The afternoon before the Ball had Emilia stressed. She was dizzy with excitement but was worried altogether. Was her dress elegant enough? Was her hairdo appropriate? Could she memorise the who's who of the Pureblood societies? And manage their names and ranks correctly?
Bibby had been fussing over her hair, grumbling softly at the untamable nature of her wavy tresses. Emilia winced when Bibby tugged forcefully. "Apologies, Your Grace. The hair must be straight for the chignon. Please bear with Bibby."
Emilia smiled uneasily, her fingers curled around the fabric of her dress to stifle the pain.
"It's alright, Bibby. As long as it is perfect. Is His Grace almost ready?"
"Bibby thinks so. His Grace said he will come in once Your Grace is all dressed."
"Oh?"
Bibby giggled. "Bibby thinks His Grace is afraid of seeing Your Grace unclothed."
"Oh." Emilia blushed furiously, recalling how he had accidentally walked in on her changing.
Bibby giggled harder at seeing the flush on her mistress' cheek. "Bibby thinks Your Grace should wear something pretty tonight! His Grace would have a heart attack!"
"Bibby!" Emilia scolded, but her tone had no bite.
Bibby grinned. "Yes, yes. Bibby speaks too much."
Emilia bit down on her bottom lips. "Bibby?"
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Which, uh," she cleared her throat. "What should I wear when I consummate my marriage with the Duke?"
Bibby's eyes sparkle. "Your Grace wishes to consummate the marriage?"
Emilia's cheeks turned crimson. She nodded. "If His Grace is amiable… tonight."
Bibby had a gentle smile. She took Emilia's hand and pulled her towards the large wardrobe. Opening the rightmost door, Bibby allowed several pieces of nightwear to float in front of the Duchess.
"Merlin," Emilia mumbled as she gazed at the lingeries, each even racier than the next.
A simple backless, sheer black slip dress was the first in the row. Then, it was a light pink lace corset with a matching thong followed by a green bodysuit with French leavers lace.
"It seems a bit too risqué," Emilia murmured, caressing the tulle of the slip dress.
Bibby beamed. "That is the aim, Your Grace."
Emilia chuckled nervously. "I'm not too sure which would be suitable."
"What of the corset, Your Grace?"
Emilia took a step towards the lovely shade of pink lingerie. She let her fingers run along the lace-trimmed bust. "It's very beautiful," she murmured before turning to the lacy thong, cut from sheer tulle and embroidered with micro floral lace.
The Duchess winced. "This doesn't cover much."
A cleared throat came from behind them. Emilia spun on her heels, eyes wide.
"Your Grace!"
The Duke smirked, scanning the pale blue dress she adorned. "You look stunning, My Lady. Although, I am rather invested with your choices for tonight," he drawled silkily, looking over Emilia's shoulder.
The Duchess narrowed her eyes, hands on her hips. "You're supposed to knock, My Lord. Have you learned nothing?"
Severus shrugged. "The two occasions I did not knock, I was pleasantly surprised. My sight was thoroughly blessed. Were there any lessons to be learnt?"
Emilia scoffed. "That's unbecoming of a Duke."
He arched an eyebrow and Emilia could not deny it made him debauchedly attractive.
"Ah, I'm afraid I've not been following the handbook on appropriate etiquette of a Duke ever since our wedding."
Emilia pursed her lips, avoiding the urge to smile at his insolence. "Your Grace…"
Severus strode to his wife. He leaned forward, lightly brushing his lips against her ear.
"I have some preference if you're keen to listen?"
Emilia huffed a breath and nodded.
"The pink would be exquisite on your skin though I must say the laces take too much time to undo."
His finger trailed down the length of her neck sending shivers down Emilia's spine.
"I would rather spend my time worshipping every part of your delectable body. Hmm… the green would be perfect for occasions when all I need to do is slide the material aside and take you hard and fast."
Emilia emitted a whimper.
