Chapter 16

The following week, Keira found herself in the familiar warmth of the Blue Bar once again. The cozy ambiance of the bar, with its wooden furnishings and flickering lanterns, offered a comforting haven from the chilly Winter outside. The women of the valley had gathered around their usual table, the air filled with the scent of spiced cider and the sound of crackling firewood.

This day in the cold of Winter, the conversation took a more intimate turn in order to spice up the conversation. Muffy, with her characteristic openness, began sharing sweet anecdotes about her intimate relationship with Griffin. Her tales of their late-night rendezvous and tender moments brought smiles and knowing glances among the group.

Nami, though typically reserved, shared stories of her peaceful and deeply connected relationship with Gustafa. Her words painted a picture of quiet nights filled with music and the unspoken bond they shared, making everyone feel the warmth of her heart. Once the nighly music has ended, they would kiss and let nature take its course.

Flora spoke fondly of Carter, recounting their shared adventures in the mines and the intellectual intimacy that bound them together. Her stories were filled with mutual love and the excitement of shared discoveries that make up their love life.

Leia, with her infectious enthusiasm, recounted the quirky yet endearing method that mermaids get intimate with their partners. Her tales of their unconventional love life together brought interest and fascination to the group.

Then it was Celia's turn. Her voice softened as she spoke of her love life with Marlin, her eyes reflecting the deep affection she held for him. Even after their child was born, their intimate evenings has not slowed down, showing that romance does not end after the birth of children.

Keira listened with great interest, her face turning a delicate shade of pink as the women shared their experiences. Their stories were a blend of sweet moments and dedication to their marriage, each unique and deeply personal. As Celia finishes detailing her intimate moments with Marlin, Keira's thoughts wandered to her own relationship with Mark. The closeness these women described felt like a distant dream, something she yearned to experience but wasn't quite sure how to reach.

Lost in her thoughts, Keira didn't notice the quieting of voices until Muffy nudged her gently. "Keira, what about you? How are things with Mark?" she asked, her tone kind and encouraging.

Keira blinked, her blush deepening. "Oh, well, things are good," she said, her voice a bit hesitant.

"What do you mean, 'good'? That's not fair," Muffy protested, her voice playful but curious. "You don't need to be shy, we're all girls here, and nothing we share leaves this club."

Keira took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she prepared to reveal a truth she had kept close to her chest. "I'm sorry to tell you all this, but Mark and I have not consummated our marriage yet."

The confession hung in the air, leaving the others shocked, their faces paling in surprise. The comfortable warmth of the Blue Bar seemed to freeze for a moment, as the women tried to process Keira's words.

Nami was the first to find her voice. "So let me get this straight," she said slowly, her brow furrowed in disbelief. "You two share a house together. So when you sleep in the same bed, nothing happens?"

"What are you talking about?" Keira responded, her tone genuinely puzzled. "We do not sleep in the same bed, or even the same bedroom."

The revelation sent ripples through the group, the women exchanging incredulous glances. Muffy's eyes widened, and she seemed to sway slightly as if she might faint. Leia and Celia gasped, while Flora and Lumina looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

"You mean to tell us," Muffy finally said, her voice almost a whisper, "that you've never..."

Keira nodded, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "We haven't," she confirmed, her voice barely audible.

For a moment, the Blue Bar was silent, save for the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Then, one by one, the women recovered from their initial shock, their expressions softening with empathy.

after some time, Celia nervously asked, "Um, should I dare to ask why?"

"Because we are not ready to have children," Keira answered casually.

"That's not what I mean," said Celia, her curiosity piqued. "I meant why are you not sleeping in the same bed with Mark."

"Actually, I thought sleeping in separate rooms was normal," Keira replied. "You see, my parents also slept in separate rooms. My father slept in the King's chamber. It was a room only the king and his personal servants were allowed to enter. The king traveled the kingdom with the royal army, keeping the subjects safe from invasion by foreign armies. When he came home to the castle, he would rest in the King's chamber to heal from his wounds and fatigue. Anyone else who entered it or disrupted the king's rest would be put to death. Not even the queen is exempt from this law.

"My mother slept in the Queen's chamber. It was a sacred room for the queen to rest after dealing with the royal duties all day. Only the queen and her servants were allowed there. The king could enter, but only with the consent of the queen, usually for consummation or discussing private matters with her.

"So you see, for royalty, sleeping in separate rooms is quite normal. I have no idea how commoners would sleep as royalty has no interest in the customs of the people living in the kingdom."

