Chapter 8 – A Sleepless Night
Ever since his mother’s death, Geoffrey had never truly slept.
At most, he would drift off for an hour or two, only to toss and turn restlessly for the rest of the night.
Eventually, he gave up on sleep altogether.
“We’ve developed a new medicine.”
He had obtained sleeping pills from the most renowned pharmacists,
but his relentless insomnia never improved.
“And yet… I didn’t wake up once last night.”
That alone was unbelievable. For the first time in five long years, he had slept deeply.
His senses were unusually sharp as he woke to the sound of someone quietly sobbing —
and nearly fainted from shock.
“I thought I was dreaming.”
A shimmer of silver hair lay scattered across his chest.
His fingertips brushed against soft, smooth skin — so unlike his own hardened flesh.
A faint, alluring scent rose from the body in his arms.
“I must’ve been possessed by something.”
When the figure beside him suddenly pulled away and crouched near the wall, reality hit him hard.
“If you don’t start talking right now, you’ll be in serious trouble.”
Rising slowly, Geoffrey drew the dagger from beneath his pillow,
baring his teeth as he gripped it tight.
He looked ready to strike.
Mio trembled violently, forcing a nervous smile.
What kind of insane situation is this?!
Honestly, wasn’t that her line to say?
After all, it was Geoffrey who had refused to let her go last night.
But his expression was far too dangerous for her to dare mention it.
“B–because… I like you so much, Your Grace!”
“…You like me, you say.”
Geoffrey tapped the flat of his dagger with his finger,
looking every bit the demon he was rumored to be.
Mio focused all her wits on surviving this crisis.
“I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
In truth, she was terribly wronged.
You were the one who hugged me and wouldn’t let go!
But trying to explain that would only make things worse.
I can’t exactly tell him I’m that fox.
And so, Mio found herself in the role of a shameless woman
who had snuck into a man’s bed in the dead of night.
“What trick did you use?”
“…Pardon?”
Geoffrey’s glare grew even sharper.
“I asked what you did to make me fall asleep.”
Mio’s mouth hung open in disbelief.
What? I just slept well, that’s all!
No force on earth could make Geoffrey sleep — least of all her.
But unless she came up with some kind of explanation,
that dagger would soon find its mark.
Touching her throat nervously, she stammered out,
“Maybe… it’s my perfume?”
Of course, she didn’t even have perfume — she could barely afford to eat.
“…Hmm.”
Geoffrey narrowed his eyes, catching the faint scent of her body in the air.
Suspicion darkened his expression.
Not once, but twice she’s rendered me defenseless… and this time, she made me sleep through the night.
As he twirled the dagger absently, his gaze flicked to the bedside table.
…Where is it?
The little white fox that had been there was gone.
Only a small pile of white fur remained near his cup.
Geoffrey’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Speak the truth. Did the Empress send you?”
He tossed aside the blanket and stalked toward her.
Each step made the muscles under his bare skin flex and shift,
and his dark, dangerous eyes seemed to pierce right through her.
Mio waved her hands desperately.
“N–No! Absolutely not!”
Her back hit the cold wall, sweat beading down her forehead.
Oh no. He thinks I’m one of the Empress’s spies?!
If that were true, she’d be lucky to live another minute.
Even the youngest child in the Empire knew Geoffrey and the Empress were bitter enemies.
No one sent me!
She hadn’t even seen the Empress up close before.
She barely knew anything about her, having never cared to read about court gossip.
This misunderstanding couldn’t have been worse.
How do I even prove it?
To explain, she’d have to reveal the real reason she was here—
but that was out of the question.
Why is he coming closer like that?
Geoffrey crawled across the bed toward her like a predator closing in on prey.
A predatory shadow crossed his face, sharp and menacing.
Surely, she was hallucinating from the stress.
Humans aren’t scary. You’re a beast of the forest — remember that!
Mio clenched her fists and bared her teeth.
Don’t forget — you’re a predator!
She came up with the only “attack” she could manage.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Duke Caspian! I love you!”
“……”
Her hands pressed against his firm muscles —
and Geoffrey froze completely.
Mio’s shoulders trembled violently.
I’ve really lost my mind.
She had no idea what to do next.
Should I… let go now?
Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest.
It was such a ridiculous, melodramatic attempt to diffuse tension.
As if Geoffrey would ever fall for something like that.
