✧THE MORNING AFTER✧

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The following morning, Rhea hadn't felt this exhausted since the final days of her NEWTS. The nap in the common room with the rest of her seventh-year classmates had been a blessing and a half. Yet now as moved around all the kinks and quirks allowed the stiffness to reawaken.

Upon rising up, she struggled to cover her decency as she replayed everything that occurred the previous night. But better yet, she began rolling around the newly placed ring on her finger. The significance had rewarmed her heart in recall of the words he whispered when placing it on her.

The smile playing her lips had blossomed, especially when she caught Alphard's figure sleeping beside her. His hair sprawled out onto the pillow, he looked peaceful. And in an attempt to remain quiet, she returned back down to lay beside him.

Taking in his physic, he was simply on his back, his face turned towards her—While his arms were resting on his stomach now that she wasn't snuggled up against him. She still felt the tempted heat that they shared during the night. 

And in a moment to distract her from those lingering thoughts, she took a first look around the room, which seemed much larger now that it was lit up from the natural sunlight.

Her curiosity had ignored the better part of her exhaustion, and she was willing to remain awake to satisfy what hadn't been explored in her worries.

It was then that she felt the damning feeling of needing to use the loo, she cringed at the thought of needing to move or even waking him up. But the demand seemed to be getting louder the more she tried to ignore it, and thus she slipped out of bed and hurried into the restroom.

Upon closing the main door leading to the bedroom she sighed in relief, the moment alone had been needed. And as she trudged off towards the loo, she realized all too suddenly that she was indeed bare.

Rubbing her eyes and using the spare rag, she had dampened it to clean up the better part of her neck and face. It wasn't until the soft plopping of footsteps had caught her attention.

An elf had appeared with a bundle of folded clothes. She must be delivering them to the closet.

"Er—Hello." She greeted, and the little one bowed.
"Guten Morgen, meine Herrin. Frühstück?" [Good morning my mistress. Breakfast?]

Hera sighed in a bit of frustration, it was much too early to translate English let alone German.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand..." She said with fallen shoulders, the elf tilted their head and nodded before popping out of the room. Rhea was left by herself and bare, wondering what elf had taken from that interaction.

But Betty had popped in soon enough.

"Good Mistress is awake! We bring you breakfast?"
"I um...I think I'm going to get some more rest actually. Thank you, Betty. Is this Alphard's closet?"
"Yes mistress, Master has us make space for sweet mistress. I take care of trunk, come see!" Rhea was led into the closet, she hadn't realized that the elves had done this after her bath. But she was thankful to see all the clothes out on display and then some.

"Was this all in my trunk?"
"No mistress, Mistress Malfoy have me bring it to manor before the wedding." She said while snapping her fingers together, allowing the hanger to reveal another nightgown and she was thankful for the offer and threw it over her head and swiped a pair of panties to cover up.

"Goodnight mistress, Master tells me that I will help Mistress every day."
"Thank you lovely, I'll see you in a bit." She cooed went back towards the sink to check her appearance.

She was thankful she left her wand beside the sink from the night before. The habit of leaving her wand was detrimental, she knew Alphard would start to chime in soon enough when he learned of this. So she vowed that she'd try and do better—

"Good lord..." She said, touching the better part of her neck and shoulders. Clearly, she hadn't been the only one curious and excited last night. Alphard favored her shoulder, so says the ever-growing splotches to her skin.

But even now as she brought her fingertips to touch them, she was transported right back to how adoring he was last time.

After freshening up, she felt the delightful urge to return back to the warmth underneath the covers and in her husband's hold.

Her husband's hold.

Alphard hadn't moved an inch since she last saw him, nor did he make a sound when she fumbled with the blankets and attempted to find the best way to return to her spot resting against his chest.

Instead she had simply laid her head back onto her pillow and let her eyes lull back into the darkness. But it hardly had been a minute until a set of arms wrapped around her form and gently pulled her back into his embrace.

Her irritated moan earned her a husky chuckle, making her eyes peel open to see that he was still set on getting some more sleep. "Goodmorning love." She hummed into his skin, kissing his chest and mumbling the same greeting.

She felt her husband's hands coming to feel her once more, until he was met with the touch of cloth. "You're wearing clothes." He grumpled, and it earned him a breathless bit of laughter.

"Hmm. You're warm that I didn't even notice last night." She ushered with a newfound warmth in her cheeks that he didn't pass up the chance to see.
"You moved a bit in your sleep...Absolutely adorable."
"I do? I'm sorry, I didn't even know that I was—"
"And you talk in your sleep." That had immediately caused her to still. "You're joking."

"Sorry love, it was mostly telling me how much you love me. Nothing to worry about."
"Alfie, you can't talk to me when I'm asleep!" She said, muffled into his chest. He hadn't meant to antagonize her, but he was truthful.

