Chapter Four : UNSPOKEN, UNDERSTOOD
After we cleaned up and dressed, we sat side by side on the bed in silence.
Not long ago, this very bed had carried our most passionate moment—yet now, everything felt shy, unfamiliar. The room was the same, but the air had changed. Like a sturdy river that had passed too fast, we were both catching our breath in the aftermath.
"Um—Sasha," I said, trying to break the tension. "Do you want to sleep here tonight?"
It had never been this awkward between us.
She looked away, hands fidgeting in her lap.
"…I… I do."
Her soft, bashful reply made my heart skip a beat.
If I'm being honest, I wanted to hold her again—maybe even go another round. But I knew better. This was new to her. Her body needed time to adapt.
Then she spoke up again, a little hesitant.
"Um… you did it inside…"
She trailed off, then looked at me with a red face.
"Don't you think that's… dangerous?"
I blinked. "Dangerous? In what way?"
"What if… I get pregnant?" she mumbled, almost hiding behind her hands.
"Then you'll be the mother of my child," I said, simply.
Her eyes widened. "But… I'm your maid."
I leaned closer, my voice firm but soft.
"So?" I asked. "That doesn't matter. You're not just a maid—you're Sasha. Adored by the Kafher family. My childhood friend. That's more important than any title."
She fell silent.
I continued, gentler now.
"Why do you think my mother sent you with me on such a dangerous journey? Because she didn't want you left behind, hurting like you did when I was gone. She loves you. My sisters love you. And I… I care about you more than you realize."
Her eyes trembled, her lips parted, but she didn't speak.
She didn't need to.
The warmth in her gaze, the soft flush on her cheeks—that was her answer.
After a little more quiet conversation, I decided to go fetch us dinner. Sasha went to her room to change.
I didn't even realize how much time had passed. I hadn't sorted out my stuffs yet. Damn... I still have so much to do. Maybe after eating.
When I went downstairs, I asked the housekeeper for dinner and to change the sheets. For some reason, she gave me a knowing, playful smile.
And then, out of nowhere, Kevin appeared.
He slung an arm around my shoulder, grinning like a fool.
Is he out of his mind?
I'd known him long enough not to be too strict, but he was still putting his hand on a noble's shoulder. Rude, even for him.
And then he said,
"You've done great, my lord."
I froze. Huh?!
"I'm proud of you," he added with a wink.
This bastard…
He heard everything.
I caught faint chuckles from the shopkeeper and a few lingering customers.
Shit. Shit.
I brushed Kevin's arm off me.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered coolly.
"Oh? Ignorance, huh?" he smirked. "Hehe…"
I shot him a glare. This musclehead was too proud of his own stupidity.
I ignored him and headed upstairs.
At least I didn't need to worry about rumors—Kevin might be an idiot, but he was loyal. He wouldn't let anything slip. Still…
Sasha must never find out they heard.
She'd die of embarrassment.
Also…
Kevin's going to get a solid beating later.
******
Sasha stepped into her room quietly—yet her heart was glowing.
What had just happened was something she didn't want anyone else to know. It was a memory she'd keep close, a secret she'd treasure. Still flushed, she glanced over her shoulder, just to be sure no one had seen her.
Her heart fluttered, still steeped in the warmth of him—his broad shoulders, his strong hands, his face just a breath away.
"Hu… ha… huu—"
She let out a deep sigh, her body still tingling with aftershocks. She felt his warmth lingering inside her.
She bounced lightly on her feet—like a child too excited to hold still.
"Yeah… yeah…"
The giddy joy bubbled out of her. The man she loved—had longed for—had shared that moment with her.
Even the earlier nervousness had vanished from her mind.
And those words… those words he said…
> "What if I get pregnant?"
"Then you'll be the mother of my child."
She also remembered his last words. "And I… I care about you more than you realize."
She hugged her pillow, her legs kicking softly behind her as she rolled onto the bed.
"That was a proposal, wasn't it?" she whispered to herself, eyes wide.
