Chapter 5.1 – On the Sofa

Boeur wasn’t as warm as Kabakia, but it was still warmer than Troskan. Naturally, the clothing became thinner, and Rizle saw this as an opportunity.

“I think I’ve only brought clothes that are too warm.”

Rizle half-removed her thick fur coat, draping it over her arm, and lifted her hair to reveal her shoulders and neckline. Her plan was to appeal with sensuality and make Heizen feel a certain way.

She could feel Heizen watching her. Rizle continued to act as if it was completely unintentional. She even fanned herself with her hand to spread the fragrance of the perfume she had carefully applied earlier.

It seemed effective as Heizen approached her.

Rizle pretended not to notice him coming closer and kept fanning herself. Her heart pounded. There were only the two of them in the study, making it a perfect chance.

The fact that this was a study was a bit of a flaw. However, the study was uniquely connected directly to a bedroom, so it seemed fine. Once the atmosphere reached a certain point, she could lead him to the bed.

Heizen grabbed the coat draped over Rizle’s arm. Thinking he was about to take her coat off, Rizle swallowed nervously and slowly turned to look at him.

“Rizle, Boeur isn’t as warm as Kabakia. If you’re not careful, you might catch a cold, so you should dress warmly.”

Instead of taking her coat off, he helped her put it back on properly. When her attempt at seduction failed entirely, Rizle stared at Heizen in disbelief.

This man, whose manners had improved significantly, held her hand and led her to the bedroom as if he knew nothing.

“This is where our bridal chamber will be someday. What do you think?”

He knew nothing about seduction or anything of the sort, and Heizen looked as tense as a child having their homework inspected.

Rizle glanced around the bedroom. The newly furnished furniture was clean, and the carpet was soft. However, the patterns were simple and a bit dull.

“Hmm.”

“If there’s anything you don’t like, please let me know right away.”

Should I honestly mention that the carpet was lacking? Or should I let it go?

Rizle pondered as she sat on the bed. She pressed her hand into the mattress to check its softness. It seemed firmer than the bed she used at Troskan Castle.

“Can I lie down?”

When he gave her permission, Rizle immediately lay down on the bed. Since it was the bed she would use for the rest of her life, it seemed necessary to conduct a thorough investigation. She lay on her back, looked at the ceiling, turned onto her side, and even rolled around.

As expected, it was firmer than the one she was used to. However, this level of firmness seemed like it might actually be better, providing more support. The bedding was soft, and it smelled pleasantly of sunshine.

“I like it.”

Rizle spoke while lying on her stomach. Resting her chin on her hands, she crossed her legs and swung them rhythmically.

“We’ll be sleeping here together starting tonight, right?”

“No.”

Heizen’s immediate response startled Rizle.

“You’re not telling me to sleep in the guest room, are you?”

“I’ll be sleeping in another bedroom.”

“You’re leaving me here alone?”

“We can’t sleep together.”

Heizen was firm.

Rizle tried to persuade him, saying she didn’t mind at all if they slept next to each other. But the stubborn man refused to budge. In the end, she had no choice but to resort to her final tactic. She buried her face in her hands.

“I don’t want to be alone in such a big room. I’ll feel so lonely.”

When she pretended to sob, Heizen hesitated.

“Are you already trying to make me feel lonely, Count?”

As she continued to appeal emotionally, Heizen finally raised his hands in surrender, saying that if she insisted so much, he would agree. Rizle quickly lifted her head. Naturally, there wasn’t a single tear stain on her face.

“You’re not leaving me, right? You promised, Count.”

Rizle couldn’t wait for the night to come. She felt proud of her excellent decision-making in coming to Boeur.

Afterward, Rizle toured various parts of the castle under Heizen’s guidance. They had a meal together, and she read a book in the study. Although she spent quite a bit of time with the book, Rizle could barely turn the pages. She only managed to read about ten pages.

Her thoughts were entirely consumed by Heizen. His lips, firmly closed. The body hidden beneath his clothes, and his solid, well-built figure. The thought of seeing it in just a few hours made her restless.

“I’m starting to feel tired.”

At exactly 9 PM, Rizle spoke. She had intended to wait patiently until 10 PM out of conscience, but she couldn’t hold back any longer. If she waited any longer, she might pounce on Heizen, who was diligently reading, and tear his clothes off. No, if it were just tearing them off, that would be fine. She might rip them apart like a wild beast.

‘How could I have such savage thoughts?’

Feeling her breath grow slightly heavier, Rizle closed the book and headed to bed. She lay down carefully, waiting for the historic moment to arrive.

But history didn’t happen. Heizen didn’t join her in bed. He remained seated on the sofa in the study, continuing to read.

Rizle felt hurt, thinking he wasn’t paying attention to her actions, but she asked calmly.

“Aren’t you tired, Count?”

“I intend to read a bit longer.”

“Oh, I see.”

Was the book really the issue? I’m lying right here.

She sent him a look urging him to come over, but Heizen didn’t budge. He seemed so engrossed in the book that he didn’t even glance her way.

“Oh, I wish you would go to bed soon, Count. I know you must be tired.”

“Please go to sleep first.”

What was the point of following him all the way here just to sleep?

Rizle resolved to see who would win and decided to endure. But lying in bed made her eyes grow heavy. Traveling from Troskan to Boeur by carriage had been tiring.

She glared at Heizen through her half-closed eyes. Even after ten minutes, thirty minutes, he remained deeply absorbed in his book. He claimed to have no hobbies, but it seemed reading was one. Who knew he was such a bookworm?

Frustrated, Rizle eventually drifted off to sleep. 

The next morning, she woke up feeling annoyingly well-rested. Heizen wasn’t by her side.

“Did he wake up first?”

As she got out of bed and looked for traces of him, she was startled to see someone lying on the sofa. Heizen was asleep there, covered with a blanket.

“Count!”

At Rizle’s shout, Heizen opened his eyes. He stared blankly for a moment before meeting Rizle’s gaze and smiling faintly.

“Good morning.”

With his usually stern expression softened by messy bed hair, he looked more like a naïve young man who knew nothing of k*lling, rather than the man who struck fear into the Empire’s army.

“It’s not a good morning at all. Did you sleep here last night?”

“Yes.”

“Why would you do that when there’s a perfectly fine bed over there?”

“Because you were sleeping in the bed.”

So when he said he wouldn’t sleep around before the wedding, he meant he wouldn’t even share the same bed? 

Rizle was astonished by his incredible willpower.

She tried to persuade him that it was fine to sleep next to her and that no one would have an issue with it. But Heizen was stubborn to the point of exasperation.

“No.”

Angry, Rizle finally resorted to a move she had been holding back—a full-body tackle. It was pure anger, and Heizen endured her attack with a benevolent smile.

“You’re getting better at tackling.”

He spoke as if her growth was immensely rewarding. While he might have contributed to it, Rizle felt no gratitude.

Her cheeks puffed up with dissatisfaction.

“Fine. Let’s see how far this goes.”

Rizle’s eyes burned with a newfound determination. Fueled by a sense of revenge, she declared that she would go to bed right after dinner and headed straight to the bedroom. There, she set a trap to ensnare Heizen.