"I won't. Would you like to get up?" She hurried to push herself onto him, not wanting to get up to face the day. "Little Goddess, you need to eat something." With her chin propped onto his chest to look up to him, they were allowed to enjoy one another's attention for a moment—Or would've had a passing elf not knocked on the door in wonder if they wanted to eat.

And with the order in place, Rhea couldn't delay them further.

"I'm going to take a shower, close your eyes for another few minutes, love. We'll head downstairs after." He offered, kissing her temple and making his into the open door.

It was a bit humorous that he hadn't bothered to cover himself nor clothes the door to the bathroom. Yet she sighed up to the ceiling with a smile on her face, his arse looked good and it was making her giggle to herself.

But she used the extra ten minutes to close her eyes and relax in the empty bed, yet opening her eyes to see Alphard sitting on the bed just beside her.

"I forgot to ask what you usually eat for breakfast..." He mumbled, a little frown playing on his face that she reached forward to his hand. "It's alright, I don't eat much in the morning." She settled her husband's worry and continued to sit up in the center of the bed and properly gave him a good morning kiss.

With the start of the morning finally overcoming the both of them, Rhea had followed after her husband downstairs to the main dining room. And already—She was blown away by the detail, her small gasp at the sight of the chandelier had caused him to chuckle.

Completely amused that she's adoring the finer things and caught her attention when he kissed her temple.

"I think the elves want to impress you, they've made nearly everything." The food hadn't been on her mind until she took in the sight of multiple dishes laying before them.

"Good Master brings Good Mistress to eat?... Betty makes good food."
"You always do Betty. Come love, they live to see us eat." That was true as well, she always found that the elves were in a much higher spirit when their work was favored and praised. So when she followed in suit to the chair beside him, she was rather taken back to the position of the table.

It hadn't occurred to Alphard the culture shock, and instead she stared at the many dishes surrounding her. Wondering what to take first.

"Coffee or tea?" He questioned, and Rhea hummed in wonder. "Coffee I suppose, still a bit tired." It escalated Alphard's ego tenfold in pouring her a generous amount of coffee and providing her the milk and sugar to add to her cup.

Among that, she had taken advantage of the eggs and bacon before her, after being in the habit of oatmeal and fruit, she favored the change. Yet the options in front of her had awoken how truly hungry she was.

Upon the delivery of the newspaper, Alphard had handed her the Daily Prophet as he held the German edition. Wanting to get the news locally.

"Are all your elves here German?" Alphard had looked up to her the moment he caught her voice, and he nodded—Clearing his voice with another sip of coffee.

"Yes, they stay here to maintain the grounds. I have a group of elves that follow me around the continent."
"A-alright, I didn't understand the elf this morning is all."
"Ah, yes. Betty and Becker are the pair that follow, simply call on them and they'll aid you." She nodded, and the rest of their breakfast had gone in that direction.

She would ask a question, nervous as could be, and he answered it just the same. He couldn't understand if it was because she was tired, but there was no reason to be afraid to speak.

"Rhea, could I ask you a question?" She looked up from the Daily Prophet, momentarily surprised that he spoke to her—Issuing a frown.

"I believe you already did." A playful smile rallied on him as he caught the tease, and he nodded. "I suppose I did, but my real question requires honesty. Can you do that for me?"

He took in the sight of her confusion and analyzing the situation at hand, and thus he leaned forward to pull her hand into his grasp. "If you are ever uncomfortable with a question love, veto it. I just want to understand something."

"A-alright, what's the question?"
"Am I that scary?" It caused her to instantly shake her head in disagreement. "Of course not, you're very sweet and kind. Especially with your hair down like it is." She had meant to make a comment on how his hair looked after a shower, and it was honestly damning her to the high heavens to keep it in.

"Then why...Are you nervous? You have a question and I'll answer it, though I'll hold to that I might use that veto in the future. Are you comfortable?"
"Y-yes. I just don't want to annoy you. I've been known to be—"
"Nothing. Rhea, I don't think you could possibly be annoying even if you tried." She hung her head low and it instantly drew him forward.

"None of that either, or else I'll think you're scared of me."

"But I'm not!"
"Then no more hiding away and no second-guessing things with me. The only thing I ask is we don't lie to one another."
"Okay." He smiled brightly in hearing her agreeing, which allowed him to engage in a better conversation than what was happening prior.

"Er...The potion I took last night, is it twenty-four hours?" She question and he chuckled.

"Yes, no matter how many times we make love, it'll be nulled by the potion. Though I don't expect this to be the final option, there's a monthly tonic or a bimonthly one I believe." Rhea had recalled that it was spoken about here and there.

