In the silence, Eugen’s breathing while he slept was distinctly audible.

‘He’s not exactly a still sleeper, is he?’

I had stayed put where I’d fallen asleep, but Eugen had moved closer to my side.

“Mmm.”

He turned over once, and our bodies were suddenly snug against each other. The sensation of his solid muscles against my right forearm was… 

Ahhhhhhhhhh, a silent scream escaped me.

‘So much for no tension!’

Tension was an understatement; I was practically on edge. But it was a nice kind of tension, different from the times with the crown prince.

And then there’s Eugen, with his pretty face. I thought Charlotte had long eyelashes, but Eugen’s seemed even longer. Or is it just me?

I read somewhere that camels evolved to have long lashes to protect their eyes from the sand and fierce winds of the desert. I don’t know much about it, but could he, a descendant of desert dwellers, be similar?

I allowed myself a moment to peacefully admire his appearance. Considering how I’d gawked at the prince’s face the day before, I seem to have a real weakness for looks.

Oh, God, this must be why you’ve reincarnated me into this world. I’m sorry for all the times I cursed for only getting the bad parts of a romance novel world, with no main character-worthy plot in sight.

As I was showing boundless gratitude, even towards a deity whose existence I was unsure of, Eugen began to move even closer to me.

Now, he was almost clinging to me. Despite this, his movements didn’t stop.

Oh my, this isn’t right… we’ve only just met today… And physically, there’s just no more space. I can’t back up any further.

“Ah!”

Clutching at the edge of the bed, I finally fell to the floor. A dull pain spread through my body.

“Ouch, my back.”

As I got up, clutching my back, I glared at Eugen, who was still sound asleep. This guy, making people fall off beds and still sleeping like a log.

But then again, that’s okay, isn’t it? How can anyone be perfect? Eugen is talented, has a great personality, and there’s no need to even start on his looks and physique.

“A flaw like this makes him human, I guess. It’s okay, it’s all good. I can always go back to sleep.”

With that, I glanced at my spot that Eugen had overtaken and moved to the other side of the bed. No use drooling over a sleeping person; better to try and catch some more sleep.

However, things didn’t go as planned. Before long, Eugen started to make his way from his edge of the bed back towards me.

“…What a splendid sleeping habit.”

In the end, I found myself having to move to the opposite side of the bed once again, hoping this time would be the last.

My wish was granted: Eugen didn’t roll over to my side while sleeping anymore. Instead…

“You’re so heavy!”

Bolting upright, I hastily brushed off Eugen’s leg, which had somehow climbed onto my lower half. Thanks to his diagonal sprawling, it was inevitable that our bodies would overlap.

“Just breathe, calm down.”

A surge of annoyance flared up, but it softened as I caught sight of Eugen’s angelic face in peaceful slumber. I could just lie diagonally as well, to avoid overlapping.

But to put it bluntly, my solution didn’t work at all. Eugen didn’t just cross the diagonal; he did a complete 360 in his sleep.

I managed only to doze off, constantly shifting positions. Eventually, with gritty eyes wide open, I resolved to think differently.

‘Cancel what I thought about this situation being something good…’

How can someone sleep like that? Is he actually awake, just pretending to sleep to mess with me?

And so, a night that brought deep sleep to some and sleeplessness to others passed by, leading into the morning.

There might be people who can go a day or two without sleep without any issues, but not me. Definitely not me!

Even when I was a student preparing for exams, I always made sure to get enough sleep. I’d rather give up cleanly on a midterm or final exam than cram all night.

Is this some sort of punishment? The punishment given to me by those who suffered from severe insomnia due to the comments I left.

But it’s not like I knew things would turn out this way when I left those comments. Why is this happening to me? It’s so unfair. So unjust.

As my sleep-deprived brain began to spiral into extreme thoughts, Eugen spoke up.

“Did you sleep well?”

As if I could’ve slept well! The same guy who wouldn’t wake up for anything during the night is now bright-eyed in the morning.

When I remained silent, Eugen moved closer and gazed down at me lying there.

“You look pale.”

In stark contrast to me, Eugen, who seemed to have had a good night’s sleep for the first time in a while, had a healthy glow, looking even more handsome than yesterday. His face…. was literally shining.

“Are you sick?”

His voice was gentle, laced with concern. His eyebrows drooped in worry. To my bleary eyes, Eugen started to resemble a big, fluffy dog.

‘I can’t let myself go soft!’

Even at night, the sight of his face would make my heart go soft, and my feet would betray me, turning back from one edge of the bed to the other. Every time I tried to rise and head for the couch, Eugen would flinch as if haunted by a nightmare.

It seemed that even in sleep, he was aware of my leaving as if my absence affected his bed. This little rascal was certainly meticulous.

Though it wasn’t intentional, Eugen’s sleeping habits had tortured me all night. I figured I was entitled to at least a little grumbling.

“Eugen.”

“What?”

“It’s just…”

“Do you need medicine?”

“It’s not that…”

“I’ve seen a lot. People die easily.”

