Chapter 3
Caspian looked up at Catherine in disbelief, then let out a dry laugh.
“You’ve really gone too far this time. A little kid who can’t even talk… Send her away at dawn.”
“Young master.”
“Enough. Leave.”
He closed his eyes, waving his hand tiredly.
Catherine bent down to Cordelia and whispered in her ear.
“Help the young master wash and get ready for bed.”
She repeated the gestures she had shown Cordelia earlier. The girl nodded.
Then Catherine cleared the table and left the room.
Caspian, holding his aching forehead, rose from his chair when he heard the door close.
“…Why are you still here?”
Cordelia placed the washbasin on the table. Then she copied Catherine’s gestures—pretending to wash her face and lie down.
Caspian understood immediately. His voice came out low.
“I’ll take care of it myself. You can go.”
His expression was blank, but his face clearly showed fatigue. He was annoyed, but Cordelia didn’t budge.
If the young master was tired, then she should help him sleep faster. That was her duty.
Cordelia dipped a towel in the water and boldly stepped closer.
“I said it’s fine—!”
Caspian flinched and backed away, his cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.
Cordelia only wanted to tuck the sick boy into bed. She grabbed his arm and pressed the damp towel to his face.
Even though she was much smaller, Caspian couldn’t shake her off. He tilted his head back and resisted, but in the end he sighed.
“Haah… Where on earth did you find a kid like this…”
Resigned, he straightened his posture. Cordelia gently wiped his face—his smooth forehead, long lashes, even his red lips.
When her hand slid down to his neck, Caspian caught her tiny hand.
“That’s enough.”
He snatched the towel, dabbed his own neck carelessly, then handed it back.
He walked to the bed and began unbuttoning his shirt. Cordelia followed close behind.
She meant to help him change clothes, but when Caspian swung his arm while pulling off his shirt, she bumped her nose against it.
Startled, he turned quickly.
“Sorry—I didn’t know you were right there—”
But Cordelia had collapsed weakly to the floor. He hadn’t even hit her hard, yet she looked so fragile that Caspian was left speechless.
What on earth had Catherine been thinking, sending such a small, delicate child as his maid?
He was about to offer her his hand—but before he could, Cordelia suddenly jumped back up.
She picked up the pajamas laid out on the bed and spread them open, holding them up with expectant eyes.
She looked exactly like a puppy waiting for praise.
“…Ha.”
Caspian sighed again despite himself.
So she can’t talk, but she makes up for it by being ridiculously forward with her actions.
He turned his back, letting her slide his arms into the pajama sleeves.
When she scurried in front of him to fasten the buttons with her small, focused hands, Caspian found himself thinking only of getting to bed as soon as possible.
Once dressed, he lay down. Cordelia pulled the blanket over him.
Light vanished from his eyelids—she must have turned off the lamp.
Caspian exhaled deeply. He hadn’t realized until now just how heavy his body felt.
I had lavender tea earlier… Maybe I’ll actually get some sleep tonight…
He pressed his temple with his hand. Heat burned faintly at his forehead, his throat was dry.
He forced his eyes open, reaching for water—and nearly shouted.
Cordelia was still there, standing quietly by the bed.
“What are you—” He cut himself off.
He realized he hadn’t actually told her to leave.
She grabs me so easily when she wants, but in this she’s strangely polite, Caspian thought bitterly, pushing himself upright.
“You can go rest now. I’m going to sleep.”
Cordelia blinked twice. No reaction otherwise.
Thinking she didn’t understand, Caspian waved his hand toward the door. As he reached for the water on the nightstand in the dark, his hand missed.
Before he could curse, Cordelia smoothly picked up the jug, poured water into a cup, and handed it to him.
The movement was so natural and quick that for a moment Caspian wondered if he had actually ordered her.
He sipped slowly, letting the cool water soothe his throat.
“…Do you have something you want to say?”
He passed her the empty cup, eyeing her curiously.
Then he pulled open the nightstand drawer, took out a small notebook and a fountain pen, and handed them to her.
Cordelia tilted her head, unsure.
She had planned to wait until he fell asleep, as Catherine told her. But since he wasn’t sleepy, she thought about what to do.
Her mother used to sing her lullabies when she couldn’t sleep… but Cordelia couldn’t sing.
Caspian lit the small lamp on the table. Cordelia opened the notebook and scribbled something quickly, then handed it back.
When Caspian looked, he was left speechless.
A crudely drawn figure grinned with a giant smile, though the shaky lines barely resembled a person.
He tossed the notebook back onto the nightstand with a huff, then flopped down without care.
After seeing such a ridiculous drawing, he had no desire to keep talking. He didn’t care whether the kid stayed or left—he just wanted to sleep.
But moments later, he sat up again.
No one had ever lingered in his bedroom this long. The thought of someone behind him was distracting. And worse, that stupid drawing kept floating around in his head.
“Get out.”
His voice was sharp as he pointed to the door.
Cordelia flinched. She put her hands to her cheeks, trying to gesture that she’d only leave once he fell asleep.
But Caspian wasn’t interested in her intentions.
“I can’t sleep with you here. So leave.”
The moonlight reflected in his green eyes, making them shine coldly.
Cordelia didn’t understand why he was suddenly angry, but she didn’t want to upset her master. She bowed politely and hurried out.
Even in her rush, she remembered to grab the washbasin and towel. She felt proud for a second—until she realized her apron still felt heavy.
She had forgotten the most important thing: introducing herself in Imperial, just like she’d practiced.
Her shoulders slumped as she walked down the hall.
Back in the room, Caspian shut his eyes. He could still see her wide, startled gaze from when he raised his voice.
“…Weird kid.”
He muttered and turned over.
***
The next morning, Cordelia stood outside his bedroom door with the washbasin in her hands.
She frowned. How was she supposed to knock?
She couldn’t set the basin on the floor—could she? After debating for a long while, she suddenly realized she had another option besides her hands.
Thud!
She knocked with her forehead. Harder than expected. The sound echoed loud, but no reply came.
She tried again. Still no answer.
Hesitating, Cordelia finally set the basin gently on the floor, cracked the door open, then quickly picked it back up and nudged the door shut with her shoulder.
She placed the basin on the table.
Caspian was still asleep. She had come at the exact time Catherine had told her, but it seemed he was sleeping late today.
Cordelia crept closer, debating whether to wake him.
“Ugh…”
Caspian groaned. His face was drenched with cold sweat, pale as paper.
