Not that one!

Oh, whats the matter, Miss? I managed to get it from a private house while you were washing up. Im sure His Excellency would be happy as well.

Whats with this clothing?

If those, which could be worn on the body, were called clothes, then the eyelashes, which could be attached to be attractive, were also called ornaments. To add a bit of exaggeration, the garment brought by the maids, which was as light as eyelashes, could not be called clothing.

No matter how ostensibly they tried to set up the mood for the night, wearing this would violate the lowest moral standards.

What I need is to sleep comfortably. It doesnt matter if the Duke is happy or not. So just give me a proper nightdress.

What are you so ashamed of, Miss? This is perfect. Please put it on.

No, never! If my mother finds out, shell pull out all my hair.

Oh, then all you have to do is not let your mother know about it~

The maids knew that she was shy, but they kept on insisting her to wear it. Selenas face became red.

She had never worn such a luxurious piece of night garment in her life.

Why are you all so excited?! Havent you ever faced this kind of situation before?

If he was a Duke, there must have been other women, whom he had spent the night with.

Wasnt there any?

No, Miss, there wasnt..but why do you ask?

Selena was startled.

Why not?

Well, I..Im not sure. I heard that the Ducal family of Renbird has always been away from these things for generations. And so did His Excellency.

Until now, Miss.

Another maid spoke up. The rest were giggling and elbowing each other while glancing at Selena.

So, shouldnt we do our best to help?

There is no need!

She blurted out.

But, Miss..

The maids pouted and withdrew their words under Selenas stern eyes. Finally, she was free from being nagged.

Anyway, it was in the very nature of human beings to cook up such wrong assumptions about other people. She just wanted to lie down quickly and rest.

Dont think of such weird things and get me a proper dress.not this piece of garment.

Youre so careful, even if this is only for one night.

Red candles were lit around the bed, and flamboyant decorations and petals were placed all over. Kalcion was sitting on the sofa in a thin nightgown with a cup in his hand.

.Seriously?

I just want to call it a night as soon as possible.

Well, its the same for me..wait, you mean sleeping, right?

As if he was too lazy to repeat it, Kalcion didnt answer.

All right, then, Ill just.

As she felt tired, she had no other choice but to drag her feet towards his bed. But when she sat on the bed, she started feeling nervous.

She hoped he wouldnt notice it. She eagerly lifted up her feet and burrowed herself into the quilt.

The petals scattered on the bed were whisked away. She lied down in a straight posture and looked up at the ceiling before closing her eyes shut as if she was lying inside a coffin.

No matter how tired she was, she couldnt sleep. She heard Kalcion put down the cup on the table and his footsteps as he approached the bed. All of a sudden, she could hear her own heartbeats.

Kalcion lifted one side of the quilt and lied down on the bed. Selena held her breath and curled her toes.

Hm.

It was only when Kalcion exhaled heavily that she released her breath.

Fortunately, the bed was so wide that it could comfortably accommodate two people without them touching each other.

Even if so, she couldnt be at ease.

Ah.

Selena jumped up to her feet when she realized what she had forgotten.

What?

Kalcion, too, hurriedly asked in a voice completely unabated. Selena asked solemnly.

Which side do you face while sleeping? Left or right?

.In any direction, I guess?

Selena struggled a little before she said.

Well, I always face the left.

Now, Selena was on the right side of the bed.

Shouldnt you sleep here then?

..Yes.

She lied back obediently. The silence pressed on her chest again.

How should she breathe? Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth? Where should she keep her hands? Put them on herself or next to her body?

.Lets get some sleep.

If she fell asleep quickly, she could forget about the situation. However, it wasnt as easy as it seemed. Eventually, as she was unable to stand it, she opened her mouth again.

Oh, by the way,

What else?

I have a habit of rolling to the left in my sleep If I unconsciously touch the Duke, just push me away.

All right.

This time, the silence was quite long. Soon, however, she blurted out again.

Uh.Can I use another pillow?

The head of the bed was stacked with several pillows. But it certainly wouldnt matter if she took one more, would it?

Do as you please.

Kalcion pressed his eyelids.

Thank you. I have a habit of hugging a pillow when I sleep.

Selena pulled one out and closed her eyelids as she hugged it.

Now, she couldnt really talk anymore. She didnt want to put herself in an awkward situation. But she was suffocated by the sound of breathing that filled the room. It felt like she had fallen into a lake.

This time, it was Kalcion who sighed before he said.

You were sleeping very soundly in my office.

Selena turned to him in delight.

Ah, I usually fall asleep whenever I feel like doing so.

I see. Sleep well then.

Im trying to.but I cant.

Selenas bedroom was quite comfortable, but Kalcions was at a different level. It was so cozy that she wondered if there was anything like this so well maintained in her world. But, she couldnt fall asleep under these wonderful blankets.

I guess you cant sleep when youre too nervous.

Why would you feel nervous sleeping next to the strongest Duke in the world?

Wow, youre complimenting yourself, you know.

Because its true.

Pfft! Hahaha!

Selena burst out into a laugh.

I think Im more nervous now than when I was on my first day on the set.

Why?

Well.because this is my first time using the same bed with a man?

First time?

It might not be her real intention, but Selena said, wrinkling her eyebrows teasingly.

Poor me.

What?!.No. I didnt mean it that way.

Flustered, Kalcion sat up.

I apologize for the rude remark. It wasnt intentional.

Selena was also surprised by his reaction.

No, I was joking..but its true that its my first time sleeping on the same bed with a man.

I was rude, regardless of whether it was true or not.

Thats what everyone here thinks. But were the only one who knows the truth. So be at ease.

His politeness was burdensome, so even if she tried to forget about such a misunderstanding, Kalcions expression was serious. His own remarks seemed to have shocked him this much.

I dont care about such assumptions. But if you ever meet my mom, you mightve needed to do plastering. Shes very strict.

I see.

Only after the solution did Kalcion settle down and lay back down.

By the way, do I look like someone who sleeps with every guy she meets?

No, thats not it. If I had to find an excuse, wouldnt it be your good acting skills?

Hmm?

I knew it was your acting, but for a moment, it felt like I was being seduced.

She had always played her character, except for the time when she was alone with him.

Hahaha.

Selena rolled over to the right side as she chuckled. His praise made her feel elated.

Ill continue to do my best in the future, so please trust me until I catch the criminal.

You also have to be careful at every step you take.

Kalcion smiled at her before shifting his eyes back to the ceiling.

The air felt much lighter than before. She was finally starting to feel comfortable. Just before she collapsed into a slumber,

Ah.

Ah, stop talking now.

Kalcion grumbled.

Good night.

A deep silence filled the room as he kept wondering whether he should ignore that before he came up with a reply.

..Yeah.

But it was her deep exhale that came back. She had already fallen asleep.

***

Bright light somehow reached her closed eyelids.

She was sleeping so soundly on the comfortable sheets. As she tried to move her tightened self, she felt an unfamiliar sensation touching her skin.

Hmm..?

Only

This time, it was her heart that thumped.

It wasnt just a pillow or something, it was someone elses skin..

..Who?

Her memories of the previous night, which were scattered, flooded into her mind at once.

She recalled lying down on the warm bed, along with Kalcion. So, what was it that was touching her body?

Gasp..!

Her eyes popped up open. She glanced and saw the sight that she should have never seen.