A Noble Marriage

The Penchant www.xbiquge.cc, the fastest update to the latest chapter of Noble Marriage [Anna]!    This is the anti-theft chapter "I know it's not very reserved, but you have to allow me to be uncontrollable, you said very 'sweet' words." She emphasized the word "sweet," and one small hand gripped the shirt on Karenin's chest, clutching it gently.

Her face was flushed, but it was the only way to make herself feel better.

"Actually, I think it's fine." Karenin whispered, a kiss on top of Anna's dark hair.

They both felt satisfied, in fact, Karenin thought that although the marriage was so different, it was full of unpredictability, it was indeed satisfying.

They returned home and enjoyed dinner, Anna, uncharacteristically, did not say much, she only raised her eyes from time to time to look at her husband.

"What's wrong?" Karenin asked.

Anna said, "It's like you're glowing right now, I can't help but look at you." She sighed again, "I'm really worried that you'll be stolen, like 'the dragon's gold coin'."

Although Karenin had not heard much of this rare compliment and possessiveness from his young wife, he still could not get completely used to it.

So he calmly pointed out once more, with a stern face, the impropriety of the metaphor, while her wife giggled.

"Forgive me, you have no appeal either, I have many strange metaphors in my stomach." Anna finished with a bite of mushroom, then raised her eyes to look at Karenin again, as if he were the better dish.

Karenin chose to ignore the gaze this time, he had to take in enough food rather than let his mood linger in that out-of-control state.

The next day, Anna decided to do something to thank Karenin.

He had helped her sort through this social mess, so of course she had to do something to repay him.

"Maybe a little Shuffle would be nice." Anna said to herself, she couldn't say she was good at cooking, but she had a knack for making this kind of dessert.

Her previous agent had been more strict with her diet, but people are so strange sometimes. You are restricted in one place, sometimes you can't help but make up for it in other areas.

Women and desserts always seem to be inseparable.

Anna borrowed the kitchen from the cook, Sasha, the chubby cook who was so kind that she lent the kitchen to the hostess, who had been prepared to concoct a disaster. She even quietly with the caretaker Cabildonecki ventilation, but also prepared a few large buckets of water as a preparation.

Of course, these things Anna did not know.

For one thing, all of Karenin's servants, even just the cooks, were the kind who could prepare all possible outcomes in advance without disturbing others. Secondly, Anna herself had already concentrated on immersing herself in the thank-you gift she had made for Karenin.

The round eggs were still fresh from the chicken coop, with a warmth to them. The oranges in the straw basket were very full and smelled nice and orangey.

The wait was a bit anxious, but there was a sense of satisfaction in seeing what came out of the oven.

Anna couldn't wait to share this with whomever she could, so she called Sasha in, who wanted to join the cook for afternoon tea.

"This smells so good, what are you making, madam?" Sasha was a little surprised to find that the kitchen was still clean and that something delicious seemed to be brewing.

"Shuffle, just the right eggs and oranges."

Sasha went to glance at what was on the stove and exclaimed once more.

"Will you join me for a cup of afternoon tea? Sasha." Anna said with a smile.

"That's not very nice." Sasha hesitated a little, and Anna took her hand.

"You just don't refuse, leaving me alone for afternoon tea, I feel sorry for myself." She deliberately said a little pitiful.

Sasha smiled, "If you have said so, I think I have little reason to refuse this invitation again."

The kitchen is connected to the backyard, and there is not much of a view at this time, Karenin's yard has no gardening facilities, regular, not out of the ordinary and definitely not bright.

In this natural courtyard, the sun becomes somewhat frivolous, it shines as much as it wishes.

Painted white wooden table, and a few hollow chairs, Sasha like a trick took out a small pink checkered tablecloth and laid it flat on top.

Anna asked Annuschka to bring over the table runner she had made in advance, lace style. They picked out a rose-colored bone china tea set, and the milk was served in a clear glass jug. The soufflé had an aroma of orange and butter, sweet and fresh.

"Look how well made this is!" Sasha exclaimed, her chubby fingers touching the printed coasters Anna had made, and looking at the lovely soufflés.

"You'd better eat it first, maybe it just sells better." Anna said.

"Why, madam, I could make a manor with all the eggs I've beaten, and it would taste just right!"

Annuschka and Anna both laughed.

