Chapter 10

"Hey, what are you talking about?"

It was a word that welled up from the bottom of his heart.

"You said, 'Let's sleep in the same bed.'"

"Wait, hold on a second."

This mansion has many guest rooms.

I was told this when I went to clean Ray's room.

We had agreed that I would stay in one of those rooms, but what's going on now?

"Let me help you clean. I understood that the guest room is the most dangerous."

"Dangerous... what do you mean?"

"I haven't entered the guest room even once since I bought this house."

—So that's how it is.

The kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and Ray's bedroom.

These areas showed signs of use, and cleaning them went smoothly.

However, the guest room I was planning to clean has apparently never been used.

It's not that big, but the problem is the bed.

It's probably covered in a lot of dust.

A quick clean won't make it suitable for sleeping.

Compared to the poor conditions I've been in, it might be better, but...

"If you're trying to endure and sleep, that's also forbidden. As long as you're with me, Theo, you're not allowed to endure anymore."

"..."

It's an unreasonable request—but it was a genuinely heartwarming statement.

At the same time, a question arose in my mind.

"Sleeping in a bed full of dust isn't good for your health. I understand that, but why do we have to sleep together?"

"An order... from your employer?"

You've already made me endure. I almost pointed that out but quickly covered my mouth.

I understand that Ray's suggestion to sleep together doesn't have any deeper meaning.

If she says so, it should just mean sleeping next to each other.

Fortunately, Ray's bed is very large, and two people can sleep comfortably.

The problem is... my trauma.

It should be a joyful invitation for a man, but for me, it's a source of caution.

Ever since I was treated as a sex offender, I can't bring myself to get close to women.

Until now, I didn't particularly mind, but when it comes to a bed, I can't help but remember.

Those eyes of disdain from back then...

"Explain the reason. It's very unconventional for two people who aren't in a romantic relationship to sleep in the same bed. I'm aware that my demands are high. But if there's no reason, I should be able to sleep on the floor somewhere, right?"

"Reason... reason?"

Ray tilted her head.

She seems to be genuinely troubled.

I thought she was joking, but maybe she wasn't.

"Hmm... because I want to sleep with you..."

"..."

I wanted to know the reason for wanting to sleep together...

"Sorry, there's probably no specific reason. But... when I'm with Theo, my heart feels warm. I always feel lonely when I sleep. So, I don't want to be apart. This is the first time I've felt this way."

Ray looked at me with eyes that seemed to be at a loss for what to do.

In the end, I—.

♦

"Theo, you can come closer if you want."

"...Okay."

After finishing the cleaning, we took turns in the bath.

Now, lying on the edge of the bed, I cautiously moved closer to Ray.

—In the end, I couldn't refuse her request.

Due to my trauma, I had become quite distrustful of people.

I kept asking her for logical and specific reasons, but that was a mistake.

First, Ray isn't good at such conversations.

She's the type who acts on emotion and adds reasons later.

I finally understood that.

And because of her nature, she can't lie at all.

Her emotional words come out first, and she can't cover them up.

That's why I could trust Ray.

She genuinely wanted me by her side.

This time, I lost the reason to refuse.

"You feel warm after the bath, Theo."

"!"

Suddenly, something touched my foot.

It's probably Ray's toes.

The soft touch tickled, and I shifted slightly.

"Stop it... don't tease me."

"Mm, I'm not teasing. I'm just telling the truth."

"Even so—!"

The moment I turned to face Ray, I caught my breath.

Her hair, damp from the bath, her cheeks slightly flushed, her moist eyes.

The moonlight gently illuminated her, creating a work of art.

I felt heat rise to my face.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing."

I quickly turned away.

If I start having impure thoughts here, I might be blamed by Bram.

I need to maintain self-control while living in this house.

"...Theo"

As I tried to calm myself, Ray's hand gently touched my clenched fist.

Unlike when my foot was touched, there was no ticklishness, just the warmth of her palm.

The moment I felt it, my agitation slowly subsided.

"You've worked so hard. From now on, I'll be with you. You don't need to hold a sword anymore. I won't let you feel scared or be harmed. I will protect you."

—Because you deserve to be happy.

"!"

My body was naturally embraced by Ray.

My face buried in her chest.

The scent of floral soap filled my nostrils, but strangely, no impure thoughts arose.

Instead, my heart felt at peace.

(Ah, that's right...)

Only here did I finally feel at ease.

Living in a place full of enemies, I almost died yesterday.

Without realizing it, I had frozen my heart.

To prevent it from dying in such a harsh environment—.

The ice slowly melted with Ray's body heat.

"Hehe... hehehe..."

"Huh? Is something funny?"

"Hehe, no, I'm just happy to have met you."

"Really? I'm happy to hear that."

I'll give everything to Ray.

Not just entrusting, but completely.

This body, this life, these emotions, thoughts, experiences, skills.

And my past and future.

"All of me is now yours. Please use me until you no longer need me."

I looked up and peered into Ray's face.

At first, she had a puzzled expression, but gradually—she smiled.

Not just in the atmosphere, but with a genuine smile.

"I won't let you go. You can stay here forever. And we'll always be together."

Her gentle voice echoed in my ears.

Feeling at ease, my eyelids grew heavy.

A strong sense of sleepiness, which I hadn't felt in a long time.

I couldn't sleep well in the dorm because I was always on edge.

But here, I feel safe.

She told me I belong here.

"Good night, Theo."

"...Good night, Ray."

My consciousness drifted into a comfortable darkness.

And so—my first day in my new life came to an end.