As always, after being tormented by the maids, I went into the bedroom, and a different fragrance filled the air.

‘What’s this?’

A moderately refreshing and sweet fruit scent filled the room.

Moreover, the lighting had subtly changed, creating an unusual atmosphere.

“Uh, um, Nathaniel?”

I closed the door and moved further inside.

Nathaniel, who was sitting near the terrace, turned his head at my words.

“What are you doing there?”

“Just, thinking about whose work this might be.”

Nathaniel spoke, pointing at the robe he usually wore.

No, it wasn’t the thick and soft robe he usually wore.

It looked like it was made of thin and light fabric, no different from the shimizu I was wearing.

And it seemed to serve only half its function as clothing.

His muscular upper body was highlighted beneath the translucent fabric.

‘It seems to show, yet not show…’

Suddenly, I thought I saw the true nature of the fuss the maids made on the first night.

“What are you looking at?”

“Excuse me?”

Nathaniel took a step toward me, his eyes narrowing.

“Madam, you seem to be more enlightening than I thought.”

“What, what? It’s not that.”

“Really?”

His hand touched my cheek.

It was cool and soft, and it felt good. As I rubbed my cheek reflexively against his palm, he smiled slightly.

“Jaina.”

Nathaniel called my name and caught my waist.

His breath was sweet and soft, and his eyes were drawing near. I clenched my eyes shut.

Yes, I thought this would happen someday.

I couldn’t live without doing anything all my life, anyway.

With a solemn resolve, I clenched my hand.

A masculine slap rang out loudly.

After that, nothing happened, so I opened my eyes and looked straight ahead.

Nathaniel’s face still looked completely at ease.

It annoyed me for some reason.

“What’s this, playing jokes. I’m really nervous, you know.”

At my gruff words, Nathaniel looked slightly surprised.

Come to think of it, I felt like I had dug my own grave.

Nathaniel seemed to have gotten used to it, so he looked unfazed.

“That’s a welcome sound.”

Nathaniel sat on the bed, laughing.

His graceful arm reached out and grabbed my hand.

Pulled by his soft but firm touch, I was drawn to the bed where he was sitting.

Nathaniel kissed my palm and whispered.

“I thought I was the only one trembling.”

His mischievous eyes twinkled.

“What, what…”

The heat rose from where his lips had touched, spreading through my body.

“Don’t be so tense.”

Nathaniel laughed loudly, leaving me frozen.

I trembled, realizing I’d been teased by him.

To think I’d been had by that beast!

“If you keep doing this, I’ll get more nervous.”

Nathaniel lay long on the bed, looking my way.

His muscular upper body showed through the gap in the gown, as if on purpose.

“I’m not falling for your jokes anymore.”

“It’s not a joke.”

Nathaniel grabbed my hand and laid me down on the bed.

He loomed over me, muttering.

“Didn’t I tell you?”

My head was spinning because of the soft, sweet scent.

Or was it his eyes, staring straight at me?

Or maybe those soft lips?

Nathaniel placed my hand over his heart.

I stared blankly at his face, feeling the rapid and clear heartbeat.

He mumbled, looking as if nothing was wrong.

“I thought I’d be angry if I were the only one feeling this way.”

“Uh, aaaah!”

I jumped up and fled to the corner of the room.

That’s not Nathaniel.

The beast I knew was selfwilled, often irritable, and…

Anyway, he was never a man who would speak such sweet words.

“What, why are you running away?”

Nathaniel mumbled, looking puzzled as I suddenly pushed him away and fled to the corner.

“I, I want to sleep separately tonight.”

“What?”

“I can’t do it. I’ll sleep on the sofa, so Nathaniel, please sleep comfortably in the bed.”

“What nonsense.”

“What do you mean, nonsense?”
Nathaniel chuckled incredulously, his eyes twinkling.

The chills ran down my spine at his eyes that shone brightly even in the dark.

I picked up the blanket rolling on the floor, wrapped it around myself, and lay down on the sofa, closing my eyes.

Nathaniel, coming down from the bed, walked over and suddenly lifted me up.

“Ah, ahh!”

And he flung me into the bed.

I rolled out of the bed and moved away from Nathaniel.

“It’s a sleepover out of necessity, so pretending should be enough.”

At my words, Nathaniel’s brows furrowed deeply.

An intuition that had been dead for a long time spoke.

He’s really angry.

But why?

“Stop talking nonsense and come here, Jaina.”

“Yes……”

Feeling powerless, I quickly followed Nathaniel’s words.

As soon as I obediently lay down on the bed, Nathaniel embraced me.

My troubled heart settled a bit at the touch of his hand patting my back.

“Is it burdensome?”

“No.”

I turned my back to avoid his gaze.

“Tell me honestly. What’s the reason for this all of a sudden?”

It was hard to say.

It felt like a close friend had suddenly grown up.

“Jaina.”

“I don’t know either.”

I mumbled in a small voice.

“What?”

I felt the back of my neck getting hot.