Chapter 17
As Ryousuke entered the estate, the butler greeted him with a deep bow, his expression composed yet tinged with something unusual.
"My lord, the madam has prepared a meal for you himself," the butler announced.
Ryousuke blinked, surprised. "He cooked?"
"Yes, my lord," the butler confirmed. "The meal is waiting in the dining hall."
Ryousuke, still processing the words, followed the butler inside. He knew Nori had been raised delicately, treated as something fragile, too precious to do anything common. And yet, here he was, hearing that his noble spouse had personally gone into the kitchen and made him food.
A faint smile tugged at Ryousuke's lips. He hadn't expected this.
As he entered the dining hall, he was met with the sight of simple yet beautifully arranged dishes. The warm glow of candlelight reflected off the polished porcelain bowls, steam rising invitingly from the main dish.
At the center of it all stood Nori, removing his outer robe with quiet grace.
"You're back," Nori said softly, motioning toward the seat across from him. "Come sit."
Ryousuke obeyed, his eyes scanning the modest yet thoughtful spread before him. As Nori lifted the lid of the main dish, a rich aroma filled the air—savory, warm, comforting.
The scent alone made Ryousuke pause. His gaze flickered to Nori, who was blushing lightly.
"You can cook?" Ryousuke asked, incredulous.
Nori turned his head slightly, avoiding his gaze. "I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I know a few dishes."
Ryousuke chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. "I'm impressed. I didn't think someone raised as delicately as you would have ever been allowed near a stove."
"My mother taught me a little," Nori admitted, glancing down. "I wanted to repay you for yesterday's meal."
Ryousuke felt something warm in his chest at that.
"Go on," Nori urged, eyes glimmering with anticipation. "Taste it."
Ryousuke lifted his chopsticks, taking a careful bite.
For a moment, he didn't react. He chewed slowly, expression unreadable.
Nori's heart pounded. He had put so much effort into this—he wanted Ryousuke to like it.
Then, Ryousuke wrinkled his nose slightly, as if in dissatisfaction.
Nori's breath caught. "You don't like it?"
Ryousuke remained silent for another moment before finally breaking into a slow, teasing smile.
"It's good," he admitted, setting down his chopsticks. "But the flavor is mild. Next time, add more spice. I like strong flavors."
Nori exhaled, relief washing over him.
"I'll keep that in mind," he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
They ate together, falling into easy conversation. For the first time, Nori felt something shift between them—something warmer, something softer. Ryousuke was showing a side of himself that Nori suspected few had ever seen.
By the time the meal ended, Nori found himself… content.
The servants cleared the table, and the evening drew to a close.
Then came bath time.
Nori had been thinking about this for a while. He wanted to do something for Ryousuke, something intimate.
"I'll bathe you tonight," Nori announced.
Ryousuke, who had just started untying his outer robe, froze. He turned to look at him, amused.
"You want to what?"
Nori's cheeks colored slightly, but he held his ground. "I said I'll bathe you."
Ryousuke leaned against the nearest surface, folding his arms. "You don't have to. The servants—"
"I don't want the servants to do it," Nori cut in, voice firm. "I'm your spouse. This is my duty."
Ryousuke raised a brow, intrigued.
"Alright," he said, stepping toward him. "Then I won't stop you."
The bath was prepared swiftly. Steam curled around the large wooden tub, the scent of herbs filling the room.
As Ryousuke began removing his clothes, Nori turned away—until something caught his eye.
He froze.
His gaze had drifted, completely by accident, and landed on… it.
A deep flush crawled up Nori's neck.
"Is this what they expect him to put inside me?" he thought in horror.
It was… too big.
Surely, this wasn't normal?
He swallowed hard, trying not to stare, but Ryousuke had already noticed. A smirk played on his lips.
"You're staring."
Nori snapped his head away, scowling. "I—was not!"
Ryousuke chuckled, stepping into the water with ease, his powerful body sinking into the warmth.
Nori quickly gathered himself. He needed to focus.
For his own modesty, he wore thin inner robes while tending to Ryousuke. Unfortunately, he didn't realize that once wet, the fabric would become nearly transparent.
As he leaned over to pour water over Ryousuke's shoulders, his damp robe clung to him, outlining his delicate figure. His pale skin, the faint curves of his waist, and even the soft peaks of his chest were visible beneath the fabric.
Ryousuke noticed.
And his gaze darkened.
As Nori poured water over Ryousuke's broad chest, his delicate fingers brushing against the general's skin, he failed to notice just how drenched he had become. The thin fabric of his inner robes clung to his body, turning nearly transparent, outlining every soft, delicate curve. His pale skin peeked through the wet fabric, completely exposed to Ryousuke's hungry gaze.
The general, who had initially been relaxed in the water, suddenly felt his body tense.
He had always known Nori was beautiful—his noble upbringing had ensured he remained untouched, delicate, almost ethereal. But seeing him like this, bathed in warm steam, his robes soaked and clinging to his fragile frame, was something else entirely.
His breath hitched as Nori obliviously continued his task, dipping a cloth into the water, running it gently over Ryousuke's shoulders and collarbone. Every soft movement made the general's pulse quicken, but Nori, entirely focused on his duty, remained completely unaware of the effect he was having.
Then, without thinking, Nori turned away to fetch fresh water. He bent down at the tub's edge, leaning forward to scoop water from the basin beside them.
And that was when Ryousuke lost all sense of control.
The moment Nori bent over, the wet robes clinging to his backside left absolutely nothing to the imagination. The curve of his hips, the round softness of his backside, the way his slender frame dipped into his narrow waist—it was too much.
Ryousuke clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening into fists beneath the water.
Heat pooled in his stomach. His entire body burned.
The noble, fragile little spouse that had been so hesitant, so easily flustered, was unknowingly driving him insane.
Nori, however, remained completely unaware.
Humming softly, he lifted the basin of water, carefully carrying it back, his damp robes swaying with his movements. He kneeled beside Ryousuke, tilting his head curiously.
"You're awfully quiet," he noted, wringing out the cloth. "Did I do something wrong?"
Ryousuke's eyes flickered over him, his gaze smoldering.
"Nori," he said, voice low and thick with restraint.
"Hm?"
The general exhaled sharply, leaning back against the tub, gripping the edges as though trying to steady himself.
"If you don't cover yourself up right now, I might not be able to control myself."
Nori blinked, confused—until he followed Ryousuke's gaze and realized.
His entire body went rigid.
Heat surged up his neck as he realized just how much of himself was exposed.
"Oh no…"
Panic set in, and he scrambled for a towel, hastily wrapping it around himself, his cheeks burning.
"I-I wasn't seducing you!" he blurted out.
Ryousuke let out a deep, throaty chuckle. "Did I say you were?"
"You implied it!"
The general smirked, running a hand through his wet hair.
"You just don't realize how tempting you are," he murmured. "I was only warning you, wifey."
Nori turned away, pulling the towel tighter around himself, heart hammering.
He was never bathing the general again.