CHAPTER 868: CHAPTER 868: THE NIGHT OF PROMISE

It was also so they could both prepare for bed.

They agreed to meet in her room when they were both ready.

Arabella cleaned up and mustered her courage to wear the naughty outfit Carla had chosen for her tonight.

’This is for the future of the Empire and furthering my relationship with Ferdinand,’ Arabella encouraged herself as she wore the lingerie.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she could not help the blush and covered her face.

The outfit was so embarrassing but after wearing it, she could indeed understand why men would like it.

It was provocative and Ferdinand might indeed like it.

Arabella herself had noticed that her outfits elicited various reactions from Ferdinand so she knew this might make him pounce on her even more eagerly than he usually does.

Just thinking about it made her blush even more.

’If he likes it, that’s all that matters. He had already seen me naked quite a lot of times so there’s no need to be shy,’ Arabella hyped herself up for the nth time.

Still, she picked up a thick robe to cover herself and ensure her naughty outfit was not noticeable immediately.

But once she was at the door of her dressing room connected to her room, Arabella paused and hesitated once again.

’Is this really alright?

What if Ferdinand thinks I’m a perverted woman?

No, he wouldn’t think that.

But what if he thinks I have worn things like this for Andrew?’

Arabella was lost in thought for a few minutes before she finally gathered the courage to open the door.

Only then did she realize her worries were unfounded because...

’Why is the room so silent? Is Ferdinand not here yet?’

Ferdinand would usually welcome her quite warmly right upon entering the door but he was nowhere.

"F-Ferdinand?"

There was no response.

Arabella went to the inner room where her bed was and finally found her husband.

Arabella was quite surprised at the sight that greeted her.

Ferdinand was sound asleep on her bed.

He was wearing his night robe and he was hugging one of her pillows.

’Did I take so long that he fell asleep waiting for me?’

Arabella glanced at the wall clock.

No, she did not take up too much time. She used up the usual time she spends preparing on nights like this.

’So why is he already asleep?’

"Ferdinand," she tried calling out to him.

"Hmm..."

Ferdinand’s response was nothing but a low sound in his throat as he further embraced her pillow.

Arabella walked to her bed as quietly as she could and checked her husband’s face.

His sleeping face was peaceful, gentle, and relaxed, so she did not feel like waking him up.

’He must be really exhausted to fall asleep this deeply.’

Arabella recalled how Ferdinand looked when he just entered Alwin’s room that morning.

’I should let him rest while he can,’ Arabella sighed and kissed him on the cheek.

She walked to her side of the bed.

Since Ferdinand was sound asleep, there’s nothing else to do but sleep.

Arabella glanced at the window.

"The stars are beautiful tonight," Arabella noted as her gaze was captured by the night sky.

And yet, on a beautiful night like this, her husband was sound asleep.

It was a pity he did not see how pretty the stars were as the night deepened. They could have watched the night sky together after some intimate moments.

Arabella undid her robe and glanced at her outfit.

There was no use hesitating to wear her outfit since Ferdinand was asleep anyway.

No pouncing ever happened either.

Still, this could be her surprise for him in the morning.

Arabella then removed her robe and decided to sleep wearing only her naughty nightgown.

When she turned around, she froze when she saw Ferdinand suddenly sitting up and looking at her.

"F-Ferdinand?! When did you wake up?"

Arabella suddenly felt embarrassed and covered her almost visible breasts with both hands.

"You look so pretty. Don’t cover yourself," Ferdinand said in a low voice.

"T-thank you," Arabella said shyly, stopping to cover herself.

"Come here. Let’s sleep together," Ferdinand patted the empty space beside him.

Arabella gulped as her heart raced.

She could not deny she was nervous about her outfit, but she had also been excited to be with Ferdinand again and of course do naughty things with him.

She missed him a ton and somehow, to be embraced in his arms and being one with him sated the longing to be as close with him as possible.

Arabella was looking forward to tonight and finding Ferdinand already asleep – honestly, shocked her.

It made her wonder if she was the only one who excitedly looked forward to tonight — a moment when they could be intimate and be nothing but just husband and wife.

But looking at Ferdinand’s face, perhaps he was just too tired and needed a bit of rest earlier.

This time, he looked like he was ready to pounce on her with the expression on his face right now.

Arabella seated herself on the bed and once she was within his reach, Ferdinand pulled her closer and made her lay down the bed.

She thought he bent down to kiss her, so Arabella closed her eyes.

But the next moment, Ferdinand settled his head on her chest and she felt his weight on her.

Arabella thought he was just teasing her so she waited for him to do something. But then, she heard his even breathing and more of his weight on her.

She gulped.

’Did he just use me as his pillow and fell asleep again?’

"Uhm, Ferdinand?"

There was no response.

When Arabella checked again, her husband was sound asleep.

’Maybe, he’s really too tired today. We still have time in the morning after all,’ Arabella convinced herself and did her best not to be disappointed at all.

She simply wrapped her hands around Ferdinand.

In response, he nuzzled at her and held her tighter even in his sleep.

Arabella smiled. She was satisfied with this as well.