Episode 116

Knock, knock.

Yvonne tapped Yurian’s shoulder. Just moments ago, she had been trembling unconsciously out of fear. But the moment she saw Yurian, those thoughts vanished. Now, she hunched her shoulders and lowered her head, hoping he would feel the same terror she had experienced.

Through the disheveled strands of her platinum hair, she could see Yurian. Seeing him lying there, defenseless in his sleep, felt both unfamiliar and somewhat insignificant.

“Yurian.”

“….”

In truth, Yurian had been awake ever since she entered the room. Ever since she had screamed in her own chambers. Normally, his room was well soundproofed, yet strangely, her scream had reached him even from a distance.

He had hesitated when he was about to climb over the balcony railing, thinking Yvonne might dislike it. But when he realized she was heading toward him, he quickly lay down and pretended to be asleep.

“Yurian….”

Even in this situation, he found himself delighted that she was calling his name.

He wished she would come even closer.

Feigning steady breaths, he continued to pretend to be asleep.

“Hey, Yurian!”

Yvonne, now irritated, grabbed his shoulder again.

And at that moment—

“Kyaah!”

Yurian suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her onto his bed.

Her feet, which had been firmly planted on the ground, were lifted into the air before landing on the soft mattress. Completely startled, Yvonne froze in place, trembling.

“I’m touched that you’ve come all the way to my bed.”

“You scared me!”

“I was more surprised. What happened to your hair?”

“Ah….”

Yvonne couldn’t bring herself to say that she had come to him as revenge for seeing a ghost.

Of course, she had repeatedly denied that she had come here out of fear, but the truth was undeniable.

“It’s because of you, Yurian.”

“I see.”

He found her little complaint utterly endearing.

“If you dislike it, feel free to push me away.”

Saying that, Yurian gently ran his fingers through her tousled hair, smoothing it out.

Yvonne remained still, allowing his large fingers to carefully press down and comb through her hair, calming her.

Whoosh! Clatter!

“The wind is particularly strong tonight.”

“….”

“Did you come because you missed me?”

Yvonne had no desire to return to her own room.

If she did, she feared she might see that dark figure again. She had only glimpsed it briefly, and when she opened her eyes again, it was gone.

Surely, it had been a trick of the light.

Even if it was, she needed time to regain her composure before returning to that unsettling room.

That was what Yvonne told herself.

“Not really. This room just seemed nicer.”

“Have you been inside my room before?”

“Yes, just now.”

“I see.”

Yurian found even her ridiculous excuses endearing. The way she blushed, embarrassed by her own contradictory words, made her all the more lovable in his eyes.

“I’ll take you back to your room.”

If he followed his instincts, he would have much rather spent a passionate night with her in his bed. But it was clear that Yvonne did not share the same desires. If she had come here because she wanted him, her hair wouldn’t be in such disarray. And she wouldn’t just be standing beside his bed, hesitating to touch him.

To Yvonne, Yurian was someone incredibly easy.

At least, he knew that if she provoked him even once, he would throw everything away and surrender to that provocation. And Yvonne wasn’t the type of person who wouldn’t be aware of that.

At least, that’s what Yurian believed.

So there had to be another reason.

“Yurian.”

“Yes, Yvonne?”

“I want to sleep here tonight.”

“Understood. Then I’ll sleep in your room instead.”

When she mentioned the room, Yurian immediately realized—perhaps she disliked her own chamber.

He recalled that ever since he had become the Grand Duke, no one had ever slept in this room besides himself. His heart pounded at the thought. Yvonne’s breath would linger in his bed, her sweet scent would remain on the sheets.

“Then, have a good dream.”

Just as Yurian was about to place her down, his hands gripping her waist—

“Yurian.”

“Yes?”

She placed her hand over his. He trembled slightly, wondering if, perhaps, she really did share the same desire as him.

“I think there’s a ghost in my room.”

“…What?”

“A g-ghost….”

Yvonne, embarrassed by her own words, lowered her head. Even in the dim light, Yurian could see the redness creeping across her face as she bit her lip.