Sasha took a taste and then raised his eyebrows: "See, I was right."

"Yes, is it too much?" Sasha asked.

"Actually, I was trying to make it for Alexei." Anna said coyly. Then she saw that the cook was a little surprised, and after a moment, there was a torn look on her face.

"What's wrong?" Anna asked.

Sasha looked at her mistress before saying carefully, "Actually, madam, perhaps you don't quite understand, sir, he doesn't like sweets."

Anna was a little surprised and then became frustrated, "I don't know, I thought it would be a good idea."

Sasha reassured, "Ma'am, its a good idea indeed, these are really delicious."

Anna shook her head and sighed, "It doesn't matter how delicious they are, he doesn't like sweets."

Sasha didn't know how to comfort her mistress anymore, fortunately, this frustrated mood of the other party didn't last long, she talked about other topics and finally expressed her desire to give her all these Shuffles.

"I heard you have a couple of grandchildren, I think they would like sweets."

Sasha's two grandchildren certainly liked these sweet things, only she couldn't help but feel a little regret in her heart, after all, what madam made was indeed delicious.

After finishing the afternoon tea, Anna was not discouraged; on the contrary, she understood a little bit anew. So she asked Sasha a lot about Karenin's preferences for dishes.

She learned that Karenin had no particular preference for food, except for the fact that sweets were not his favorite. So it seemed that expressing one's gratitude over food was not a good idea.

Anna crossed this out, she was going to think about it again. Anyway, gratitude is still necessary.

Karenin came back late that day, he said he wouldn't come back for dinner, and by the time he got home it was ten o'clock, and Anna, who had spent some time making soufflé during the day, was asleep at nine o'clock.

Karenin entered the hall, Kearney brought him his coat, and he was about to go to the second floor when the cook came out, as if she were waiting for him.

"What's wrong?" Karenin asked.

"Oh, sir, although the matter may be of little importance, I thought I would speak to you about it." The cook gathered her hair, generally speaking it is right to be a servant as long as you remember to meddle less in the master's house, but she could not resist the urge to speak for her mistress.

"Go ahead."

Sasha told Karenin about Anna's dessert during the day. She was relieved to observe her husband listening carefully, and she said with a smile, "I know you don't like sweets, but you've really married a good wife."

It was almost the first time for Karenin to hear such words from someone else, and it was a new feeling, mixed with pride, emotion, and even a vague sense of pride.

But he did not intend to show it, as Karenin such people, but only a slightly reserved nod to show knowledge and recognition.

Karenin went up the revolving escalator to the second floor, where he pushed open his wife's bedroom, or should I say, their bedroom.

It was impossible to avoid the servants what was happening in the house, and this unusual thing must have been secretly talked about in the servants' afternoon tea.

His wife most likely does not know this, although it is a little puzzling, but Karenin thought, perhaps the world is not everything to be clear and understandable.

As long as it's about his wife, a stereotypical and dogmatic person like Karenin has silently put that kind of theory in his heart, which has become some kind of peculiar principle.

His wife was already asleep, wrapping herself all up inside the covers, against his side of the bed. Her pink cheeks and her sleeping expression all pointed to one thing: she was happy.

This happiness, which could be seen without words, directly infected Karenin.

He did something that he never would have done before.

He sat on the edge of the bed and kissed his little wife, as if indirectly, kissing the traces of happiness.

It was dawn and Anna woke up.

Karenin was not next to her, she was a little lost, and then noticed a letter on the pillow belonging to Karenin.

Anna opened it and looked at it, then couldn't help but giggle.

"The category of favorite sweets can contain the option of blueberries in it."

That night, Anna finished her acknowledgement, and Karenin, who had a blueberry pie all to himself.

This was Anna's second train ride in this era.

The first time everything had moved too fast and somewhat hurriedly, and now, even though the schedule was still very tight, she felt as if there was no point in the face air when water molecules swept through her nasal passages.

This subtle sense of touch all from her husband.

Like now, in this small box, Anna looked at her husband.

He was sitting a little more casually than at his desk, but he still looked decent compared to the average person, always maintaining the appearance of a government official.

"Do you have any questions? Anna." Karenin took his eyes off the official documents and his blue eyes looked at Anna.

"No." Anna smiled a little.

Karenin moved his eyes over his own official papers again, and he still felt someone's eyes glued to him until five minutes later.