Severus took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet, subtle fragrance on the Duchess' skin. Lavender with notes of tangerine. It gave him a slightly heady effect. "Fuck," he cursed softly. His eyes fell to the swell of her breasts, rising and falling rapidly.
The Duke swallowed thickly, glancing up to his wife, who similarly had desire fuelling in those honeyed eyes. "You're arousing me, my Duchess. It's taking all of my self control to not rip apart this detestable dress of yours so I could have a taste of your ripe nipples. They are after all begging to be released," he drawled softly.
"My Lord," Emilia whispered breathily.
Oh, she wished he could tear her dress apart and ravish her there and then. An insatiable ache throbbed between her legs. She wished to simply glide her fingers through her damp knickers and touch herself.
"Your Graces," Bibby interrupted with a grimace. Her big ears meant she heard every word that was exchanged between the couple.
"The Ball is in an hour."
Neither seemed to care.
Severus rested his large hand on her waist, pulling her flush against his chest.
She gasped.
He darted his tongue to lick the curve of her ear. "Hmm? Should I do just so?"
Emilia shivered. "Oh, Merlin," she moaned before biting down on her lips.
"I would allow that for now. But, it will not be Merlin's name you will be chanting," The Duke whispered with a chuckle.
Emilia nodded. Her head was filled with wicked thoughts; thoughts a young lady should not have.
Severus hummed softly. "As for the matter of your attire, I am partial to the colour black. Besides, I could easily kiss my way up," he murmured.
"Should we –" Emilia began, wanting more than nothing to consummate their marriage right there and then.
Severus smirked."Ah, your excitement is noted, my Duchess. Alas, we do have to attend the Ball or our absence would be duly noted. We wouldn't wish to disappoint His and Her Majesty, yes?"
"Mhmm," Emilia replied in a high pitched voice, trying her best to rein in her desire.
Severus chuckled, drawing back to gaze at the honeyed swirls of her eyes.
He cupped her face with his large hands.
"We shall restrain ourselves for tonight."
Emilia nodded. "Tonight?"
"Tonight," the Duke affirmed.
The couple arrived at the Malfoy Manor on the dot. Any minute later, they would have been left stranded at the entrance.
Severus helped his wife down the carriage.
Emilia was visibly tense when several eyes found her. She looped her arm into the crook of his elbow.
Severus placed a reassuring hand atop of hers."You're perfect, my Duchess. Do not agonise for I shall be by your side the rest of the evening.
Emilia nodded. "Thank you, My Lord."
"It is my duty."
The Duke and Duchess' arrival was announced as they entered the parlour. Everyone turned to catch a glimpse of the new Duchess.
The crowd parted like the Red Sea for the new couple.
Looks were traded, and whispers were exchanged.
Emilia kept a soft smile as she gave a nod of acknowledgement towards the Duke and Duchess of York, the Earl and Countess of Pembroke who returned with polite greetings. Others watched as the Duke and Duchess of Glastonbury strode towards the King and Queen for their first audience as husband and wife.
Severus bowed deeply and Emilia performed the standard curtsy.
"Severus," the King murmured approvingly before turning to Emilia.
"I assume this is your first Ball?" The King asked, petting the gigantic snake by his left.
Emilia smiled cordially. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The King turned to his Queen.
The Queen understood. She rose from her throne before coming down the steps and stood in front of Emilia.
The crowd went silent with bated breath, waiting for the Queen's judgement.
"My Queen," Emilia breathed out.
Her eyes fell to the floor. Her heart thundered against her ribcage.
The Queen carefully curled a finger underneath her chin, tipping it up to face her. She spent several minutes appraising Emilia's features before declaring – "The Duchess of Glastonbury is truly exquisite. A mark of beauty. Skin as luminescent as pearls. Eyes with enchanting golden swirls that could be mistaken for the sun. Indeed, she is compatible with the Duke. I shall hope this marriage would last a lifetime and bring forth great descendants for the Prince family. His majesty and I look forward to the best of news."