"I don't think I can get that without a signature or—"
"I'm sorry that's how the way things are, but I still stand by waiting until at least twenty-one."
"I agree, even if I want to be a mother now. I don't think I'm prepared for all...All of that just yet."
"I know love, besides—I want you all to myself for right now." He hummed, leaning forward to capture her lips.

And he tasted wonderfully. Like coffee.

"Now then, we can explore the rest of the manor—That has a bit of surprise entailed in the mix of that or we can revisit the bedroom." The way he could simply slip the conversation in return to sex amazed her.

"Alphard! We've gone at it three times already!"
"So? There's no tally or limit...Unless you're still sore?" His smile had switched out to one of concern—Which she instantly shook her head too.

"No, not sore...I just—I didn't know that we could have so much..." Rhea divulged, but her eyes darted every other way than to look him. "Did you expect that I have my way with you and then go off to another room?" Rhea bit her lip, it was her nightmare if anything.

To be in loveless relationship.

"Not you...I just expected it from any husband."

"Rhea, that is not a normal relationship. Spouses share a bed and family responsibilities...Which I plan to include you in, if that is what you want."

"What do you mean—Your investments? I don't know a thing about that sort of thing!"
"Neither did I. And they range further than investments. They're businesses, love. I think you would enjoy it if anything. But enough of that, I want to show you my surprise." Her eyes flickered to his lower half, and it earned her a heart filled laugh.

"In a bit love, it is why there's such a thing as honeymoon phase. Otherwise, we would've had breakfast in bed."
"I should get dressed first."
"Absolutely not."
"Alfie, I can't wear this for the rest of the day."
"Why not? We're not expected anywhere and aren't expected anyone. Leave it on, or nothing. I don't mind either." She gawked at him but managed to stand her ground in tightening her robe closer to her body.

With Alphard smiling in victory, he offered an arm and began escorting her throughout the manor.

It was still fairly large in her mind, lofted more than not, but it still saddened her that this was all just for one person. Alphard didn't need six bedrooms but he had them built regardless. Perhaps he used to host for his nephews and nieces when they were younger.

Rhea left that thought in her mind while staring at the empty space.

"This is my study, the one in London is nearly similar. Though I have more of my Hogwarts memorabilia there."
"I wonder...Do you get called back for Slughorn's parties?"
"All the damned time, even though I wasn't a Slytherin nor accepted his invitation to join the damned club."
"Why not? He's a very kind man."
"He is kind, but I never liked his type. Friendly but with a purpose." Rhea had taken that into consideration as she plopped down into his seat behind his desk, and seeing her small frame take up hardly a half caused him to chuckle.

"No wonder you like it here, this is a powerful seat." She gush and made herself sit up from the back cosines.

"Hmm, that is where your surprise comes into play—Though you're always welcomed to join me here in my study. I thought that you could do well with your own." Her lips parted in pure awe, had he truly given her a space to call her own?

She'd recall that he was constructing something, and part of her just assumed a bit more of a library—Or she hoped at the least. With a pleasant squeal, she had bounced back up to her feet and followed right behind him.

And while it wasn't exactly finished entirely, it gave Rhea the opportunity to finish it herself with things that she favors.

"I wasn't exactly sure what else to add to the room, course the art things are elsewhere—I dabble in it as well but I can't manage the same as...What's this?" Rhea had looked away from her desk and its gorgeous wood to see a sheet covering over a stand.

"Oh! That's your wedding present!" She cheered, coming around the given furniture to hug his arm.
"Truly?...May I unveil it?" She nodded, not daring to look at the piece that taunted her for hours on end.

Instead, she watched how Alphard's eyes had widened, that she had taken the knowledge of wedding dress and incorporated it into the portrait.

"Rhea this is...is so lifelike."
"I know it isn't your style, but I think I managed to get your wedding robes correctly." She said, now taking a gaze back to the image—She didn't want herself looking out, her attention was up to her husband.

Almost like the position they were in now, her gazing at him while he's on the lookout.

"I want this in every manor." He deemed. And Rhea huffed.

"I think that is my final portrait for a while. I'm much better with landscaping." He chuckled, turning back to look at his beautiful wife and enrapturing her lips to his.

"I will display anything you create. But this might remain my favorite."

"Is my birthday gift out of the running already?" She teased, and his ears began to burn red with embarrassment. "It's already in our bedroom, in London I mean." He claims, and Rhea truly didn't care which manor it was in.

At least he adored it.

"Do you like the room?... I wasn't sure what else to incorporate. Narcissa reminded me you are just as capable of picking out what you like."
"I would love to decorate, I've hardly been allowed to change my bedroom!" As she had gone over to the desk and took the time to take notes of what to add, Alphard was left to wonder what else Rhea was unable to break free from.

He didn't forget about the fact that she has never been to a Quidditch match besides Hogwarts. "Love?" She looked up to where she thought he was standing, but then did a quick scan and smiled when she caught him insight.

