Chapter 344
In the bathing chamber, Rafael’s blue nightwear lay ready. Made of comfortable fabric with subtle cloud patterns, it matched Carissa’s in color and style. The cuffs, however, were embroidered. One sleeve bore the words "eternal harmony," the other "blessing of a child," symbolizing good wishes.
Rafael had bathed and groomed the previous night, anticipating a late evening. Emerging from the chamber, dressed in the blue nightwear, he looked clean and handsome. His complexion, notably fairer after his time in the capital, was a stark contrast to his appearance on the battlefield, where a rugged beard had rendered him unkempt. It was hard to believe this man was the same.
Candles cast a warm glow on the white wedding quilt, the draped curtains enhancing the cozy atmosphere. As Rafael gently led Carissa by the hand toward the large bed, her heart raced and her palms grew sweaty. She had never been so nervous.
What she didn’t know was that Rafael was even more anxious. He felt an overwhelming urge to shout, "Have you ever waited years to marry the girl of your dreams, only to have her marry someone else? And just when you're about to give up hope, she gets a divorce and comes back to you—and tonight, you finally get to marry her?" Could anyone truly understand his excitement?
In his overwhelming emotion, he accidentally stepped on the hem of her gown. Carissa stumbled, but he quickly caught her. "I'm sorry!"
Holding her in his arms, Rafael felt his mind go blank. A dizzying sensation struck him, like lightning crashing through his chest. Everything faded. He was barely aware of what was happening.
When his awareness returned, he was on the bed, with Carissa's trembling hands attempting to undress him. She was half-propped up, her face flushed bright red. His nightwear was partially open, exposing his chest. Her nervousness was evident as her hands fumbled.
Carissa's heart raced uncontrollably when Rafael suddenly pulled her onto the bed. Was he taking the lead? If he made the first move, shouldn't she show some interest and take some initiative herself? The usual sequence would be for him to initiate the embrace, then for her to undress him, rather than waiting for him to undress her.
Now that he had removed his clothing, what should she do next? A flush spread over her body; her ears burned. She even imagined her hair turning red. Her delicate eyelashes fluttered as she slowly looked at his face, tilting her head slightly as if to ask, "What comes next?" That adorable, innocent expression…
Rafael couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or his emotions, but he could barely think straight. As their lips touched, any remaining rationality dissolved, and the spinning sensation returned. Carissa found herself pressed against his chest, his strong arms encircling her so tightly that his chest made it almost impossible for her to breathe. But perhaps the real reason she gasped was because his lips were firmly pressed against hers.
Was he acting like a puppy, just nuzzling indiscriminately? If he knew his wife's thoughts, Rafael would swear he wasn't just clumsily nuzzling her. He had spent considerable time studying "sacred texts" on the subject before their wedding, thoroughly analyzing everything from written guides and illustrations to Jacob's advice. He knew exactly how to handle this moment skillfully, but he was overwhelmingly dizzy and his head was blank. He needed a moment to recover.
Tonight was their first night together, a moment of deep connection. He wanted to make sure it was perfect. Long ago, as a young man, he had cherished thoughts of her, waiting for the day he could finally be with her. He had never been with another woman, as he believed the act to be sacred and only wanted to share those intimate experiences with Carissa.
Because he lacked experience, Rafael was clumsy and disorganized, struggling to perform as he hoped. But fortunately, the night was long. Both of them stumbled through the experience, clumsy and inexperienced. The candles were meant to burn all night, and they had a lifetime ahead of them, with countless opportunities to connect and explore together.
Before falling asleep, Carissa had only one thought: Was this what sex was supposed to be like? It seemed she was better at it than Rafael. Her guild junior didn't seem very skilled!