But it was only for a little moment. As soon as his eyes met mine, his gaze eased.
Sponsored Content
It was so quick that I wondered if I had seen it wrong a while ago.
“Are you here?”
Caleb’s voice approaching me and asking me sounded familiar, so I blinked.
Did I really see it wrong? No.
I definitely saw it.
“Elena? Do you have any pain in your wound?”
“Oh, no.”
Later, I realized that Caleb was looking at the side I grabbed.
“I was just holding it because it bothered me. It’s not hurt.”
“I was contemplating whether or not to bring the therapist, but I’m glad you weren’t in any pain. Why aren’t you in your room? Why are you here?”
“I met Dame Seria. My physical condition is better than I thought, and I’m worried about Dame Seria’s condition.”
“Is that so? Still, I don’t think it’s a good idea to walk around too much. If you overdo it, I’m concerned you’ll be hurt.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
I replied lightly but tilted my head when I observed Caleb’s attire. When I saw him earlier, he was dressed in relatively light clothes, only wearing a shirt and pants……
‘He’s now dressed in his uniform.’
He even wore his cravat as usual, but for some reason, it didn’t feel right.
Because he didn’t look like a person trying to rest at all.
“Could you tell me what you’ve been up to so far?”
“What have I been so far……”
“I mean what you did after you called me the therapist till we met like this.”
“I stamped the paperwork and had Lord Madin deliver them to the capital. And I went about seeking for you after looking at Rykel’s body for a bit. You weren’t in the room, so I went around looking for you.”
“Did you keep looking for me after that?”
“That’s correct, but that’s good because I’ve confirmed that you’re alright.”
I’m at a loss for words.
He not only stayed by my side the entire night, but he also went around looking for me.
‘When all I wanted to do was ask him about being a partner……’
Of course, the Crown Prince and Count had ordered it all, but I was the one who carried it out.
As a result, I felt both grateful and responsible for Caleb’s concerns.
“Let me take you to your room.”
“You don’t have to, Lord, however, I thought you should return. I heard from the therapist earlier that you stayed with me all night.”
“I’m fine.”
Why do the people around me just state that they’re okay?
“I just want to apologize for putting you and others at risk due to my negligence and bad care.”
They even blame themselves, even though it is not their fault.
“How could that be your fault, Lord?”
“It’s because I couldn’t wipe it out completely. You wouldn’t get hurt if I had been a little more careful and thorough.”
“Isn’t there a limit to what people can do in this world? I think it’s the same for dealing with demonic b…”
“As you said, there are definitely limits. But this time it’s different. I was able enough to catch it, but I missed it.”
“There are times when people make mistakes.”
“I don’t know if mistakes will be tolerated for ordinary people, but I can’t. My mistake is directly related to the lives of many people.”
Caleb said as if he were chewing. Rather than telling me, it was a tone that seemed to make a promise to himself.
For some reason, my throat was choked up at that sight.
The pressure of the obligations and bridles that had been rejuvenated by him came down to me.
I thought he was a perfect person from the start, but has he ever been so tight on himself?
“But as a result, no one was killed, right?”
“You.”
It was a voice that suppressed his own emotions.
“You…… you almost died.”
“But in the end, I didn’t die.”
“Instead, you were hurt a lot. If I had been careful, you wouldn’t have been hurt, nor would you have been in danger.”
“I can’t deny that.”
“So I…”
“But you saved me, didn’t you?”
I deliberately cut off Caleb’s words.
Before he blamed himself more.
“Lord, if you hadn’t come just in time, I would have been dead.”
I recalled the end of that beast.
If Caleb hadn’t saved me then.
“Lord, you’re always doing your best, right? So don’t feel pressured about what you can’t do and what’s already happened.”
Caleb did not answer.
But I didn’t mean to hear an answer.
Because I know it’s hard to change your mind immediately after hearing someone say it.
And it is even more difficult to put it into practice.
So I didn’t add more words.
This is the end of my advice for him as an ‘outsider’.
“Anyway, I’ll be back, so you too should go back, Lord. You should rest.”
“I’ll escort you.”
I sighed at the firm response.
It’s no use saying this.
Then it’s a change of route!
“May I ask where the room where you are staying, Lord?”
“I’m staying in the far right room above the second floor.”
Instead of asking why Caleb answered my sudden question steadily.
I roughly guessed where his room was in my head.
Then I grabbed Caleb’s arm and led him.
“…Elena?”
Caleb’s voice was heard in embarrassment.
But this was also an expected reaction, so I said it casually.
“I have to go to a place in a hurry. Can you follow me?”
“Can I ask where you’re going?”
“You’ll find out when you get there, Lord.”
Instead of telling him the destination, I pulled his arm.
Caleb seemed embarrassed but followed me as I dragged him.
