Leonard's mother clamed down after sobbing out her frustrations, unloading complaints about how terrible a son Leonard had been for keeping his marriage a secret from her.
Once she had regained her composure, she inquired, "So tell me, am I a grandmother yet?"
Olivia's nerves intensified when her mother-in-law broached the topic of children, a subject she and Leonard had never discussed. Leonard, sipping his tea, responded, "Not quite a grandmother yet."
"You've been married a year and a half and still no children? Don't tell me there's a problem."
"No, Mother, that's not it."
"I was stationed at the northern stronghold for nearly a year, a we haven's had much opportunity."
"Hmm... Well, you'd better give us a grandchild soon because, at this rate, I'll be dead before I meet them."
Leonard took Olivia's hand, gave her a mischievous look, and assured his mother, "We'll do our best to ensure you meet you grandchildren before that happens."
Hearing Leonard express a desire for children filled Olivia with joy; she had always feared he might not be fond of kids since he had never mentioned wanting them.
Leonard's mother rose from the couch, announcing, "You must be tired. I'll have the butler prepare everything for your stay."
Leonard's father stood, placing an arm around his wife's shoulders, gently suggesting, "Dear, let me take care of everything. It's best you return to your room and rest for today."
"Certainly not! I haven't seen my son in ages. I want to spend as much time with him as possible before he leaves. By the way, how long do you plan to stay?"
"We'll leave after the hunting season."
"Excellent. I'll tell the chef to prepare your favorite dishes."
After Leonard's mother left, his father heaved a sigh and muttered, "Ah... That woman drives me insane."
Approaching Olivia, he took her hand in his and offered an apology for his wife's bluntness, "She's a bit odd, but she means well. I hope you can be patient with her, and welcome to the family. You can call me Leonard, or 'father' if you prefer."
Blushing, Olivia expressed her gratitude, "Yes, thank you for having us, Father."
"I'm delighted to have you here. I've always wanted a daughter. Sadly, my wife has always been frail, so we couldn't have more children. I'm glad you're my daughter-in-law; you're quite beautiful son sometimes; he's not too skilled at expressing himself."
"Father, I'm right here."
"I know, but I'm merely stating the truth. Sometimes, I think your good looks are all you have."
"Father..."
"Alright, I'll say no more. Your room is just as you left it. You can go rest if you wish. I'll ensure your mother doesn't go overboard. I'll see you later."
When Leonard left, Olivia confided, "I like your father."
Leonard, raising an eyebrow at her, questioned, "Really?"
"Yes, he seems kind."
"Come on, let's go upstairs for a bath, and while we wait for dinner time, we can practice making babies."
Olivia blushed at Leonard's words and firmly stated, "I will not engage in such activities here."
"What?"
"You heard me. Nothing until we're back at home."
Leonard was dumbfounded by Olivia's declaration. Amelia had strictly forbidden him from any intimacy until Olivia recovered and, with the travel they hadn't been intimate. Now facing about returning, Leonard couldn't imagine waiting that long. He wrapped his arms around Olivia's waist and offered a persuasive argument. "My parents want a grandchild soon; it'd be best if we start on that, don't you think?"
"I'd be too embarrassed to do that here."
Leonard enjoyed Olivia's innocent naivety but sometimes found it exasperating. He lifted her into his arms, intending to sway her with caresses since words wouldn't suffice.
"Please put me down."
"I will once we get to the room."
Regardless of her protests, Leonard carried her to their room, where servants were finishing the bath preparations. He directed, "You may leave. Let us be, and ensure no interruptions."
Embarrassed by the servants seeing her in her husband's arms, Olivia covered her face with her hands.
Once alone, Leonard escorted Olivia into the bathroom, helped her undress, and eased her into the tub. He disrobed and joined her in the immense bathtub, an aspect of the place he'd always cherished. Leonard began kissing her, prompting her to push away, but he was resilient.
He kissed her neck, caressed her breasts, and she protested, "Leonard, stop. I said no."
"I'm merely caressing. As long as I hold back, it should be acceptable, right?"
Leonard continued, his tongue exploring her mouth, eliciting a moan of pleasure.
"You seem quite receptive for someone who protests," he said.