The women stared at Keira, absorbing her explanation. The room was quiet, filled only with the soft hum of the bar's ambient noise.

Once the shock dies down, Muffy places a comforting hand on Keira's shoulder. "I understand what you said. But we live in a different time now. We can't speak for the past, but these days, we share a bed with our husbands."

Keira looks down, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought that she might not be fulfilling her duties as a wife in the way she should. Leia, noticing Keira's crestfallen expression, quickly chimes in. "Don't worry, Keira! I don't sleep in the same bed with my husband either!"

"That's because you're a mermaid who sleeps in a bathtub," Nami points out with a playful grin. "You can't sleep in the same bed with your husband if you wanted to."

"Hey! Don't make fun of me!" Leia shouts, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that!" Nami says, holding up her hands in a gesture of apology. The tension breaks, and everyone laughs, the mood lightening considerably.

The conversation shifts as Lumina begins sharing stories about her intimate moments with Rock. As a newly married woman, she has plenty to talk about on the subject. Her tales are filled with the excitement and young passion, and the women listen with rapt attention, occasionally interjecting with their own anecdotes and advice for the newly wed.

As Lumina's stories continue to fill the room with laughter and shared excitement, Keira finds herself lost in thought. The words of her friends echo in her mind, and she starts to wonder about Mark's feelings regarding their sleeping arrangements. Had he ever considered sharing a bedroom? Neither of them had brought it up, so she had assumed it was normal. But now, hearing the others talk so openly and proudly about their marriages, she begins to feel uncertain and restless.

The afternoon wears on, and soon the club meeting draws to a close. The women exchange farewells, their chatter gradually fading as they head home. Muffy, as the host, stands by the door, saying goodbye to each of her friends with a warm smile.

As Muffy finishes her farewells, she notices that Keira has lingered behind. The look of worry etched on Keira's face is unmistakable. Her usual bright demeanor is shadowed by a cloud of doubt and confusion.

Muffy steps closer, her voice gentle with concern. "Keira, is everything okay?"

Keira startles slightly, pulled from her thoughts. She looks up at Muffy, trying to muster a reassuring smile but failing. "I… I'm not sure," she admits, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I guess I'm just thinking about what everyone said tonight. About sharing a bed with their husbands."

Muffy nods, her expression softening. "It's a lot to take in, I know. But remember, every relationship is different. What's important is finding what works best for you and Mark."

Keira sighs, her shoulders slumping. "I just never thought about it before. I assumed sleeping in separate rooms was normal. But now, I wonder what Mark thinks. Neither of us has ever brought it up."

Muffy places a comforting hand on Keira's arm. "Why don't you talk to him about it? Mark cares about you a lot. I'm sure he'd want to know what's on your mind."

Keira nods slowly, feeling a bit more reassured by Muffy's words. "You're right. I'll talk to him tonight. Thank you, Lady Muffy."

Muffy smiles warmly. "Anytime, Keira. We're all here for you."

With a final hug, Keira takes her leave, heading back home. When Keira gets home from the Blue Bar, she feels a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Determined to have a meaningful conversation with Mark about their sleeping arrangements, she decides to cook her favorite meal—curry. As the aroma of spices fills the kitchen, she busies herself with preparing the dish, her thoughts swirling with the evening's revelations.

Mark arrives home from his evening chores, pleasantly surprised to find Keira in the kitchen. "Something smells amazing," he says with a smile, coming up behind her.

Keira smiles back, though there's a hint of distraction in her eyes. "I know it's your turn to cook today, but I feel that today is going to be special."

Once the curry is ready, they sit down to eat. As he enjoys the meal, Mark notices that Keira seems preoccupied, her eyes occasionally drifting away nervously as she eats. "Keira, is something bothering you? You seem a bit distracted," he asks.

Keira lowers her chopsticks and takes a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Mark, there's something I've been thinking about, and I realized it's important for us to talk about it."

Mark's expression becomes serious, his concern for her evident. "Of course, Keira. What's on your mind?"

She hesitates for a moment, then finally asks, "Why don't we sleep in the same room? I mean, I know our marriage started in an unusual way, but… is there a reason we don't shared a bedroom?"

Mark looks thoughtful, setting his spoon down as well. "You know, I've wondered about that too. When we first got married, I wasn't sure what you would be comfortable with. Our relationship started off differently than most, and I didn't want to push you into anything you weren't ready for. But if you're asking now, it sounds like you're thinking about changing things."