After a while, I was able to get to the front of the room that Caleb was telling me about.
“Go in. Lord.”
“Is my room the place you had to go?”
“Yes.”
Even in my words, Caleb did not enter the room.
“If you came all the way to my room because you had something to say, I think it would be better to do it in the hallway or somewhere else than talking in the room.”
“Well, I just wanted you to rest, Lord, so I came all the way here. It’s not because I have something to say.”
“I’m grateful for your thoughts, but I still have things to do.”
“Things to do?”
“After I walked you, I was going to check on the beast’s dead body again.”
“…do you have to do this today?”
“Well, I’ve seen it a lot, so I don’t have to end it today.”
I relaxed at the answer. I was worried that what I did would have bothered him.
“Then go in and rest today.”
“However.”
“Lord, you know what. It’s not a bad thing to do your duty. But you have to take care of your body. Besides, I heard you couldn’t sleep because of me.”
“That was because I wanted to do it.”
“Even so, it doesn’t change that it’s because of me. If you overdo it today and get sick, it’s all my fault. Also, Lord, if you get sick, you wouldn’t be able to do the things you’re supposed to do.”
Am I right?
I looked up at Caleb with great momentum.
“That’s true, but it’s not your fault.”
“You may think so, Lord, but not me. I want you to get some rest.”
Caleb was quiet for a moment. After a short silence, he nodded slowly.
“Okay. I’ll rest as you say.”
“Then go in.”
I said Caleb gently opened the door and went inside, and I followed him.
While casually closing the door, he seemed a little surprised that he didn’t know I would follow him inside.
“Elena? Why are you……”
“I’m going to leave after confirming you’re asleep, Lord.”
I pushed the door that Caleb had not closed yet with my back in my hand and closed it.
“Now take it off.”
“What…”
“It’s uncomfortable to sleep in uniform, Lord. So please take off your uniform and loosen your cravat.”
Caleb opened his lips as if he had something to say, then closed it again.
But he couldn’t hide the stir on his face.
‘Did I make a mistake?’
But looking back, it didn’t seem like that at all.
I said it purely for Caleb.
It was then.
The bed, which I had never paid much attention to, was suddenly enlarged.
At the same time, I was able to realize what kind of situation I was in.
What kind of misunderstanding can be caused by what I said a while ago.
My eyelids trembled.
What the hell did I do?
No, first of all, well, let’s fix the situation first. Yeah, that’s better.
“Uhm, Lord Egon.”
“Yes.”
“Well, what I said earlier. I didn’t say it for weird intentions.”
Why does it feel weird after saying it?
It really sounds like I have another intention than that.
It was a time when I only bit my innocent lower lip not knowing how to fix the situation.
“I know.”
A calm voice penetrated my ears.
“Didn’t you tell me to take off my clothes for my convenience?”
However, just because Caleb’s voice was so, it didn’t mean that my heart was also calm when I heard those words.
Obviously, I was the first to tell him to take it off, but he didn’t need to remind me like that.
“Well, then I’ll be on my way now. So, take a good rest and see you tomorrow……”
“Didn’t you say you were going to see me asleep?”
It didn’t take long for me to realize that those words were what I said earlier.
I forgot I was about to leave and froze.
“Are you going to go?”
“Oh, that’s……”
An inner scream filled up to the end of my throat.
But I couldn’t scream.
I just grab the hem of my skirt tightly.
‘Why the hell did I say that before!’
Meanwhile, Caleb was looking at me.
My heart beat fast as his sharp eyes, stained with fatigue, were staring at me intensely.
Even in the midst of this, his handsome appearance still shines.
“That’s……”
“…….”
“I’m going to watch you asleep and go.”
Even before I finished speaking, I lowered my gaze.
I shouldn’t be like this……
At first glance, such a thought occurred to me, but it was only a fleeting thought.
Because my head was a mess right now to think and review something rationally.
As if I was thrown into a panic.
“Your legs will hurt if you stand, so sit on the chair.”
“Yes……”
I shook my head like a fool.
And I sat in a simple chair next to the bed.
As I sat still in the chair, my nerves became more sensitive.
Slack-, the sound made by rubbing shirts against each other penetrated my ears.
‘Was the sound of taking off clothes that loud?’
All of a sudden, my saliva was swallowed.
Even though there is no need to be so nervous or conscious……
Thump-thump-
The pounding and fast-paced pulse seem familiar and unfamiliar.
I tried to calm down the nerves that became as sensitive as possible, but it was not easy.
I had been staring at the wall for so long while clutching the hem of my skirt when I heard the sound of the bed tilting.
When I turned my head, I saw Caleb.
And through the collar of his shirt, as he loosened the cravat, as well as the upper button, was loosened, Caleb’s chest was exposed.
