Episode 65

“…You’re really good at this. I guess you’re an excellent rider?”

“I once raced as a jockey for fun. Took first place my first time and quit right after.”

Kyle climbed up behind Rosanna. She had reached back and pulled him up easily as he mounted.

“Why did you quit?”

“It was boring. Got sick of it after one try.”

Rosanna grabbed Kyle’s arms and wrapped them around her waist.

“Hold tight. If you fall off, you’ll get seriously hurt.”

With their clothes wet, their bodies clung closer than usual. Kyle started to loosen his arms but then hugged her tightly again. The horse suddenly galloped down the muddy path—Rosanna had yanked the reins hard.

Laughter burst through the sound of the rain. She looked genuinely thrilled. Kyle, afraid he might bite his tongue, didn’t even open his mouth and just held on to her from behind. She was smaller than him, and yet it was incredible how strong she was.

“See that up ahead? Just a bit further!”

Her voice, as cheerful as birdsong, prompted Kyle to look straight ahead. At the end of the road, beyond a hill, a grand gate came into view.

The Willen Hill Hotel was known for its exceptional service. The staff, informed by the coachman who had arrived first, were already waiting outside. The moment the soaked couple arrived, they were given large towels to wrap themselves in.

Soon, the concierge approached Rosanna.

“Welcome. It’s been a while. Shall we take you to the Enache family suite?”

“The suite will do.”

“Very well. I’ll take you to the top floor.”

Only then did the concierge offer Kyle a polite nod before leading the way.

As they climbed the stairs, Rosanna stayed close to Kyle. He accepted her touch naturally but kept glancing around. The hotel looked like it had been converted from an old castle, giving it a romantic charm. It wasn’t overwhelmingly grand, but it was cozy—perfect for a getaway.

“It looks like a great place to rest.”

“It is. The service is good too.”

At the top floor, they were shown into one of the two suites on that level.

As soon as they stepped inside, Rosanna asked for a bath to be drawn and collapsed onto the sofa. Her shoes and hem were caked in mud, leaving clear traces along the floor.

“We’ll need to get these clothes laundered too. Didn’t bring anything to change into. Ugh, everything feels gross.”

“The rain’s let up a bit. I think it was just a shower.”

Kyle went to the balcony and looked outside before returning to sit on the sofa. Rosanna quickly lay down with her head in his lap and closed her eyes.

“Are you planning to nap?”

It was no wonder she was tired—riding through the rain and mud was exhausting. Kyle, who’d done nothing but sit behind her, felt guilty and began stroking her hair.

“We should get you cleaned up first. Just rest like this until then.”

But it wasn’t long. Under the concierge’s direction, the staff promptly filled the bathtub with warm water and came to collect their laundry. Wearing only robes, Rosanna and Kyle entered the bathroom. The air inside was misty from the steam.

“You can go ahead and wash up first…”

“It’s better if we go in together. If the water gets cold, we’ll need to call someone again. That takes too long.”

Using practicality as an excuse, Rosanna slipped off her robe without hesitation. Kyle averted his eyes. They’d seen everything and done everything, but being fully exposed in the bright light still felt too much.

“Kyle, aren’t you going to undress? Want me to do it for you?”

“N-no, I’ll do it.”

Kyle took off his robe in the corner and hung it properly, even picking up the one Rosanna had tossed aside. Meanwhile, she examined the bath products. She knew how to wash herself, of course, but rarely did so without someone’s help. And honestly, she wanted Kyle to bathe her.

Rosanna picked up a high-end soap and a sea sponge—brands even supplied to royalty—and handed them to Kyle. He just blinked at her.

“You use them first.”

“No, I want you to do it.”

“That’s a bit…”

“We used to bathe each other before. Maybe doing it again will bring your memory back.”

She smiled brightly at him. Whether such an awkward act would help restore memories was questionable, but Kyle gave in to her persuasion. He wanted to believe her.

This blind trust likely came from something deep within. Even if his memories were asleep, his feelings for her were still reacting.

“Alright… I’ll do it.”

Kyle lathered up the wet sponge with soap and gently began washing her body, seated on the edge of the tub. The act wasn’t sensual. He was focused solely on cleaning her properly. It was a far more innocent moment than Rosanna had expected.