“Huh?”

“You have to tell me right away if you’re in pain.”

Eugen gripped my hand firmly but gently, without hurting me. His hand was calloused and scarred, a testament to a life filled with hardships.

I steadied my voice before I spoke.

“I’m not in pain at all. I’m fine, so don’t worry.”

“But your complexion…”

“I said I’m fine.”

I just can’t bring myself to say it! How could I utter a harsh word in response to such sad words told with such an adorable face?

‘So what if I missed some sleep? Eugen has been suffering from insomnia for months because of the comments I made.’

Oh, my dear Eugen must be happy for the rest of his life. Even if he’s not the female lead’s choice, love isn’t everything in life, is it? Even the sub-male lead deserves happiness!

I patted Eugen’s hand gently.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah, for the first time in a while.”

He looked at my bed with a slightly dazed expression.

“I like this bed. Give it to me.”

I would have loved to give it to him, but taking just the bed wasn’t going to solve the issue.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“…Really?”

“How about some cookies instead? Just wait here. There should be some stashed away from last time.”

Charlotte kept away from sweets for the sake of her weight management, which naturally made me self-conscious too. Whenever I tried to eat something, the maids would stare with their eyes wide open, as if I had committed a crime.

Suddenly, Eugen’s gaze sharpened, and he watched the door intently.

“Someone’s coming.”

I glanced at the clock and realized it was already time for the maids to wake me. In a panic, I shoved Eugen.

“Hide! No, better yet—just go!”

“What about the cookies?”

“This isn’t the time for cookies!”

Despite his disappointed look, Eugen dashed out onto the terrace.

“Thanks for everything. See you around.”

With those parting words, he leaped down. Without even making a sound as he landed, he quickly hid himself among the garden shrubs.

“See you around, huh…”

He was a noble too, so it was possible we’d bump into each other at some grand banquet or another. However, I had no intention of resuming social activities and planned to leave the capital as soon as possible.

And now that the curse on the bed was lifted, I wondered if there’d even be a chance to meet again.

“Still, it’d be nice to run into him by chance.”

I muttered to myself. If circumstances were different, there’d be nothing wrong with meeting a character I liked.

Little did I know only a few days later, I would come to regret this casual wishful thinking.

* * *

Sitting at the breakfast table, Madam Lindsay, the Marchioness, looked at me with concern.

“You look absolutely worn out. Did you not sleep well?”

“Yes, I just couldn’t fall asleep.”

“I can imagine. With your temperament, after such an ordeal, how could you?”

She was referring to the ordeal with Sir George and the pickpocket—the fact that George had looked down on me and plotted a crime was clear as day. The Marchioness seemed to think that my pride had been deeply wounded by the event.

‘…The reason I didn’t sleep has nothing to do with that.’

I swallowed the truth, letting the Marchioness continue with her misunderstanding.

“Holding onto anger will only make you sick. The criminal has been caught, try to put it all behind you.”

The Marquis Lindsay chimed in from the side.

“Exactly! Why don’t you go to a tea party or something to change your mood?”

“But I’m supposed to be on probation, remember?”

“I’ve heard from the Chief of Police that exposing George as an accomplice was all thanks to your efforts. They said you showed great wit in extracting the confession from the pickpocket.”

“You flatter me. It was all thanks to Lord Mont.”

It seems the Police Chief had exaggerated to lift the Marquis’s spirits.

“Still, the fact that you didn’t cause a scene and calmly called for the police is commendable in itself.”

“I just did what anyone would have done.”

Marquis Lindsay’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“Charlotte, you’ve truly grown up. To think you’d make such sensible remarks…”

Was it because Charlotte had been so reckless in the past that now even her ordinary behavior was praised? Should I be happy or sad about this?

“Anyway, you’ve behaved so well these past few months that I think it might be time to lift your confinement.”

The Marquis hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“I’m starting to wonder if I’ve been pushing you too hard. You’re still a tender-hearted child, after all.”

“Father…”

For the first time in a while, a warm atmosphere filled the dining room of the Lindsay Marquis’s house. I was thankful for the words, but when put this way, it was hard to decline their suggestions.

The thing is, I really love being at home and prefer not to go out, but the Marquis seems to pity me for it. He called over the butler and asked.

“Have there been any invitations for Charlotte recently?”

Any invitation that came for me during my probation had been dealt with by the butler. Initially, he asked me how to respond to each one, but since I didn’t know most of the senders and it was all too bothersome, I left it to the butler to handle.

“There have been a few.”

“Bring them. Child, why don’t you take this chance to see some friends you haven’t met in a while?”

“Master, there’s something else…”

“What is it?”

“It’s not an invitation, but this morning, Miss received a bouquet that seems important enough to report to you, considering who sent it.”

A bouquet? My ears perked up at the butler’s words, and even Jayden glanced curiously at the butler.

“Who sent it that you mention it?”

At the Marquis’s inquiry, the butler replied.

“It’s from the renowned Archmage Kirie, Master.”