It had a significant effect.

It felt as if all the thoughts I had in my mind had gone away.

That shameful behavior from last night had disappeared for a moment.

Having had that extreme wash and peace coming back to her for the moment, Yelena got up to change.

The maid stole glances at the Duchess, who was behaving strangely today, and asked carefully, “Where would you like to have your meal today?”

Yelena looked at the time.

Though she woke up slightly later than usual, it was still acceptable to head down to have her meal.

Yelena thought for a while before giving a short reply, “…Bring it to the study.”

There was a personal study linked to the bedroom where Yelena was occupying.

She had been spending a considerable amount of time there recently.

It was all spent to familiarise herself with the things she had to manage as the household’s Duchess.

Such as auditing the household’s expenses.

“Okay,” the maid replied.

It was not the first time Yelena had her breakfast in the study.

Just then, Yelena added on further instructions for the maid.

“Also, today, I’ll have my lunch and dinner in the study as well.”

“…?”

The maid tilted her head in curiosity.

All three meals? Is Madam that busy?

Though she had her questions, a veteran maid should not make unnecessary comments to their master’s orders.

“I will do as instructed.”

The maid bowed and was ready to leave the room.

“Wait.”

Just then, Yelena called out to her abruptly.

The veteran maid stopped without getting flustered.

“Yes, Madam.”

Silence filled the room as Yelena did not respond for a while.

The maid cautiously asked after she waited for quite some time in silence.

“Do you have other orders…?”

Yelena only started to reply after a while.

“Am I not pretty?”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t overthink; you can answer freely. I’m asking out of curiosity.”

Although that was her question, Yelena’s mind was instead filled with last night’s incident.

Specifically, the words that Duke Mayhard had said.

“You may be my wife, but I will not lay a single finger on you.”

The next batter was waiting for her after walking out of the shock from her shameful act last night.

Honestly, that was the most shocking to Yelena.

Those words did not require further explanations.

I will not sleep with you.

That was all to it.

No matter how you look at it, there was no other way Yelena could have understood those words.

Those words had hit Yelena extremely hard.

‘Why?’

Why is he not going to sleep with me? We’re a married couple.

Shouldn’t it be natural for married couples to go through that kind of… action?

‘Am I not attractive?’

Yelena held her doubts, but she still could not help but think in that direction.

The maid seemed to have been taken aback at Yelena’s sudden question, but soon composed herself and answered.

“Madam, you’re pretty. You’re beautiful.”

“Really?”

But why did the Duke…

While Yelena returned to her thoughts, the maid smoothly continued on.

“Of course. You’re bright like a flower bud that had just bloomed with those fresh pink colored eyes, along with your gorgeous silver hair that looks as if the clouds had been woven into it.”

The veteran maid was a great talker.

Yelena began to fiddle with her hair unknowingly.

‘She’s right. My hair does look pretty.’

Wherever she went, Yelena would hear compliments about her hair color.

People would always pay attention to her silver hair.

She then recalled the fact that none of the men she had met before did not compliment her for her hair color.

And surprisingly enough, that included her family.

Even Edward, who was so talkative, had complimented that her silver hair was pretty and gorgeous.

“Madam’s facial features are well-balanced and pretty too. Your eyes are large and have soft brows, your well-defined nose is well-proportioned as well. Your lips are adequately thick and have a covetously red color to it even without makeup on.”

The maid’s unexpected compliments continued on.

Intrigued, Yelena egged the maid on to continue.

“And?”

“Your skin is white and smooth, your cheeks rosy like peaches, your face is small and slim, your forehead is neither wide or narrow, it is well-rounded.”

“…And?”

“You are taller than average and thus look slender, you have a slim waist, slender wrists and ankles, rounded shoulders, well-defined collarbone. Your legs are long and straight, you walk light and elegantly.”

Incredible.