Keira nods, feeling a bit more reassured by his understanding. "I guess I assumed it was normal to have separate rooms, but after hearing the other women talk about sharing a bed with their husbands, it made me realize that we never really discussed it."

Mark reaches over to gently take her hand in his. "Keira, if you want to share a room, we can definitely do that. We can move your bed into my room and make a double bed. It might be nice to be closer."

Keira feels a flutter of nerves but also a sense of excitement. "I'd like to try that. It might take some getting used to, but I think it could be good for us."

Mark smiles warmly. "Then let's do it. We'll start tonight. I want you to feel comfortable and happy here, Keira. We can make my room a space for both of us instead."

After their conversation over dinner, Mark wastes no time in taking action. He stands up from the table, stretches his arms, and says, "Alright, let's get your bed moved."

Keira watches as Mark heads to her bedroom, following closely behind. She gets butterflies in her stomach as excitement and nerves fills her mind, but seeing Mark's determination helps calm her jitters. "Do you need any help?" she offers, though she isn't sure how much assistance she can provide.

Mark shakes his head with a grin. "I've got this, but your support is always appreciated."

He begins by lifting one end of the bed frame, struggling slightly to get a good grip. The bed is heavier than he anticipated, and the narrow doorway makes maneuvering it a bit tricky. Keira stands nearby, cheering him on with an encouraging smile. "You can do it, Mark! Just a little more!"

With a few more grunts and adjustments, Mark manages to drag the bed frame out of Keira's room and into his. The mattress proves to be another challenge, but he perseveres, pushing and pulling it through the door frameS. Finally, with one last heave, he gets the mattress into his room.

Keira claps her hands together in delight. "You did it! That was quite a workout."

Breathing heavily, Mark wipes the sweat from his forehead and laughs. "Yeah, it was. But it's worth it." He steps back, surveying the now larger bed taking up space in his room. "We just need a bigger blanket."

Mark goes to his closet and rummages through it, eventually pulling out a large, cozy blanket that had been tucked away for colder nights. He drapes it over the newly combined bed, smoothing out the wrinkles and making sure it's perfectly arranged.

Keira steps closer, running her hand over the soft fabric. "This looks wonderful. Thank you, Mark."

He smiles at her, a sense of accomplishment and anticipation in his eyes. "Anything for you, Keira. I'm glad we're doing this together."

As Keira prepares herself for bed in her old bedroom, Mark sits on the edge of the now massively enlarged bed, the anticipation making his heart race and his palms sweat. Despite being married for about half a year, the prospect of sharing a bed with Keira for the first time has him more nervous than he ever anticipated.

He wipes his hands on his pants and takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself. The reality of the situation sinks in—Mark has never spent the night with a woman before. This is all uncharted territory for him, and he has no idea what to expect.

His mind begins to wander, imagining Keira walking into the room wearing a delicate nightgown, something that would reveal a side of her he's never seen before. The thought makes his heart race even faster, the feeling of excitement and anxiety bubbling within him.

The sound of the bedroom door opening snaps him out of his thoughts. He looks up, his breath catching in his throat. But instead of the nightgown he imagined, Keira walks in wearing her usual yukata, the comfortable, traditional garment that she often wears around the house.

For a moment, Mark feels a pang of disappointment, his fantasies dissipating like morning mist. But then he sees the soft smile on Keira's face, the gentle way she moves as she approaches the bed, her hair dragging on the floor, and he realizes how silly his thoughts were. This is Keira, his wife, the woman he is in love with. Her presence, her warmth, and the comfort of her familiar yukata bring a sense of calm over him.

Keira notices his expression and tilts her head slightly. "Is everything alright, Mark?" she asks, her voice tinged with concern.

Mark shakes his head, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, everything's fine. I was just...thinking. Don't you think you'd be more comfortable in a nightgown?"

"What's a nightgown?" Keira asks curiously.

"Nothing," Mark says quickly. He would rather keep things the way they are rather than make an already complicated situation awkward.

They sit in comfortable silence for a moment, simply enjoying the closeness. Then, with a shared look of understanding, they slip under the covers. Mark's nerves resurface for a brief moment, but her presence soothes him.

After their tender goodnights, Mark reaches over and turns off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into a soft darkness. They settle under the large, shared blanket, the quiet of the night wrapping around them. Keira, feeling the comforting warmth of Mark beside her, drifts off to sleep almost immediately, her breathing slowing to a gentle, rhythmic pace.

