CHAPTER 080
I hadn't realized he had been quiet for a while.
"Are you asleep?" I whispered softly. Lewis didn't move.
Oh, he really was asleep. Wouldn't it be uncomfortable to sleep like this?
I decided to lay him down on the bed.
I hoped he wouldn't wake up. I moved cautiously, not wanting to disturb him.
Since he was already sitting on the bed, it didn't take long to lay him down.
After tucking him in, I decided to leave. But then I pulled a chair to the side of the bed and sat down.
He ran outside because of a nightmare, so I should stay a bit longer before leaving.
However, after a while, my eyelids grew heavy. It was late, so naturally, I was sleepy.
I leaned back against the chair.
And when I opened my eyes...
"Huh?"
I was on the bed. The once dark outside had brightened!
Did I sleep here?
This was the room Lewis used!
I looked around, bewildered, just as the door clicked open. Lewis walked in.
"You're awake?"
"Uh... yes."
A thought crossed my mind.
"Did I push you out and take the bed for myself?"
Why else would I be sprawled on the bed?
I had only intended to stay a while and keep an eye on him, but I fell asleep! Right on the bed!
As I felt embarrassed, Lewis spoke.
"Of course not. I laid you down."
"Then where did you sleep?"
Did we sleep together...?
I looked around nervously, and Lewis burst into laughter, finding my reaction amusing.
"I went to another room. This mansion has plenty of rooms."
"Oh... I see."
I had worried for nothing.
Feeling embarrassed, I let out a small laugh.
* * *
Selina thought Lewis had fallen asleep because he closed his eyes.
But he wasn't asleep. He was just resting his eyes.
Selina, mistaking this for sleep, laid him down on the bed.
Lewis didn't open his eyes to ask what she was doing, finding her effort touching, so he pretended to be asleep.
Unexpectedly, Selina didn't return to her room but stayed in his.
'Why is there no noise?'
Even without conversation, there should be some movement noise.
Curious, he opened his eyes slightly.
'She fell asleep?'
Selina had fallen asleep in the chair.
Lewis couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
He hadn't expected her to fall asleep.
Since it was late, it was understandable. Lewis decided to let her sleep.
He had thought he would feel awkward facing her after sharing so much of his past, but he didn't feel that way.
"Did you think we slept together? Hahaha..."
Maybe it was because she felt more embarrassed than he did?
But more than that, sharing his past with her made him feel relieved.
He had never talked in such detail about his past before.
Even though his actions during the night were probably unsettling, Selina had understood.
"Marquis, are you okay after being in the rain yesterday? I think I'm catching a cold... cough!"
"I'm fine."
Despite having an umbrella, she claimed to have caught a cold?
Seeing her embarrassed and repeatedly coughing, Lewis knew it was fake.
She was trying to change the topic, her usual tactic. Lewis saw right through her.
She gets flustered over the smallest things.
But the fact that she stayed by his side during the night was real.
To Lewis, who was exhausted from painful memories and overwhelming noise, she was a great comfort.
That's why he couldn't help but like her.
Even though she often lacked confidence, Lewis liked her.
His feelings for her only grew stronger.
"If you have a cold, I'll get you some medicine."
"Huh? It's not that bad... I think breakfast will help! Cough!"
"Will breakfast be enough? You need medicine."
"No... really, breakfast will do!"
"Alright, alright. I'll have breakfast brought up then?"
Lewis smiled warmly at her.
* * *
Philip was meeting with Charlotte.
Their relationship had not progressed beyond Philip contacting Charlotte to meet and talk.
Charlotte's feelings for Philip remained unchanged.
She was the first woman to make him feel so restless.
Charlotte seemed unaware of why he was being so kind to her.
'She probably thinks I'm just being friendly.'
If he had no interest, the crown prince wouldn't show excessive kindness to a baron's daughter.
Charlotte's expression was different today, slightly flushed as if something good had happened.
Philip's intuition was correct.
"I received the blessing of High Priest Raven recently."
Charlotte began to share the good news.
"The High Priest discovered my divine power!"
"What? You have divine power?"
Philip was shocked.
"Yes, it's not a great power, but it is divine. I've only told my family and now you, Your Highness."
Charlotte smiled shyly.
Though she received special treatment, Philip wasn't entirely pleased.
His mind fixated on one thing.
What happens if she has divine power?
Those with divine power usually worked in the temple. Women with exceptional divine power could be chosen as saints.
Would Lady Yaniels become a saint?
That would be a problem...
Seeing Philip's lack of reaction, Charlotte looked puzzled.
"Your Highness?"
"You're not thinking of joining the temple, are you?"
"The temple?"
Charlotte blinked at the sudden question.
For Philip, her divine power was not welcome news.
Why did it have to be Lady Yaniels?
Philip inwardly clicked his tongue. His concern showed in his voice.
"To become a member of the royal family, you cannot engage in other roles, whether related to divine power or magic."
Philip already considered her his future crown princess.
If she joined the temple, it would be a problem.
"Nothing will change."
Charlotte awkwardly replied.
"I'm just happy to have a little divine power as someone who believes in God. It's a matter of personal satisfaction, regardless of whether I can use it."
"Personal satisfaction?"
"Yes, so you needn't worry."
That's a relief. Philip felt reassured.
His plans seemed unaffected.
Despite the bitter reality, he was envisioning a perfect future with her.
Seeing Philip relax, Charlotte cautiously asked.
"But why are you concerned about that...?"
"Ah."
The serious reaction from Philip had created an awkward atmosphere.
From her perspective, it was puzzling. Why was he so worried?
Should he tell her? Philip pondered briefly.
If he had no feelings for her, he would have congratulated her as expected.
But he had special feelings for her.
He wanted her by his side as his partner.
'Maybe I should tell her.'
It might be better to confess now, even if it was an awkward time.
Who could refuse the crown prince's confession?
Even if she didn't understand his feelings, he had already built some goodwill.
And eventually, he had to confess his feelings. She was oblivious.
'She wouldn't realize it unless I said it directly.'
Though it would be an unromantic confession, he decided to go for it.
It would be a compelling confession anyway.
Didn't he have a special status?
"The reason is..."
Having made up his mind, Philip spoke slowly.
"I consider you as a potential crown princess."
"...Pardon?"
Charlotte didn't immediately grasp his words.
Blinking rapidly, she asked.
"What did you just say?"
Philip let out a small laugh.
"I'm sorry. I hadn't planned to say it this way."
"..."
"The truth is, I like you. So I was worried about the possibility of not seeing you anymore."
Charlotte's face showed even more surprise.
"When did you start liking me...?"
"Since the first time I saw you."
Charlotte said nothing. She just widened her eyes and covered her slightly open mouth with her hand.
'This is indeed an unromantic confession.'
But having said it, he felt relieved.
He had been losing patience, waiting for her to notice his feelings.
Now that he had confessed, it was her turn to respond.
"What do you feel about me?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm asking if you can consider dating me seriously."
"Oh..."
The table fell silent.
'Why is she hesitating?'
Philip found her reaction unexpected.
Whether she liked him or not, it should be a welcome proposal. Becoming the crown princess was an opportunity to become the future empress.
"Are you surprised?"
"Yes, a bit..."
Her reaction was less favorable than he expected.
Comments
Post a Comment