The first time

When Elena entered the bedroom, the music from the ballroom and the congratulatory toasts from the guests were all replaced with quietude and the half lights of a few candle lamps. 

Moving from her childhood bedroom to her chambers in the palace had already been a big change for her, but sleeping in the nuptial chamber was a whole other level of awkwardness. The maids had stripped her of her ball gown and dressed her in a simple white nightdress and silk robes. This way it was impossible to forget that, even if nothing happened between her and her new husband in that room, everyone outside had expectations of what the first night for a groom and his bride was supposed to be like. 

Thankfully, Ivar wasn’t there yet. 

Elena poured herself some wine and sat on one side of the bed, suddenly she reca