Chapter 4.5

“That’s her true self. She’s just been pretending to behave since she bought the title.”  

Luette recalled his uncle, who had caused a scene in front of his bedridden grandfather, demanding to know why he hadn’t left a single penny for him. The stench of alcohol from his uncle had been overwhelming, and even the Viscountess, who belatedly pretended to stop him, had a red nose from drinking.  

Come to think of it, it seemed that couples were often made up of people cut from the same cloth.  

As Luette shook his head and leaned back against the chair, the old, worn-out chair made a creaking sound. It wasn’t a good sign.  

“Be careful.” 

Solnia immediately warned.  

“The chair might break.”  

“Even if this chair breaks, they won’t kick me out.”  

“That’s not the point…”  

“Are you worried that I might get hurt?”  

At those words, Solnia immediately frowned, as if to say, “Are you crazy? Why would I worry about you?”  

“It’s a chair my father made.”  

“……”  

Startled by her unexpected response, Luette glanced down at the chair he was sitting on.  

“The Earl of Heston made this chair?”  

When he asked in disbelief, Solnia nodded. Now that he thought about it, the crude appearance did seem like the work of an amateur.  

“I begged him to make it for me. I didn’t want to go into the hunting grounds, but I also didn’t want to stay inside the villa, so I said I’d watch from here.”  

“……”  

“I hadn’t even thought about it, but it’s still here. The only thing left.”  

As Solnia reminisced, a faint smile appeared on her face.  

Now that he thought about it, Solnia, who used to follow her parents everywhere, had stopped going to the hunting grounds at some point.  

Recalling that memory, Luette asked indifferently,  

“Why didn’t you want to go to the hunting grounds?”  

“Because I was scared.”  

“Scared?”  

“I couldn’t forget the sight of Naren dying after being shot by a bullet you fired.”  

At the mention of an unfamiliar name, Luette furrowed his brow. Then, the image of a bloodied, dying spotted rabbit flashed in his mind. Along with the child who had collapsed in tears at the sight.  

“It was the first friend I ever made. It listened to all the mean things I said and slept quietly beside me when I cried.”  

“……”  

It had been a mistake. For him, it was such an old memory.  

“At that time, I—”  

“Don’t apologize. I’m not sorry for hitting you, either.”  

As she said this, Solnia looked at Luette. Her gray eyes, reflecting the yellow light, seemed to pierce the left cheek he had been slapped on that day.  

Just then, the sound of the front door opening was followed by a voice calling for the two of them.  

“Countess of Melfir, your bedroom is ready. Please come inside.”  

At those words, Solnia rose without hesitation and habitually adjusted her skirt. Holding her skirt tightly to avoid getting it wet from the splashing rain, she headed inside.  

As she carefully walked into the deck area, Luette saw a glimpse of the little girl with large eyes from the past.  

‘I hate you, Luette Carter Trovill.’

Was that the reason for her hatred?

*

“I hope it’s to your liking.”  

The Viscountess of Timberland, now seemingly completely sober, led the two of them to the innermost bedroom of the villa.  

With an awkward smile, Solnia glanced around the small room. A large bed with soft-looking bedding, a small table, and a velvet-covered sofa—it was no different from a typical guest room in a mansion.  

The problem was…  

“How do you find it?”  

The issue was that she had to share this cozy, snug room with a man who was ridiculously large.  

Solnia glanced sideways at that man. His face, though smiling, also showed displeasure, as if he was thinking the same thing.  

“It’s nice. Very cozy. Thank you for your consideration, Viscountess.”  

“I’m glad you like it.”  

The Viscountess smiled contentedly and, saying it was late, stepped out into the hallway.  

“See you in the morning.”  

The Viscountess’s gaze lingered on the two of them for quite some time before she finally left.  

The couple stood side by side, forcing smiles to bid her farewell. Only when the door closed and her footsteps faded did they let out the breaths they had been holding and separate.  

“I’ll sleep in another room.”  

Solnia grabbed her cloak as she spoke. There were likely plenty of empty rooms in the villa, and she planned to pick one to rest in for a while. After all, they would be leaving in the morning.  

“It’s better to sleep here.”  

It was when her hand reached the doorknob. At the dry tone, she turned around to see Luette taking off his jacket.  

“They’ll probably be drinking until dawn. There’s no point in running into them, so it’s better to sleep here.”  