Emilia provided her brightest smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Severus gazed at his Duchess with pride for he too knew that it was his blessing that she was betrothed to him. There was not a chance in a million years that would he be able to find someone as magnificent as her. He was truly blind to assume the worst of her when they were first married. He had been stupidly in love with another, enraged by his father's mistake and was terribly unfair to his new wife.
Now, Severus could not deny that he was in love with his Duchess. No one else could fill the cold emptiness in his heart except for his wife. Although, he was fearful that if he loved her too much as he did with Lily, she would distance herself eventually. His mother had loved his father as honestly as she could. For some time, his father reciprocated with equal fervour but that too died out as time progresses.
Emilia came to his side, intertwining their hands together, taking the Duke away from his reverie.
She smiled at him and Severus' heart skipped a beat.
"How did I do, My Lord?" She asked in a rather teasing tone.
Severus cleared his throat, suddenly nervous. "Very well, my lo – My Duchess," he mumbled.
Emilia frowned, touching his cheek. "Are you quite alright, Your Grace?"
Severus patted her hand. "I am well. Shall we greet the Earl and Countess of Pembroke? They have been expecting us for some time now."
Emilia did not seem very convinced. The line between her brows deepened.
"Severus, are you certain?"
The Duke's pulse raced at the sound of his name. "I am, My Lady. I have no reason to lie."
Emilia chuckled. "Well, that is true. Shall we move to find Lord and Lady Weasley? I really should apologise for my previous tardiness. Perhaps we could invite them to dinner?"
Severus nodded. "Of course, My Duchess."
Emilia found that there was something odd about her husband ever since their audience with the King and Queen. It seemed that he was fumbling with his words and seemed to flinch whenever she touched him. She had asked several times now if he wanted to call it a night and return to Prince Manor for a rest. His answer was a standard – "No, My Duchess. I am fine, thank you."
She could not understand why he was acting differently. Thinking that he probably needed a distraction, Emilia gently squeezed their conjoined hands to earn his attention.
"Would you like to dance, My Lord?"
Severus had a small smile, bringing her hand to his lips. "Certainly."
Just then, a young boy, who had similar platinum blonde hair as Lucius Malfoy, came running to them.
"Your Grace! Your Grace! Miss Evans is here!" He shouted.
Whispers broke around them and Emilia's heart stopped.
She finally found her reason.
Severus bent down to the boy's height, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Watch your words, Draco. It's now Lady Potter."
The Malfoy heir scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, Your Grace. Lady Potter is here!"
Severus chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. Where is she?"
"With Lord Potter, of course!"
Severus turned to Emilia. He assumed that Emilia would not wish to meet with Lily. "Could you wait here for a moment? I wish to congratulate the new couple."
Emilia nodded quietly.
Severus pressed a kiss on his wife's temples. "I will be back shortly, Emilia."
Then, he was gone and she was left alone.
Draco tugged at the Duchess' dress, earning her attention.
"Yes?"
He had an impish smile, adorable on his little face. "Could you help me find Father, Your Grace?"
Emilia smiled despite herself. "Of course, dearest. Take my hand."
They took time to find The Duke of Argyll for the parlour was filled with many wizards and witches.
"Father!" Draco exclaimed, running to Lucius.
The Duke carried his son. "Where have you been?"
Draco turned to Emilia, pointing at her with a stubby finger. "With Her Grace."
Emilia forced a smile. "He was lost."
"Ah," Lucius acknowledged. "You should thank Her Grace, Draco."
Draco's cheeks turned pink. "Thank you, Your Grace," he mumbled shyly.
Emilia nodded. It was apparent that she was acting unlike her usual self. "I…I better return to my husband."
Lucius looked ahead and spotted Severus and the Potters in a conversation. A malevolent thought came to mind. "Oh, Severus is a little busy with Lady Potter at the moment. Would you care for a drink, Your Grace?" He asked courteously. Although his grey eyes had a flicker of something else.
Emilia's chest tightened at hearing the name she dreaded. "Very well then."
Lucius turned to his son. "Now, Draco. You'll be off to bed, yes?"
"Yes, Father."