Still blindfolded, Alexander circles my waist with his arms and drags me closer to him.

«I'm not a hypocrite,» I pout. «What are you talking about?»

«You don't want me to look at you.»

Oh, that... It's because the pregnancy changed my body so much that he won't like it. I prefer to stay hidden for the time being.

«Look at this,» he sighs, showing me his palm. «I'm letting you see this awful scar. And you don't want to allow me to look at you.»

«I'm not how I used to be.»

«So what?»

«You wouldn't like me...»

«Oh, Thea,» he murmurs against my hair. «How couldn't I like this?» he continues.

His hand moves down and grabs my butt. It's plumper than before, so his hands can sink in my skin.

«Also, I don't need to see you, to know how you are. I've touched enough tonight to be sure you're just as beautiful as I remember.»

«Oh, you,» I moan. I reach out for the blindfold and take it off.

Alexander opens his eyes, and he stares at my face with his shameless smirk.

His gaze moves down on my breasts.

«And I've waited for so long to look at them,» he chuckles.

«You said I'll lose the extra weight,» I murmur.

«You've already lost most of it.»

«But not all.»

«No, Thea, not all. Luckily.»

«Luckily?»

«I like it more when there's something to grab,» he replies. «Don't you?»

I don't dislike being grabbed, but... I'm not as petite as before.

«So, you wouldn't be pleased if I became skinnier,» I point out.

«I don't care, actually,» he sighs. «I find you beautiful in any version. I can't help it.»

I shouldn't feel this surprised. However, his expression is pretty convincing.

«I will get old,» I mumble. That is, if we survive.

«So will I,» he reminds me. «We will get old and ugly together.»

Somehow, I'm still convinced that Alexander won't get ugly even by ageing.

I caress his face and kiss him. I don't press my lips too much, and I keep the kiss gentle and sweet.

«Now, let's return to the relevant questions,» he says.

«Yes?»

«You tied me to the bed. You blindfolded me and refused to free me after repeated requests. You're in a lot of trouble, my dear.»

I shiver, observing his absolutely furious expression. I can already imagine the ropes, the bites... Oh, it won't be enough this time!

He's so angry that he will finally spank me.

That might not be completely pleasant, though.

His hand on my butt pinches the soft skin, and I scream in pain.

«Not even begging will help you,» he whispers.

I gulp, settled on not imagining anything perverse and just wait for what's to come. Whatever it is.

Alexander notices my excited thrills, and he chuckles against my ear.

«It wouldn't be considered punishment if you liked it.»

Is it supposed to be a threat? But his lips on my neck are all but dangerous. He's licking my skin, pecking his favourite places... Is this all in preparations for the torture?

He reverses our positions, pressing me on the mattress with his weight. His fingers reach my thigh and move up, slow and teasing.

I spread my legs wide and lock them around his hips, inviting him to hurry up. He hasn't done anything yet, but I'm already panting in need.

«Alexander,» I moan, noticing that he's extremely slow.

In fact, he doesn't move. He observes my face with his usual sweet expression. Then, he seems to remember what we are doing here.

«You aren't tired anymore,» he notices. «What a surprise...»

«I am tired, but sometimes we ought to make sacrifices!»

«Oh, but then... Shouldn't I let you rest? I don't want to overexert you the first time we're together after so much time.»

«It's all right. Just do whatever you're so unwilling to do. And get it over with, already.»

«Do you want to hear what I'm going to do?»

«I'd prefer it if you showed me instead...»

«You're so naughty today. Shall I tie you up?»

«No, don't,» I murmur.

«You don't want to?» he chuckles.

«There's no time. Look at the clock. We have to get ready...»

«Is it that late?» he says.

I nod, pulling him closer to kiss him, but he doesn't allow me to do so.

He backs away, observing me from some distance.

«If that's the case, then you won't have anything to complain about,» he decides. That said, he pulls back and gets up, starting to get ready for the day.

And... I?

