Three days later, as promised, a formal invitation arrived from Duke Edmund of Montfort, inviting Miss Emily Smith to visit his castle.
"Lady Emily Smith,You are cordially invited to Montfort Castle at 10 a.m. tomorrow.— Edmund, Duke of Montfort."
When the letter arrived, Emily was still in bed, enjoying her breakfast with the morning sun streaming through the window.
"William," she called out lazily, still munching on a piece of toast, "I'm going to the Duke's castle tomorrow."
"This is a great opportunity, Emily," William said seriously. "You must leave a good impression on the Duke."
"I know, I know," she yawned. "I'll be there on time. Promise."
[System Notification: Host, this is an important date! Make sure to be punctual!]Relax, I'm the queen of punctuality... just not before noon, Emily replied in her head, stretching comfortably.
The next morning at nine sharp, the carriage was ready and waiting outside the Smith estate. The servants stood at attention, but there was no sign of the young lady.
"Has the mistress not come down yet?" asked the coachman.
"I'll check," William said, hurrying upstairs. He knocked on her door. "Emily, it's time to leave!"
"Just a few more minutes…" came her muffled reply from within.
"Emily, it's already nine o'clock!"
"What?! Nine?" her voice grew slightly more alert. "Okay, okay, I'm getting up now."
Ten minutes passed. The only sound from her room was the soft, steady rhythm of deep sleep.
William sighed and pushed the door open. There she was, curled up on her side, tangled in the blankets, completely out cold.
"Emily!" he shouted.
She stirred and opened her eyes, looking thoroughly confused. "What... Duke?"
"Duke Edmund! You're going to his castle today!"
"Oh... right!" Emily sat up abruptly. "What time is it now?"
"Nine thirty!"
Emily looked longingly at the warm bed, the gentle morning sun, and finally decided to get up—reluctantly.
"Alright, alright. I'm moving."
By the time she was dressed and ready, it was already close to ten. William all but shoved her into the carriage.
"We're late," he said, worried. "The Duke's going to think you're disrespectful."
"He'll understand," Emily mumbled, stifling a yawn. "He seems like a reasonable man."
Meanwhile, at Montfort Castle, Edmund had been waiting by the window for nearly an hour, eyes occasionally drifting toward the road.
"Your Grace," said Thomas the butler, "perhaps Miss Smith has been delayed by something unforeseen."
"Perhaps," Edmund replied, but there was a chill to his voice.
Edmund was a man of discipline. His days were scheduled to the minute—meals, meetings, correspondence, inspections. Tardiness was not something he took lightly.
"Shall I send someone to check on her?" Thomas offered.
"No," the Duke said. "We'll wait."
Yet behind his stoic expression, irritation stirred. Was she truly this careless? Or had something happened?
Finally, close to eleven, the Smiths' carriage arrived.
Edmund watched her descend—still looking half-asleep, hair slightly tousled, a rosy blush on her cheeks from sleep.
"Duke Montfort," she greeted him, smiling sheepishly. "Apologies for the delay."
"Miss Smith," he said, voice cool. "I assumed something urgent had occurred."
"Not really," Emily said honestly. "I... overslept."
"Overslept?" His brow arched. "You mean to say you are an hour and a half late... because you were asleep?"
"Exactly." She gave him a charming, unapologetic smile. "I'm not a morning person."
Edmund stared at her, completely taken aback. In his world, timeliness was fundamental. Yet here she was, casually admitting to such a faux pas as if it were no big deal.
"I waited for ninety minutes," he said pointedly.
"I truly am sorry," Emily said sincerely. "Next time I'll ask William to throw water on me."
"Next time?" he repeated.
"Of course," she said brightly. "If you're still willing to invite me again."
Her candid innocence made it difficult for him to stay upset. Somehow, her honesty was disarming.
"Very well," he said at last, sighing. "Now that you're here, shall we proceed with the day?"
"Absolutely! I've been dreaming about your castle's food since the last time we met."
He couldn't help but chuckle. Even now, food was her top priority.
"Come then," he said. "I've had some special pastries prepared."
Inside the drawing room, an elegant spread of tea and cakes awaited. Emily's eyes sparkled the moment she saw it.
