The slippers dragged across the floor.

“Where is a patient going alone?”

Charlotte looked up with empty eyes.

“I feel suffocated.”

“Lie down in your room like a patient.”

It was Benjamin.

“Is it a habit to come out alone at night?”

“You’re here.”

“I thought you would be outside since you’re awake.”

“Where have you been all this time?”

“I’ve been wrapping up hunting event for the past three days, and only today have I finally gotten a break.”

Benjamin placed a tiara on Charlotte’s head. He hooked a finger under the thin tiara and pulled it off, the tiara catching on his fingertip.

“Crying?”

Charlotte’s eyelids reddened.

“Cry, you say?”

“Why do you keep crying?”

Her eyes were heavy and wet, as if ready to cry at any moment, but Charlotte maintained her composure.

Benjamin kissed Charlotte’s eyelids.

“You’re upset.”

Charlotte fiddled with her fingers and touched his chest. Her eyelids gradually reddened.

‘I wasn’t going to cry.’

Charlotte clenched her fist. She clutched his garment tightly and leaned her forehead against it.

Her eyes became heavy and wet. Benjamin embraced her, pulling her close.

He lowered his face and leaned on her shoulder, brushing back her hair.

“Charl.”

Charlotte momentarily held her breath.

“My Charl.”

His voice, whispering softly, was smooth.

“Anything you wish will happen.”

Benjamin took the tiara caught on Charlotte’s fingertip and put it back on her head. Then he wrapped his arm around her waist and hugged her.

“Stop crying.”

Charlotte’s eyelids quivered. Benjamin whispered in a soft voice, lifting her chin.

“You’re crying because….”

Charlotte, as if enchanted, looked up. Their eyes met, and her dazed eyes were captured by Benjamin.

“I’m swayed by you.”

Benjamin smiled and shrugged his head. Their noses touched. So close. Too close.

The black hair tickled her cheeks, and his serpentlike eyes seemed ready to devour her.

Charlotte blinked blankly.

Charlotte admitted. She was swayed when she lost her mind.

But still.

Charlotte gripped Benjamin’s waist. As she pressed against his waist, Benjamin shuddered.

Just a little.

Just a little break, please.

Although the days she wanted to forget were confusing her mind.

“I want to rest today.”

Charlotte leaned her forehead against Benjamin.

Benjamin looked down at Charlotte as she burrowed into his embrace, clinging and hiding with her small body.

“Charl.”

“…….”

“Charlotte.”

Benjamin called Charlotte’s name several times.

Charlotte slowly regained her composure.

“You’re sleepy, aren’t you?”

Despite Benjamin’s whisper, Charlotte was merely leaning against him.

Benjamin shook his head and picked up Charlotte.

She’s light.

Benjamin paused momentarily but quickly found Charlotte’s room.

Charlotte seemed about to fall asleep soon.
Benjamin straightened the quilt and laid Charlotte down on the bed, then took a seat beside it.

“You mustn’t be ill.”

Benjamin spoke to Charlotte, who looked tired.

“Today, Aster was like a puppy caught in the rain.”

“My uncle isn’t like that.”

“I’m suffering. I want to come to you, but I can’t for fear of being interrupted.”

Charlotte raised herself up from where she had been leaning on the bed. She smiled, but a shadow crossed her face.

“Lie down.”

A chill night wind clung to Benjamin’s clothing, carrying a cool yet clear energy.

“My back hurts.”

“It’s not time to sleep yet.”

Charlotte squinted one eye.

Her fingertips, calloused from gripping a sword, felt rough.

Benjamin smiled and brushed her cheek. Her long eyelashes tickled his fingertips.

“Stay here until I fall asleep.”

“Hmm?”

“Warmth…….”

It seemed she had secretly missed this warmth.

“Give your hand to me.”

Benjamin took Charlotte’s hand.

“It’s hot.”

“That’s because you have a fever.”

“It feels like the fever has gone down.”

Her head felt hazy.

Charlotte fumbled around the bed and laid down.

“Could you open the terrace window?”

“The night air is not good. You might catch a cold.”

“It’s hot.”

“It’s because you have a fever. No, Charl.”

Benjamin overlapped his forehead with hers.

“The cold has fully set in.”

Charlotte felt her consciousness slowly sinking.

“Sleep if you’re sleepy.”

“…….”

“I’ll be by your side.”

Benjamin patted her lower abdomen.

“Everything will be alright.”

This moment is fleeting.

“I will tear everything apart.”

“…….”

“Breathe slowly.”

As Charlotte blinked, Benjamin leaned his head close. Their eyes met at close range. It was too late to look away.

“You can sleep now.”

Her auburn hair scattered over the bed.

“Don’t be in pain.”

Benjamin kissed Charlotte’s cheek.

“Charl.”

His whispering voice became increasingly faint.

Take a deep breath. Sleep, and you’ll feel better when you wake up. The reassuring voice grew more and more distant.