«Where are you going?» I voice, still gasping in search of air. «You haven't finished with me!»

«No, that's true. But I promised you a punishment. Let's see if you dare to tie me again after this.»

«So, you won't... You're fleeing from your duties!»

«Oh, no. I fulfilled my duties well enough tonight. Haven't I?»

«Just once more?»

«Not today.»

«And if I promise not to restrain you again?»

«Oh, I liked it,» he confesses, walking back to the bed while fastening the buttons of the shirt. «You can try again whenever you want.»

He pecks my forehead and then sits at the table. He eats what we didn't finish for dinner, without regard for the cold food.

He's too hungry to complain.

«Your breakfast will arrive in a few minutes,» he says.

Is he protecting his food now?

«Don't glare at me like that,» he chuckles. «You better eat freshly baked pies and bread. Not these cold things here...»

Realising that he won't come back and satisfy his wife, I look for clothes and reach the table. I sit next to him, still frowning like a spoiled girl.

«You liked it,» I accuse him.

«Yes, I did.»

«Then why are you punishing me?»

«Because I told you I would.»

«But you were supposed to do it in another way!» I complain.

He chuckles, dragging me in his arms.

«You won't treasure me much if I'm always available,» he whispers. «And you're tired, Thea. Get some rest.»

I pout, but I can't say he's wrong. I am tired, indeed.

We were lucky that Lavinia didn't cry for the whole night. Or at least, that Kate was quick enough to soothe her not to let us notice.

«Our daughter survived the whole night without her meal,» I point out.

Alexander finishes the last remains of our dinner, and he nods fiercely.

«She's a smart girl,» he comments.

«I think it's time we go fetch her. But I can't go like this,» I say. «I first need to change nightgown.»

«I will go,» Alexander offers, freeing me from the need to ask him.

My legs aren't all that stable this morning.

While he's away, I find another nightgown and wash with warm towels brought by the maids. When father and daughter arrive at the door, I'm fresh and ready to remember how to be a mother.

«Here,» Alexander comments while munching some bread. «Has your breakfast arrived?»

«Not yet,» I say.

He snorts and marches to the door, leaving Lavinia and me comfortably settled on the couch.

When I move the cloth away from my bosom, the little ball starts sucking with greed.

«Someone is hungry here, ah?» I murmur. Her small hands press on my skin a bit more at the sound of my voice, but she doesn't stop eating.

It doesn't hurt anymore like the first times. It's just a peaceful moment where I can observe my child focused on something. Her instincts are fading away little by little, and now she doesn't even clench people's fingers anymore.

Oh, sometimes she plays with Alexander. But this biased little ball made me get used to her preference.

My husband returns with a tray full of steamy food. How many different sweet snacks are there?

I lick my lower lip, already tasting the scents that come from the lower table. I can't help it: I love sweet breakfast.

«Here,» Alexander comments while feeding me a pastry. It's fragrant, and it crisps when I chew. The cream inside is still warm, and it has the scent of lemon.

I moan and close my eyes, feeling the last bit of sourness covered by all the sweetness. Lemon cream is awesome.

«I will peel some peaches while you're busy,» he continues. «Then, you can finally eat something.»

«I worked hard, didn't I?» I chuckle. My cheeks are red, but I'm happy that saying something like this feels this pleasing.

I'm not as embarrassed as I predicted.

Oh, well, I was past any form of embarrassment during the night. But in the day, I'm still the old, shy Thea.

«She's so hungry,» Alexander comments after Lavinia doesn't split from me for a while.

«That makes it three of us,» I note.

I'm starving, that's true. But I've finally managed to tire my hubby a bit! It's a victory!

Even if it's costly.

«When will you stop punishing me?» I inquire.

I don't think it will be for long. After all, this specific punishment is hard on Alexander too.

«When you've recovered all your energies,» he replies. «Now stop teasing and eat.»

He stretches out his hands to take Lavinia, who, unnoticeably, fell asleep during her meal.