Chapter 57
I looked into Dylan’s emotionless eyes behind his glasses and chose the words I wanted to say.
“…I’m curious how you can stay so calm.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just yesterday morning, you were full of complaints about His Majesty’s decree. But now…”
I paused and tilted my head to the left while staring at Dylan, who looked the same as always.
“It feels like nothing is bothering you.”
Dylan gathered the documents in his hands and held them neatly.
“I’m only pretending nothing is wrong. It’s not that I’m really fine. When I act normal and focus on my work like this… Sir Caylen has always returned safely.”
Always. Without fail.
After a short pause, Dylan continued.
“Caspian may look easygoing, but he’s very capable.”
I knew that. As a transmigrator, I knew how skilled Caspian was and how he became Caylen’s right hand.
“And Sir Caylen is… well, this might sound disrespectful, but he’s a monster.”
Quick judgment, sharp reaction, physical ability to back everything up.
Dylan said he had never seen anyone so flawless.
His voice was firm. I could feel his complete trust in Caylen—without even a trace of doubt.
The belief that Caylen would finish the emperor’s mission safely and come back to Winterford.
That quiet, steady belief drifted toward me gently like a breeze.
A warm breeze that cleared away the stormy anxiety inside me.
I nodded.
“Thank you, Dylan.”
“Yes. I told you earlier—you’ll thank me eventually.”
“No! Not about that!”
When I raised my voice, Dylan let out a small laugh.
…He laughed?
Realizing my glare, he quickly straightened his face, bowed, and escaped the office like he was running away.
After staring at his retreating back, I let out a deep sigh once the door fully closed.
It was pointless to blame Dylan. I had proudly said I would help, so this was my own fault.
I said it, and I couldn’t take it back. I had to do the work…
Just like Dylan said, tomorrow I had to see Caylen off, and the first batch of Oak barrels would arrive.
I forced myself to work through the documents, thinking it would make tomorrow easier.
After working for another three hours, I finally returned to the bedroom. I tiptoed toward the bed. I quietly removed my nightgown and gently lifted the blanket so I wouldn’t wake Caylen.
“Are you only coming now?”
“Ah! Mother of—!”
I thought he was asleep. His sudden voice startled me so much that my feet tangled and—thud—I fell on my butt.
Caylen frowned and sat up.
“Are you all right?”
“Ugh… no. I’m not okay.”
I was so startled that I jumped and fell right onto the only spot without carpet.
…Did I break my tailbone?
It hurt so much my eyes teared up. But with Caylen watching, I couldn’t grab my butt and cry, so I held my waist and groaned.
I heard Caylen get off the bed. His slippers came closer.
“Where does it hurt? Your waist?”
His half-asleep voice drifted down to the top of my head.
“N-No. I’m fine!”
“You’re clearly not fine. You can’t even stand.”
How can I tell him it’s my butt?!
I shook my head furiously and pushed at his shoulder.
“I’m fine. Did I wake you? Sorry… Just go back to sleep. You should rest more. I’ll get up right away—”
While I babbled out of embarrassment, suddenly my body lifted into the air.
“C-Caylen!”
He picked me up. I called his name before I could stop myself.
“N-no, wait—Your Grace! I mean, please put me—”
He gently set me on the bed. Feeling the soft mattress, I snapped my eyes open.
It wasn’t my first time seeing Caylen looking tired.
But today… something made my heartbeat shake.
Was it his sleepy eyes?
Or his slightly longer hair falling over his pretty, neat forehead?
Or maybe the glimpse of his chest under his loose nightshirt when he lowered me onto the bed?
…Gulp.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
“Did you break a bone?”
He muttered to himself, wondering if he should call a physician, and brushed his hair back roughly.
His hair reflected the candlelight, glowing warm orange. His pretty forehead appeared, then hid again.
When he reached for the bell rope, I snapped back to reality and quickly propped myself up.
“I-I’m really okay!”
My loud voice made Caylen flinch.
“Hearing your voice… you do seem okay.”
He smiled faintly and lowered his hand.
He asked again if I was really fine. When I nodded, he walked to the other side of the bed and lay down.
I wriggled to pull the blanket over myself. My tailbone still hurt, but I tried to move naturally.
Then Caylen suddenly sat up and walked off somewhere.
“W-w-what are you doing?”
He opened the bottom drawer of the dresser.
“Found it.”
He returned and handed me a small bottle.
“The knights use this. It works well for pain. You should apply it before sleeping.”
I accepted the glass bottle. Inside was a thick white ointment with a cool minty scent.
“Thank you.”
As I closed the lid, one of Caylen’s brows slowly rose.
“Aren’t you going to put it on now?”
I shook my head firmly. His brow rose even higher.
“You couldn’t even move from the pain earlier. Put it on. You’ll be busy tomorrow.”
I pressed my lips together and shook my head again.
He lowered his brow and rubbed his forehead with his finger. Then he turned his back to me.
“I won’t look. Just apply it. You shouldn’t ignore waist pain.”
…If only it were my waist.
Staring at his broad back, I bit my lower lip.
“It’s not my waist.”
Caylen turned his head slightly to look at me.
“It’s not my waist! It’s my butt! My butt! How am I supposed to bare my butt and apply this?!”
His mouth fell open. Then he snapped his head away and stood up.
“I-I’ll step outside for a moment. So… apply it then…”
He quickly walked to the door, stopped, came back, grabbed my nightgown, and left the room.
Bang!
The heavy door slammed loudly.
“…This is so embarrassing…”
I opened the ointment again. Lying on my stomach, I scooped some of the thick cream.
I tried to convince myself that his red ears earlier were just because of the candlelight.
After applying it to my tailbone, a long time passed before Caylen returned to the bedroom.
I woke up with a start.
“What time is it?”
I lifted my torso quickly—but pain shot through my backside, making me frown.
It hurt much less than last night. The ointment worked well.
I checked the clock—thankfully, I hadn’t overslept. After pulling the bell rope, I glanced at Caylen’s side of the bed.
“I should’ve just lied and said it was my waist…”
Why did I have to be honest about things like this?
When Caylen came back last night, he tossed and turned for a long time before sleeping again.
I felt guilty for disturbing the sleep of someone leaving for deployment today. I sighed and slowly stood up.
Opening the curtains, I saw nothing but gray clouds.
“Why is the weather like this?”
My sigh fogged up the window.
I wiped the glass with my palm. Through the clearer window, I saw the busy people outside.
Stable workers leading horses, knights checking their gear, servants loading wagons—everyone moved busily.
While I stared blankly, Mia entered the room with warm water for washing.
“Good morning, Your Grace!”
Her voice was unusually bright today, and I smiled back at her.
The castle would soon feel empty, so today had to start with as much energy as possible.