When he finished lathering her, he soaked a towel, wrung it out, and prepared to wipe off the soap before she got in the tub. But then Rosanna leaned into him, pressing their bodies together.

“My turn now.”

“N-no, I can do it myself—”

But Rosanna wasn’t the type to listen. She used the remaining lather on her own body to soap up Kyle instead. Her hands wandered everywhere, and soon both of them were slippery with suds.

The feel of her soft chest rubbing against him tested Kyle’s patience to its limit. Before he reached a breaking point, he hurriedly rinsed himself off with the towel and slipped into the bath. Watching him, Rosanna smirked.

“You can’t run away forever.”

“I came in here to bathe.”

Kyle held out a hand. He wanted to help Rosanna step in safely without slipping. Though she didn’t need the gesture, she accepted it gladly and leaned back against him.

“My body’s melting…”

“The warmth will take all the fatigue away.”

“I feel like I won’t truly relax unless you hold me.”

It was a bold request. Kyle hesitated for a moment, then wrapped his arms around Rosanna, gently enclosing her soft, pale shoulders in his hands. Holding her from behind like this made the relationship feel real. Maybe it wasn’t the passionate nights, but quiet moments like these that truly proved a bond.

In the peaceful stillness, Kyle nuzzled his face against Rosanna’s cheek. The moment he realized this was an unconscious act of affection, his whole body stiffened. Damn. He needed to change the subject—distract himself from the heat building in his core. Anything would do…

Then a question occurred to him.

“Hey, Rosanna.”

“Yeah?”

Rosanna gathered her hair, which floated around her in the water like seaweed, and draped it over her shoulder as she turned to look at him. Kyle loosened his arms so she could move freely.

“You might laugh at this… but there’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

Kyle averted his gaze.

“Do you… use magic or anything like that?”

Rosanna blinked, then burst into laughter. The water sloshed around them with how hard she laughed.

“Are you asking if I’m a witch?”

“No… it’s just, I can’t explain it. Climbing up windows, lighting candles without touching them—normal people can’t do that.”

There was a curious gleam in Kyle’s gray eyes. True to his nature, he must’ve been holding that question in for a long time before finally saying it aloud.

Rosanna lay sideways in the water and wrapped her arms around him.

“What if I told you I wasn’t human? Who would you tell my secret to?”

“No one, of course. A secret’s meant to be kept.”

Kyle paused, then continued.

“So it really was magic? Your eyes even change color sometimes…”

“It’s a little different. But yeah, I am a special kind of being.”

Rosanna traced the lines of his firm body, running a finger along the groove between his abs. Kyle flinched slightly.

“Special… I thought so.”

“What gave it away?”

“You just don’t feel like an ordinary person. It’s instinctual, really.”

Rosanna grinned playfully.

“I heal quickly too. Want to see? Even if I break a finger, it’ll heal right awa—”

“No, no, that’s okay!”

Kyle quickly grabbed her wrist to stop her. She had looked all too serious about actually doing it. And with Rosanna, if she said she would, she probably would.

“You wouldn’t believe it unless you saw it for yourself.”

“I believe you, I swear. So please… don’t hurt yourself.”

“It’d be healed instantly.”

“Still. Promise me, please. Take care of yourself.”

Kyle sighed softly.

“You’re always so serious.”

“Sorry. I’m just a boring guy, I guess.”

“That’s not it. You’re fun just to look at.”

Rosanna poked Kyle’s cheek with her finger. He gave up trying to stop her teasing. After the earlier scare, the heat in his body had cooled down, so her touch no longer felt dangerously provocative.

“What should we do after this?”

“Eat. It’ll be dinner soon. Let’s have them bring it to the room.”

With Kyle’s dull response, Rosanna finally stopped teasing him.

“Should we get out now?”

Kyle was relieved. He didn’t know when his body might react again—better to be clothed. And he was starting to get hungry.

“Let’s do that. Let’s get out quickly.”

Even as they got out of the tub, dried off, and put on their robes, there were a few dangerous moments—but Kyle endured them all. He resisted temptation. He felt proud that he’d maintained his composure.

And so, he failed to realize… The real test would come later that night.