Elysia, as if accustomed, took a handkerchief from her maid’s apron pocket and wiped his forehead. But Illeon, with his arms around her waist, didn’t know how to let go.

“I had a bad dream.”

“What dream?”

“I don’t know. Don’t remember. It was scary.”

Illeon wanted to forget the last scene of the dream that came like an afterimage.

“You were gone when I woke up. Where were you?”

Illeon clung to Elysia, babbling nonsensical accusations.

“It was just a moment. Really. I just bathed and changed clothes. Talked briefly with the butler too.”

“You said you wouldn’t go anywhere, didn’t you?”

He continued to speak nonsensically due to the effects of the nightmare, but Elysia seemed to consider that he was still groggy and sensitive, and she calmly soothed him.

“I’m sorry, Lord Illeon.”

Illeon hugged Elysia and stayed that way for a while.

Her hand stroking his head felt madly good, and shame was creeping in with his slowly returning sanity.

‘This is not like a duke.’

He didn’t have the courage to look at Elysia; it was fortunate she could not see his face.

“I’ll bring you new clothes.”

He felt a chill on his back due to the soaked shirt from his cold sweat. Though losing body heat wouldn’t cause any major problem for Illeon, Elysia seemed bothered by the cold feeling in her hand as she patted him.

When he released his arms, Elysia quickly brought his new shirt.

Elysia always handed Illeon’s clothes to him and left the room as Illeon preferred to do everything himself. She had never actually helped him with anything directly.

But today, driven by a compensatory feeling toward the pushingaway woman, Illeon was different.

“Help me change.”

“Huh?”

Elysia’s lips rounded in surprise. …Cute.

“My hands are weak.”

“Ah.”

She seemed to accept his excuse tacked on as an explanation.

“Just stay like this for a moment. I’ll unbutton it.”

As Elysia bowed her head, the sweet smell of cherry blossoms flowed to him.

‘What’s this? She’s blushing?’

When he asked, she calmly answered, but unbuttoning the shirt, Elysia’s cheeks were red.

‘I’m going crazy.’

Illeon regretted his hasty decision.

The time it took Elysia to undo five buttons felt like five hours.

“Whew, done.”

When she looked up, their eyes met. Of course, the lens was hiding his eyes, so Elysia wouldn’t know.

“Lift your arm.”

“Huh?”

“You need to take off the shirt to put on a new one.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll do it myself.”

“Re, really?”

“I’m hungry.”

“I’ll quickly prepare the meal.”
Elicia and Illeone awkwardly fumbled as they faced each other. As she disappeared outside the room, Illeone, clutching a new shirt to his chest, sighed.

“I guess this is something only those who have tried it can do.”

He wondered how many days he could do this because of the awkwardness.

But that doubt disappeared again in a moment.

“Oh, please do.”

Illeone forgot to open his mouth and stared blankly at Elicia, who slightly protruded her lips and blew on the hot soup to feed him.

‘Cute.’

How many times had he thought this today? It was a very pitiful act, but Illeone had no thoughts. His eyes and heart were all occupied by looking at Elicia.

“Why are you doing that? Doesn’t it suit your taste?”

As he did not open his mouth, Elicia tilted her head and examined Illeone’s expression.

‘Tilting her head is cute.’

It felt like he was struck by an arrow. Could a person go mad in just one day when he was fine until yesterday?

Illeone reflected on his condition with a selfmocking attitude.

“No. It’s okay. It seemed a little hot earlier.”

“I’m sorry. It’s been quite a long time since I did this.”

Elicia giggled bashfully.

“Ah, you know, Lord Illeone.”

Yes, I’m here.

“I have something to ask you.”

“A request?”

I’ll do anything I can for you.

Illeone felt like he had sold his soul for the seven spoonfuls of soup Elicia had fed him.

“Please treat me as Lona for a while.”

“What?”

A shadow crossed her face.

“I left the house secretly yesterday. My parents will be looking for me. The butler doesn’t know who I am, and neither do the other servants.”

Elicia’s words were true. Marriage was a matter between families. Though Illeone was the head of the Clevent Grand Duchy, Elicia needed the permission of Duke Uter to marry.

“If who I am is known, I won’t be able to be by your side, Lord Illeone.”

It was good to have no rumors that could become the seeds of suspicion. Fortunately, this was the place where ‘Lona’ had been for over half a year.

If she becomes my maid and slips back into her place as naturally as before, we can continue to live naturally.

But that very point irritated Illeone.

“Do you dislike it?”

Even though she asked, Elicia looked puzzled.

More than anyone, as the head of a Grand Duchy, he should know the etiquette of nobles, but his annoyance was evident.

Instead of saying yes or no, Illeone gently grasped Elicia’s hand and slowly drew her hand to his lips.

“Lord Illeone.”

“We can’t do this if you’re Lona.”

Elicia angrily snatched her hand back.

“No. Never.”

“It seems like I’m at a loss.”

Unprepared for Illeone’s reaction, Elicia was at a loss.

“If someone sees this, it’ll be a big problem.”

“What big problem.”

When he responded brazenly, Elicia looked at him with a frustrated expression.

“I want to be by your side. That’s why I’m doing this.”

“Is it just for me?”

“Huh?”

“What about you?”

Illeone looked at Elicia and asked.

“I… I want to be with Lord Illeone too.”

“Okay. For now, I’ll consider you as Lona.”

Only then did Elicia’s expression brighten.

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Don’t mention it.”

It’s something I’m happy to do.

Illeone was about to giggle at his willingness when,

“I’ll give you a reward if you keep the secret.”

“What reward?”

……As soon as he asked, Elicia clasped his face with both hands and pulled him close.

Smack.