"Have you played Quidditch before?" Rhea blinked for a moment and shook her head. "No, the only time I tried being on a broom was flying class."

"In first year?!" His outburst had caused her to tilt her head and she nodded. "Mum didn't want me getting hurt so I didn't bother asking again. Besides, I don't think I'm cut out for any position." Alphard had continued to gaze at his little wife, how torn she must've been to know that she wasn't allowed.

So torn away from a favorite sport that she convinced herself it wasn't for her.

"Perhaps I have to buy you a broom to find out." He teased, and she shook her head.

"Absolutely not! You can't keep buying me things, Alfie." This had certainly caused him to scoff to the side and continue towards her.

"And whyever not? I think I'm the keeper of my own funds."
"But brooms are expensive!" He narrowed his gaze down towards her, what the bloody hell did she—

"Rhea, how much do brooms cost?" She huffed, knowing that it was a test and thus she crossed her arms.

"Over five hundred galleons." And he nodded, she had been close in that regard. But those were the lower-end models. "A decent one at the least, all mine are custom made."

"I don't want you spending money on me with things I won't be using."
"Nonsense, I'm going to teach you how to fly."
"I know how to fly."
"No. Fly like a Quidditch player. There's a distinct difference, and to do that you need a broom." She thought it was adorable to see him wanting to make plans, but it was starting to make her uncomfortable.

In seeing this, he kissed her temple and began to rub his hand against her shoulder.

"I'm sorry love, but this is my attempt of getting you out of your comfort zone...Every bird deserves the chance to fly."
"I was starting to miss Atlas." He playfully nudged her before encasing her back into his arms, he couldn't hold himself from not having contact with her.

But to his embarrassment, Rhea wasn't going to allow him the instance of letting this go. Especially when his lounge attire wasn't hiding anything from her.

"Excited about flying, are you?"
"Among other things." He claimed with a wiggling brow. And Rhea had thought back to her little book that Narcissa gifted.

"If I'm ever too much love, please tell me. Weren't you the one to call me a cuddly bear?"
"Yes, but it's beyond sweet. I don't think you'll ever be too much." She had missed his reference that this didn't just extend to him being cuddly, for Rhea and her ability to bottle everything up.

Alphard didn't want her silence on anything with him, though he would get there eventually.

"I have an idea...But it's rather naughty." She said, her eyes darting this way and that—As if someone would walk in on them. "Nobody is here love, and for the record anything that you come up with I believe my thoughts are much...Naughtier." She perked her lips and shot him a questionable gaze.

"Truly?" She questioned, wondering where his own thoughts were pushing towards.
"Yours truly...Tell me, we'll go from there."

Rhea had a different reasoning for her idea, she didn't outright want to say that she wanted him to recreate her dream from forever ago. Instead this was allowing a proper exploration and it would be perfect.

"That book Cissy got me, perhaps we could recreate some of the—"
"Yes!" She hardly had the chance to react as he reached to pick her up and carry her out of the room. "You crazy man! That was a proposal for a later time! We can't spend all day in bed!" She shouted over his shoulder and squealed every time his hold on her bum tightened.

"Rhea, my love, my beautiful little Goddess. Proposing that to a man who's already desperate for your attention is an absolute torturous—"
"Desperate for my attention? I'm right here." He had stopped in the hallway now, he turned from his targeted look off to their bedroom door and up to her.

For once she had the higher ground and he rather liked holding her like this, she hardly weighed much at all. "You are. You have my every thought and every intention. Even having you in the manor is a blessing. It's awakened a part of me that I've never uncovered. Please forgive me, I'm obsessed." She patted his head for a moment as she sunk back to the ground onto her feet.

"I'm here now and I'm not leaving...I um—Let me read the potion's instructions and then maybe—" She watched as he ran towards their bedroom and she followed him in, taking a peek into the bathroom.

A fine line of potions was hidden away in the mirror's cabinet.

"It lasts twenty-four hours, but I've got another type." Rhea never truly had to take these things into consideration and she held either bottle in her hands and read through them.

"I took one last night at around ten, so if it expires and we still—Then I'll take this. But I think you're right, taking too much doesn't sound wise." Alphard nodded, confirming that he would look into other options.

"Um...Alfie?" She whispered, and he turned back around. "Did you get last night's potion from the cabinet?"
"I believe so. Why?" The panic in her eye hadn't prepared him for the fact that she had pulled the rest of the bottles out and checking them the same as the rest.

"Love, goddess—slow down. What's wrong?"

"These are all expired, Alfie." She said with fear in her eyes. And it had taken a moment for him to recollect himself from his honest mistake.

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Date Posted: 10/25/2021

Time: 10:55

Words: 4078