I’d felt a shift in Jayden’s behavior toward me for a few days, but now it was too conspicuous to ignore.

‘It’s too unsettling and uncomfortable.’

Determined to confront the matter, I waited for the right moment after finishing my meal.

It was crucial to catch Jayden when he was free, which was a rare occurrence.

Unlike me, who lazed around after eating, Jayden had the heavy duties of an heir to fulfill.

His routine was packed with studies, sword training, and social engagements.

Yet, even he had his moments of leisure, particularly during his afternoon walks.

“Ah, Sister.”

In one of the prides of the Lindsay estate, the central courtyard garden, Jayden’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing me.

“Did you come out for a walk too, Sister?”

“Yeah, it’s such nice weather. We just happened to bump into each other.”

I approached Jayden, who stood among the colorful flowers.

“It’s quite the rarity. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you strolling here at this time before.”

“Is that so?”

Well, of course, that’s because I’ve been avoiding you like the plague!

The real Charlotte had always been at odds with Jayden, and I too had tried my best to avoid him and the chilly air he brought.

“Besides, the garden is really beautiful.”

Hoping to casually change the subject, I made a remark, to which Jayden looked down.

“…The gardener takes great care of it. My mother in heaven would be happy to see how well it’s kept.”

I was suddenly reminded of something I’d almost forgotten.

This garden was a cherished place of the late Marchioness Lindsay, Jayden’s mother, who had passed away from illness.

I’d heard the story but dismissed it as it had little to do with me.

Jayden scanned the garden with a touch of wistfulness in his eyes.

“…Hmm. She surely would.”

I awkwardly agreed, still trying to figure out how to bring up the main issue.

‘Damn it! I was all set to confront him, but this atmosphere makes it awkward to bring up anything serious!’

Out of the blue, Jayden asked an unexpected question.

“Speaking of gardens, which flowers do you like?”

“Huh? I don’t know, they’re all nice.”

“Then I shall select some and send them to you.”

“Send? Send what?”

“Flowers, of course.”

“You’re sending me flowers?”

“Yes.”

“…Why?”

His reply came with a nonchalance as if he was talking about the most natural thing in the world.

“A fully bloomed flower not only adorns a room but also fills it with a delightful fragrance. Or do you dislike having flowers in your room?”

“No, no, it’s not that. I was wondering if it’s really alright to pluck these flowers from here, and give them to me.”

“Is there any reason not to?”

“Well, aren’t these flowers important to you? You walk here every day, admiring them…”

I couldn’t fathom why he would offer flowers from his cherished garden to me, especially since not long ago, he couldn’t stand the sight of me.

“You say the strangest things.”

Jayden said tenderly, with a gentle smile I’d never seen before.

“Flowers are meant to bloom and fade with the seasons, aren’t they? If I can bring you a moment’s joy, even for just a few days, that’s enough for me.”

“Jayden…”

There he was, revealing a tender heart toward me in the tranquil garden.

Had this been a scene from a novel I was reading, I might have been touched by the sentiment, imagining a brother finally opening his heart after years of disdain for his sister.

But my heart felt nothing but an icy chill.

‘Has he lost his mind? What’s gotten into him?’

It was starting to be more than just bewildering; it was becoming frightening.

Doubts swirled in my mind—had I done something wrong, or was he behaving this way because he had wronged me in some way?

And Jayden’s odd behavior didn’t stop there.

“Ah, Sister.”

He added as if something had just come to him.

“When I send the flowers, I’ll include a Mont Blanc cake for you to enjoy.”

“Mont… Mont Blanc?”

“Yes, I noticed yesterday that unlike before, you seem to enjoy sweets now. Have your tastes changed?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“I had to step out for a meeting this morning. On my way back, I stopped by a bakery known for their Mont Blanc cakes.”

I was left speechless, feeling a distinct shiver run down my arms.

I couldn’t take it anymore. Something had to be done, right now.

“Jayden!”

My voice was desperate, and Jayden was visibly taken aback.

“…Why do you look like that?”

“Just stop it, okay? It’s scary!”

“Scary? What’s scary?”

“You are! You’re scaring me! Why are you suddenly being like this to me?”

“What have I done exactly?”

“Suddenly sending me flowers, buying cakes for me… Your behavior is suspicious no matter how I look at it.”

“Suspicious? That’s quite a word.”

“Why? You hate me, and yet…”

“No, as I’ve said before, you’ve changed, and I’ve… started thinking differently about you…”

“Different is an understatement! Sure, I’ve been behaving these past few months, but does that make it logical for you to do a complete one-eighty?”

