Return to Routine (1)

There are times when my eyes open on their own, even without an alarm.

The strangely refreshed and invigorating feeling the moment my eyes open. Just as I think, "Ah, I've slept properly for the first time in ages," another thought follows immediately.

'Oh no, I'm screwed.'

In a panic, I flung the blanket aside and sat up. Looking out the window, the sun was already high in the sky.

As if mocking me for being late, the sun hanging directly overhead felt annoyingly spiteful.

An oddly antique curtain caught my eye, but that was a problem for later. Right now, checking the time was the top priority.

I whipped my head around hastily to look at the clock by the bed. But all I saw was a wooden bedframe and a single diffuser placed on it.

No clock anywhere.

Just as I reached out in dismay at that realization, it finally hit me—this wasn't my room. And this world wasn't the one I'd lived in either.

"Haa..."

What a mood-killer first thing in the morning. Well, with the sun at its zenith, I suppose it's technically afternoon.

I let out a deep sigh and checked my attire. Maybe it's because I habitually unbutton my pajamas when I sleep, finding them stuffy.

My sleepwear was wide open, revealing my underwear in all its glory. As I fumbled to rebutton it, a knock knock sounded from beyond the door.

I tried to answer that I was awake, but my voice caught in my throat. Before I could clear it with an ahem, the door swung open.

With a creak, Abel stepped into the room.

"Uh."

"Ah."

Our voices overlapped. The usual indifferent expression I'd always seen on Abel's face visibly shifted to fluster in real time.

The change was so dramatic it made me think, So even Abel gets flustered like this?

As our gazes met, an awkward atmosphere began to settle—until he hastily shut ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the door again.

My mind was still sluggish from the sudden situation, so I just stared blankly at the door.

Not long after, Abel's voice came from the other side.

"My apologies. When you didn't answer the knock, I assumed you were still asleep."

Though not overly obvious, a slight tremor was detectable in his voice. Clearing my throat, I responded.

"My voice was stuck from just waking up, so I couldn't answer."

I don't know how many days I'd been asleep, but given how hoarse I was, it must have been quite a while.

I'd definitely overexerted myself dealing with Katra in the Oblivion Whale and rescuing Yurp.

Considering even my muscle aches were gone, I might have been dead to the world for days.

Though to be fair, I had pushed myself beyond my limits during the Subjugation Expedition.

Come to think of it, hasn't this happened before?

Not long after our Contract Marriage, he'd accidentally seen me in my negligee. But back then, Abel hadn't reacted like this.

He'd just scolded me to button up properly. What could have happened since then to change his reaction so much?

'...Seriously, why?'

There shouldn't be that much difference between my body then and now.

Sure, training had added some muscle, but it was only noticeable if you looked closely.

No matter how intense the workouts were, it's only been a month since I started conditioning—there's no way the change could be that dramatic.

"Are you decent?"

Abel's impatient voice from beyond the door hurried me into finishing the buttons. Now that I thought about it, this wasn't the time to be lost in thought.

After confirming every last button was securely fastened, I answered him.

"I'm decent now."

Creak.

Abel carefully opened the door and entered. The flustered expression from earlier was gone without a trace, leaving only his usual ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠indifferent face.

For some reason, I felt a twinge of disappointment. If I'd had a camera, I would've snapped a photo of Abel's expression earlier and treasured it forever.

That's how rare his flustered face was.

"Haa. Adel. You truly are hopeless."

As he sighed and pointed at my buttons, I finally noticed the problem. The buttons on my sleepwear were misaligned by one.

I'd sworn I checked the bottom, but I'd completely missed the lone button left dangling at the top.

"..Ah."

At this point, undoing and redoing them would just be awkward.

"You only just woke up, so it's understandable."

"Hahaha. Right, I'm still a bit out of it..."

It's true that the Subjugation ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Expedition's spectacle left me somewhat disoriented. Hell, until a moment ago, I'd mistaken this place for my original world.

Though it is odd that I'd make such a mistake after living in this world for over a year—counting the regression period and memories.

"Are you feeling alright?"

Just as I was about to continue that train of thought, Abel asked.

"I'm fine."

Unlike last time when I'd forced those words, this time I meant it.

Right after rescuing Yurp, I'd been on the verge of collapsing like a sick chicken. But now, without a trace of fatigue, I genuinely felt refreshed.