“Pfft….”

“Don’t laugh! I mean it!”

“I see. I believe you, Yvonne.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

Yurian knew he should explain, but he couldn’t think of a reason.

The truth was simple—she was just too adorable.

“I like you, Yvonne. And I like it even more when you’re on top of me like this.”

“Put me down!”

As if realizing their position too late, Yvonne flailed in an attempt to escape.

Yurian knew he should let her go.

But the warmth of her hand still lingered atop his, and without thinking, he instinctively tightened his arms around her waist.

“Let go!”

“You might fall.”

“What kind of nonsense excuse is that?!”

“Ah, you caught on quickly.”

Yurian’s heart pounded even harder at her sharp retort.

This was dangerous.

“Yurian?”

At that moment, he finally let her go.

Yvonne quickly scrambled off of him and stood beside the bed.

Yurian lowered his head slightly, feeling somewhat abashed.

“I think I really should sleep in your room.”

“Why?”

“…It just makes sense. And…”

He swallowed dryly before finishing his sentence.

“Can you turn around for a moment?”

“Why?”

Yurian couldn’t possibly show her the state he was in. If he moved the sheet even slightly, his thin sleepwear would reveal far too much.

“What is it, Yurian?”

Regrettably, he realized he had chosen the wrong night to sleep without a shirt.

If he had it, he could at least use it to cover himself.

“Because you’re too beautiful, Yvonne.”

“I told you not to confess.”

“I’m sorry.”

But the more he tried to suppress it, the more his blood rushed to his head—along with places it shouldn’t.

“Yurian, I can’t sleep alone.”

Her expression stiffened as she reluctantly admitted it.

“I’ll sleep here, so you just stand there and leave when I fall asleep.”

“…That might be difficult.”

“Why?”

“Let me stay in the bed until you fall asleep.”

Yvonne thought his shamelessness was nearly on par with her own.

“I won’t do anything until you’re asleep.”

“How can I trust that?”

“Because if I touch you now, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

“Then just stand far away until I sleep.”

“But it’s a bit cold outside the blanket.”

Yvonne couldn’t understand why he was trying to persuade her with such ridiculous logic.

Yet, when he looked at her with those pleading eyes and a soft smile, she found herself giving in.

“Move over.”

“Okay.”

Something about the way he obediently shifted to the side irked her.

Normally, he reacted with excitement whenever she touched him. But now, he seemed to be retreating, as if she were the dangerous one.

“Why is your body temperature so high?”

“Most enhanced fighters have naturally high body heat.”

Yvonne settled into the spot where he had been lying.

To her, her own body temperature felt normal.

Yet, the place where Yurian had just been lying was still warm, as if she had curled up on a heated mattress.

“Yurian, why are you trembling?”

“Because it’s cold.”

“Are you sick?”

Yvonne turned to face him and placed her hand on his forehead.

“Ah….”

His eyes widened as he stared at her.

His black hair slipped through her fingers, but she hardly noticed.

His red eyes were too close.

“Your forehead….”

“Yes?”

“It’s burning up.”

“Because you touched me.”

“Is that really the reason?”

“Yes. Whenever you touch me, I heat up like a desert at noon.”

She couldn’t tell if he really had a fever or if this was just how he normally was.

Yurian had always been warm.

“Are you sure you’re not sick? Are you feeling cold? Any coughs?”

“What if I say I have all three symptoms?”

“Then I’ll have to take care of you.”

“Cough, cough.”

“That was obviously fake.”

“I’m not great at acting. But I am a little cold.”

“If you’re lying, I won’t kiss you again.”

“I’m not cold at all.”

“Ha.”

Yvonne found his immediate honesty amusing and grabbed his cheeks with both hands, pulling them like a duck’s beak.

She laughed as she watched his lips stretch out.

“You’re going to behave, right?”

As she finally let go, Yurian didn’t respond with words.

Instead, he leaned over her, covering her body with his own.

“By my standards, this is behaving.”

Yvonne stared at the iron bars of his arms, caging her in.