Chapter 18

After her bath, Amelia had planned to stroll around the mansion, but the rise in her body temperature made her feel a pleasant drowsiness.

"Are you going to sleep?"

"No... I can handle this much..."

Despite her words, her steps were unsteady.

Before long, her eyelids drooped involuntarily, and as her body swayed to the side, she bumped into the wall.

"Ouch!"

"You should really get some rest."

Even so, Amelia tried to head in the opposite direction of her room, but Sylphie gently grabbed her shoulders and turned her around.

"I did the same thing the first time I took a bath here. It feels so good, doesn't it? If you get into bed now, you'll sleep soundly."

"Is this heaven...?"

"No, it's the mansion."

In the end, guided by Sylphie, Amelia collapsed onto her bed as soon as she returned to her room.

"Miss Amelia, at least get under the covers."

"Mm..."

Moving her body like a caterpillar, she slipped into the futon.

It's warm.

"I'll come back to check on you at lunchtime, so don't worry about it."

At Sylphie's words, Amelia nodded slightly.

The curtains were drawn, and the room grew dark.

"Good night."

The door clicked shut, and the room fell silent.

"...So comfortable..."

The sheets had been changed to fresh ones, and the scent of the sun tickled her nose.

The futon was as large and fluffy as ever, enveloping the petite Amelia like a mother's embrace.

After her bath, the perfect bed, and the just-right darkness.

With all the ideal conditions for sleep, nothing could disturb Amelia.

(As I thought... this is heaven...)

The treatment in this house was so exceptional that she sincerely hoped she would never have to return to her parents' home.

(In order to protect this life, I mustn't be rejected by Lord Logan...)

If he disliked her and broke the engagement, it would be unbearable.

Returning to that house was something she would rather die than do.

She was aware of her clumsiness and absent-mindedness.

The traits she had been called "slow," "lazy," and "dull" for in her parents' home worried her that they might anger Logan.

(I have to try... not to show my clumsiness...)

While making this resolution, she gradually succumbed to her drowsiness.

Surrendering to the warm, pleasant comfort.

Amelia's consciousness drifted into a deep slumber.

◇◇◇

– How long had she been asleep?

Something touched her forehead, and Amelia's consciousness began to awaken.

For a moment, she thought Sylphie had opened the window, but the touch was warm.

She slowly lifted her eyelids.

"Did I wake you?"

A pleasant, deep voice.

In Amelia's field of vision, Logan's sturdy face appeared.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"L-Lord Logan!?"

Startled, she tried to pull back while still lying down.

– Thud!

In the process, she hit her head on the headboard.

"Are you alright...?"

The sound was louder than expected, and there was a hint of worry in Logan's voice.

"I-I'm fine..."

Despite her words, the back of Amelia's head throbbed with pain, but that was the least of her concerns.

(I've already messed up...!!)

Feeling the blood drain from her face, Amelia realized she had already broken her vow not to show her clumsiness.