’s a little early in the morning for this.”

“Is it really so hard to call me by my name?”

As Sasha fumbled in embarrassment and tried to slide off him, his voice came calmly from beneath her. It seemed he had been quietly bothered that she had never really called him by name.

“No, it’s not that. I’m just not used to it. Don’t think too much of it. Anyway, can you let me go?”

But Kyler didn’t look like he had any intention of letting her go. Instead, he gently traced her back with his warm hand.

“Then say it again. Call me.”

“Kyler.”

“Yes, Sasha.”

He seemed to enjoy hearing her say his name more than she expected. She tried to remember if she had ever properly called him that before, even just in passing.

He moved his hand again, slowly stroking everywhere his arm could reach.

“This really is a lot for first thing in the morning.”

“You were the one who got warm first.”

The smile on his face was too charming for this early hour. Sometimes, Sasha wondered if he was simply too perfect, and if somehow she was bound to pay for this luck.

But after all the nights they had shared, that doubt had softened into trust. Maybe it was the kind of foolish belief that comes with first love, but still, that was how she felt. Kyler was someone who made her feel safe, no matter what he did.

“What are you doing today? Spend time with me, Kyler.”

Sasha, who had tried to wriggle away in embarrassment, gave up and relaxed completely. Lying across him, she whispered near his ear in a quiet voice.

“Spend time with you?”

He repeated the unfamiliar phrase slowly.

“Do you know the word ‘date’?”

She wasn’t sure if the word was used in this world the same way it was where she came from.

Kyler furrowed his brow slightly, then reached up to brush her hair.

“Yes. It means a man and a woman spending time together and enjoying it.”

After answering, he went quiet for a moment. Then, without warning, he slid his hand up her waist and cupped her chest. The sudden movement made Sasha straighten and press her hands against his shoulders in surprise.

“Are you trying to start something again? It’s morning.”

“You said spending time together means enjoying it.”

She let out a small laugh. He had heard the word before, but clearly didn’t know what it really meant. Still, that wasn’t exactly the kind of date she had in mind.

“Well, yes, this can be part of it. But there’s so much more to it. Simply being together and sharing the day is a date too.”

Kyler made a low sound in response, then smiled as he gently ran his hand down her back.

“Alright. Whatever it is, I’ll do it with you.”

Sasha chuckled and buried her face against his chest. It felt like she was asking for permission for something that was already hers.

“First, I’m tired. I want to sleep a little more. How many times did you even go last night? I’m exhausted.”

His hands, while exciting, also made her feel even more tired. But his touch was so comforting, she didn’t mind. It felt like it healed both her body and her heart.

“Until the moment you stop being this lovely.”

Kyler gently stroked her hair as she drifted back into sleep. As Sasha began to breathe softly in slumber, he closed his eyes and held her close.

What kind of married couple starts their morning like this? It was an ordinary beginning, yet somehow different from the usual.

Sasha got up a little later than usual and suddenly sat up in bed. Today was the day she had invited Kyler out on a date. The real problem was figuring out where to go and what to do. In the end, she decided on the shopping district because it felt like the safest option.

“This morning, I’m going out to the shopping district with the Duke. Rose, you’ll have to enjoy yourself without us for a while.”

Her casual comment at breakfast came as a shock to Rose. It was almost surprising that she didn’t drop the teacup she had been holding.

It really was something unexpected. Thinking about how Kyler had always been, it made sense why she was so surprised. For someone like Rose, it probably felt like hearing that the son she had raised was going on his very first date.

Sasha smiled warmly and looked up at her, but Rose suddenly leaned in with a curious expression.

“Does the Duke actually understand what a date means?”

Sasha nearly burst out laughing. Rose’s question had come out of nowhere and caught her completely off guard. She really had a sharp side to her. Sasha glanced over at Kyler, who was sitting nearby, and gave him a playful smile before whispering back to Rose.

“I think he only half understands it. That’s why I plan to show him today. You don’t have to worry.”

Watching Rose’s worried expression made Sasha feel like she really did have a mother in front of her. If this was what having a mother felt like, it was surprisingly sweet.

“Have a lovely time. And Duke, please don’t do anything to disappoint Lady Sasha.”

“I wonder who’s making the request here.”

Kyler gently shook his head at their exchange, but the soft smile in his eyes showed he was enjoying the moment more than he let on.

Breakfast had a slightly different energy that morning. It wasn’t especially lively or crowded, but something about it felt cheerful and light.

Sasha ate slowly, carefully chewing her food so she wouldn’t get an upset stomach from all the excitement. She found herself hoping that mornings like this would happen more often.

“Is this the right way to dress?”

Kyler stood neatly dressed and looked at her as if asking for approval. The moment the maids heard he was going on a date, Minny and Nina had eagerly picked out his outfit for him.

The way he looked at his clothes and asked so sincerely made Sasha smile. She nodded in reassurance.

“I’m really looking forward to going into the shopping district. Have you ever walked around there before?”

As they helped each other with their clothes and stepped into the carriage, Sasha made no attempt to hide her excitement. When the carriage began to move, she went straight to sit beside him.

“It’s warm.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. Their bodies touched naturally, and the warmth they shared was comforting. Sasha leaned closer, not wanting to let go of that warmth.

“Maybe we should forget the shopping district and just head back home.”

Kyler spoke seriously as Sasha leaned more into him. The sensations from the night before still lingered in his mind.

“No, not yet. Daytime is for dating. We’ll save that kind of closeness for tonight. Alright?”

Kyler gave a quiet laugh and kissed her forehead.

Not long after, the carriage arrived at the shopping district. As they stepped down together, they looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. For a moment, neither of them moved forward.

“I’ve never walked through this area before.”

He had never needed to come here for anything. Most of his days were spent inside the mansion when he wasn’t attending to official duties. To him, the shopping district had always just been a place he passed through.

It wasn’t a familiar place for Sasha either, so she felt a moment of hesitation. But she quickly gathered herself. She had prepared for this.

She pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from her pocket. It was a map of the shopping district, marked with spots that were perfect for a date.

“We’ll start here, Kyler.”

“Here? What kind of place is it?”

“It’s a restaurant. It’s just about time for lunch.”

“I see.”

He seemed genuinely curious. Maybe it was because this would be the first time, he was having a meal without Rose’s supervision. Since he needed to take care of his health, Rose tended to be very particular about what he ate.

“I hope the food is good. You seem to enjoy eating more than I expected.”

Sasha hadn’t realized he had noticed that about her. They hadn’t shared many meals together, and the portions at the mansion were always carefully planned.

“Yes, I hope it’s good too.”

Feeling a little shy now, Sasha took another step forward, her feet suddenly lighter.

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