Helena Was Warned That He Was Harsh and Unyielding and That She Should Stay Away From Him—But She Had a Clever Plan in Mind

Richard is a forty-year-old man who has never been married. Several years back, he was the envy of all the womenevery woman dreamed of having a man like him. Tall, handsome, and quite well-off. But now, the only thing left from those days is his wealth. Hes no longer young, his hair is thinning, and hes working on quite the belly. Richard is well aware of this, and for the first time in his life, he started to seriously consider marriage. Still, he doubted whether hed be able to find a suitable wife, given his rather difficult personality: hes abrupt, strict, and rather harsh. Everyone around him knows what hes like, so women usually warn off anyone who shows a passing interest in him. Richard soon realised his chances werent great. He told his friends about his worries and, after taking their advice, he was married within a few months.

The day after the wedding, Richard decided it was time to lay down the law for his new wife:

Youll be moving into my flat and you ought to consider it a real privilege. I expect the place to be spotless, always. Is that clear? Emily, caught off-guard, smiled sweetly, What exactly do you mean? she asked. Ill explain it just once, Richard replied with a grin. You need to understand you could lose this blessing at any moment. Im a very strict man, and youll have to get used to that and accept it. Oh, and the towels must be dry and hung properly at all times. The most important thing is cleanliness. Do you understand? Emily nodded and listened attentively. They headed to the kitchen, where Richard went over all his requirements in detail. Yes, love, Emily smiled, And what time will you be home? Why do you need to know that? Richard grumbled. So I can have dinner ready for you, she said. Hmm… Youll never know beforehand when Ill get home, but dinner must always be ready on time. And God help us if I dont like what youve cooked. No hard feelings, but Ill bin it without a second thought, and youll be punished. Understood, my dear. All will be well, Emily replied, smiling again.

That smile lingered in Richards mind all day. Later, before heading home, he popped into a restaurant and had a delicious meal. He wanted to test his wife, so he planned to tell her, without even tasting her cooking, that it was foul and that he wouldnt touch itall for a week straight. Richard walked in the door to silence. Anyone home? Im back. Oh, its you, Emily replied flatly, I was watching telly and must have dozed off. Is dinner ready? Dinner? Oh, yes, dinner! Lets go have a look. Richard was ready with his scripted complaints, but before he could speak, Emily said, Sit down at the table, and placed a plate of cold, unsalted porridge in front of him. Right thenhere you go. Its cold, bland porridge. If you dont finish it, thats on you. Ill be off and youll never see me again.

She laughed. Just kiddingyoull see me, but with someone else. And by the way, I know youve been eating out. I can imagine how dreadful it must be to eat this revolting porridge when youre already full. Richard was taken aback. Do you want to know why Im being so strict and blunt with you? Just know this, itll always be this way if you ever dare not to answer my questions. Now eat up, all of it. The sooner you start, the sooner youll be done! Emily had well and truly heard about her husbands eccentricities. But she didnt run from him.

Men arent born good and affectionate, shed say, but they become so when properly managed by their wives. She was right. Richard cleaned his plate in minutes. At last, he thought, Ive found just the woman I need. Shes the one Ive always dreamed of.