"These look incredible!" she gasped. "Your chef is a genius."
"Would you like to try some?"
"Definitely!" She picked up a tiny cake, but then hesitated. "Actually... I'm still a little sleepy. Mind if I just relax for a moment first?"
Edmund blinked. "You want to... rest?"
"Not sleep! Just a power recharge," she said, already curling up on the sofa with a cake in hand. "I swear I'll be fully alert after this."
He stared at her, torn between frustration and amusement. What kind of guest showed up late, asked to nap, and still managed to be so charming?
"You're very... unique, Miss Smith."
"Unique good or unique bad?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"Take your time," she said with a wink. "But you'll need to spend more time with me to find out."
He smiled despite himself. "Just don't be late next time."
"I'll try," she said. "But I can't make promises. Sleeping is... kind of a passion of mine."
"Sleeping," he repeated, baffled.
"Yes! A comfy bed, warm sun, no alarms—it's one of life's greatest joys!"
He studied her, amused by her childlike devotion to sleep.
"You know, as a duke, I sleep from eleven to six. That's seven hours. Plenty."
She gasped. "Only seven hours? That's a tragedy! You should be getting at least nine. Plus a nap!"
"A nap?" he echoed, scandalized.
"Yes! A midday rest boosts energy and productivity," she declared.
He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should try it."
"Really?!" Emily beamed. "You won't regret it! I could be your nap coach!"
Just then, Thomas entered. "Your Grace, lunch is served."
"Thank you," Edmund said, turning to Emily. "Shall we dine together?"
"Gladly!" she said. "But first... can I freshen up? Still a bit groggy."
Edmund smiled. "Of course. Thomas will show you the way."
Ten minutes later, Emily returned looking much more awake.
"I'm ready for food now!" she declared.
They enjoyed a delightful lunch, though Edmund noticed she still stifled yawns between compliments on the dishes.
"Still tired?" he asked.
"A little," she admitted. "Normally, I'd be napping right now."
After a pause, Edmund made a spontaneous offer. "Would you like to rest in the castle?"
"Seriously? That would be amazing!" Emily said, eyes shining.
He arranged for her to use the coziest guest room in the castle. She lay down with a contented sigh.
"This is the best bed I've ever experienced," she said dreamily.
"I'll leave you to it," Edmund said. "I have work to finish."
"You're not joining me? I mean—not here," she corrected, "but a nap of your own?"
"I don't usually nap."
"Your loss," she mumbled, already drifting off.
Edmund returned to his chambers. Her words echoed in his mind.
Maybe she's right. Maybe I do need rest.
He lay down... and for once, allowed himself to relax.
An hour later, he knocked gently on Emily's door.
"Miss Smith? It's time."
No answer.
He knocked again. "Emily?"
Still silence.
Pushing the door open, he found her fast asleep, curled up like a cat, face serene.
"Emily," he said softly. "It's three o'clock."
She stirred. "Three?! I overslept again!"
"You slept for two hours," he said—but this time, there was no annoyance in his tone.
"I'm so sorry—again!" she said, flustered.
"It's alright," Edmund said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'll admit—my nap was quite refreshing."
"See!" she said triumphantly. "Sleep is the ultimate reset!"
Edmund gazed at her, this strange, sleepy girl who somehow made him forget about schedules and duties. Her worldview was odd… but oddly comforting.
"You know," he said, "I'm beginning to understand your love for sleep."
"Would you like more lessons?" she teased. "I could be your full-time sleep consultant."
He laughed. "That sounds… strangely appealing."
[System Notification: Host, you did it! The male lead is starting to adopt your lifestyle!]I can feel it, Emily replied silently. He's learning to relax.
[System Notification: Keep being your true self! Your love for sleep is teaching him how to rest!]
Emily nodded in satisfaction. She knew that by sharing her sleepy philosophy, she wasn't just taking naps—she was opening his eyes to a different, softer way of living.
And Edmund, without even realizing it, was beginning to see that life didn't always have to be about duty and discipline.
Sometimes, it could be about soft pillows, sunlight... and the girl who reminded him to breathe.