The bedroom had already been tidied up by Hazel. I washed up neatly on my own and changed into my pajamas.
“Ahh, nice!”
The pajama sleeves were long, so I made sure to fold them back neatly. Right after that, I dove straight into bed.
Sir was sitting at an angle on the sofa in one corner of my bedroom, reading documents. It seemed someone had brought them while I was washing up.
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to watch me sleep before you go?”
“I’m planning to finish reading these documents. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
He slightly raised his eyes and looked at me as I squirmed under the covers.
“Then why don’t you go to your study comfortably…”
“Because of someone, I couldn’t finish everything. The territory is on the verge of ruin.”
“Huh, that won’t do. Read diligently before you go…”
It can’t go to ruin. Absolutely not.
I nodded along without really listening. Before I knew it, sleep was taking over my mind.
Having run around busily all day, my stamina was completely depleted.
“Ruby.”
At his call, I forced open my heavy, closing eyes.
“Hmm?”
“You know where my bedroom is, right?”
“Upstairs…”
“If you wake up suddenly while sleeping, come.”
“…Once I fall asleep, I don’t wake up easily.”
I heard him rise.
Footsteps followed. The bed sank on one side. A large, warm hand brushed my forehead.
“If you suddenly feel like you hate the dark, or if a scary thought crosses your mind, that is.”
“…? I will.”
I nodded with my eyes half-closed. Soon, his calloused hand covered my eyes.
The surroundings quickly darkened.
“Read with the lights on… You’ll ruin your eyes…”
An irresistible wave of drowsiness surged in. This was truly my limit.
“Sleep well, Ruby.”
“…”
“Today…”
The world sank into a muffled silence.
What were the words that followed?
Were they *I was grateful*? Or *I was happy*?
Whatever it was, they were undoubtedly words filled with warmth…….