* * *
This wasn’t the first time enemies had invaded.
They had tried over twenty years ago but were driven back thanks to two heroes.
However, they hadn’t fled empty-handed—they had left plenty behind.
Amid the chaos, spies infiltrated and inscribed teleportation arrays at the forest entrance, enabling soldiers to arrive instantly.
The Count and his eldest son were gravely injured defending against the onslaught.
The second son, stationed as a royal knight, took time to arrive as reinforcements.
Ultimately, it was up to the third son, Klen, to take control of the situation.
And he succeeded. He did so well that he inherited the title of Count.
‘If I prevent the war, Klen won’t become the Count.’
A simple yet immensely difficult task. Just as I reached that conclusion—
“Are you feeling well?”
“…!”
Klen entered the room, the words he always said to me spilling out like a habit.
Did he not knock, or had I been too lost in thought to notice?
He strode over and dismissed the attendants who had followed him.
“I-I’m fine.”
Why was he here?
“They told me to share a room with you from now on.”
“Ah…”
Did my expression betray my thoughts?
Klen gave a small smile, his innocent demeanor unchanged despite the absence of others.
For a moment, I was captivated, though I knew this was far from a good sign.
Starting today, my peaceful nights were gone.
I glanced outside, realizing it was already dark, with only the light of enchanted orbs illuminating the room.
‘Sigh…’
Though I had expected this, I didn’t think he’d come today, right after sunset.
Klen was surprisingly obedient to the Count’s orders.
I shifted over, making space in the bed that I had claimed for myself.
If he was this dutiful, surely he wouldn’t have come prepared to fulfill their ultimate intentions… right?
But when our gazes met, I instinctively flinched.
“Don’t worry. Like I said earlier, that’s something I’ll only do when you’re ready.”
“…!”
Even my smallest reactions seemed to give away my thoughts.
He shrugged off his outerwear nonchalantly and slipped into the bed.
Though it was wide enough that our bodies didn’t touch, his warmth subtly permeated the space between us, making me uncomfortable.
No matter how much I focused elsewhere—on the brushstrokes of the paintings on the wall or other details—I couldn’t ignore his presence.
His warmth was a constant reminder of his proximity.
I’d have to get used to this.
If it was going to bother me, it might be better to confront it directly.
“Klen,” I mustered the courage to call out.
But he had already closed his eyes, showing no sign of being affected by my presence.
“…Yes?”
His slow, slightly raspy response came after a noticeable delay, as though he’d debated whether to pretend to be asleep.
His obvious hesitation made me second-guess myself.
Was it really necessary to ask this now?
“…No, never mind.”
But when else would I get the chance to ask?
My lips trembled slightly as I cautiously voiced the question lingering in my mind.
“Did you, uh, already prepare yourself for this kind of thing?”
“…”
Did he not understand the meaning of the words, or had he already fallen asleep?
Klen’s lips were tightly sealed.
It was a chance to get an answer.
As I was about to turn my head with a sense of regret, his eyes slowly lifted, then tilted slightly in my direction.
He hadn’t just woken up from sleep.
His amber eyes still shone clearly.
“Of course I did.”
“…!”
The expression on his face as he gazed at me seemed to say, “Did you come here without even preparing for something like this?”
Of course, I hadn’t… prepared myself for that.
No, I think I did at first, but I’d forgotten about it by now.
And in its place, only confusion filled my mind.
“And I think it’s for the best that you’re even more handsome than I expected.”
“…?!”
Klen smiled and closed his eyes again.
As he turned his head back and let out a relaxed breath, it seemed he wouldn’t open his eyes again until the morning.
I also looked away from him, moving a little farther and closing my own eyes.
‘Is that so?’
It was an unavoidable arranged marriage, and we only saw each other’s faces on the wedding day.
But, I couldn’t complain about his appearance at all; he was undeniably handsome.
Maybe Klen was right.
At least, it’s fortunate that my partner is good-looking.
But in the end, I had to stay awake all night.
It wasn’t because Klen was tossing and turning—no, it was because the warmth from the distance couldn’t be wiped away from my head.
On the other hand, the fact that Klen was sleeping deeply without a care was even more irritating.
It felt unfair that I was the only one who couldn’t sleep.
“Ah?!”
But just then, an arm flew over from beside me, grabbing my shoulder, and I was so surprised that I almost retaliated.
In fact, my hand shot up, but I barely suppressed it from swatting him away.
I turned my head.
“Ah!”
Then the very face I had praised as handsome just the night before was now right in front of me.
He had been lying far away, but suddenly, he was right there.
The hand that had been on my shoulder had now moved to my back, and as his face drew nearer, cold sweat began to form.
My heart beat wildly, signaling the danger of the situation.
‘He said he wouldn’t do it today!’
Could he have lied?
Or was this his sleeping habit?
Why was he suddenly doing this after sleeping like a log all night?
He had said it, so he wouldn’t hold it against me if I pushed him away, right?
That’s when I gently placed my hand on his shoulder.
Knock, knock.
“Excuse me.”
The door opened carefully, and a servant entered.
“Did you sleep well?”
“…”
I froze in the position where I had been about to push him off and turned my head.
The servant, who met my eyes, casually greeted me before glancing at Klen, who was now lying with his arm and legs draped over me.
He shook his head slightly.
He wasn’t surprised.
He just went about his business, tidying things around before approaching the bed.
“Master Klen, it’s time to wake up.”
“…”
“Doesn’t your spouse need help?”
If they asked if I was struggling, I’d say yes.
It wasn’t that I was holding back, but his limbs were wrapped so skillfully around me that I couldn’t move at all.
If the servant hadn’t come, I could have pushed him off, but even that was difficult now.
And besides, if I wanted to maintain my weak image, it was probably better to just wait quietly.
“Lord Fabian is waiting.”
“…ugh.”
Only then did Klen slowly open his eyes, as if it was a struggle.
He blinked lazily, moving his body slowly from side to side.
His staggering steps made me uneasy, even though I was the one watching.
‘I’m starting to get used to this…’
My eyes had gotten used to it, but it seemed I wasn’t fully able to accept it.
Like me, he seemed to be acting, which made me admire him.
Such movements weren’t the work of a beginner.
He didn’t rush through his shower and getting dressed.
* * *
