This Is Just a Reward, Okay?
I'd buried my head under the covers, but I peeked it out again.
It felt like I'd been hiding in there for about ten minutes, yet Kane was still sitting right beside me.
"How long are you gonna stay...?"
"Until I see you fall asleep again?"
"Then you'll be gone soon. I'm exhausted right now."
"Really?"
"Yeah... If you weren't here, I'd already be out cold again."
I had no idea how long I'd been unconscious, but I was bone-tired now.
Maybe because it wasn't real sleep—just collapsing—so the fatigue hadn't lifted properly.
Or maybe it was severe anemia from losing even more of my already depleted blood.
But with Kane here, it probably hadn't been hours since I passed out.
He must've just heard I collapsed and rushed in.
Thanks to him, I got to recover in this nice, clean bed.
He didn't find me in the garden naked, did he...?
If he did, I'd die of embarrassment—I'd have so much explaining to do.
"You've been out for three days. I won't ask what happened, and you don't have to tell me."
"Three days?"
"Yeah. I really wanna know, but since you don't want to say, I'm holding back."
"That... thanks."
It was shocking to hear I'd slept for three days, but I was grateful for Kane's consideration anyway.
My fiancé hears I've collapsed and been unconscious for three days, yet he won't pry just to respect my wishes.
But how could I tell him I passed out after my sister made me stroll naked in the garden?
He'd demand the full story of everything I've endured, and I don't want that.
I know it's pointless pride, worrying he might hate me for it.
Still, I don't want to tell Kane.
He came all this way—I just want to share the good stuff.
"As thanks... how about me? I've slept so long, I'm all soft and melted now... probably feel amazing."
"So the first thing you say when you wake up is sexual harassment?"
"But that's all I've got to offer."
"Just stay by my side—that's enough. Lately, you seem like a kid I could just set by the water's edge..."
"Is that a confession? You like me?"
"Not yet, you little punk. Sleep if you're tired. I'll come tomorrow."
Not yet?
So soon it will be?
That's... tricky.
I need to leave, but if he falls for me, what then?
Still, it feels kinda nice.
Of course, if it's not a confession, it's just my princess complex acting up...
Whatever!
"I'm gonna leave someday, so don't fall too hard. Letting go hurts."
"Don't worry. Even if I tell you to go, I'll make sure you stick around whether you like it or not."
"Whoa. Even I'd get... embarrassed by that..."
That wasn't a real confession...?
I'd meant to fire back casually, but it hit me late what he said, and I slinked back under the covers.
Is my brain still mush from sleep? Everything sounds so weird and suggestive.
His relaxed face makes me think no... but if not that meaning, what else could it be?
But could this Kane—who stammers when I tease him even a little—say something like that?
"Don't tease me...!"
"Not teasing. Sleep. I'm heading out."
"Yeah... but before you go... can you do one thing for me?"
If he just leaves, I'll feel empty.
I owe him a reward, right?
He doesn't seem in the mood for that right now, so something tame.
Holding hands—he'd like that, yeah?
"Don't get the wrong idea? You worried so much because of me—this is your reward."
"What is it?"
"Hold my hand."
Why not!
This is just a reward.
Think dirty, and I'll punish you by grabbing it anyway.
I slipped just my hand out from under the covers and offered it to Kane, shaking it playfully like come on, take it.
Kane smiled like he couldn't resist my tempting gesture and took my hand gently.
But while his hand was tame, his mouth was anything but.
"I get it—this isn't because you missed me, wanted to see me, or needed to feel me here. You just wanna give a reward, right?"
"It's just a reward!"
"You said it's a reward too?"
"Shut up... just go already..."
I said that, but I gripped his hand tight, refusing to let go.
Kane's hand felt so warm in mine after three days—especially given the circumstances before I slept, it felt even hotter than usual.
I clung to his hand as he tried to leave for a good while, until my arm started trembling from the strain, then finally released him.
"See you tomorrow for sure. Promise."
"Yeah. Promise. Tomorrow for sure."
"Okay. Sorry I can't walk you out. Honestly, my body's not moving well right now."
"Rest easy. I'm off."
"Goodbye."
I might actually get to live easy for a while now.
They'll probably move my room here.
With word that Kane came into the mansion itself, they won't send me back to that remodeled-basement prison.
Sister won't touch me either, not with Father watching.
Kane really makes my life easier.
Even if he embarrasses me a ton sometimes.
"Why confess out of nowhere... Do you like me that much?"
Confessions in my past or this life? I could count 'em on one hand.
But Kane showing up like a prince rescuing the princess in this dark mess? Of course it felt good—and embarrassing.
A prince, no less, with killer looks.
Great personality too.
To me, he's the ultimate hero.
"But I still wanna leave..."
That urge to escape hadn't changed, and I didn't see it shifting anytime soon.
The short time I'd known Kane wasn't nearly enough to overcome the one wish burned into me across this whole life.
He said even if he told me to go, he'd make me stay—but who knows.
Could he really?
My past life's trauma had faded a lot; I could sleep with a man, marry one.
But my heart flipping completely? That's separate.
My walls against men were still sky-high.
"Should I cheer you on...?"
He cheered for me, so fair's fair.
So I decided to root for Kane to make me fall for him.
Cheering's all I'd do, though.
Friends was fine—easy, comfy friends.
The kind you think of sometimes after leaving and come visit. Kane was that good a guy.
"Maybe sleep more..."
With Kane gone, drowsiness crept in.
No need to watch my back for a bit, so I'd crash easy.
No psycho would mess with me like this, right?
—Knock knock knock.
There is?
"Come in."
"Um... Miss... Are you feeling better...?"
I reluctantly agreed, and the door opened. A tiny maid poked her head in like a squirrel, peering around.
It was the newbie maid who'd been friendly when doing my hair last time.
Seeing she wasn't here to harm me, I apologized inwardly.
She's a hassle too right now, just... different kind. Sorry for assuming.
"I'm fine. But how'd you know?"
"You were sick...? Well, I was the one who found you collapsed in the garden and carried you, so I had to... I'm sorry... for touching you without permission. Oh! I cleaned up the garden too, so no worries!"
"Not scolding you. You saved my life. Thanks."
Lucky it was this maid who found me.
Any other would've dragged me to Sister or woken me to finish the task.
I might've actually died then.
In a way, she's my lifesaver.
So naive and kind—can she survive in this mansion...?
"You settling in okay here?"
"Yes! Everyone's nice. First Wife even shared desserts yesterday!"
"I see. Stick close to First Wife then. Don't do anything stupid. You've heard, and you've seen how they treat me."
"But isn't that wrong...?"
"In this house, your kindness is what's wrong. I'll repay you when I can, so stop worrying about me."
Clinging to First Wife should keep her safe.
She's nice to everyone here but me.
The others share noble blood; I'm just a one-night street pickup? Same person, but damn, it's unfair.
"I'll try!"
"Weird way to say you won't. I can't protect you too—choose wisely."
"Yes!"
"Then I'm sleeping more. Go do your work."
"Sleep well!"
"Oh, right. What's your name?"
"Lily!"
Lily gave me just her name and bolted, like she got the memo not to hang around.
With Kane and Lily gone, I was alone.
The quiet room felt a bit lonely.
"Not my room, maybe that's why."
I curled up under the covers again, thinking of my one friend, Kane, to chase away the loneliness.
In my imagination, he appeared before me and said:
"You wanted to hold my hand that bad?"
"Fuck off! What kinda imagination is this?!"
Guess my head's gone weird too.