Chapter 54
In an instant, her vision brightened, revealing the face of a man before her.
A man with a slight frown.
His sharp nose and twisted red lips were evident as he narrowed his eyes, staring intently at her.
“Aidan…”
His name slipped from Floria’s lips like a sigh.
At that, the man watching her raised an eyebrow.
“You’re awake?”
In response to his question, Floria silently nodded.
She quietly gazed at Aidan’s face before her.
What time is it now?
Why is he here in front of me?
He had clearly said he’d return this afternoon.
“You’re already back?”
“Yes. I rode through the night to get here.”
“All night?”
He nodded.
“And now it’s already midday.”
At Aidan’s words, Floria quickly sat up.
Midday?
Bright beams of light streamed into the room through the thick curtains Floria had closed before sleeping.
Even the slivers of sunlight made it clear it wasn’t morning.
“Were you tired?”
In response to his question, Floria nodded.
“I couldn’t sleep last night.
I fell asleep late.”
“Why? Were you thinking about someone named Fabian?”
At Aidan’s question, Floria looked at him for a moment.
She couldn’t discern any hidden meaning in his expression.
How does he know about Fabian?
“Fabian?”
“Just now, while you were sleeping, you kept calling out for Fabian.”
“Ah…”
So that’s what happened.
It seemed she had called out Fabian’s name in her sleep.
Floria ran a hand through her disheveled hair and hastily fastened the front of her open nightgown.
The glimpse of her translucent white skin was now covered.
“It couldn’t have been a man.”
His remark was almost amusing.
Having grown up solely within the palace, Floria had never met any men outside of servants and family.
She hadn’t participated in balls or public events to meet people either.
“It’s the name of a cat.
A cat I used to have.
I must have been dreaming.”
At Floria’s explanation, he nodded.
“Ah, that cat.”
As if he knew, Aidan spoke familiarly.
That cat?
Floria tilted her head.
Have I ever mentioned it? About Fabian? I don’t think so…
Fabian, who disappeared years ago, was still a painful memory for Floria.
Even seeing other cats, or even dogs, made her heart ache and her eyes well up.
She had never spoken about having a cat before.
“Did I ever talk about it?”
“I think you did.”
At his ambiguous answer, Floria gave a faint smile, thinking he might have just guessed.
“Yes… just…”
She didn’t want to delve further into the topic of Fabian.
To Aidan, stories about cats would seem trivial.
“It was a dream about something from long ago.
That’s probably why I mentioned it unconsciously.”
“If you like cats, how about keeping one? It might keep you company.”
Though grateful for Aidan’s suggestion, Floria shook her head.
“Cats are… not for me anymore.”
The bad memories resurface, and cherishing another cat felt like a betrayal to Fabian.
Fabian doesn’t know anything.
It’s just how I feel.
At Floria’s words, he nodded.
“Do as you wish, my lady.”
“You must be tired after riding all night?”
Even though it was mid day, there was still time before the evening banquet.
Since he hadn’t been around, Floria, who always slept on the right side of the bed he used, placed her feet on the floor.
“Please rest. I need to gather myself and get ready.”
“Do your mother and sister need your help?”
At his question, Floria shook her head.
It was clear why her mother and sister had come here.
They hadn’t come to explore the Duchy of Sieff or to inquire about Floria’s well-being.
If they didn’t receive money, they’d leave without a second glance.
“They probably don’t need me.”
Unable to mention that her mother and sister had demanded money, she simply added, “There are maids to assist them.”
Then, smiling, he approached Floria, who was sitting at the edge of the bed.
“That’s good.”
“Pardon?”
“Because I need you.”
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