"Home..." Henry echoed. "To the Duke’s Tower?"

He had jumped to a conclusion before and was now worried he had gotten ahead of himself out of excitement. Perhaps his new wife had really just wanted to move inside of her family home where she was more familiar with the surroundings.

If that were the case, would she allow him to stay beside her, or would he be stuck in the guest house?

How cruel it was to go from loving Irene thoroughly each night to not being allowed to do more than hold her as she experienced what was likely the worst moment of her life. He needed to temper his expectations because of this. There was no doubt his eagerness would cause him to misunderstand what she meant.

Irene was hesitant as she got closer to her husband and settled into his chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, she could feel his heartbeat and the way her own picked up speed with him in such proximity.

"The Duke’s Tower," she confirmed. "I want to go back to the knights and... start our lives together. You gave me time to get myself together; now I need to be the wife—and knight—you deserve."

Henry’s hands sought Irene’s waist under the blankets that covered them both. He couldn’t help the relieved smile on his lips.

His hands soon slipped upwards until they were at her head and he gently angled her head towards him so he could gently kiss her forehead.

"I am not upset to be here, nor do I have any problem waiting to leave when you’re absolutely ready," Henry admitted.

"There is not even a bit of hesitance within me," Irene admitted. " I just want to say goodbye to my family before I go."

"Of course," Henry responded. "I will make sure that you’re able to. Would you like me to prepare a bath for you in the meantime?"

"Yes, please," Irene responded, offering a more warm smile than any he had seen in quite some time.

At that, Henry couldn’t help it as he sat up and leaned against the cushions, bringing Irene up with him. He buried his face in her neck as he wrapped his arms around her. He just needed to breathe her in for a moment and center himself. His heart had been overreacting since the moment he woke up to Irene.

Knowing that he needed to seize the opportunity, he eventually did let her go and fetched warm water for her bath as he had promised.

Irene waited patiently while he did so. She could do it perfectly well for herself, but Henry seemed rather energetic that morning, so she would allow him to wait on her. This was a feeling she was trying hard to get used to. Irene Litharion willing to be pampered? Unheard of.

As Irene lay on her back for a few moments with her eyes tracing along the ceiling, she was lost in her thoughts again, and a smile pulled at her lips. This trial had been unfortunately necessary because now she knew for certain that there was no one on this earth that had more steadfast love for her than the man she married. It felt hard to face this world without her father in it, but Henry was reminding her of all the things her father left behind. Her father’s approval of Henry was something she ought to focus on.

Only when she heard her name did Irene move again. She was finally able to step foot in the large bath basin. It was the very one they had used the night of their wedding.

Irene found it symbolic that it represented their first night together as well as the day she would finally leave her family’s home for good. The Duke’s Tower was her home and not as a knight but as the lady of the castle.

However, as she tossed away the long tunic she had worn to bed, she quickly plopped herself into the warm water, suddenly being extremely aware of the eyes that were following her every movement. For a moment, she had almost forgotten that she had become something desirable to Henry. When they first joined as husband and wife, she thought that perhaps they would be satiated, but it only got worse for them for a few days after that.

Trying to ignore the gaze burning into her, Irene reached for the clay pitcher that had warmed the water before, and she dumped more over her head. She hadn’t had a proper bath in a long time, only opting to sponge herself off since she hadn’t been doing much physical activity. It felt good to be thoroughly washed. She wished feelings were as easy to get rid of, but at least being willing to bathe was her first step in figuring out life without her father.

She had already wrestled with the feeling that she hadn’t written him enough when she was away. That she had somehow neglected her family for the knighthood.

The past two weeks were that guilt, but she knew that her father didn’t see it that way. Her duties to the knighthood were important the same way they were for him.

A voice broke Irene from her thoughts.

"I’m going to the main house to see what your family is doing," Henry explained. "I ought to check on your mother."

Even when he was at the door, his gaze lingered on his wife. The true reason for his departure was less innocent than he made it out to be. If he stayed for longer and had to witness her skin that she had given him and then taken away, he might come unraveled and beg for her when she wasn’t ready.

But he didn’t want to burden Irene with his desire or his loneliness, especially not when she had only just agreed to return home.

"Thank you," Irene muttered as she watched Henry leave.

She sank lower in the bath when he was gone and took to slowly washing her hair and then her body. It didn’t take long for her to finish completely. She then toweled off her hair and got into more suitable clothing for moving around and getting themselves together for the quick trip ahead.

After pulling on her boots, Henry was already there to retrieve her.

"It turns out, the only person we have to say goodbye to is your mother," he explained. "Your brother has gone out to cull monsters with the help of a few locals. They plan on filling in the gaps and getting a head start on monster winterization. I will be sure to send more knights later in the season."

At that, Irene offered a sad smile. If her brother, who was more burdened because of his sudden change from heir to lord, could easily face his duties, then she would do the same. It was time to move forward and not backward.