Published at 21st of June 2023 08:01:02 AM

Of all of Biflten mansion, Adens office was the only room Ilyin wasnt allowed to enter without permission. So, shed simply stuck her head in the open doorway and looked in as shed called his name. Aden looked up at her, then at the clock.

Ilyin, youre up early, he laughed awkwardly. Hed put her to bed only an hour ago. Shed seemed to be fast asleep, but it seems she hadnt been.

It was four in the morning. Hed spent the evening with Ilyin as usual and slipped out quietly. The only way for someone with a schedule like his to make extra time was to sacrifice sleep. But now his bride had caught him.

You arent overworking, right? she asked as she slipped through the doorway and stood in front of his desk. Delrose had taken in the survivors from Elo, and Dens workload as Grand Master and owner of Biflten had skyrocketed as a result and the duties of his two positions had piled up.

Its okay to delay exploring the ruin.The message came through her eyes clearly, but Aden dismissed it.

Why arent you sleeping? he asked.

Im cold, she answered with a smile. It was a flimsy excuse Aden knew that better than anyone. He would always warm up the bedroom before he left, just to make sure she never slept in the cold.

I think its perhaps that you were lonely, he said, dragging his chair back to stand. He walked to her.

Ah, she said, glancing at the document on his desk and quickly covering her eyes in an exaggerated motion, is it something I shouldnt be seeing?

Of course not, Aden laughed. She brushed her shoulder and moved her hand from her eyes. Theres nothing in this mansion thats forbidden to you.

Not Delrose, not me. He pulled Ilyin close, laid his warm hands gently over her eyes. She smiled sleepily at his touch.

I think you should sleep more, he said. She sighed drowsily in response, but she had no intention of heading off to bed alone.

Shed been wondering why she was always alone when she woke in the mornings. It wasnt uncommon for him to wake before her, but lately hed been slipping out much earlier.

I dont like you taking on all this alone, she said. She glanced back down at the document on his desk. It was mainly about the arrangements made for the Elo refugees, and from the look of it Idith had written most of it.

She picked up a spare pen from the desk. She glanced at Aden, who was watching her curiously.

May I,She asked with a tilt of her head, and he laughed in response.

Youre going to insist on helping me, arent you, he said.

I prefer sleeping beside you to sleeping alone, she said stubbornly. If I can help reduce the burdens that pull you away, I will.

Aden sighed, set his own pen down, and pulled her in close.

Such a challenging bride, he said. It had been months since they were married, but he still called her his bride. Each time he saw her was like the first time. To him, she was always his new bride.

Though there are better ways to spend this time, he whispered, his lips pressed against her cheek. His arms were warm around her, his hands so surprisingly soft they tickled her.

Careful, she giggled, squirming slightly. Her pen was hovering dangerously over Idiths report on the current state of Elo the stockpiles that were left, and what Delrose would need to supplement. I might mark the wrong place.

I dont care if it does, Aden laughed.

Who would fault what Ilyin has touched.He bit her ear lightly.

Ah, she gasped, and the pen lightly touched the paper. She looked at him with feigned anger.

Ill help you, she said. Lets finish it quickly and sleep.

We should sleep, if only a little,she thought. He was extremely busy now, she knew. Not to mention he still had to leave the mansion frequently to ride as Grand Master of the Delrose knights. She couldnt let him go without sleep. If the knights encountered monsters tomorrow, even the Duke of Winter might be in peril if he was without sleep.

We would finish it more quickly together, but . . ., he said, but the protest faded. He didnt want his bride to stay up all night for his sake. He never wanted her to suffer at all for his sake. Thats why he was up though the early hours reading reports on Elo. But he knew he was in a battle he couldnt win.

Then lets do this, he said, putting his hand over hers and leaning in close to her. Lets make a bet.

A bet? Ilyin blinked. How?

Arent you sleepy? Aden asked, brushing her hand. She couldnt claim she wasnt. Aden could see her eyes fighting to stay open.

Youre the same, she protested weakly.

Of course, he answered. But its still hard to let go of you.

He sighed dramatically, and Ilyin could see the playfulness hiding behind his expression.

So . . . can you persuade me? he asked with a challenging grin.

Hmmmm, she mused. Persuade him. Fine. She would win him over with logic.