“That’s…”

“I’ve racked my brain, and I can’t recall a single thing I’ve done that might make you suddenly take a liking to me. Am I wrong?”

Jayden shut up, perhaps finding no words to counter.

“There must be a reason you’re doing this. Just be honest with me. Receiving this kind of oppressive kindness only makes me uncomfortable.”

“…”

Jayden paused, his gaze wandering to the scenery of the garden. It was a silence that bred anxiety.

“If you insist, I suppose I have no choice.”

At last, his lips, heavy with hesitation, began to move.

“I had intended to discuss this once we had developed a more amicable relationship, but…”

“It’s okay. Tell me now.”

“There’s actually a favor I need to ask of you.”

That figures! The moment I heard the word ‘favor,’ my anxiety quickly subsided.

This sounded more like the Jayden I knew.

“Then you should have said it earlier. So, what’s this favor?”

“Well…”

“Don’t be shy, just spill it. If it’s something I can do, I’ll consider it. Probably.”

Jayden’s lips quivered a few times before he finally took a decisive breath.

“I’ll tell you what it is later.”

“When is later?”

“I’ll come to you tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“It’s a matter of great importance; I’d prefer to discuss it somewhere private.”

I casually glanced around, half-expecting someone to be eavesdropping, but there was no sign of anyone.

“We’re alone here, why not just now…”

“Later, in private, secretly.”

He stressed each word and then, with a polite nod, indicated his intention to leave.

“What’s this favor about?”

As I watched him walk away, I couldn’t help but tilt my head in wonder.

In the blink of an eye, time passed and night fell.

Knock, knock. True to his word, Jayden quietly tapped on my door in the dead of night.

“Are you there?”

“Shh, be quiet.”

As I opened the door, I was greeted by a serious face, his index finger pressed to his lips in a hushing motion.

Dressed in black, as if ready to blend into the darkness at a moment’s notice, he stepped inside, eyes darting suspiciously around the room.

‘What a fuss,’ I thought.

To an outsider, we might as well have been in the middle of a drug deal.

Despite my sarcasm, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of tension.

During the day, I had been relieved by Jaiden’s words that he had a favor to ask of me, but on second thought, this was not something to take lightly.

Logically, what could Jayden possibly ask of me with such humility?

Money, connections, prestige—Jayden lacked for nothing compared to me.

‘Could it be that he’s also…?’

I dismissed the one possibility that sprang to mind.

“Alright, let’s hear this favor of yours.”

After seating Jayden on the sofa, I prompted him to continue.

“The matter I’m about to discuss is rather, well, quite startling. But please don’t think I’ve lost my mind.”

He seemed more resolved now than earlier in the day and began to speak with less difficulty.

“I assure you, I’m in my right mind.”

“I’m listening, go on.”

“…Here’s what I ask of you.”

Just as I thought he was about to reveal his request, he abruptly stood up.

Then, he knelt down with a thud and bowed his head.

“Please let me spend a night in your bed! Just one night!”

His plea, unexpected yet somehow not surprising, sent my mind spinning.

‘They say the unthinkable can happen, my past self…’

How far had this magic gone?

If possible, I would rewind time to confront my former self.

Jayden isn’t even the sub-male lead! Why is he caught up in this bed curse too?

As I quivered with intense, directionless emotion, Jayden laid bare the reasons behind his peculiar request.

It was a tiresome tale of insomnia and mysterious voices.

“I know how ridiculous it sounds. So if you say you don’t believe me…”

“I believe you.”

“Of course, you should be… What? You do?”

“Yeah, Jayden. I see no reason for you to make up such a lie. And if you were to lie, you’d come up with something more believable.”

“That’s true.” 

He agreed, though his voice lacked conviction.

It would’ve been natural for me to act to go from skepticism to reluctant acceptance, but I wasn’t in the state of mind for such theatrics.

“Listen, about that voice you mentioned…”

There was a piece of information I needed to verify with Jayden as soon as possible.

“What exactly did it say?”

Based on past experiences, those mysterious voices tended to echo the comments I’d typed.

Jayden scrunched up his face in distaste.

“It’s… it’s nonsense, really. And it’s not exactly pleasant to hear.”

“I still want to know.”

He sighed, resigning himself to replicate the voice that periodically haunted his head.

“Jayden… you worthless little…”

The beginning alone was enough to make me rethink my entire linguistic life up to that point.