He wasn’t a man with blood or tears left in him — not anymore.
Ah, whatever!
She buried herself deeper in his chest.
Resting her head against his shoulder, she could feel his warmth.
He smells… nice.
But when her lips brushed against his bare back, Geoffrey flinched.
The frozen silence shattered when Lauren — bringing in tea — gasped and dropped the tray.
“…Oh my! P–pardon me! P–please continue!”
So flustered she didn’t even bow, the maid slammed the door shut and fled.
Mio’s mind went blank.
Wait! That’s not what it looks like!
It was, unfortunately, exactly what it looked like.
And Lauren already believed Mio was secretly in love with the Duke.
“Take your hands off me. Now.”
As Geoffrey stirred, Mio instantly scrambled back.
I’m doomed.
Everything had gone completely off the rails —
she had slept beside him, confessed her love, and even clung to him.
She lowered her head to hide her burning face.
The flood of shame was hers alone to bear.
If I were him, I’d hate a woman like me too.
Her expression clouded miserably.
Then Geoffrey let out a long sigh.
“…Your name?”
“…Mio. Mio, sir.”
“Just that?”
The question about her family name made her falter.
Her real name was Gu Mio, but she couldn’t use that here.
“It’s… a small family. You wouldn’t know it.
We’re not nobles, you see.”
Of course, she wasn’t just not noble — she wasn’t even human or from this world.
“Tell me.”
His tone left no room for refusal.
If she didn’t give an answer, that dagger would come out again.
Her fingers twitched nervously as she scrambled for an idea.
“Mio… Lagopus.”
A completely made-up surname.
She had once looked up the Latin name for “arctic fox” after watching a documentary —
and that was what she blurted out.
A family name that literally means ‘arctic fox’… great.
Mortified, she hung her head.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey swung his legs off the bed, hastily pulling on his shirt.
He raked a hand over his chest, which was flushed and itchy as if he’d broken out in hives.
His heart pounded faster than it had during any battle.
Just what is she?
Buttoning up, Geoffrey turned to face the woman again.
Her slender neck and lowered head looked fragile and delicate.
She’s a suspicious one, that’s for sure.
And yet, her words didn’t seem like lies.
Her flushed cheeks and shimmering eyes spoke of sincerity.
Does she… really like me?
He dragged a large hand down his face, forcing his composure back.
Even if she does — it means nothing.
The boy who once believed in love had died long ago.
Meanwhile, Mio’s heart burned with dread as she awaited his judgment.
Nothing was going according to plan.
Come on, Geoffrey! Say something already!
Swallowing hard, she lifted her head —
only to find his piercing gaze locked on her again.
Stop staring like that! I’m nervous enough already!
Mio gave an awkward laugh and brushed her hair for no reason.
“…Ha.”
Even in this absurd situation, Geoffrey couldn’t help but be exasperated.
Is it really that important to look good in front of me?
Then his gaze landed on her slip —
a thin, white chemise that caught the sunlight and turned almost sheer.
As his eyes traced the curve of her chest and narrow waist, his face suddenly flushed.
“…Hmph.”
Turning sharply away, he snatched his robe off the chair and flung it at her.
“I can’t stand the sight of you.”
“Y–Your Grace!”
The robe hit her square in the face, plunging her into darkness.
By the time she pulled it down, Geoffrey had already left the room.
Mio sat there, stunned.
“Wait… did he just call me unsightly?”
She spat out a strand of hair and fumed.
After all that — the confession, the embrace — and she got insulted for it.
“Well, I guess that’s better than being stabbed…”
Grumbling, she climbed off the bed and steadied herself on the nightstand.
Catching sight of her reflection in the mirror, she muttered,
“I don’t look that bad.”
The morning sun streamed in, making her silvery-white hair gleam like light itself.
Her white chemise, trimmed with fine lace, reached her knees.
Then she noticed something else — and gasped.
“Ah!”
Every time she moved, the thin fabric fluttered, revealing glimpses of bare skin.
“I… I threw myself at him looking like this?!”
Mio sank to the floor, clutching her chest.
Then she crawled over, found Geoffrey’s robe, and quickly put it on.
“Why on earth did Lauren make me wear this chemise?”
Her cheeks flamed red as she stomped her feet in frustration —
like an embarrassed fox trapped in a very human mess.