"Are you sure there aren't any questions?"

"No." Anna finished and then spoke again, "Maybe there is one."

"You can ask." Karenin's fingers pressed on the page and lifted his head slightly. He spoke in a calm voice, with little rise and fall in his tone, without seeming hard, perhaps because his blue eyes under long lashes were gazing intently at someone else, and that gaze was not tinged with scrutiny.

"I noticed you're not wearing glasses."

"I'm not nearsighted."

"I," Anna licked her lips, then smiled a little coyly, "I was just thinking about what it would be like if you wore glasses."

"I don't think that would make any difference." Karenin lowered his eyes, indicating that the conversation was over for the moment.

Anna felt some regret.

She looked out the window and rested her right hand on her cheek.

They had been two hours from Petersburg, and the rolling hills, which at first had called for excitement, were now somewhat flat.

The sky is a light blue, reflecting some birch trees pencil like a sentry, although now is still insignificant, but wait until spring, will be lush green dotted, very beautiful.

She unconsciously folded her hands and turned her face sideways, smiling while knocking at the dull light.

Accustomed to the busyness of modern society, life was a little overwhelming at first, but now, everything is fine.

What Anna didn't know was that despite her decision not to disturb her husband, it was clear that Karenin himself was no longer able to concentrate.

His head was slightly tilted in Anna's direction, and his high nose was cut by the sun in a delicate and elegant curve. The eyelashes were not thick or curled, half closed, revealing a light blue inside as the sky.

He looked at his fiancée for a long time, knowing that the other seemed to be asleep.

Karenin got up and draped a facecloth blanket over Anna's body.

He sat down for a moment to make sure Anna would not wake up, before moving his eyes again and concentrating his thoughts on his official papers.

Anna had no idea how long she had been asleep; she awoke to a gentle shaking.

"Did I fall asleep?" She tried to rub her eyes, but was stopped.

Karenin took out his own handkerchief and handed it to her.

"Dr. Grachov told me to do this to reduce my chances of being approached by the disease."

Anna took the handkerchief and wiped her eyes, smiling: "He was right, you have a good doctor, he's great!"

Karenin said nothing to the compliment, he looked at the time on his pocket watch, then put down his official paper and said, "We have to go to lunch."

"Very good suggestion, I'm just hungry." Anna approved of the suggestion, and Karenin nodded and cheered up a bit.

The dining compartment on the train was in the middle part of the train, and the aisles weren't big enough for two adults to walk side by side, so Karenin walked ahead, and some parents would hold the hands of their small children to keep the little devils from wandering off.

Anna is not a child. Naturally Karenin is not the kind of person who would take someone's hand at will either, but he did say as he got up.

"Follow me."

Like honey, Anna thought, and followed behind the other man.

Because Karenin wasn't short and his shoulders were broad, Anna couldn't see all of what was in front of her as he stepped forward.

Some of her past experiences had made her a little nervous and anxious about this unknown, but now, with a trusting person walking ahead, she found the unknown not so frightening.

They came to the middle of the train, where not many people were yet dining.

Anna knew that Karenin had not suggested this time of day by chance, but perhaps he had already gotten used to it and figured out the most appropriate time to dine.

"What would you like to eat?" Karenin asked.

In fact, this kind of place does not serve too much variety, but Karenin's behavior makes people ignore this.

Anna ordered what she liked, and paid attention to what Karenin ordered, secretly making a mental note of it.

When lunch came up, Anna took a bite and it was not delicious. She looked at Karenin and frowned slightly as well. This can not be blamed on anyone, the ingredients are innocent, the chef is also innocent.

Anna thought Karenin would simply discard the unappetizing lunch like the rich people did, but Karenin didn't.

He let his brow relax and relax, still slowly and calmly cutting the food on his plate. Then he looked up at Anna and asked, "Is it not to your liking."

A large feeling of emotion swept over Anna.

This kind of touching is derived from Karenin's non-arrogant approach, as a wife, Anna experienced a sense of pride. It was as if someone had said, "I wouldn't know what to do if the man I loved was a criminal, but I would be proud of him if he was a man of high moral character.

"No." Anna said with a smile, enjoying her food just as much.

She lied, the lunch itself didn't taste good, but the titillation made up for it all. As they returned to the box a little later, Anna informed Karenin of the truth.