Mark, however, finds sleep elusive. He stares at the ceiling, his mind racing. The presence of Keira beside him, so close and so real, keeps him wide awake. He shifts slightly, trying to find a comfortable position, but the awareness of her next to him is too overwhelming.

Hours pass, and he continues to lie there, wide-eyed, listening to the sounds of the night and Keira's steady breathing. Just as he begins to feel the heavy pull of sleep, his eyes shoot open again when he feels Keira's hand clutching his shirt.

His heart pounds in his chest, his mind racing with a million thoughts. What should he do? Should he move away gently, or should he stay still and let her be? His body tenses, unsure of the appropriate response. He knows Keira is asleep, so nothing will happen, but the closeness, the intimacy of the moment, is both thrilling and terrifying.

As Keira continues to sleep, she instinctively pulls him closer, her hand tightening on his shirt. Mark feels his nerves spike even higher, his body rigid with uncertainty. He is too scared to move, too scared to even breathe deeply, afraid that any movement might wake her or break the spell of the moment.

He lies there, motionless, his thoughts spinning in chaotic circles. Mark lies there, paralyzed by his thoughts and the intensity of the moment. When he can't take it anymore, he gently untangles himself from Keira's grasp, trying not to wake her. He slips out of bed and quietly makes his way to the bathroom. Once inside, he closes the door softly and leans against the sink, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

"Okay, Mark," he whispers to himself, looking at his reflection in the mirror. "You can do this. It's just sleeping. She's your wife. You're supposed to be comfortable with this."

He splashes cold water on his face, hoping it will clear his mind and settle his nerves. He stands there for a few more moments, breathing deeply and trying to gather his thoughts.

Suddenly, he hears Keira's soft voice calling out from the bedroom. "Mark? Where did you go?"

"I'm here," he calls back, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'll be back in a moment."

Mark takes a final deep breath, dries his face, and heads back to the bedroom. He finds Keira sitting up in bed, her hair slightly tousled from sleep, looking worried.

"Are you okay?" she asks, her voice full of concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Mark reassures her, climbing back into bed. "Just needed a moment."

Keira nods, her worry easing as he settles back under the covers. She lies back down, and Mark follows suit, trying once again to find a comfortable position.

The rest of the night seems to stretch on endlessly for Mark. Despite his best efforts, he can't seem to find a way to relax. Keira, still deep in sleep, once again reaches out, grasping Mark's shirt for comfort. The weight of her touch, the warmth of her proximity, it all combines into a cocktail of anxiety and excitement that makes sleep impossible for him.

Desperate for some semblance of rest, Mark carefully, inch by inch, extracts his shirt from Keira's gentle grip. He holds his breath, hoping the movement won't wake her. Once free, he turns to his side, facing away from her. He thinks that perhaps not seeing her face will calm his racing heart and finally allow him some peace. But his plan backfires spectacularly.

Moments later, he feels Keira shift behind him. Her arms wrap around him, pulling him close in a tender embrace. His body stiffens as he feels her warmth against his back. His face turns a deep shade of red, his heart pounding so loudly he fears it might wake her. Her grip is surprisingly strong, and he can feel the rise and fall of her breath against him.

Mark lies there, completely still, trying to figure out his next move. Every second feels like an eternity. He knows he needs to get some sleep if he's going to be functional in the morning, but with Keira's arms around him, sleep is a distant dream.

Summoning all his willpower, he gently, carefully extricates himself from her embrace. He moves slowly, not wanting to disturb her sleep, and finally manages to slip out of bed. Standing in the cool darkness of the room, he takes a few deep breaths, trying to calm his frazzled nerves.

It's no use. Sleeping in the same bed as Keira is too much for him right now. He needs rest, and he's not going to get it in their shared bed.

In the early morning light, Keira wakes up feeling refreshed and content. She stretches her arms above her head and lets out a soft yawn, savoring the comfort of the large bed. Still smiling, she reaches over to rouse her husband, only to find his side of the bed cold and empty. Confusion replaces her smile as she calls out softly, "Mark?"

A muffled voice answers from below. "I'm here."

Keira leans over the edge of his side of the bed and looks down to find Mark lying on the floor, bundled up in a nest of blankets. His eyes are open but heavy with fatigue and dark circles. Her confusion deepens as she asks, "What happened? Why are you on the floor?"

Mark rubs the bags under his eyes and meets her gaze. "I… I'm sorry, Keira. I couldn't sleep. I tried, really, but it was too much. We'll try again tonight, I promise we'll get used to this soon."

With that resolve, they both prepared for the day ahead, ready to face whatever came their way, together.