Olivia's longings blazed with each touch from Leonard. Deep down, she didn't want him to stop. Leonard kissed her. Overwhelmed by the sensations, Olivia clung to him. He paused to ask, "Do you truly want me to stop?"
Her mind clouded by desire as his hands worked over her, Olivia eventually conceded, "No..."
Leonard smirked, "I thought so," and resumed their passionate embrace.
Leonard twined his tongue with Olivia's, his hands playfully moving around her body. Lifting her by the waist, he placed her atop himself. She clung to his neck while delving into a passionate kiss.
Leonard's hands slid down to nest between Olivia's legs. He caressed her entrance with his aroused and heated member. It had been so long that he found it somewhat challenging to enter her as she was quite tight.
He continued to stimulate her, playing with her breasts and nibbling at her neck. Olivia buried her hands in Leonard's soft black hair, tousling it and immersing herself in him. It had been some time since he had claimed her, and though she had initially said no, she couldn't prevent her body from responding to him.
Leonard thrust deep inside Olivia, and she let out a small yelp, caught off guard by his movement as she had been concentrating on their kisses. He pulled back slightly, stroked her face, and asked, "Are you all right?"
Olivia kissed him again and said, "Yes."
Leonard positioned his hands on Olivia's hips and began to move within her. She clung to his neck as if she would fall without holding tight, and instinctively, Olivia began to move her hips-slowly at first, then with increasing intensity.
Moans filled the space, and although she tried suppress her voice, the pleasure overwhelmed her. With each of Leonard's thrusts, her body quivered. She had missed him intensely, their naked bodies colliding, driving her to madness. Unbeknownst to her, she had fallen in love with him, loved him, and yearned to declare it, no longer caring if he reciprocated her feelings.
Embracing Leonard, Olivia said, "I love you."
Hearing this, Leonard was ecstatic, as if intoxicated with opium. His little wife's words brought him immense joy. and he could hardly believe she was entirely his. He penetrated her fiercely until they both climaxed, releasing all his seed within her. Olivia trembled over Leonard, who help her tightly to prevent her from falling. He stroked her hair until she calmed down and said, "I love too." Then he kissed her softly and sweetly.
Pulling away, Olivia's eyes widened and she, "What did you say?"
"I said I love you too."
Overjoyed by hearing those words clearly from her husband's lips, Olivia felt such happiness that she thought it may be a dream. She pinched her cheek and exclaimed, "Ow! Am I not dreaming? Is this truly real, do you love me?"
Leonard caressed her red mark Olivia had just made on her cheek from the pinch and said, "This is no dream. I love you."
Unable to help it, Olivia began to cry joyfully. She had thought her love was one-sided and never imagined it was returned. Leonard took her tearful face in his hands, kissed away her tears, and asked, "Why are you crying?"
"Because I'm happy. I always thought you were with me only out of kindness; I never imagined you loved me."
Leonard caught a tear with his lips and said, "I have been kind to any other woman but you. I am kind with you because you are you, and I love you."
Olivia wrapped her arms around Leonard's neck and whispered, "I love you." Then she kissed him.
They made love once more before showering as they looked forward to dinner. Leonard told Olivia they need not go downstairs since he wished to continue making her his own, but she firmly declined, not wanting to be impolite on her first dinner with his parents.
After showering, Olivia dried Leonard's hair with a towel, and he teased her all the while, touching her thigh or her breasts, prompting her to slap his hand away.
Once finished drying his hair, Leonard dressed. Olivia, still in her bathrobe with her hair as tousled as a bird's best from their lovemaking, looked in the mirror and requested, "Tell the maids to come help me; I'm a mess."
He approached her, kissed her forehead, and said, "I think you look beautiful. Perhaps you'll set a trend with that hairstyle."
Olivia was annoyed by Leonard's comment and swatted at his chest, ultimately hurting against his firm and stone-like torso. She complained mildly, and Leonard said, "That's what you get for being so impulsive." He took her hand, kissed it, and added, "Please don't do that again; I don't like to see the woman I love get hurt."
Blushing at Leonard's easy declarations of love, with a sly smile on his face, Olivia was ultimately rendered speechless and nodded.
He left the room, and shortly after, Rita and Sofia entered. Seeing Olivia so disheveled, they asked, "My lady, whatever has happened to you?"