"Now what else would you like to eat?"

Karenin didn't ask anything else first, but focused more on the actual question.

"I'm full now." Anna said pleasantly.

Karenin nodded, then said, "If you don't like it, you don't have to push yourself, Anna."

"But you're not wasted, Alexei." Anna pointed this out in a soft tone, "That is a very good quality."

"The deliciousness of the ingredients does matter, but for me, the practicality of the food itself is enough to satisfy me. For me, continuing to eat this lunch doesn't change anything, but for you to continue to eat them on the basis that you don't like them, it becomes something that will affect your mood."

This serious wording of Karenin made Anna bend her eyes with laughter.

"Why are you laughing?" Karenin frowned in some confusion.

"Because you said sweet things." Anna said with her eyes shining brightly.

"No matter what, it doesn't change this feeling that I think what just happened wasn't bad but good."

"If you think so, fine." Karenin nodded again and then took out his official document. Once again Anna sighed inwardly.

In the afternoon Anna didn't stare at Karenin anymore, she took a book out and read it slowly. At about three o'clock, a waiter from the dining car knocked on the door of their compartment.

When the clean table was set with a still delicate and delicious tea, Karenin pushed the piece of cake in Anna's direction.

To make up for lunch.

"You don't want it?" Anna asked, dimples already emerging at her cheeks.

"No."

Karenin said succinctly. He picked up the cup of black coffee that belonged to him, and Anna only glanced at it before pulling her eyes back.

"I need a bite of cake to keep me down."

The bitterness of the black coffee contrasted sharply with the sweetness of the cake.

"Is it good?" Karenin asked.

"Delicious." Anna nodded honestly, "It's not a lie this time."

Karenin nodded his head to show his understanding.

With the unique aroma of black coffee and the sweetness of cream, Anna decided to be a little more honest.

"Don't you want to touch me?"

Karenin's sipping motion seemed to freeze in mid-air before he set down his coffee cup, rose and crossed over the tabletop, over the space on Anna's side, and asked, as his fingers gently touched the other woman's cheek, "May I?"

"Yes."

Anna's eyelashes moved quickly, but the words were firm.

The kiss was a little bitter and a little sweet, and Anna took it to heart and gave it a great place.

It would be dishonest to say that Anna hadn't fantasized about what the second night of their wedding would be like.

But if someone had told her that the couple had spent their wedding night in a bed that was too big for their britches, welling up and spending the night in peace, she wouldn't have believed it.

Now, she believed it.

The side that belonged to Karenin was made up in order.

The owner of the bed had not left the bedroom, but was ambling in a soft chair, working diligently as a Russian official.

Noticing the movement of the bed, Karenin turned around and saw his young wife looking at her attentively with gray eyes.

Her hair was a little disheveled and looked even curlier. After a night's rest, the skin on her face was white and soft, and her pretty lips were slightly parted as if in awe.

Karenin made himself take his eyes off his wife's rosy lips.

"Good day, Anna."

Usually, Karenin's first daily greeting was always dedicated to his housekeeper, Kolny, but now, since his marriage, he was beginning to feel this subtle difference.

"Good day, Alexei."

Anna wasn't sure it was part of her fantasy of the still-unkempt wife and decent husband, but either way, it didn't matter when Karenin walked up to him.

"Grachov will be here at nine o'clock, and we're leaving for France at two in the afternoon." Karenin said.

Last night Karenin said that Glachov was Karenin's family doctor. Things were almost ready long ago.

"Okay." Anna answered, then asked, "What time do you always get up?"

"Six o'clock."

Anna glanced at the wall clock, it was now seven forty, she usually always got up at seven, she had thought she had developed an early enough biological clock, but it seemed that she was still no match for a certain Russian official.

She lifted the covers and prepared to go to the lavatory to freshen herself up, getting up a little later than usual today and hoping to have some time to do a simple stretching exercise.

When Anna came out, Karenin had already left and Annushka was tidying the room.

"Where is Alexei?"

"Sir went to his study and said that breakfast will be delayed by twenty minutes."

Anna smiled a little at that, and she went to the closet to choose her clothes.

In a noble family, the job of a personal maid included dressing her mistress, but Annushka did not need to do so for Anna, who was used to relying on herself for everything.

