Chapter 75…
‘Ah, I don’t know anymore… But one thing’s for sure—I can’t stay in the capital any longer.’
This place was far too dangerous, especially since it was so close to the Bailey estate.
“Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
“If one day I’m not here… I mean, even if I’m away from you, I hope you won’t feel too anxious.”
“Why would you ever be away from me, Cynthia?”
Tession, who had been lying down lazily, immediately sat up. His eyes filled with anxiety in an instant.
“Ah, um… I mean, I might go on a long trip…? Or maybe go away for a short recovery?”
“Then I’ll go with you.”
“Ah, n-no, you can’t!”
He’s impossible to reason with! Cynthia looked at Tession with an exasperated expression—he was far more stubborn than she thought.
“Your Grace, I can’t always be by your side.”
“……”
“But even if I’m not with you, please always remember today. Just like how you always remember the days you spent lying beside your mother.”
Cynthia pushed Tession, who had suddenly sat up, back down and gently patted his stomach again.
“Now you can see clearly again. You can tell whether it’s day or night.”
“……Yes.”
“And you can see beautiful things, cute things, fascinating things, right?”
“Thanks to you, Cynthia, yes.”
“There won’t be anything scary or frightening happening to you anymore. From now on, only fun and exciting things will fill your days.”
Tession turned his violet eyes toward Cynthia, staring at her quietly.
“When I’m with Cynthia, it’s always fun and exciting.”
“Thank you for saying that, but even without me, there are so many wonderful and exciting things in this world.”
“What kinds of things?”
“Hmm, for example…”
As she gently patted his stomach, Cynthia began speaking softly—about the fun and exciting things she knew, and the beautiful, cute, and mysterious things she had seen.
Once today was over, she wouldn’t be able to stay by his side anymore. But she hoped that, even in her absence, he would continue to see only good things and live happily.
It was a small wish, the kind a person about to leave was allowed to have. Smiling faintly, she whispered quietly:
“And, looking up at the sky is wonderful too. The sky keeps changing its colors and shapes every moment.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and also…”
Her gentle, clear voice continued to flow softly in the wide room, murmuring stories that didn’t end for a long while.
Tession, leaning on one arm and resting his chin on his hand, looked down at Cynthia sleeping beside him.
She had been talking endlessly, and before he knew it, she had started nodding off mid-sentence and fallen asleep first.
One moment she was yawning, the next her eyelids were slowly drooping—and eventually she’d fallen asleep so defenselessly. It was just like her, and both amusing and endearing.
“Mm…”
Cynthia’s brows furrowed slightly, as if she were having a dream.
She told me not to have nightmares, and now she’s having one herself?
Tession gently touched between her brows with a fingertip. Soon her furrowed expression relaxed, and peaceful breaths flowed again.
“……”
Satisfied, Tession gazed quietly at her sleeping face.
My kind, gentle, warm-hearted fiancée.
Earlier that day, Duke Castletown Bailey had sent a letter saying that Elizabeth had left the capital. Which meant Cynthia was no longer involved with them.
Now that the “fiancée” excuse wouldn’t work anymore, he needed to find another way to keep Cynthia by his side. Talking about his mother again, like he did today, wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Tession reached out and lightly brushed the corner of her gentle eyes.
“Mm…”
Cynthia made a soft sound. The way she instinctively responded to his touch wasn’t unpleasant.
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. In the dim room, his eyes gleamed darkly.
Then, in a whisper, he murmured:
“Cynthia has such a tender heart.”
And I intend to use that compassion to keep you by my side.
Gasp!
Cynthia’s eyes snapped open.
Her body felt strangely refreshed, but an uneasy feeling lingered. She quietly sat up. Warm sunlight streamed in through the window along with the chirping of small birds.
Was it morning already? Did I really fall asleep here last night…?
She hurriedly looked to her side.
“……”
Tession was lying quietly with his eyes closed, facing slightly toward her, breathing evenly with a peaceful expression.
Seeing his calm face made her sigh in relief. At least he hadn’t had any nightmares last night.
‘Then I guess it’s time for me to leave…!’
It was later than she planned, but her purpose had been to make sure he fell asleep peacefully—so that mission was accomplished.
Still, how did I end up falling asleep here too…?
Cynthia carefully turned her body to climb down from the bed without waking him.
“Cynthia…”
At that moment, the man who seemed to be fast asleep reached out and grabbed her wrist. Cynthia froze and turned to look at him.
Oh my gosh—did he wake up? Or is he still half-asleep?
“……”
Tession’s eyes were still closed, his lips slightly parted as he breathed steadily.
Ah, he must’ve sensed me moving in his sleep.
She moved even more carefully this time, lowering one foot from the bed. Slowly… very slowly…!
“Where are you going?”
“Ah.”
Her secretive movements were completely pointless—his clear voice cut through the silence.
When she turned, she saw those beautiful violet eyes open and fixed on her. They were hazy from sleep, yet glowed softly in the morning light.
“You’re awake? I’m sorry, I tried to leave quietly…”
“It’s fine.”
“By the way, when did I fall asleep here? Wasn’t it uncomfortable? You should’ve told me to go back to my room!”
“I liked it.”
“…Pardon?”
Tession turned his head slightly, burying his face in the pillow, the corners of his lips curving up. The sight was strangely lazy—and too suggestive. Cynthia’s heart skipped a beat.
“I liked sleeping together with you, Cynthia.”
He clearly didn’t realize how dangerous that sounded. Otherwise, how could he say something like that with such a straight face?!
“R-right… Well, I’ll get going then!”
Flustered, Cynthia blurted out something foolish and quickly stood up, eager to flee.
For a moment she worried he might grab her again—but surprisingly, Tession let go of her wrist easily. For some reason, she felt a brief pang of disappointment as she straightened up.
“Please rest a bit more, Your Grace. I’m sorry for intruding all night. I’ll go pack my things and return to our estate.”
“Will you at least have breakfast before leaving?”
“Ah, no, I think my family elders will be worried. I’ll eat next time.”
“I already told them to prepare only the things you like—well-toasted muffins topped with bacon and a fresh poached egg.”
“…Then maybe I’ll have just a little?”
Alright, just breakfast—then I’ll go!
After all, she couldn’t ignore his kindness. He was someone giving her food—a good person.
Tession let out a low chuckle at her reply. As he turned over on the bed, his voice came softly:
“See you later, Cynthia.”
When he stretched his arm lazily across the bed, the soft fabric of his shirt clung tightly to his chest, highlighting every line of muscle.
Isn’t lying like that illegal?
Cynthia stared at him with a serious face, then finally snapped out of it and turned away.
“Yes!”
The moment she hurried out of the room, the gentle smile that had lingered on Tession’s face vanished instantly.
His violet eyes, now dark and cool, stared at the closed door.
“……”
He wanted nothing more than to seize her right now and lock her away in his mansion—but that would only frighten her.
No, he would do it slowly, like hunting a small rabbit. Setting a wide trap that she wouldn’t notice until it was too late.
When the trap finally narrowed, until she realized she couldn’t move anywhere—when she understood she had nowhere else to run—then she would return to him willingly.
Now that she was free from the Bailey estate, the hunt would be much easier.
He sat up calmly, murmuring to himself:
“…I hope you won’t be too frightened, Cynthia.”
