..

A puzzled look settled on Kalcions features, gripping her tight so that she wouldnt fall.

..I did great?

Of course! You did a great job. All right, lets push it this way. This is all you need to do, as long as its not a lie, okay?

Hmm.

None of what Kalcion said was a lie.

Its true that Selena was surprised that she had the most skillful fingertips to emit those voices from him through such massages she had never seen before in a parlor. She never imagined shed have such ability.

She had been sweating while she massaged his shoulders and his back. It also worried her when she thought about whether it was fine to continue it in the room.

It was not difficult to request for an embrace on the way to the room. Her hands were aching, but she could still move them to hug him.

We shall continue to approach this way.

Selena got off with an interested look on her face. She was excited because of the plan on her mind. On the other hand, Kalcion was still unable to pinpoint her idea.

Okay, look. Imagine that Im going to give you another hard massage here. What if you wake up tomorrow morning and ask if I have a sore throat because of you?

Youd be embarrassed and say that you told me not to overdo it.

Thats it!

Selena cheered, clenching her fists.

Lets gather up before we go to bed. You would act like it was something youve never experienced in your life. And, what if I say, It was hot last night, wasnt it??

Id say, Thanks to you.

Thats right! It has to be just a little bit longer!

Its been a while since Ive tried the slanted position.

Kyaah!

It was like they were no more than a maniac. As if they knew all of the context.

It was still a long way to go to drag affection, but at least, they could possibly manipulate the others into thinking they had a wild night. If this continued a little more, wouldnt one be able to think they fell in love?

Kalcion stared at Selena with an excited look on his face before heading towards the bed. She couldnt understand even if it was for just a brief second.

Me, to the left.

Yes.

She didnt have a disease that she couldnt sleep if she wasnt on the left side, rather it was because of her habit.

However, the problem was that the bed was very small compared to what she used to sleep on at Renbird. It might have been the largest bedroom and bed in this village town, but it was incomparable to the one in the Renbirds castle.

The bed here was just a double bed that ordinary people could sleep in moderation, but Kalcion did not have a physique like an ordinary person.

His head was larger, and his limbs were longer than average. His shoulders were wide enough to accommodate one more arm. So, no matter how thin Selena was, she had to act satisfied.

Will it be hard to move a little further to the side?

My arm would fall.

Hmm Why dont you just turn to your side and face your back to me?

Thats better.

Kalcion did as she asked. His huge shoulders stood sideways, and she felt like she was leaning against a mountain range. The blanket felt like a tent that was pulled off from her.

This man He always bloomed his troubles in many ways. After pulling the blanket and wrapping it around her body, she finally closed her eyes.

Even though her nightdress was an unsettling thin garment, she fell asleep quickly. It was probably because of the fatigue from the journey and the soothing warm water bath.

***

She wasnt fully awake when she barely opened her eyes due to the morning rays of the sun penetrating through the window.

..

Nothing woke her up in the middle. She was neither surprised nor embarrassed to find herself waking up in Kalcions arms.

The same expression seemed to cover his face. With his face stuck sideways, he looked down at Selena with his arm wrapped around her waist.

Selena looked up at him with drowsy eyes to find her head resting on his other arm and her arm hugging his shoulder.

Di Did I wake you?

Her voice, small and hoarse. Maybe because she inhaled a lot of dust yesterday, she thought.

No.

It was the same case for Kalcions. No matter how strong one was, the body didnt seem to have a function to filter.

Selena, who was reluctant to get up, snuggled close to him. She didnt want to lift a finger.

The old building was so drafty that it drove in the morning breeze even though the windows were closed. On the other hand, Kalcion was warm and relaxing.

Its freezing.

It felt like she was lying while hugging a big dog. Kalcion was tired too, so he lied still, not pushing her away.

It was fun for her to see how his chest was rising up whenever he inhaled. It repeatedly kept touching her nose. Giggling, she shoved her nose to him.

Dont move.

Why?

It feels like a creature moving around that I want to kill.

.

Just a harsh word from him to match the blustering wind blowing in the morning.

This was supposed to warm up the cold air.

She was still close to his chest.

After a few moments, he lifted himself up from the bed. Selena, who watched him warm up lightly by cracking his neck, also came out of bed.

I will join you.

A light morning stretch. There was no reason to stop her nor did she ask him to teach her.

She began stretching. Unlike Kalcions exercise of focusing on light muscle training, hers was stretching the muscles.

It was not familiar to him. His eyes, filled with interest, shifted to look sideways at her exercise.

Do you just stretch, putting your legs over there?

Would you like to try?

You look fine.

Its quite refreshing. Its easy to relax your muscles this way.

She kindly helped him in holding the position. No matter how good his physical abilities were, a deep exhale escaped his mouth when he failed in keeping up with Selena in terms of flexibility.

Well, its a little hard.

Oh, dont overdo it. Flexibility isnt important. Breathe, just breathe.

Ha

Nodding proudly like an instructor, Selena watched him relax even though his position was not perfect.

Its fine, right? Ill do it next to you.

Hmm.

Exercising with another person was usually more enjoyable. Eventually, the morning light exercise turned into an intense one.

.Seems like Ill have to wash off again, huh?

Selena opened the window, feeling her sweaty garment around her body.

Kalcion had moved his body in a completely different way than usual, making him sweat more. It did not help even when he flapped his shirt, drawing air in.

Do you mind if I take off my coat?

Go ahead.

Why are you so relaxed now?

Yesterday, Selena was shy when he was taking off his clothes, but now, she shrugged off her shoulders at his protest.

Because we are working out right now?

For him, it was difficult to distinguish between the time and place of both situations. Anyway, since he had got her permission, he tossed off his shirt before starting his exercise again.

It was early when the two had woken up. It wasnt until the end of the exercise that they could hear several footfalls lining up outside the door.

Come in.

Good morning..

Kalcion, covered in sweat, and Selena, wearing sweaty nightwear, were standing in front of an open window, trying to calm down their rough breaths. A flush crept up on both of their faces at the same time.

The stunned look of the servants eyes flickered down to the floor before hovering over their features.

Ill need to wash up, so prepare the bath. Oh, and just cold water will be fine.

We will do as you say.

As the maids walked out of the room with their heads down, their eyes exchanged busy looks on each other.

A snowball falling from a tree would soon grow into an avalanche after the word would spread to ten more people. Moreover, it was between a man and a woman. The beginning was weak, but the ending was bound to be grand.

***

The schedule was the same for that day. Just like yesterday, they stopped by a village for lunch before reaching a small city to sleep.

The new city was larger than yesterdays town, but it was still smaller than Dunfel. A management officer greeted them, but there was no separate official residence.

They made their way into the building after their greetings like what theyd done before when Mrs. Janet blocked the way.

Would you mind if I have a moment with Lady Selena, Your Excellency.

It didnt sound like a question. As if she was determined to take away Selena. Selena said nothing to her, but she asked Kalcion what she meant.

Turning her head, Selena gave a distorted laugh.

Look at your politeness..

Ignoring Selenas mumbling, Mrs. Janet waited for his response.

Only for a moment.

It wont be long.

Kalcion was just as vulnerable to Selenas snapping words as he was to Mrs. Janets.

Kalcion walked off to the other side of the hallway, leaving Selena beside Mrs. Janet. Only then did Mrs. Janet raise her head and look at Selena with a fierce look in her eyes.

Please stay in your separate room starting today.

Selena knew shed say that, but not in this explicit manner. Selena smirked. Even if she didnt want to start a fight, she had to argue for this.