Chapter 12

Quietly grumbling, Ayla arrived at the west palace and went up to the room where Owen was staying.

“One, two, three.”

When she opened the third door, there was a luxurious sofa and a table.

Seeing that there is a small space next to it to prepare tea, it seems that this is a reception room for visitors.

“It clearly said the third door…”

When she tried to go out, thinking she had come in the wrong way, she saw another door.

Perhaps? When she opened the door on the left, a luxurious, brown-toned bedroom came into view.

Owen may still be asleep, but the spacious interior was particularly quiet.

The sunlight shone pleasantly through the high glass ceiling.

The pretty lamps and decorations, and the plants here and there that gave off a pleasant scent, matched the room owner very well.

Ayla, looking around, hurried to the bathroom.

She had to prepare the bath before Owen woke up.

Soon, with familiar hand movements, she got the hot water in the bathtub.

“Hmm… What kind of bath products does he like?”

After much thought, Ayla added an orange product with a citrus scent.

She was proud that the unique fresh scent would go well with Owen.

The sun shone over Ayla’s smiling face, and her eyes sparkled.

***

Not knowing whether Owen was up, she heard a rustling sound outside the door.

Ayla walked out of the bathroom and saw something wriggling on the bed.

Facing Owen up close, he seemed to still be half asleep.

His large body was under the covers, with only his face sticking out.

Ayla burst into laughter at Owen’s half-asleep appearance, covering her mouth.

“Pfft!”

“Who, who is it!!!”

“It’s Ayla. Grand Duke.”

“Whew, you scared me! But did something happen that you’re here in the morning?”

“I came to prepare the bath. It is still warm, so please go wash up.”

“N-now?”

“Yes. Now. Is there a problem?”

“Hmm…”

Owen hesitated, seemingly embarrassed by Ayla’s innocent words.

Soon, with his eyes wide open, he raised one corner of his mouth and made a grim expression.

With his grim expression, Owen suddenly removed the covers.

At the same time, Ayla’s eyes opened wide, as if they were popping out.

“!”

The narrow, hanging hem of the clothes barely covered Owen’s lower body.

Unlike Owen’s cute looks, his exposed upper body seemed quite sturdy and had some fine muscles here and there, so it looked good. Incredibly good.

Seeing such a great spectacle in person, she had no choice but to feel embarrassed.

Ayla, struggling with her big, opened wide eyes, hurriedly turned her head, belatedly coming to her senses.

“Hmhm, where was the bathroom again.”

It was Owen who was embarrassed by Ayla’s reaction.

To escape the awkward atmosphere, Owen coughed and hurriedly left.

Thump!

Ayla, who was fanning her burning face with her hands, naturally turned her eyes toward the sound.

Snap!

At the same time, Lily opened the door and rushed in, with disheveled hair.

Even before Ayla’s heated face cooled down.

“Oh! Oh my! I’m sorry. I’m late.”

“Take a breath and talk.”

“Phew, why did you go alone without waking me up!”

‘I know, right… I should’ve just woken you up and come with you.’

She tried pretending to be someone she wasn’t and failed.

If she had woken up Lily and came with her, she wouldn’t have been so embarrassed by Owen’s sudden behavior…

She had no choice but to regret what she did just one hour ago.

“You were… Sleeping so well.”

“You must wake me up next time!”

At Lily’s lively voice, Ayla nodded silently.

“But why is your face so red??”

Ayla smiled awkwardly at Lily’s question, as if nothing had happened.

Soon after, Ayla moved hurriedly, pretending to tidy up the bed.

An awkward atmosphere hovered around.

Lily’s eyes passed Ayla and turned towards the bathroom where Owen was.

***

After coming out of the bath, Owen found Ayla cleaning up the room.

It was a prank he did to mess up with Ayla at first, but the one embarrassed by Ayla’s frank reaction was himself.

Owen, who had been reminiscing for a moment, hesitated, feeling embarrassed, and stepped forward.