“……”  

Solnia, about to say something, recalled the hearty laughter she had heard on the way here. The men were still in the kitchen, enjoying drinks and games.  

But…  

“How can I sleep here?”  

She gestured to the bed that nearly filled the small room, asking how she could sleep in such a small, cozy room with a man as large as him.  

“I don’t think this is the time to be picky about sleeping arrangements.”  

Luette shook his head as he looked at her. Outside, it was pouring rain, and the roads had turned into muddy swamps, effectively isolating them. 

Did she want a luxurious bed in this situation? How typical of someone raised like a greenhouse flower.  

“Five hours.”  

Luette spoke.  

“There are five hours left until sunrise. During that time, you can either stand awake or sleep at the edge of the bed. Do as you please. But we have to sleep in this room, and we have to be the ‘perfect couple.’”  

He emphasized the words ‘perfect couple,’ as if mocking her for having said them before, and then began unbuttoning his shirt sleeves.  

“Then on the floor……”

Solnia, about to suggest sleeping on the floor, quickly turned her back as he started unbuttoning his shirt.  

Time passed. Solnia, sitting on the floor and leaning against the bed, curled up.  

Her suggestion to decide who would sleep on the floor had been rejected. The proud Earl had refused, saying he wouldn’t freeze to death on the floor.  

So Solnia had voluntarily come down to the floor. But she had no intention of lying down and sleeping. The floor, lacking even a fireplace for warmth, was surprisingly cold. Besides, she didn’t want to sleep miserably on the floor while someone else slept comfortably in the bed.  

However, it wasn’t long before her hips began to ache, and the cold of the floor started to seep into her.  

“If I were you, I’d come up. The cold feels worse once the alcohol wears off.”  

The low voice that reached her ears was incredibly irritating.

Solnia adjusted her cloak and closed her eyes, trying to sleep.  

Of course, it was no use.  

Time passed, and she still couldn’t fall asleep. Solnia glanced at the bed. Luette was lying on his back, fast asleep.  

‘Should I just climb onto the edge of the bed?’  

She slid her hand under the thick blanket, feeling a faint warmth.  

‘No. What am I doing? I just have to endure for a few hours.’  

Solnia bit her lip. No matter how cold and uncomfortable it was, she didn’t want to share a bed with Luette Trovill. Especially since he had nearly broken her father’s chair a few hours ago and, in the past, had killed Naren…  

It was at that moment.  

“Ah!”  

A large hand grabbed her hand, which was still under the blanket, and pulled her forcefully.  

Startled, Solnia found herself half-draped over the bed, her eyes wide open.  

“What are you doing? Let me go!”  

“Keep your voice down. Do you want to wake everyone up?”  

Luette spoke calmly as he observed her face. In the faint moonlight, his olive-colored eyes gleamed unusually. His broad shoulders and more rugged physique than she had imagined stood out.  

Solnia quickly turned her head and said,  

“Why are you undressed?”  

“Because it’s uncomfortable. Besides, I can’t sleep with all your shivering.”  

“When did I shiver?”  

“Come up. While I’m asking nicely.”  

“Are you threatening me—”  

“Yes. I’m very tired and need to sleep for at least a few hours, so I’d appreciate your cooperation.”  

“……”  

“Shall I carry you up instead?”  

Solnia couldn’t argue further. The hand holding hers was warm and comforting, and she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. Damn it, the blanket was so warm. And she desperately needed that warmth right now.  

“Fine. Let go. I’ll climb up myself.”  

“By all means.”  

“And move over. As far as possible.”  

With that, Solnia turned around and removed her cloak. She didn’t take off her hunting dress, though. It was uncomfortable, but she couldn’t bear to lie down in the same bed as him in what was practically an undergarment.  

When she turned back to the bed, Luette had already shifted closer to the wall, his eyes closed. She wished he could merge into the wall itself, but this would have to do.  

Solnia carefully lifted the blanket and climbed onto the bed. As she did, he murmured with a sigh,  

“Finally, I can sleep.”  

“……”  

Solnia bit her lip and sat at the edge of the bed. The space between them was wide enough for another person to fit.  

Even with the blanket, the chill didn’t immediately fade, but it was bearable. She was used to it. Enduring the cold with just a single blanket was nothing new.  

Curling up, Solnia tried to sleep.