“There’s no gain for me in killing you, and the same goes for Louis, so don’t worry about being attacked while sleeping.”

“I didn’t think Your Highness would kill me.”

“Oh, you’re confident. Then go get some rest.”

Ariana sat back down.

As Cyrus had pointed out, if she had left in this state, she wouldn’t have gone far before collapsing. She felt overwhelmed even just standing while talking.

She felt uneasy sleeping in front of a man, moreover the North Emperor, but she soon dismissed the thought.

‘Forget about reputation or anything else in this situation.’

Ariana closed her eyes.

Murmurs of Cyrus giving orders to Louis reached her ears. ‘I probably won’t be able to sleep,’ she thought, but in just a few seconds, Ariana fell into a deep sleep.

+++

Louis returned after surveying the outside of the cave as per Cyrus’ orders.

“The soldiers are searching the forest. Soon, news of Your Highness’ disappearance will reach Duchess Rachel Bronthe’s ears.”

“I see.”

“And it is starting to rain a bit. It looks like it will rain for a few days.”

“Has Ten returned?”

Ten was a white eagle that Cyrus had been raising since childhood.

“Yes. Noah and Isaac said they will wait near the opposite cave exit.”

“Alright.”

Louis wondered if Cyrus would take Ariana to North Command but restrained his full curiosity.

“I will go catch some fish for Your Highness to eat when you wake up.”

“Alright.”

After Louis left, Cyrus sat leaning against the wall, watching Ariana. Just watching her sleep seemed to make time fly by. It had been the same since their time at the Bronthe mansion.

Conversing with Ariana was enjoyable. The clever Ariana quickly figured out what enemies were thinking, and she responded skillfully to Cyrus’ words.

How would she react if he said this? How would they block them next time?

Watching and predicting Ariana’s moves was more entertaining than any famous continental theatre drama.

For the sake of clearly resolving the past, Cyrus had many things to do. He had obtained what he needed in Seoryeong, so he should hurry to North Command, but he didn’t want to.

For Cyrus, who had lived by splitting time into seconds, these leisurely and tardy days were a first.

‘It’s because she has utility.’

Cyrus repeated a thought he had many times before.
“Better for the woman I intend to use to have a good laugh.”

With no rational reason behind the thought, Cyrus watched Ariana sleep.

+++

She remembered falling asleep on the hard floor of the cave. Therefore, the warmth she felt upon waking was puzzling.

She was certain she’d fallen asleep uncomfortably on the cold ground.

Confused, she touched the floor with her hand and felt soft fabric. Beneath it seemed to be a layer of leaves or straw.

The soft fabric had a familiar scent. Pleased by the fragrance, she buried her face in it before suddenly pulling away, realizing where she’d smelled it before.

The first time she’d met Northchef in the kitchen of the Bronte mansion. When he had embraced her as the maids entered. When she had buried her face in his chest.

That was the scent.

A refreshing scent.

Only then did she realize the soft fabric was his cloak.

Her face flushed hot.

To think she was sniffing his scent and burying her face in it.

She had decided not to care about her reputation as a woman, but this was beyond that. It was foolish and vulgar.

Ariana looked around to see if anyone was watching.

Fortunately, neither Cyrus nor Louis was in sight. The bag Cyrus had shown her before she slept was still in its place.

“Where did he go?”

Ariana emerged from the blanket and gently lifted the cloak. Beneath it, a thick layer of leaves had been placed.

“The leaves shouldn’t be so abundant yet.”

The weather had only recently begun to warm, and young leaves should just be sprouting. She had seen the trees of the forest holding only a touch of green before entering the cave.

Gathering this many leaves must have taken considerable effort and time.

It was the first time since her previous life that she had received such consideration, and she was slightly taken aback.

“I know he expects something from me, but this is too much.”

Just what grand thing is he expecting to be so good to me?

“How long have I slept?”

In the cave, she couldn’t gauge the passage of time.

But she felt refreshed, so she must have slept quite a while.

Sleep, as Cyrus had said, was important. Having slept well, her spirits lifted, and she felt like she could do anything.

“I’ve regained my strength, so I should hurry now. But where is everyone? I should at least tell them I’m leaving.”

Ariana looked at the lake a short distance from her sleeping spot.

Although there was some light from the mushrooms, it was faint. Therefore, the cave lake seemed impossibly deep, its depth unfathomable.

She walked up to the lake, crouched down, and scooped up a little water. It was cold enough to freeze her fingertips.

“I’d like to wash up.”

She hadn’t bathed since leaving the mansion.

She felt sticky from running from the raiders.

“My hair and face must be a mess.”

Ariana looked around once more.

Still, there was no sign of Louis or Cyrus.

“They can’t be hiding, can they?”

She squinted and carefully scrutinized the dark cave. She did so even though she knew her abilities were not enough to detect their hiding.

“They must have gone hunting.”

The water was too cold for her liking, but bathing opportunities would be scarce in the future. After hesitating for a moment, Ariana touched the strap holding her dress.

Just as she was about to undo the strap—

Swoosh!

A splash rose from the deeper part of the lake.

Startled, Ariana turned her gaze toward the lake.
The first thing she saw was a white shoulder. Broad and firm, the muscle pronounced. Then she saw the chest, tense enough to cast a shadow over the muscle.

Below the chest, the abdomen displayed uniformly defined abs, and the waist, devoid of any extra fat, was slender.

And then….

Ariana, who was carelessly lowering her gaze as if admiring a beautiful piece of art, realized what she was looking at and stopped her eyes from traveling any further down.

Hastily lifting her head, a face she had missed while distracted by the upper body came into view.