"He wants to marry me…!"
Then, quietly, "I need to buy a dress."
She clasped her cheeks, her face beet red.
"We'll have our wedding... and I'll give birth to his children..."
She buried herself under her blanket with a squeal.
"Kyaaa—! What do I do?! What do I do?!"
Her thoughts ran wild, excitement overtaking her.
*****
"What should I say?" I can hear everything from inside. Sasha's words and hopping were loud and clear to me.
A while ago a housekeeper came to change my sheets. So I stepped a bit outside to let her do her work.
But here across me in Sasha's room, I could hear everything from inside. She is a lot excited about everything.
Should I inform her that I can hear everything. This is a rather cute matter.
"How can she be so cute!"
*****
Back Inside
"Huh? It's already this late?"
Sasha finally glanced at the clock. Her thoughts had made her lose track of time.
"I need to go to his room..."
But then a thought struck her.
"What if… it happens again?"
If he wanted her again—if she…
She blushed furiously.
She remembered what Big Mother once told her: "Always carry a little makeup kit."
Back then, she hadn't understood. Now she did.
She opened her bag, searching. Most of her belongings were still with the knights, but she had a few things.
Her eyes caught on a white dress. Clean, elegant, and soft like moonlight.
"This one," she whispered. She wore it, touched up her makeup, and dabbed the perfume Big Mother had gifted her. The floral scent lingered in the air.
"Perfect."
She smiled at her reflection.
But the moment she opened the door—
He was standing right there.
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
"Were… were you eavesdropping?!"
"Huh? No. Why would I eavesdrop?" he said coolly.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"The housekeeper just finished changing the sheets. I was waiting."
"Really?" she narrowed her eyes at him, skeptical.
"You don't believe me?" he asked, side-stepping the question again with the skill of a rogue.
"Do you want to go to my room?"
She paused, then smiled slyly.
"Okay."
I don't trust him… but it's okay if it's him.
Hehe~
*****
Haah… I'm safe.
I sighed internally. Everyone's gotten way too sharp lately—first Kevin, now Sasha.
We walked down the hall to my room. I glanced at her—and almost forgot to breathe.
That white dress, the way it flowed around her like mist, the earrings I had gifted her glinting softly in the lamplight… it suited her perfectly.
She looked divine.
Too divine.
And that perfume—was it aphrodisiacal? Because it sure felt like it.
Then I noticed her stumble slightly.
She was still sore.
I moved in front of her. "What—?" she started to ask—
But before she could finish, I scooped her up into my arms.
"Whaaat?!"
She flailed, blushing, protesting.
"Put me down! I can walk!"
"Let me take you there."
"I said I can walk!"
She was being stubborn again. But I had my counter ready.
"You look beautiful in that dress."
She froze.
A beat of silence.
Then… she smiled.
I set her down gently on the couch. She sat quietly, her cheeks still red.
I joined her, sitting close. Neither of us spoke. The air between us was warm, soft, electric.
We waited. For the dinner.
For something.
For whatever came next.
*****
Dinner arrived not long after.
It was a light meal, just enough to ease the fatigue from the road. Nothing heavy—rest was still the most important remedy after a long journey.
We ate in silence.
Neither of us said a word.
The air between us was thick with unspoken thoughts. Not uncomfortable, just… uncertain.
Afterward, needing something to ease the tension, I stood and moved to the table to review some documents that couldn't wait until morning.
Sasha didn't speak.
But she didn't look away either.
She just sat quietly, eyes fixed on me, like she was watching over something precious. I didn't say anything either—I just kept working.
But… somehow, I felt warm.
Her gaze—soft, steady—reminded me of something from long ago.
Back when I trained in the courtyard, she'd watch me the same way. Back then, I used to think it was just curiosity. Now… it feels like something else. Something deeper.
And yet, the feeling…
It's nice.
[Note: Big mother is protagonist's mother. Sasha refers her as big mother. A kind of love that they show to eachother.]