“Mmm…”
Sunlight filtered through the window, pouring over Diana’s closed eyelids. Half-asleep, she frowned slightly and squirmed, turning over to the other side. As Diana burrowed into him to escape the sunlight, Kayden chuckled and gently brushed her cheek with his fingertips.
“Diana.”
“Yes…”
“Why can’t you get up? You usually wake up right away.”
His tone was endlessly gentle. But at those words, Diana suddenly stiffened.
She glared at him weakly, still groggy from sleep. “Whose fault do you think that is…?”
The reason Diana couldn’t gather her senses now was that she had only fallen asleep at dawn, nearly passing out from exhaustion. And the reason for that was none other than Kayden, who was grinning at her with that gleaming face.
Just how much stamina does he have…?
Last night, Kayden had acted like a man possessed, as if trying to release all the pent-up frustration.
“Kayden, ah…! Please…”
“Diana, just a little more. Okay?”
Even when Diana cried and shook her head, too tired to continue, he coaxed and held onto her. Of course, Diana had easily given in to his temptation. But she rationalized that the one who tempted her was more at fault than the one who succumbed. Otherwise, she might die of embarrassment.
…It was good, though. The problem was that her body couldn’t handle it. Her whole body felt heavy, her throat was scratchy, and her eyes still burned with tears.
Diana especially felt a throbbing pain in her lower back and tried hard to focus her eyes. But she could barely open them halfway, making her look anything but threatening.
Kayden suppressed a laugh and planted small kisses all over her face. Diana tried to push his face away with her palm, using the firmest voice she could muster.
“I can’t do it anymore.”
“Mmm. You can just lie still, my dear.”
“Wait, what do you… hng.”
Kayden’s lips, which had been teasing her jawline, moved to her ear. The ticklish sensation sent a moan spilling out before she could stop it.
Diana reflexively tried to bite her lip to hold back the sound. But Kayden was faster. He slipped his thumb between her teeth, laughing low.
“What if you bleed? Bite this instead.”
“That’s ridiculous…!”
Diana was about to protest when his warm hand brushed up her waist. The touch sent a shiver up her spine. It felt like a flame, thought to be extinguished, was roaring back to life, even stronger than before.
“…Are you really going back to sleep?”
Kayden whispered against her skin, his lips hovering just above the surface. His breath tickled her, and she couldn’t hold out any longer.
Finally, Diana let out a groan and wrapped her arms around his head. They didn’t fall asleep again until the sun was high in the sky.
* * *
The situation on the cliff made it impossible for them to stay there any longer. They quickly searched the cabin for anything useful and prepared to leave.
Diana looked around the cabin, tilting her head curiously. “But a cabin in such a remote place… Was it a hunter or woodcutter’s place?”
“Who knows? But I don’t see any tools related to that. It’s strange.”
“Hmm.”
Still, it was clear that someone had lived there for quite some time.
Forced by Kayden to sit on the bed and rest, Diana absentmindedly ran her hand over the bed, feeling a strange sense of attachment. That’s when it happened. Rustle—
“…Huh?”
She felt something thin and rectangular under the middle of the bed sheet. The sensation was so obvious she wondered how she hadn’t noticed it before.
…Well, considering last night and just now, it makes sense I didn’t notice. I barely touched the bed. The thought made her feel rather embarrassed.
Clearing her throat, Diana reached under the sheet and pulled out the object. The rustling sound made Kayden, who had been gathering some provisions, come over to her side.
“Diana? What is it?”
“I found it under the bed sheet. I think… it’s a notebook? A diary?”
As Diana opened the notebook, the paper crinkled as if it might crumble at any moment.
Kayden leaned over to look at the faded writing inside the notebook, narrowing his eyes. “…It’s written in an ancient language.”
“Dai, sy… Blue…bell?”
The notebook somehow reminded her of the bundle of papers he had found in the forest basement, where the second concubine had plotted her schemes.
“Hmm…” After some thought, Kayden lowered the sack he had slung over his shoulder and opened it. “Just in case, let’s take it with us. It won’t hurt to try and decipher it.”
“Got it.”
As Diana placed the notebook in the sack, Kayden tightened the opening and slung it back over his shoulder. He smiled and extended his hand to her. “Can you walk? Or should I carry you?”
“…I’m fine. And don’t say things like that out loud.”
Diana shot Kayden a light glare and slapped his outstretched hand. But as she tried to stand up, she suddenly collapsed back onto the bed as pain shot through her lower back. Thud.
“…”
“…Don’t laugh.”
“…Pft.”
“I said, don’t laugh.”
In the end, Diana left the cabin in Kayden’s arms, her cheeks flushed bright red.
* * *
“You’re much better, Milord. If you don’t overexert yourself, you’ll recover fully in no time.”
“Got it. Enough with the nagging. You can go now.”
“Yes. I’ll have the young master bring you your medicine as usual. Please rest well.”
The Sudsfield family doctor bowed respectfully to the viscount and left the room. Only then did the viscount, comfortably leaning against the headboard, let out a sigh of relief.
At last I’ve bought myself enough time to see Millard become a proper head of the family.
The viscount’s gaze shifted to the bedside table. Inside was a document bequeathing the headship of the Sudsfield family to Millard Sudsfield.
At one time, he had even questioned whether it was right to pass the family title to Millard. No matter how likely Rebecca was to become the next sovereign, their relationship was purely transactional. It would be foolish to develop any affection or sympathy for a business partner.
A true heir to the Sudsfield name should aim to elevate the family name to surpass even Bluebell, not sacrifice it as fodder for Bluebell. However, Millard no longer seemed to hang on Rebecca’s every word and action like he used to. He had been meeting with other nobles on behalf of the viscount, who was unable to go out due to illness, and had been personally delivering his father’s medicine and taking care of him every day.
Seeing that, the viscount had begun to think that Millard had finally matured. With his health declining, it seemed like a good time to bring up the succession of the family.
Viscount Sudsfield relaxed, waiting for Millard to bring his medicine. Before long, there was a knock at the door. A faint smile appeared on the viscount’s wrinkled lips.
“Come in.”
With permission, Millard entered the room, holding a tray in both hands. He looked at the viscount with a gaze full of concern.
“Father, are you alright?”
“Yes. They say I’ve improved a lot. I might be able to get up in about a week.”
“Still, you must be careful until you’re fully recovered. They say your health can seem to improve just before death.”
“Haha, yes. You’re right.”
It might have been a slightly cheeky remark, but the viscount was just happy that his previously immature son was now showing concern for him.
“Here’s your medicine. Drink it all.” Millard approached the bed and handed over the glass of medicine from the tray.
Viscount Sudsfield took it and drank it down without hesitation. As he did, a slow but unmistakable smile spread across Millard’s face.
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