"Okay,” I said to myself. "I’m ready.”
"This time, I'll use a method other than the carrier pigeon," he whispered in my ear. Although it wasn't anything as romantic as I had expected, it was still a reassuring statement to make.
Relieved, I nodded eagerly. Thank heavens. Now I wouldn’t have to worry about pigeons invading my room.
In any case, I started leading Max by the hand once again, ushering him to the couch. Then, I realized he was yawning. He was still handsome even while doing something like that...
Wait a minute. The area under his eyes was slightly dark. He also looked more tired than usual.
"Have you not been sleeping well these days, Max?" I asked, curious.
He avoided my gaze. "I'm fine. It doesn't bother me anyway."
My eyes narrowed at his evasive answer. I pulled my hand out from his. Holding him by his cheeks, I turned his head so that he would be facing me.
"Don't look away,” I instructed. "I'm right here."
He slowly nodded. I was proud of how well he listened, but I still had to ask him something, so I held back my smile.
"How long has it been since you’ve slept?"
"Three days," he said quietly.
The moment I heard those words, I immediately pulled him to the bed.
"Jubelian?" he asked, confused. It sounded like he didn't understand what was happening.
"Lie down,” I ordered, patting the bed.
Did she even know what she sounded like? With trembling eyes, Max glanced at the innocent-looking lady. He swallowed dryly. She obviously didn’t mean anything, but...
For a moment, all sorts of fantasies flooded his mind. Peeking at Jubelian, he opened his mouth to speak. "What about Master?"
"He went out somewhere," she said, sounding completely oblivious.
Max adopted a sinister smile. His master wasn’t in the mansion. It was a golden opportunity to hug and kiss her as much as possible.
"Jubelian, how about—" he began, but she reached out and untied the knot on his cloak, startling him to a halt. His eyes widened.
She smiled. "You must be tired. You should sleep for a little bit,” she suggested.
Did she see him as a man…? Realizing she was this defenseless, Max sighed. It had been a while since he had felt this fatigued. It felt just like the night he had first visited her and he ended up falling asleep in her room.
Still, it would be a pity to fall asleep right away. He didn't want to waste their precious time together. He was just sleepy, so all he had to do was endure it. He could do it...
He had resolved himself to stay awake, but Jubelian yawned and buried her face in his chest.
"I’m sleepy too,” she mumbled.
He couldn't help but smile. Once again, he was completely defeated. "Okay, then. Let’s go to sleep."
They got in bed. They had spent quite a bit of time together now, but seeing each other in bed was still a different experience. However, rather than burning with desire, they were simply touched by each other's presence.
Perhaps there would come a day when they could wake up next to each other like this—as family, Max dreamed. A warm feeling spread through his heart.
At the same time, however. he was afraid that he might lose her. If he could, he wanted to stay by her side forever.
"I know I'm not good enough for you... but I hope you won't hate me for my shortcomings,” he pleaded silently, his gaze fixed on Jubelian, brimming with emotion.
"Give me a hug, Max,” she murmured. He stretched his arm out and she laid her head on top of it. He blushed because of the ticklish sensation on his arm and the fact that her face was now even closer than before.
Suddenly, she kissed him on the cheek. "Good night."
His worries were relieved by the same words that had brought him peace during their initial meeting.
My haven, he thought.
With a faint smile, he brought her closer to him.
"Good night,” he whispered.
As soon as he heard her breathing grow even, he, too, surrendered himself to deep sleep.
Opening my eyes, I gazed at Max. He must have fallen asleep by now. I looked up at his face; before, he always seemed intimidating, but now that his eyes were closed, his features appeared much softer.
In any case, however, he was flawless.
I admired his handsome appearance for a moment before returning to reality. How should I send the invitations for the banquet? As I squirmed to break free, I contemplated this. However, his sturdy arms were wrapped around my waist and they didn’t budge despite my struggles. In fact, instead of letting me go, he pulled me even closer.
Afraid that I had woken him up, I glanced up once again, but he was still sound asleep, ignorant of how he had entrapped me. At this rate, I wouldn’t be going anywhere.
Then, he began to mumble. "Jubel…” His eyes were still closed. He was probably talking in his sleep. "I’m… sorry… please don’t… hate me…”
He sounded agonized. As if in pain, his face was scrunching up, brows furrowing.
What was happening? Had he done something wrong to me in his dream? He looked quite different from usual, even a little vulnerable, like a child asking for forgiveness after a minor mistake.
…It was kind of cute.
Holding back a laugh, I gently brushed his hair away from his face.
"I won’t hate you, Max,” I whispered.
Perhaps he could hear me because his expression gradually relaxed. Maybe I would be able to get out now…
I tried to lift his arm to check, but he still didn’t budge. In the end, I had no choice but to give up. His warmth slowly surrounded my body, comforting me. Listening to his calm, even breaths, I snuggled further into his embrace.
I had spent most of my life in solitude until now, yet here I was, falling asleep in someone else’s arms. Drowsiness overcame me, and after blinking sleepily a few times, I drifted off.