‘So that means these items weren’t originally here…’

It was obvious that Barmas wouldn’t wear women’s clothes himself, nor would he have purchased them for his servants.

Romei understood they were bought for one person only.

‘He said he thinks he knows how to love…’

Romei wasn’t particularly picky about clothes or nightwear. While wearing pretty clothes did improve her mood, she wasn’t fussy about fashion. Being a holy knight didn’t exactly allow for being choosy about clothing anyway.

However, she wasn’t the type to be ungrateful for things someone had thoughtfully obtained for her.

‘He claimed he’s reformed…’

With a small laugh that could have been either admiration or disbelief, Romei addressed the servant waiting for her response.

“It’s beautiful. I like it.”

“I’m glad. Then I’ll help you change into this outfit.”

Just then, the hands that had been washing her body withdrew. Having completed their task, the servant tidied away the basin and towel before stepping back.

Romei sat on the bed and once again surrendered herself to another servant’s care.

The nightgown must have been made from premium fabric, feeling soft and cozy against her skin.

Though Barmas had chosen reasonably comfortable clothes for her to wear outside, they couldn’t compare to this garment.

While Romei was getting cleaned up and changing into comfortable clothes with her now cleaner and warmer body, Barmas sat on the bed looking completely dumbfounded. When told the bedding needed changing, he moved to sit on a nearby chair.

He was surprised that Romei had played along with his teasing, but more than anything, he was overwhelmed with emotion yet disbelieving that he might have finally won a small portion of Romei’s heart.

“Lord Barmas, we have completed everything you ordered.”

The busy servants bowed their heads to indicate they had finished their tasks.

Belatedly coming to his senses, Barmas dismissed them.

“Well done. You may leave.”

“Thank you, Lord Barmas.”

“Ah, wait.”

He then asked Romei, who was now lying on the bed looking up at him.

“Aren’t you going to eat now?”

“I’ll eat after I sleep for a while.”

“You sleep for hours once you fall asleep. Wouldn’t it be better to eat something first…?”

“The medicine has made me tired, and I don’t feel like putting food in my mouth right now. I won’t sleep long enough to die.”

“…”

“Should we make a promise?”

Seeing Barmas’s face filled with a mixture of worry and doubt, seemingly unconvinced by her words, Romei asked.

He pondered for a moment with his lips firmly closed, then shook his head.

“Never mind. Since you said so, I suppose you’ll wake up soon.”

“…”

“I’ll be going now. Keep medicine on standby just in case. And keep the food warm so it can be served anytime.”

“Yes, we’ll remember that, Lord Barmas.”

With a respectful response, the servants left the bedroom. As the door closed and footsteps gradually faded away, the bedroom fell into complete silence.

Barmas naturally stood up, removed his outer garment, and lay down beside Romei in just his shirt.

Romei asked, “Are you going to help me sleep this time too?”

“No. I just want to watch you sleep.”

“Then why are you lying beside me?”

“It’s lonely sleeping alone.”

Despite his brazen reply, Barmas didn’t move closer to Romei or press his body against hers. He simply pulled up the blanket she was under and covered her with it.

Under his surprisingly gentle touch, Romei’s eyes slowly closed. Perhaps thanks to the bedding being changed to thicker material, the cozy feeling gave her a sense of security, making her even drowsier.

Just before falling completely asleep, Romei said to Barmas, “Thank you for worrying about me.”

* * *

Barmas had confessed that he first felt curiosity toward Romei, then competitiveness, and finally possessiveness.

And if Barmas’s confession of love was truly genuine, Romei thought it might be the various forms of love he felt for her.

That didn’t erase the numerous humiliations and violations he had inflicted upon her, but she didn’t want to direct all arrows of blame toward Barmas just to ease her own mind.

What troubled Romei was this question: if Barmas truly loved her now and planned to continue loving her, how should she respond?

The problem was that Romei had never been in love, never even thought she could be, and this was the first time she had received a confession.

And crucially, Romei didn’t know how she felt about Barmas or what emotions she held for him.

That was an enormous problem.

With these thoughts, Romei woke from her sleep and quietly stared at the ceiling.