But it was only for a little moment. As soon as his eyes met mine, his gaze eased.
Sponsored Content
It was so quick that I wondered if I had seen it wrong a while ago.
“Are you here?”
Caleb’s voice approaching me and asking me sounded familiar, so I blinked.
Did I really see it wrong? No.
I definitely saw it.
“Elena? Do you have any pain in your wound?”
“Oh, no.”
Later, I realized that Caleb was looking at the side I grabbed.
“I was just holding it because it bothered me. It’s not hurt.”
“I was contemplating whether or not to bring the therapist, but I’m glad you weren’t in any pain. Why aren’t you in your room? Why are you here?”
“I met Dame Seria. My physical condition is better than I thought, and I’m worried about Dame Seria’s condition.”
“Is that so? Still, I don’t think it’s a good idea to walk around too much. If you overdo it, I’m concerned you’ll be hurt.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
I replied lightly but tilted my head when I observed Caleb’s attire. When I saw him earlier, he was dressed in relatively light clothes, only wearing a shirt and pants……
‘He’s now dressed in his uniform.’
He even wore his cravat as usual, but for some reason, it didn’t feel right.
Because he didn’t look like a person trying to rest at all.
“Could you tell me what you’ve been up to so far?”
“What have I been so far……”
“I mean what you did after you called me the therapist till we met like this.”
“I stamped the paperwork and had Lord Madin deliver them to the capital. And I went about seeking for you after looking at Rykel’s body for a bit. You weren’t in the room, so I went around looking for you.”
“Did you keep looking for me after that?”
“That’s correct, but that’s good because I’ve confirmed that you’re alright.”
I’m at a loss for words.
He not only stayed by my side the entire night, but he also went around looking for me.
‘When all I wanted to do was ask him about being a partner……’
Of course, the Crown Prince and Count had ordered it all, but I was the one who carried it out.
As a result, I felt both grateful and responsible for Caleb’s concerns.
“Let me take you to your room.”
“You don’t have to, Lord, however, I thought you should return. I heard from the therapist earlier that you stayed with me all night.”
“I’m fine.”
Why do the people around me just state that they’re okay?
“I just want to apologize for putting you and others at risk due to my negligence and bad care.”
They even blame themselves, even though it is not their fault.
“How could that be your fault, Lord?”
“It’s because I couldn’t wipe it out completely. You wouldn’t get hurt if I had been a little more careful and thorough.”
“Isn’t there a limit to what people can do in this world? I think it’s the same for dealing with demonic b…”
“As you said, there are definitely limits. But this time it’s different. I was able enough to catch it, but I missed it.”
“There are times when people make mistakes.”
“I don’t know if mistakes will be tolerated for ordinary people, but I can’t. My mistake is directly related to the lives of many people.”
Caleb said as if he were chewing. Rather than telling me, it was a tone that seemed to make a promise to himself.
For some reason, my throat was choked up at that sight.
The pressure of the obligations and bridles that had been rejuvenated by him came down to me.
I thought he was a perfect person from the start, but has he ever been so tight on himself?
“But as a result, no one was killed, right?”
“You.”
It was a voice that suppressed his own emotions.
“You…… you almost died.”
“But in the end, I didn’t die.”
“Instead, you were hurt a lot. If I had been careful, you wouldn’t have been hurt, nor would you have been in danger.”
“I can’t deny that.”
“So I…”
“But you saved me, didn’t you?”
I deliberately cut off Caleb’s words.
Before he blamed himself more.
“Lord, if you hadn’t come just in time, I would have been dead.”
I recalled the end of that beast.
If Caleb hadn’t saved me then.
“Lord, you’re always doing your best, right? So don’t feel pressured about what you can’t do and what’s already happened.”
Caleb did not answer.
But I didn’t mean to hear an answer.
Because I know it’s hard to change your mind immediately after hearing someone say it.
And it is even more difficult to put it into practice.
So I didn’t add more words.
This is the end of my advice for him as an ‘outsider’.
“Anyway, I’ll be back, so you too should go back, Lord. You should rest.”
“I’ll escort you.”
I sighed at the firm response.
It’s no use saying this.
Then it’s a change of route!
“May I ask where the room where you are staying, Lord?”
“I’m staying in the far right room above the second floor.”
Instead of asking why Caleb answered my sudden question steadily.
I roughly guessed where his room was in my head.
Then I grabbed Caleb’s arm and led him.
“…Elena?”
Caleb’s voice was heard in embarrassment.
But this was also an expected reaction, so I said it casually.
“I have to go to a place in a hurry. Can you follow me?”
“Can I ask where you’re going?”
“You’ll find out when you get there, Lord.”
Instead of telling him the destination, I pulled his arm.
Caleb seemed embarrassed but followed me as I dragged him.
