Chapter 7

"No, that's impossible!"

"Hmm? It won't hurt or scare you at all?"

"I, it won't hurt...? Is that so...?"

"Oh, what are you thinking? I only said 'sleeping together.' I merely intend for you to sleep in the same bed as Lord Julius... Hmm. What exactly are you thinking?"

Verneri put on a deliberately thoughtful face, but his lips were smiling.

(Th, this person!)

Realizing she was being teased, Laila's cheeks flushed with heat, but before she could complain, Verneri interjected.

"Besides, Lady Isabella has also emphasized this, hasn't she? You are not to engage in premarital relations. At least until the wedding, Lord Julius will not embrace you as a woman, so please rest assured."

"Ugh...! So, it's really just sleeping together?"

"Yes. ...Are you aware that Lord Julius suffers from insomnia?"

He suddenly became serious, and Laila, who had been fuming, furrowed her brow and nodded.

"Yes, my father told me. ...When I met him at the ball, I noticed dark circles under his eyes... Is that the reason?"

"That's correct. ...I can't go into details until Helka arrives, but there is a high possibility that sleeping with you will help Lord Julius sleep comfortably."

"...Huh? Is that really possible?"

"That's why I'm saying it."

Imitating Laila's tone was annoying, but his expression remained serious, so Laila, who had been about to complain, closed her mouth.

"Lord Julius is not at all infatuated with your appearance. He seeks something else, something that can soothe his heart... Your appearance has nothing to do with it."

"You don't have to say that twice."

"My apologies. It's important, so I said it twice."

"Let's get back to the main topic."

"Understood. ...In that case, starting tonight, Lady Laila will sleep in Lord Julius's bedroom to help him get a good night's rest."

"..."

Laila crossed her arms and glared at Verneri.

Being suddenly asked to sleep together and having her innocent heart toyed with, she couldn't help but feel dissatisfied. Moreover, she didn't believe that Julius's insomnia could be cured by just sleeping with her.

(But... Verneri is serious. He really believes that I can help Lord Julius sleep.)

Besides, if Julius follows Isabella's orders, he won't make any advances. Laila, who had only basic knowledge of romantic relationships from books, found the idea of sleeping with a newly betrothed man extremely challenging.

But if it's really just sleeping together, she could just lie down and close her eyes until morning. As Verneri said, it wouldn't hurt or scare her; it would just be a simple task of sleeping.

(And... even if I'm not sure if it will work, I do want to help Lord Julius.)

Though they had just met, she felt concerned and wanted to help him, especially since they were to be married.

(...With Joachim, I didn't even try to make an effort.)

I don't want to repeat the same mistake.

"...Alright. I'll sleep with him."

"I'm relieved to have your consent. ...Ah, by the way, please don't try to assault Lord Julius."

"...Thanks for the unnecessary worry!"

As expected, this magician is still as talkative and rude as ever.

Laila arrived in the evening, and before she knew it, it was already night after going over the house rules and future plans.

Verneri, who is particular about the kitchen, seems to have a special interest in cooking. He chooses the ingredients from scratch and puts his full effort into planning the daily menu.

The food he prepares is undeniably delicious.

"It's delicious...! Amazing, my cheeks might fall off..."

"I am honored to receive your praise."

When Laila sincerely expressed her thoughts, Verneri, who was serving, seemed pleased and snorted.

"Especially this, the tender meat! The chopped onions add a perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of spiciness!"

"Oh, you have a discerning palate. It's very rewarding to receive such praise."

As usual, his words had a slight edge, but he seemed to be in the best mood of the day.

(Maybe if I keep praising and thanking him, he'll listen to me...?)

If she could flatter him well, he might even make her favorite fruit sandwiches one day.

Laila made a mental note to flatter and praise Verneri.

Lord Julius seems to have his meals in his room on the third floor, which Verneri brings up to him. Laila, as his fiancée, was given a room on the second floor, and she uses the bathroom and other facilities on the second floor.

However, Julius apparently lives on the third floor, which has its own dedicated bathroom. Verneri must have a lot of work to do with the cleaning.

After finishing her meal and taking a bath, it was time to go to bed.

...Of course, in Julius's bedroom.

(I have a fluffy bed in my room...)

Saying goodbye to the cute floral bedspread, Laila stepped into the hallway. Verneri was already waiting there and nodded when he saw Laila, who was wearing a gown over the negligee given to her by Julius.

"The size seems to fit well. It's good to know that the clothes you'll wear from tomorrow won't need any adjustments."

"...Did Lord Julius choose these for me as well?"

"No, Helka actually chose the fabric and designed them. Lord Julius... is somewhat inexperienced in such matters. If left to him, he might choose something terribly bizarre..."

This was the first time Verneri seemed at a loss for words. Despite his blind devotion to Julius, even he seemed exasperated by his master's taste in fashion.