Fortunately, she had slept just enough to keep her promise to him, as the room was still brightly lit.

Moreover, thanks to her nap and perhaps the miraculous medicine that could revive even someone half-dead, her body felt much lighter.

‘Somehow I feel my appetite returning…’

Romei gently stroked her empty stomach with her palm.

For the past few months, Romei had wanted to die, desiring nothing else, but now she welcomed the hunger that visited her.

It felt strangely pleasant to take a step forward toward life, less painful than she had expected.

‘I promised to have a meal with Barmas, so I should get up now.’

Just as she felt a kind of motivation bubbling up for the first time in ages and was about to rise, turning in bed, she sensed an intense gaze from beside her.

It was Barmas.

Romei stopped what she was doing and turned her head toward where she felt the gaze.

Barmas was lying there in exactly the same position as when he had covered her with the blanket before she fell asleep. Without the slightest movement or change, only his bright red eyes blinked.

“…Barmas?”

“You really woke up.”

That was all he said.

His voice sounded somewhat tired yet deeply relieved, and it was slightly hoarse, suggesting he might have lain beside her watching over her the entire time she slept.

Having confirmed that Romei was awake, Barmas cracked his neck left and right, seemingly stiff, and got up from his place.

“I’m going to order them to prepare a meal. Is that okay?”

“…Yes. I was hungry, actually.”

Romei also slowly rose from her place as she spoke.

At her mention of hunger, Barmas issued orders to the servant waiting outside.

“Prepare a meal and bring it up immediately.”

“Yes, Lord Barmas.”

A servant’s voice was heard from beyond the door, followed by the sound of receding footsteps.

Meanwhile, Barmas stood at the table, gulping down water refreshingly.

He could have changed into comfortable clothes while she slept, but he was still wearing the same outfit he had worn to the garden. His black trousers, which didn’t look particularly comfortable, were creased, and his frilled shirt was in a similar state.

“What is it?”

Barmas, having put down his empty water glass, turned around and asked.

Looking at him wasn’t a crime, but Romei hesitated to answer, feeling oddly flustered. He added:

“Do you need something? Just tell me if you do.”

“…I don’t need anything.”

“Weren’t you just looking at me?”

“I was, but not because I needed something.”

“Then why?”

Barmas asked with mild curiosity. After a brief hesitation, Romei answered.

“Your clothes look uncomfortable.”

“Ah…”

“You should have changed while I was sleeping.”

Only then did Barmas look down to check what he was wearing.

He had felt unusually constricted, unlike his usual self, and realized he hadn’t changed his clothes.

“…I forgot to change.”

“Why? Were you afraid I wouldn’t keep my promise?”

“Why would I monitor you? Even without that, you keep your word well.”

“Then what were you doing lying beside me, forgetting even to change your clothes? You don’t look like you slept either.”

At Romei’s words, Barmas seemed to avoid her gaze, then busied himself clearing the table that had nothing on it except a water bottle and glass.

“I was worried you might suddenly feel sick while sleeping, so I watched over you.”

“…”

“And I wondered if you really would wake up after just a short sleep.”

Barmas belatedly confessed his true feelings. Unlike his earlier nonchalant responses, this time there was a hint of anxiety in his voice.

Despite saying there was no need for a promise, he had apparently been anxious.

“So you lay beside me and watched with open eyes?”

“Yes. Now stop asking.”

Barmas retorted with a voice mixed with slight embarrassment and irritation.

Romei was about to tease him further but decided against it when she noticed his neck had turned bright red.

Just then, a servant knocked and entered the bedroom.

“I’ve brought the meal you ordered.”

“Serve it.”

Barmas, with a dignified expression that made it hard to believe he was the same person who had been embarrassed by Romei’s questions moments ago, pointed at Romei and gave instructions.

The servants bowed to him in greeting, then immediately set up the food they had brought.

The meal prepared for Romei was steaming tomato soup, made by simmering various vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms cut into bite-sized pieces, along with pasta.

‘That looks delicious…’

Just smelling it made her mouth water, and at that moment, a loud rumbling sound came from Romei’s stomach.