Even after getting up, he felt heavy, as if the situation was spiraling out of his control.

This wave had been a bit too strenuous, but something felt off.

Gillian clenched and unclenched his hand quietly.

His long, slender fingers moved smoothly, following his will.

His grip strength was the same, and the sensations coming from all directions seemed normal.

It seemed normal, but something in his instincts screamed that something had changed.

What could it be?

Gillian closed his eyes and thought for a while but couldn’t figure it out.

After some time, he took a sip of the strong black tea Kreta offered, and he felt his cluttered mind sort itself out a bit.

With his mind clearing, Gillian realized what he had been missing.

‘So, shall we meet later when I get up?’

He had forgotten last night’s promise!

“Is she still asleep?”

“She’s probably up by now. She’s an early riser.”

“I see.”

Immediately upon hearing Kreta’s words, Gillian sprang up.

The time it took for him to neatly dress and leave the bedroom was but a blink of an eye.

If Kreta had known how off he had felt earlier, she would have been stunned.

Knock knock.

Gillian announced his presence with a polite knock.

However, there was no response.

“……”

Debating whether to knock again, a knight guarding the corridor subtly approached and whispered.

“She sent people away, wanting to sleep in late today.”

Gillian’s gaze hardened.

“Is she unwell? Why wasn’t a doctor called?”

“A doctor was called yesterday.”

What?

Gillian slightly raised an eyebrow at the knight’s words.

He hadn’t received any news of illness.

Though he had left Kreta in the castle as a precaution for ‘defensive’ reasons, she was always reliable in handling affairs.

But she didn’t mention calling a doctor?

“The Duchess is…!”

“She isn’t sick, just tired from sorting through documents for the past few days. Juli and Benson had to practically tie her to the bed.”

“……”

“She’s not ill.”

Only after the knight reiterated did Gillian’s grim expression fade.

“Thanks for letting me know.”

With a light wave, Gillian entered Bianca’s bedroom without another knock.

As he opened the door, warm and sweet air enveloped him as if it had been waiting.

It was a scent no flower or perfume could produce.

Gillian moved quietly through the room, filled with Bianca’s unique fragrance.

Just as she’d said, wanting to sleep in late, Bianca was alone on the bed, curled up.

However, she wasn’t asleep.

Although her eyes were tightly closed, her breathing wasn’t settled as if she were asleep.

Watching her intermittently trembling eyebrows, Gillian gently opened his mouth.

“Bianca.”
Contrary to his intent to leave after briefly seeing her face, he had called out to her because he wanted to tell her not to push herself too hard.

However.

“Never mind.”

Just as Gillian thought his call had fallen on deaf ears, Bianca suddenly opened her eyes wide and looked at him.

Bianca’s flushed cheeks made her look truly delighted.

“Bianca?”

“Gillian.”

Without hesitating, Bianca stood up and approached him, her eyes shining like stars.

Gillian had to bite his lip hard to stifle a moan at the sight of her.

Her rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes.

Bianca, who looked at him and smiled, was too beautiful for words.

“I missed you.”

Wasn’t this too much when he was already at his limit?

Gillian could no longer hold back.

He reached out and pulled Bianca into his arms.

Her slender frame barely filled one arm.

He wanted to hold her tenderly, but he feared he would break her delicate bones if he applied even a little force.

Frustrated that he couldn’t embrace her tightly, Gillian had to let out a long sigh.

“Sigh…”

“This feels so good.”

Why was she doing this?

If she wanted to torment him, she was succeeding beautifully.

His blood was boiling in his veins.

“I’ve been having a hard time since I woke up at dawn.”

“Why?”

“Trying to fall back asleep.”

Pride tinged her voice, impossible to hide.

“So I can see you again.”

“Ah.”

His emotions boiling over, Gillian felt as though he’d been doused in cold water, snapping him back to reality.

Bianca was not realizing this moment!

“Bianca.”

“Yes.”

Gillian regretted having played along with Bianca’s earlymorning conversation.

His awkward consideration had led Bianca to confuse reality and dreams.

How pitiful yet adorable she was.

“I’m sorry for lying.”

“What?”

Her small shoulders within his embrace tensed up.

The erratic thumping of her heart palpable through their touching chests.

Yet, instead of letting go of the trembling Bianca, Gillian lowered his head and spoke each word into her ear with emphasis.

“I apologize for making it seem like a dream last night.”

“Ah…”

Gently, Gillian stroked her frozen back.

“I just wanted to see your face while you were asleep for a moment.”

Sigh.

Along with the soft sound, warm breath burst forth onto his chest.

“I didn’t expect you to wake up.”

Gillian pressed his lips gently against the crown of Bianca’s trembling head.

“I helped you fall back asleep because you believed it was a dream.”

I was worried you’d be embarrassed if you knew the true nature of your unconscious mutterings.

His shirt was quickly becoming soaked by her unspoken confession.

The humidity was permeating him.

Reaching even into those deep places.

Making his heart waver.

“I’m sorry.”

“I would have been fine with being embarrassed if I could have known sooner that you were okay.”

“I was shortsighted.”

“…”

“I was wrong. Don’t cry, okay?”

Gillian gently lifted Bianca’s chin, buried in his embrace.

Her tearstained eyes were even more adorable than he remembered.

“May I kiss you?”