After a while, I was able to get to the front of the room that Caleb was telling me about.
“Go in. Lord.”
“Is my room the place you had to go?”
“Yes.”
Even in my words, Caleb did not enter the room.
“If you came all the way to my room because you had something to say, I think it would be better to do it in the hallway or somewhere else than talking in the room.”
“Well, I just wanted you to rest, Lord, so I came all the way here. It’s not because I have something to say.”
“I’m grateful for your thoughts, but I still have things to do.”
“Things to do?”
“After I walked you, I was going to check on the beast’s dead body again.”
“…do you have to do this today?”
“Well, I’ve seen it a lot, so I don’t have to end it today.”
I relaxed at the answer. I was worried that what I did would have bothered him.
“Then go in and rest today.”
“However.”
“Lord, you know what. It’s not a bad thing to do your duty. But you have to take care of your body. Besides, I heard you couldn’t sleep because of me.”
“That was because I wanted to do it.”
“Even so, it doesn’t change that it’s because of me. If you overdo it today and get sick, it’s all my fault. Also, Lord, if you get sick, you wouldn’t be able to do the things you’re supposed to do.”
Am I right?
I looked up at Caleb with great momentum.
“That’s true, but it’s not your fault.”
“You may think so, Lord, but not me. I want you to get some rest.”
Caleb was quiet for a moment. After a short silence, he nodded slowly.
“Okay. I’ll rest as you say.”
“Then go in.”
I said Caleb gently opened the door and went inside, and I followed him.
While casually closing the door, he seemed a little surprised that he didn’t know I would follow him inside.
“Elena? Why are you……”
“I’m going to leave after confirming you’re asleep, Lord.”
I pushed the door that Caleb had not closed yet with my back in my hand and closed it.
“Now take it off.”
“What…”
“It’s uncomfortable to sleep in uniform, Lord. So please take off your uniform and loosen your cravat.”
Caleb opened his lips as if he had something to say, then closed it again.
But he couldn’t hide the stir on his face.
‘Did I make a mistake?’
But looking back, it didn’t seem like that at all.
I said it purely for Caleb.
It was then.
The bed, which I had never paid much attention to, was suddenly enlarged.
At the same time, I was able to realize what kind of situation I was in.
What kind of misunderstanding can be caused by what I said a while ago.
My eyelids trembled.
What the hell did I do?
No, first of all, well, let’s fix the situation first. Yeah, that’s better.
“Uhm, Lord Egon.”
“Yes.”
“Well, what I said earlier. I didn’t say it for weird intentions.”
Why does it feel weird after saying it?
It really sounds like I have another intention than that.
It was a time when I only bit my innocent lower lip not knowing how to fix the situation.
“I know.”
A calm voice penetrated my ears.
“Didn’t you tell me to take off my clothes for my convenience?”
However, just because Caleb’s voice was so, it didn’t mean that my heart was also calm when I heard those words.
Obviously, I was the first to tell him to take it off, but he didn’t need to remind me like that.
“Well, then I’ll be on my way now. So, take a good rest and see you tomorrow……”
“Didn’t you say you were going to see me asleep?”
It didn’t take long for me to realize that those words were what I said earlier.
I forgot I was about to leave and froze.
“Are you going to go?”
“Oh, that’s……”
An inner scream filled up to the end of my throat.
But I couldn’t scream.
I just grab the hem of my skirt tightly.
‘Why the hell did I say that before!’
Meanwhile, Caleb was looking at me.
My heart beat fast as his sharp eyes, stained with fatigue, were staring at me intensely.
Even in the midst of this, his handsome appearance still shines.
“That’s……”
“…….”
“I’m going to watch you asleep and go.”
Even before I finished speaking, I lowered my gaze.
I shouldn’t be like this……
At first glance, such a thought occurred to me, but it was only a fleeting thought.
Because my head was a mess right now to think and review something rationally.
As if I was thrown into a panic.
“Your legs will hurt if you stand, so sit on the chair.”
“Yes……”
I shook my head like a fool.
And I sat in a simple chair next to the bed.
As I sat still in the chair, my nerves became more sensitive.
Slack-, the sound made by rubbing shirts against each other penetrated my ears.
‘Was the sound of taking off clothes that loud?’
All of a sudden, my saliva was swallowed.
Even though there is no need to be so nervous or conscious……
Thump-thump-
The pounding and fast-paced pulse seem familiar and unfamiliar.
I tried to calm down the nerves that became as sensitive as possible, but it was not easy.
I had been staring at the wall for so long while clutching the hem of my skirt when I heard the sound of the bed tilting.
When I turned my head, I saw Caleb.
And through the collar of his shirt, as he loosened the cravat, as well as the upper button, was loosened, Caleb’s chest was exposed.
