[3. The Guest may freely roam anywhere in the mansion during the Countess’s afternoon maintenance hours.]

Ayleth Rodeline was lying straight on the bed, fast asleep.

For a moment, this place didn’t feel like a novel where a widow and a guest commit sinister sins, but like a fairy tale where the princess and prince simply kiss and receive a happy ending.

“......”

Reid’s chest swelled deeply as he looked toward the bedroom. It was understandable why he suddenly ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) felt short of breath despite no strenuous activity.

He smiled gracefully and stepped forward.

“Excuse me, Madam.”

✠

[ The Guest has entered a safe zone.]

“......!”

Consciousness returned to reality like someone freshly pulled out of sleep. Waking from the nightmare-like nap, I followed my instincts.

“Reid......!”

I opened my eyes and sat up abruptly, trying to find him first. But everything was stopped by a gentle touch.

“Shh. Stay still.”

Darkness fell over my vision again, covered by a large hand. Somehow, my body naturally relaxed, and I remained lying still.

A low voice sounded nearby.

“When the Madam gets up, the Guest must leave the bedroom.”

“Ah.”

“Please pretend to be asleep. Just for 20 minutes.”

“Okay.”

The warmth of the hand that covered my eyes, as if wary of corrupting contact, moved away.

I thought I had to be quiet to pretend to sleep, but surprisingly, talking seemed allowed. Reid spoke in a whisper.

“Was it you, the fox doll?”

“Yeah, that was the best I could do.”

“Thank you.”

Trying to force my eyes closed felt stifling. I reflected that putting a blindfold on Reid every night was really a terrible thing.

“But Reid, where are you now? Seems close.”

“By your side.”

“I know that.”

“Very close.”

“Yeah, well. Then change my pillow for me.”

“Uncomfortable?”

“Yeah. It’s hard and too high.”

“It’s my lap.”

“......”

What to do? Should I say I like it this way?

“Just kidding. It’s a pillow.”

“......Hey.”

If I were really resting my head on his lap, I’d have been corrupted long ago.

A cautious hand changed the pillow and withdrew. I turned on my side as if sulking.

Reid was probably sitting on the bed, looking down at me, so I was now turned away from him.

“Cheer up.”

Because other contact was difficult, I only felt occasional careful touches on my hair.

Reid seemed like he was going to keep this up. Somehow, 20 minutes felt long.

But I didn’t dislike it.

“Ai.”

His voice pierced deeply into my ear, making me almost flinch.

Apparently, the distance was closer than I thought.

“How do you like staying in this mansion?”

It felt like I had to evaluate his tastes. I approached carefully.

“Can I be honest?”

“Sure.”

“Not really...”

A low laugh came from his throat, surprisingly long.

“What a pity. I like it.”

“I know. It’s your taste......”

“So, Ai.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t you want to stay longer than 15 days?”

I should say no, but for a moment, my heart softened.

“......How much longer?”

“A bit. Longer.”

Just as I was about to demand an exact number, Reid, apparently pleased with my response, repeated.

“A long, long, happy time.”

“......”

His voice was sweet as if reading the ending of a fairy tale. But I kept silent, not entranced. Eternity was a time I couldn’t bear.

“Just kidding.”

......I want to believe those words.

After that, an awkward silence fell. The conversation stopped, and the hand stroking my hair stopped as well.

Several minutes passed.

For some reason, all the senses that allowed me to feel his presence vanished, and I began to doubt the situation.

“Reid, are you there?”

No answer returned.

“Reid?”

Had Reid ever ignored my call before? He always focused fully and straightened his posture just by making eye contact. It was impossible for him to do that now.

I felt completely alone.

Should I open my eyes and check? But outside the bedroom, the automatic maintenance mode seemed to still be running. What if I opened my eyes and the Guest got kicked out?

I couldn’t decide hastily.

‘Ah.’

I felt him again.

A large hand traced backward from the tips of my hair. Then the palm covered my forehead while fingertips caressed my temples and stroked my cheek. Somehow, this contact felt hotter than the hand that first covered my eyes.

‘Reid?’

Soon after, I felt the mattress sink deeply beside my face.

What is this?

What is he doing?

In needless tension, he finally broke the silence and spoke.

“Open your eyes, Ai.”

His voice was a little hoarse, lower than usual.

✠

Tick, tick. The loud ticking of the spring clock was welcome, as if hiding the sound of my heart.

Reid quietly watched the sleeping Ayleth. Thanks to her lying still and allowing a defenseless moment, he could enjoy the distance to count each of her long lashes.

It was a still scene like a still life. But inside, his heart was not calm. Rather, various thoughts swirled violently.

Some of those thoughts became impulses and leaked out into action.

His fingertips touched her. As she gradually felt the sensation, greed seemed to take over and his face leaned closer to hers. Eventually, to support his upper body, he had to brace the sheet with one forearm.

Even though she must have felt the mattress sink deeply right beside her face, she kept her eyes closed. She pretended not to hear his request.

Was she hesitating, sensing something unusual? That was not bad either. He was glad she was conscious of him in that way.

Reid moved his face closer. His silver hair tickled her forehead, causing her to flinch.

“Ai.”

He called her once more. His voice, filled with emotion, became twice as soft when calling her, which surprised even himself.

Suddenly, he thought:

He’d endured quite a lot.

The dungeon’s rules, which provoked desire, had already allowed seven nights to pass. Even so, his patience and restraint were not infinite.

Only the slightest, very slight trigger was enough. The threshold was already low enough.

Reid wondered: what if she opened her eyes now?

He imagined her startled, trembling emerald eyes.

Then, how would he be?

Would he be able to resist seeing those lovely, shaking eyes?

He was curious.

“Open your eyes, look at me.”

“......”

“Ai.”

Not only could she not ignore his voice. After he asked again, she finally opened her eyes.

The moment their eyes met, both involuntarily took a deep breath.

Reid finally answered what he was curious about.

“......!”

Seizing her gaze, he pressed their lips together.

The gentle pressure sent shivers through their senses. Through the quietly joined lips, a trembling of unknown origin passed.

Enough time passed in the silence. Confirming acceptance, he parted his lips slightly first.

Biting her lower lip, she willingly gave way. Immediately, he twisted the angle to interlock their lips tightly and pushed himself in.

“......”

“......”

With a gaze that was neither relaxed nor entranced, they alternately swallowed the soft sensation.

After some time, he lightly bumped his nose against hers and pulled his face back. Like people who had to relearn how to breathe, their chests rose and fell heavily.

In the heated tension, she was the first to speak. Her reddened eyes contained a slight reproach.

“You didn’t have to close your eyes.”

“You’ve been caught.”

Though the mistress had stopped pretending to be asleep, the bedroom still showed no sign of expelling the Guest. Yet the Guest himself rose as if retreating from her.

He told himself that he had satisfied his desire enough and could control himself.

But she didn’t let it end there.

“......Are you leaving?”

After hesitation, her small plea came. That single word unnaturally made him stop.