"Go back to sleep." I'll be here, so don't worry."

Laila, sensing unease, interpreted his awakening as a signal to lie down. Subsequently, he stood upright, loosening his tense muscles by tilting his head left and right. It was understandable given the uncomfortable position he had been in for a long time. The weariness etched on his immaculate face was evident. Exhausted from a long journey, he couldn't even rest his body and had to protect his wife while avoiding his mother.

"Cain," she called him, unaware of her own actions.

"Let's sleep together."

"What?"

"I'm fine... Let's sleep together in the bed."

She had committed an unthinkable act. It would have been unimaginable for her in the past. She surprised herself by uttering those words, but she had no regrets.

This was Cain Vanderbilt's room, and it was his bed. Although it was an unavoidable situation, she found it uncomfortable to be alone.

Above all, her trust in Cain had solidified. Despite its tainted beginnings, their journey together had been smooth without any qualms. Based on his actions, even though she didn't know him well, trust had been built. He rescued her whenever Laila was in danger, always behaved decently, and showed consideration for her.

If Cain had intended to do something wicked to her, he had ample opportunities. Yet, he never once revealed any malice or made such jests.

Although there were strange undercurrents in the past few days, it was something she had felt, and she couldn't say the same for him. Could it be...? However, every time she wondered, the occasional chill that emanated from him brought her back to her senses.

"Thank you for caring," she said. "But I'm fine."

Cain, who had been keeping silent as if taken aback, understood her feelings and smiled subtly. His grateful demeanor quickly turned nonchalant.

"I'm okay," she insisted.

"Well, since I have a smaller build, I'll sleep on the chair then."

Laila, with a flushed face, made another suggestion. The faint reservation that lingered in the depths of her heart vanished completely. When her proposal was rejected, she felt as if she had become an even stranger person, and her face burned with indignation.

Cain seemed fully roused from his slumber. Observing her restless state, he let out a subdued chuckle.

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"Am I the one who's more uncomfortable?"

"..."

Once again, he faced rejection. Despite considering it as an act of consideration, being pushed away twice left him feeling embarrassed. Just as she was about to give up and withdraw...

"Let's sleep together then. Alright?"

Now, perhaps exhausted himself, he acquiesced to her words and rose from his seat. Watching Cain turn to extinguish the candle, she was momentarily stupefied. She had spoken with his well-being in mind, yet somehow it felt as if she had become attached. It was as if he had known this would happen—the swift reply that followed her brief refusal felt unnaturally seamless.

Cain snuffed out the candle with a snuffer. Darkness promptly filled the room, but the faint moonlight allowed his figure to be vaguely discerned. A momentary doubt vanished swiftly as he turned away.

Cain approached the bed once more. Though his steps lacked vigor, they resounded loudly in Laila's ears. However, in the tranquility of this room, the loudest sound was her own heartbeat. Just because they had reached an agreement didn't mean this situation was inconsequential.

As Cain neared the bed, he loosened and pulled the robe's sash. The sound of fabric slipping away from his body evoked a peculiar tension. He nonchalantly dropped the robe haphazardly to one side and moistened the sheet on the bed.

Laila pretended indifference, moving aside and taking a seat. Contrary to the words spoken a moment ago, Cain effortlessly lay down on the bed, assuming a relaxed posture. It was she who found herself at a loss.

"Aren't you going to lie down?"

Cain turned his head to look at Laila and inquired. Startled by his words, she nestled her body under the blanket and followed suit, assuming a composed position.

She gazed at the barely visible ceiling, holding her breath.

As I called him over and finally entered the bed, my heart pounded madly. It's my first time sharing a bed with a man, after all.

"Comfortable, isn't it?"

Cain murmured as if he were a guest in someone else's room. Feeling increasingly awkward, she chose not to respond, and he conveyed his regards in a whisper.

"Sleep well."

"You too."

The stillness merged with the darkness, as if growing up had uttered the words, but finding sleep easily evaded their grasp.

Outside, the wind whispered against the windows, causing them to rattle. I longed to see if Cain had fallen asleep, but I lacked the courage to turn my head. I could only speculate, judging from the steady rise and fall of the sheet covering him and the rhythmic sound of his breath, that he had succumbed to slumber.

Time continued to flow relentlessly. The receding moonlight cast an even deeper shadow in the room.

Cain remained silent, while I wasted my energy unnecessarily.

"Can't you sleep?"

"No."

I had assumed he had drifted off, but evidently, that was not the case. Startled by Cain's voice, I instinctively responded.

"Shall I tell you a frightening tale?"

"What?"

Without uttering a word in response, Laila turned her head to gaze at Cain. He slowly shifted his position, facing her, and lay down. As if to convey her approval, she gently tapped the hand resting on his chest.