As the voice of the legion commander tickled her ear, Mia forced her heavy eyelids open. Feeling Mia stir, Etienne tightened his arm around her waist.
Huh. Mia let out a hollow laugh. The reality of his so-called "well-behaved sleeping habits" was anything but well-behaved.
"Etienne, wake up."
True to his military training, Etienne snapped to attention at Mia's gesture. Realizing how close their faces were, he startled and tumbled out of bed. In his haste to create distance, he seemed to lose his balance.
"...Well, that was unnecessary."
As Mia clicked her tongue inwardly, Etienne stammered out an apology. Considering how smoothly he usually spoke, this was truly a remarkable event.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"...Yeah, whatever."
Mia's lukewarm response clearly did little to reassure Etienne.
"I'm really sorry, Mia."
He apologized again. Mia hardened her expression. She wasn't that angry, but seeing Etienne so flustered made her want to act stricter.
"It seems our standards for 'well-behaved sleeping habits' are different, Etienne."
Etienne remained silent for a while before finally stammering out a response.
"I'm truly sorry. I've always slept alone in private quarters, so I never had the chance to notice my sleeping habits."
"You said graduating from the military academy and serving in the army meant there wouldn't be issues..."
"...But apparently not."
"I have nothing else to say except that I'm sorry."
From Mia's perspective, it didn't feel right to scold someone apologizing so earnestly. He was her superior officer, and while startled, she wasn't truly upset. It seemed they could consider it a mutual prank and move on.
"...But covering up this incident and preventing recurrence are separate matters."
Even if they dismissed the first incident lightly, it didn't mean they welcomed repeated closeness like real lovers.
If Mia became more than just a co-conspirator to him, wouldn't it disrespect the noblewoman he might truly love someday? To prevent repeats, staying together in this space seemed unwise.
"It's fine—it's not that serious. The bed appears too small for you alone anyway. I'll move to another room."
As she spoke, Mia carefully watched Etienne's expression. She expected easy agreement, but instead faced a visage full of discontent—as if he wanted to protest.
"...He resembles the Duke of Rochefort. Though far more handsome."
Mia clicked her tongue and glared at Etienne, blaming his troublesome good looks.
"Go ahead. Say it."
"No... nothing at all."
The subtle sulkiness in his tone made Mia raise an eyebrow. He seemed to know his fault yet still crave excuses. To prompt him, she jerked her chin toward him.
This attitude would've been insolent from a subordinate to a superior, but Etienne—now the guilty party—didn't comment. Given his recent behavior, he likely wouldn't have scolded Mia regardless.
"Of course I understand your feelings, Mia. You must be disappointed... but..."
Etienne trailed off, gauging her reaction. Mia nudged his side, urging him to continue.
"Like it or not, we're officially lovers now. If rumors spread about us fighting already... If you dislike sharing a bed, perhaps we should stay separately at our next destination?"
His argument held merit. Though maintaining rationality, Mia's own embarrassment blinded her to proper assessment.
"...I should've maintained composure regardless."
Mia chastised herself before continuing with a small sigh.
"You're right, Etienne. But knowing your sleeping habits, I can't comfortably share this bed anymore. I'll sleep on the floor starting tonight."
"What are you saying, Mia?"
Etienne urgently cut her off.
"If anyone should sleep on the floor, it's me. Didn't I already disturb your rest?"
Yet no matter how insolently she treated him, Mia couldn't bear making her superior sleep on the floor while she took the bed. It might be her last shred of conscience.
"I simply can't accept making my superior sleep on the floor. Even if you claim it's fine."
"......"
"So you oppose me sleeping on the floor too? This is troublesome. You don't want repeats of this embarrassment either, do you?"
"I'll reform my sleeping habits..."
Mia hoped Etienne would relent and order her to the floor, but he remained stubbornly obstinate.
"You think that's something you can just fix?"
Mia laughed hollowly, incredulous.
"I'll stay awake all night if needed."
His calm yet unreasonable attitude made Mia press a hand to her forehead.
What am I to do with this man?
Had he not saved her in her past life, she might've disciplined him long ago. But having vowed to devote this life to him, what more could she do? She could only glare at him with irritated eyes as he fretfully held her wrist, as if detecting some fatal illness.
"Fine. We'll keep sharing the bed."
After prolonged hesitation, Mia accepted Etienne's proposal. She nodded with a deep sigh. This charade had to continue to conceal their identities.
As someone who hadn't enlisted through proper channels, Mia struggled to earn the same trust as other soldiers. Etienne needed plausible reasons to remain by her side without suspicion—this arrangement served that purpose perfectly.
"Mia, come here a moment."
Lost in thought, Mia suddenly looked up. He stood holding the balcony door open.
"The view outside is breathtaking. Will you join me?"
Mia hesitated before approaching. The scenery was indeed picturesque—Raven's streets glowed under the sunset's enchanting light.
"Magnificent, no?"
Etienne smiled. Mia thought his smile might outshine the view itself.
"Seeing this... it almost feels like fate made us lovers."
"We're merely acting, Etienne. Don't forget that."
"Of course I know."
Despite his bland reply, his eyes—gilded by sunset, romance, and unplaceable emotion—shone as they met hers.
"But in this moment, it feels real."
"At least the romance we feel now is genuine." His tone carried strange sincerity. Mia shivered uncomfortably.
Why is he like this? How do I push him away?
No man had ever dared look at her this way. This only confused her more. Even when she averted her gaze, Etienne's stare burned.
"Etienne. Shouldn't we return inside? It's... getting cold."
Mia barely managed the words. Etienne clung to her with regretful coquetry.
"So soon? But Mia, look how beautiful the sky is."
He subtly tried slipping an arm around her shoulders. Another affectionate touch—something others might overlook, but to Mia, even this felt excessive. Feigning intimacy where no eyes observed them felt wrong.
Mia gently extricated herself from his arm—a clear retreat signal.
"...Who'll take responsibility if you catch cold? We should eat dinner too."
Mia avoided his gaze while listing excuses. Since when did Mia Blancher care about colds or meals? She simply wanted escape from this discomfort.
She felt pathetic, finding such clichéd situations unnerving.
"Then let's return."
Etienne replied, unable to hide his disappointment.
They left the balcony in awkward silence.
When their room door closed, Mia finally exhaled in relief. Distance from the sunset's romance slightly calmed her racing heart.
Why is Rochefort acting like this? Over-immersed in his role? She'd heard of actors losing themselves in characters...
