Confused, I blinked. "What are you doing now, Alan?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity — yet deep down, I knew he was about to do something completely unexpected.

"You needn't focus here, my lady. Please, continue with your novel," he said with a soft smile and gently lifted the hem of my long gown.

My body flinched at the sudden closeness. He carefully slid off one of my heels.

"Ow...!" I hissed when a spasm of pain shot through my foot — one I had forgotten about until now.

"I'll be careful, my lady," he said in a low, soothing voice as he removed the other heel. Then, with practiced grace, he lifted both my legs and turned to place them sideways on the couch.

I tried to focus on my book again, but my eyes refused to leave him. His touch was gentle, his expression calm. Each movement of his hands as he massaged my feet carried warmth and care, easing away the dull ache.

I couldn't help but stare — at him, at his quiet gentleness. Deep inside, I knew I was falling for him. Even though I reminded myself not to, my reader side — the hopeless romantic within me — had already fallen first.

For a few moments, my thoughts drifted. I imagined what my life would be like if we truly fell for each other. Without realizing it, I had been staring at him for quite some time, lost in my daydream.

"Are... you all right, my lady?" he asked, waving his hand gently before my face.

I snapped back to my senses. My cheeks flushed crimson when I realized how close he was — and that he might've been trying to get my attention for a while now.

"N-no, nothing! I was just... wondering about this chapter!" I stammered, flipping through the pages quickly before showing him the book, my eyes half shut in embarrassment.

He leaned in slightly, reading. "Hm... it looks like this person died because of his own hallucinations of dying," he said calmly.

"Pardon...?" I blinked.

"Yes," he explained softly. "This person hallucinated his own death. Believing it real, he lost his mind and ended his life."

"Ha... I don't want to read this one anymore," I sighed, closing the book.

"Why, my lady? It's quite a good one," he said with quiet amusement.

"No. Now that I know what happens next, I don't feel like reading it," I said, rummaging through the pile of books beside me.

"But weren't you reading this chapter just now?" he asked, confused.

I froze, thinking of how I had given him that book in panic earlier to hide the fact that I'd been daydreaming about him. "Let's try this one!" I said quickly, holding up another.

He chuckled. "As you wish, my lady."

Relieved that he didn't pry further, I buried my face back into the book. Time slipped by unnoticed as laughter and light conversation filled the space between us — two souls lost in the quiet comfort of each other's company.

---

✨ ALAN'S POV:

Evening arrived before I realized it. I was happy — genuinely happy — to see my lady smile. Her happiness mattered more to me than anything else.

I walked back and forth between the shelves, picking out novels I thought she would love. The air had turned slightly dim; golden sunlight spilled through the tall windows in fading streaks.

"Ah... I promised the boys I'd have dinner with them tonight," I murmured under my breath.

When I looked back, she was still reading, completely absorbed. Cute, I thought, smiling to myself. Tiny beads of sweat glistened on her neck and forehead, illuminated by the warm evening glow.

Quietly, I went and opened the windows. A cool breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of old paper and distant rain. Then, I took a piece of paper and a pen, writing a small note —

> I'm going outside for dinner with the boys. Please don't worry about me, my lady.

I placed it gently on the desk before her, knowing she wouldn't notice me leave — she was far too lost in her stories.

I slipped out quietly and closed the door behind me.

After a few minutes of walking, I spotted Leo, my first friend since I'd come here.

"Hey, Alan! Did you and the lady have a sweet time together?" he teased, slinging an arm around me.

"Stop it," I muttered. "I'm just making sure she gets used to this place. After all, she'll be living in this palace after the marriage."

I picked up a glass of wine and took a few slow sips.

"Come on, Alan, you said you wouldn't stop until you were drunk tonight!" Leo complained, nudging me.

"When did I say that? It was you who forced me to drink — I only agreed to a few sips," I teased, and he pouted dramatically.

Seeing him sulk, I laughed softly and tried to calm him down. Time passed quickly in their banter-filled evening.

When night finally fell, most of the men were drunk. I asked a few sober guards to help them to their rooms before leaving.

But then a thought struck me — my lady. She had been reading nonstop earlier, surrounded by stacks of books. She must still be there.

As I passed through the corridors, I overheard a few maids gossiping.

"She didn't go to her room tonight. Maybe she's with some other—"

Ahem! 

The moment I cleared my throat, they froze, then scurried off.

"Cowards," I muttered under my breath, irritated yet slightly guilty for not telling them earlier that she'd been in the library.

I hurried to the library and pushed open the doors quietly. The room was empty at first glance. She wasn't on the couch, but the note I'd left was opened — meaning she'd seen it.

Where was she?

Panic flickered in my chest. What if she got lost again... or tried finding her room on her own?

I searched through every shelf, calling her softly. And then — in the far corner — I saw the hem of her gown peeking out from behind a tall bookshelf.

I ran there immediately, only to find her fast asleep among the books, resting peacefully.

I knelt beside her, unable to look away. The faint light bathed her face in gold. Her hair framed her cheeks, flushed softly pink like roses.

"She's beautiful..." I whispered, brushing a stray strand from her face. Her calm breathing made something ache inside me — admiration, longing.

I smiled faintly. "Every man admires her beauty... but they never see her heart," I murmured. "I fell for her too, the moment I saw her."

My fingers hovered near hers, hesitant.

"If only I were the one destined to marry you... and not him."