Well, aside from the resurrected nightmare of tardiness from my past life.

"At least there was hope back then—until I completely botched that company job interview."

Ugh, even now, just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

"This time, it seems you're truly fine."

"How can you tell whether I am or not?"

Suddenly curious, I asked, and Abel paused briefly before answering.

"After living together for some time, it'd be a disgrace to call myself your fiancé if I couldn't even discern that much."

He said it with a faintly triumphant expression.

"Ugh..."

For some reason, those words made my heart feel like it was being stabbed repeatedly with a fork.

Even after living together for months, I still couldn't properly read Abel's expressions.

Though, to be fair, his poker face was partly to blame. Maybe the position of Duke was what molded him into this.

Either way, I hadn't yet reached the level where I could decipher his expressions.

"I still can't read your expressions very well, Abel."

"Understandable. This is the result of merciless training."

"Training?"

When I pressed, Abel opened his mouth to speak but then exhaled deeply instead. I wasn't sure why, but he seemed reluctant to explain.

"Um, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"Ask Laura or Allen later. It'd be ridiculous coming from my own mouth."

Abel answered with a sneer.

I didn't plan to pry further. Digging too deep into these things could earn me resentment.

The old me had resented plenty of people for that very reason. Not that the current me was much different.

"Well, I'm glad you're alright. I—and everyone else—was worried."

"Huh? But..."

"You didn't know? You were asleep for four days straight."

"What?!"

Now that he mentioned it, I did feel oddly refreshed. But I never would've guessed I'd slept for four days straight.

Even coming from Abel, it was hard to believe. Though, since he had no reason to lie, it was probably true.

"Oh? So you were worried about me too?"

I grinned as I asked, and Abel gave me a look as if I'd said something absurd.

"Do you take me for some kind of heartless monster?"

"Ahaha..."

I couldn't exactly deny it. Reading my expression, he crossed his arms and sighed.

"I'm not the kind of man to be cold to my own people."

"Oho. So I'm your person now?"

"Yes. Even without the contract."

His words made me jolt slightly.

Even without the contract, I was his person. For some reason, my heart started racing, and I felt awkward.

It was impressive how he could say such embarrassing things with a straight face. Though, admittedly, the joy I felt outweighed the awkwardness.

"Ehehe."

A silly laugh escaped me. Abel glanced at me and chuckled softly.

As if he'd said all he needed to, he stood up again.

"Well, rest up and come to my office later. We have matters to discuss."

With those final words, he closed the door behind him. I kept staring at it long after he left.

What could I say?

Things had definitely changed since the beginning. Back then, he would've just delivered his message and left immediately.

It wasn't just me who had changed during this contract marriage.

Over these past few months, it seemed he'd grown closer to me too.

As I was lost in thought, another knock came at the door.

"Lady Adel?"

"Ah, Lily. Come in."

The door creaked open, and Lily stood hesitantly in the doorway, fidgeting as she looked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at me.

Her uncharacteristic behavior made me curious, but I didn't press her.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Of course. I haven't felt this refreshed in ages."

Stretching, I answered, and Lily hesitated before slowly approaching me.

There was a new cautiousness in how she treated me—had something happened?

She fidgeted nervously as she reached my side, making me chuckle. Before she could react, I pulled her into a tight hug.

"Eeek?!"

"What's gotten into you?"

I plopped her petite frame onto my lap. She flailed briefly before settling down.

"Are you troubled by something?"

"Troubled... yes."

"Something you can't tell me?"

"...I'm sorry."

Her sudden apology caught me off guard, but I didn't let it show.

I already knew Lily, though lively, had a timid side.

"It's fine. Even if I can't help with your troubles, I can still be here for you."

"Lady Adel..."

Her voice wavered slightly.

Something must've happened while I was gone. I'd have to ask Laura later if anything was wrong with Lily.

For now, calming her down was the priority.

"I... I was worried about you..."

"Ahaha. That's all?"

Gently stroking her hair, I spoke in a soothing tone.

"I'm perfectly fine now. No need to worry so much."

"I'm sorry..."

Sorry?

I wasn't sure why Lily kept apologizing. But for now, comforting her came first.

Despite her meticulous and capable exterior, she was still just a fragile girl at heart.