# 79
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I almost don't remember how I managed to eat the rest of the meal that followed.
It was like I couldn't even tell if the food was going to go out of my mouth or nose.
I lay in bed with a heavy stomach, but I couldn't find sleep anywhere.
That night, after tossing and turning for hours, I finally got rid of the blankets and sat down in frustration.
“Ah... I'm so confused.”
I was expecting things to unfold differently from the original story after she took possession of Eloise's body, but I didn't expect a big event like this to happen so soon.
I peeked out the window and noticed the pitch black sky, and the moon hanging there by itf.
She watched the soft blue light fill the quiet room, and got out of bed. Maybe some fresh air on the balcony will help me clear my chaotic thoughts.
She grabbed the shawl that Vivi had placed on the chair earlier that morning, urged me to put it on, and carefully poked my head out of the bedroom.
'Is Ian asleep?'
I had kicked him out on the living room sofa, but now that night had fallen, I couldn't help but think about him.
I tried to be as calm as possible, and tiptoed towards the sofa.
'...He's really asleep.'
Ian was lying on his side on the couch, covered by a single blanket.
Even though the sofa wasn't too small for one person, compared to the king-sized bed I had just gotten out of, I couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
However, it's a relief that he sleeps well.
If it wasn't, I would feel even more guilty.
I watched him from a distance before slowly approaching the sofa.
She crouched quietly in front of him and studied his sleeping face.
'He's really handsome...'
The shadows cast by his long eyelashes danced lightly on his cheeks. His appearance, illuminated by the pale moonlight, was simply stunning. His straight nose and stunning red lips were perfectly sculpted as if they were the work of a skilled artist.
'How can someone be this handsome even with his eyes closed?'
If there really was a ruler who created this world, I'm sure he put extra effort into Ian's appearance.
I didn't realize how long I'd been staring at it until—
'I didn't know you had a hobby of watching people sleep.'
"Yes!"
She let out a scream and fell backwards in shock. Ian's sharp, blue eyes were open and staring directly at me.
“Weren't you asleep?”
“I was asleep. But I woke up because I heard someone.”
He answered in a calm voice, unlike my own, which was still trembling with surprise.
'Well, this man was known to be the lightest sleeper in the entire continent.'
As the son of a concubine, Ian grew up suffering from assassination attempts.
As a result, he developed the habit of not completely relaxing, even in sleep, and waking up at the slightest sound – like rustling leaves.
He looked at me, who was sitting awkwardly on the floor, and asked
“Do you have something to say?”
“Well...this is...”
I rolled my eyes, searching for a suitable answer.
I couldn't say, 'I felt bad about kicking you out of the bedroom, but then I saw you sleeping and was struck by how ridiculously handsome you were, so I ended up just staring at you, right?'
With my belated answer, I forced myf to smile awkwardly.
“I couldn't sleep. Haha… Maybe I should go back to bed now.”
I started to get up awkwardly, but Ian was faster. He stood in front of me and said
“Then let's get some fresh air.”
“Excuse me what?”
“You said you couldn't sleep. And thanks to someone, I'm wide awake now too.”
Before I could even process what was happening, he was already standing, looking at me.
“I suggest we go enjoy the sea breeze because I know you like it.”
“…Are you seriously suggesting that we go out at this time?”
My voice was full of disbelief, but Ian glanced out the window and said nonchalantly,
“The moon is bright, the weather looks good, and I don't think you'll get washed away.”
"No, that's not the problem...it's dangerous out there without lights. How can we even see the path?"
Wouldn't it be better if I went back to sleep?
But Ian didn't seem interested, as he threw his coat over his shoulders and answered indifferently,
“It's okay. I have a solution.”
Any solution?
Ian looked me up and down while I stood there unsure and said,
"You should change your clothes. The night air by the sea can be cold."
What?
❖ ❖ ❖
When I came out after hurriedly changing my clothes, there was another person in the living room besides Ian.
It was Kyle, his red hair half erect, looking like he had been dragged out of bed.
“Sir, isn’t this a bit much? You worked all morning, pulling more than ten people, ten horses, and four carts. Then I spent the rest of the day unloading everything, and lay down to sleep. But now, in the middle of the night, you’re dragging me back here? What about my work-life balance… Ah, Duchess!”
Kyle suddenly noticed me, making an angry speech to Ian, and quickly bowed his head politely.
“…Yes, good to see you, Kyle.”
"Ah, I'm glad to see you too. Now, sir, are you really serious about this?"
Kyle raised his head and looked at Ian with an exasperated expression.
“You are the only boss I know who would appear out of nowhere and demand that the beach be prepared at this time. If this continues, I will tender my resignation...”
“I will double your quarterly bonus.”
“…I resign, who would do such a thing? No, of course not! I will prepare everything in a short time. Who else could do that? I am Ian Cloud’s most loyal personal assistant, Cale Elzer, after all!”
Cale, smiling widely, drew a magic circle with a simple gesture.
For a moment, a white and blue light shone, and in the blink of an eye, we found ourves standing in the middle of a night beach. The salty wind stirred my hair, which I hadn't fully tied back.
“Wow, this is really possible.”
I looked up and saw the cliff high above us, where the villa we had just stood in was now a distant speck.
But Kyle didn't stop there. A few steps away, he conjured a small cottage with flowing curtains, a tea table, plush sofas and dim lighting.
I was quietly amazed when all these things appeared on the sandy beach in the blink of an eye.
'He definitely knows how to work for his money'
His attitude changed remarkably quickly.
"Okay, have fun. You look great together. Of course, dates are best at dawn. Call me when you're done with your date."
Kyle gave us a thumbs up, then unlike his entrance, bowed politely and disappeared.
At that moment, I began to understand why Kyle wasn't fired and remained a loyal follower of Ian. Ian, who would summon his subordinates in the middle of the night, and Kyle, who swore loyalty simply by promising him money – were the same type.
Meanwhile, Ian, who didn't even bat an eyelid after using someone's labor in this way, pointed out a chair for me.
"Sit."
“Well… sure.”
I wasn't sure whether to admire Ian for setting up a romantic cabin at this time or pity Kyle's tragic work-life balance. With these conflicting thoughts, I sat down awkwardly.
The sound of the waves crashing in the darkness was unmistakable.
Swoosh.
Ian seemed to have come just to “catch some fresh air,” so he sat next to me, resting his chin on his hand, and staring out at the sea. I kept looking at him before breaking the silence.
“Okay… so, about the schedule for going to the academy… what is it again?”
“In a month.”
“Uh...have you ever been to an academy before?”
“No, I didn't.”
His tone was mechanical, and he didn't even look at me.
'How do I bring this up?'
I wanted to find out about Diana, but I didn't want to mention her name directly.
While I was thinking about it, Ian turned his head to look at me.
“It looks like you have something to say, so come on in.”
“Was it that clear?”
"You were constantly looking at me. Anyone who didn't notice must be an idiot, right?"
This guy is annoyingly sharp...
I cleared my throat and silently cursed him.
“Well, I was just thinking that since you have so many connections, you might know someone at the academy.”
Ian frowned slightly, then nodded.
“There's someone.”
That “someone” was definitely Diana. I felt my mouth dry up.
Meanwhile, Ian glanced at me before turning his gaze back to the sea.
"But we won't cross paths. I don't plan to meet him."
“…Why not? You know that person, right? What if he asks to meet you?”
At my hesitant question, he tilted his head slightly.
His blue eyes, gently reflecting the dim light, stared at me for a moment.
The sound of waves.
The sound of waves filled the silence before he spoke.
“We're not that close.”