Annushka was almost a little apprehensive at first after being informed that she did not need to serve Anna, but later she found out that this was not the case.

Since Anna got well, she has become more cheerful in character.

Annushka was only a maid, she was not well educated, but kept to her duty, did not look at what she should not look at, did not think about what she should not guess, and by now she had adjusted herself not to make a fuss.

Anna picked a long dress made of velvet, that is very warm. By the time she was out of the bedroom door, Kearney, the butler, informed her that she could go to dinner.

"Thank you, Kearney." Anna smiled at the serious butler, who nodded at her in greeting.

When Anna arrived in the dining room, Karenin was already waiting there, reading the newspaper.

The servant put away the newspaper, and Karenin looked up at Anna and gestured for her to sit down.

Anna looked at the long table, then said, "Do you want me to sit here, or here?" She gestured with her eyes to the two seats.

Karenin got up and pulled out the chair next to him.

Anna winked, "I like that decision."

The breakfast was hearty, and there were no problems with each other's dining etiquette, except that too much silence made Anna feel a little uncomfortable.

She didn't like the quiet, but she wasn't sure Karenin would like it. After a moment of hesitation, she asked anyway, "May I ask you a question? Alexei."

"Yes." Although a little strange, Karenin stopped the movement of his hand.

Anna was a little coy, but decided to be honest.

"Can we communicate during the meal?"

Anna continued, "After what happened yesterday, I think that we need to communicate more. I want to get to know you better."

"You can ask me any question you want, Anna, unless it's something at work that I can't disclose." Karenin dropped the silverware in his hand completely at this point.

"Sometimes you don't need to be too careful with me, you know, you can, relax a little."

Anna laughed: "You're a little serious sometimes, you know?"

Karenin was a little surprised, then shook his head, "Not that anyone has ever talked to me about that. Besides, my job dictates that I am better able to make decisions this way."

"Many people are afraid to talk to you, but I can." Anna finished and smiled again, "Look at it this way, being your wife really has a lot of benefits."

Karenin did not know how to respond to these words, like a compliment, and somehow less formal.

"You see, now I know you a little better." Anna said as she began to cut her own bacon, so natural was she that Karenin looked at her for a moment afterwards.

The early morning sun shone in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling over his wife's hair, over her shoulders, as if she were dancing.

He glanced at the clock.

It was eight thirty, twenty minutes later than his usual breakfast time. The habit of not talking during meals at home was broken, too, and his right hand could touch the other one if he spread it out, so close. All because of the marriage.

"What do you want me to say to you?" Karenin asked.

Anna looked up, then said, "Anything, Alexei, I think this is the couple, you can say anything to me, if you want."

Anything, that's a bit too wide a scope.

If this were the answer Karenin got at work, he would normally frown and have his men regiment that answer again. But Anna was not his subordinate, he was his wife, a very special kind of being that he had never encountered before. Lack of data to analyze, only cautiously move one step at a time, and sometimes, even caution is not even used.

It was a little scary for Karenin, not bound by rules, no case studies, but he thought he could do it well.

For this reason, Karenin chose a topic carefully.

"Are you still willing to go to France with me in the afternoon?"

"Of course, what makes you think I would change?" Anna said pleasantly.

"After what happened last night, I'm afraid you'll need some personal space."

"No." Anna expressed herself frankly, "I want to follow you to France."

"I understand."

The silence in the restaurant resumed once again, but this time Anna no longer felt a little awkward.

Glachov came on time, he is a man in his fifties, a brownish-red hair has not yet gray, appearance circumspect, look very amiable.

He was indeed a gracious doctor and gave Anna an ointment to apply.

After the doctor left, they were the only two people left in the bedroom.

Karenin asked, "Do you need me to call Annushka?" At the word, the ointment was handed to him.

"It's also a necessary part of falling in love, increasing contact, getting familiar with each other, and then ......" she didn't say any more, just lowered her head and smiled.

Afterwards, when he finally gave a few words to the butler and turned around to board the carriage, Karenin saw the person who was waiting for him by the carriage, although it was still cold and chilly in November, it was as if spring had come with its limp skirts, leaving seeds of hope on the land, just waiting for the flowers to bloom in the coming year.

He's married, and being married feels, well, good.

The owner of the bed had not left the bedroom, but was ambling around in a soft chair, working diligently as a Russian official.