After walking around, Hans then showed Athanasia the guest room. On their way, they met several maids who immediately lowered their heads upon seeing Athanasia. Athanasia wondered, "Why are they bowing? I'm just a guest."???
Halfway there, they encountered Ron, who was smiling. Athanasia asked, "Where is Cale?" Ron replied with a smile, "A while ago, when you left this morning, he also left."
Ron added, "Cale said that if you asked where he was going, I should tell you he's going somewhere." He bowed and said, "Okay, young master, I will do as your command."
As Athanasia heard what Ron said, she thought that Cale might have gone back to the man-eating tree, just like in the novel. She nodded and thanked Ron. Now, Athanasia had some time on her hands since she had finished eating lunch. She decided to head to the library.
As she entered the library, she noticed a boy with brown hair. "Isn't that Cale's stepbrother, Basen?" she thought to herself. Athanasia approached him and realized he was engrossed in his work, not noticing her.
Basen Point Of View
Curious about the rumors surrounding Cale and her, Basen found it hard to concentrate on his paperwork. He wondered if they were indeed lovers. Suddenly, he heard Athanasia calling him, and he snapped back to reality.
Athanasia was curious about why Basen had been staring at her. She approached him and asked if there was a problem. Basen seemed hesitant to reply at first but eventually opened up about needing help with the paperwork. Athanasia smiled and offered her assistance, saying she was happy to help.
They worked together for around 45 minutes, and to Basen's surprise, they finished all the paperwork. He was amazed by Athanasia's intelligence and efficiency. Basen couldn't help but admire her kindness and beauty. He even began to support the idea of Cale and Athanasia getting engaged.
As they finished, Basen thanked Athanasia sincerely. She smiled back and told him not to worry about it. Basen wanted to ask her something but hesitated. Before he could do so, Butler Hans arrived, calling for Basen because Daruth was looking for him. Basen bowed to Athanasia again and expressed his gratitude before leaving with Hans.
Left alone in the library, Athanasia settled back on the couch, resuming her reading. As she read, she couldn't help but think about Cale, knowing that he would be going to the capital. She had a hunch that he would be involved in stopping a terrorist attack by a secret organization.
Sighing, Athanasia felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her. The combination of a comfortable couch, the serenity of the library, and the peace in her mind from helping Basen had taken its toll. She closed the book gently and lay down, using it as a makeshift pillow.
The sound of pages turning and Athanasia's light breathing filled the air as she drifted off into a peaceful slumber
Cale's Point Of View:
After the meeting with my father and stepbrother, I approached Butler Hans and asked if he had seen Athanasia Cale. It had been a while since I last saw her, and I wondered where she might be. Hans replied, "Yes, young master, I saw Lady Athanasia earlier in the library, helping Basen with paperwork when I called him to come here."
I nodded and immediately made my way to the library. As I entered, I was surprised to find Athanasia peacefully sleeping there. "What? Why is Athanasia sleeping here?" I sighed, noticing that her body was trembling slightly, probably due to the cold. "Why did she choose to sleep in the library? Out of all the places, why here?" I muttered, frustrated with her stubbornness.
Unable to leave her there, I gently scooped her up in my arms in a bridal style. As I walked back to my room, I felt the stares of the servants, but I paid little attention to their shock. Once I reached my room, I instructed Hans to open the door, which he promptly did.
I laid Athanasia down on the bed and requested Hans to fetch a maid to change her clothes. While he took care of that, I asked him to bring the guest to my room and added, "If he refuses to come, just mention the payment."
After dealing with the guest, Choi Han, in my room, we had a straightforward discussion about our plans. Choi Han seemed to be getting along well with Ron and Beachrox, which pleased me.
Choi Han asked, "What is the payment?"
"Getting straight to the point, aren't you?" I thought with a small smile, then proceeded to discuss the details with him.
After the discussion, I left and headed to Deruth's room to give me some money.
Once that was taken care of, I returned to my room where Athanasia was still sleeping peacefully. I gently kissed her forehead and lay down beside her.
Picking up the money, I thought to myself, "Money really is the best."
Ron Point Of View
I entered the room and saw Athanasia sleeping next to Cale. A smile crept onto my face as I thought about how this little puppy had already grown so much. I approached them and spoke, "Young Master, here is a honey and lemon tea. My son made it especially for you." I couldn't help but smile
as I noticed Cale shivering slightly from the at ron smile
"Please have a good night. I am always by your side, young master...
Next day
Athanasia Point Of View
Athanasia woke up and started to look around. Wait, this isn't the library. I remember sleeping in the library, Athanasia thought as she moved her gaze beside her and sighed. There lay a red-haired handsome man-Cale. She was in Cale's room again.
At this point, the misunderstandings about them were already high, Athanasia sighed.
"Ron is already here," Athanasia thought, noticing the butler in the room.
Ron smiled at Athanasia, "Good morning, Lady," he bowed, "here's your tea."
Athanasia smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, Ron."
As Athanasia started to sit up, she asked, "Ron, I want to ask, how did I get here? I remember sleeping in the library."
As Athanasia sipped her tea, she patiently waited for the answer.
Ron spoke, "Lady Athanasia, Young Master picked you up last night," he said with a smile.
A chill ran down Athanasia's spine.... when she noticed Ron's smile. Cale carried me to his room last night?? Oh no, our misunderstanding is already too high!!!, Athanasia thought, sighing inwardly.
She smiled and pretended that nothing had happened, replying, "I see. Thank you for answering, Ron. You can go now, just leave the tea here. I will wake up Cale after I finish my tea, and Ron, get some maids since I'm going to take a bath."
Ron bowed and left the room.
Athanasia stood up and walked to the bathroom, taking a shower and then changing into fresh clothes. When she returned, she found the maid she requested to Ron waiting with fresh towels and clothes.
After changing, Athanasia went to wake up Cale by poking his cheek, saying, "Cale, Cale, Cale, wake up."
Cale slowly woke up and mumbled, "Hmm, good morning."
"Good morning, sleepy head," Athanasia smiled, holding out the tea that Ron had given earlier, "Here's the tea that Ron gave earlier when you were sleeping."
Cale took the tea and began to drink it as Athanasia watched him, feeling a pang of guilt deep inside.
"Cale," Athanasia spoke softly.
Cale looked at her while drinking his tea.
"I know today is your last day to collect the ancient power, right?" Athanasia asked.
Cale nodded, "Yeah, I know you already know this since you've read it."
Athanasia nodded, "Well, I want to come," she said with a hopeful smile.
Cale looked at her for a moment, contemplating her request, and finally said, "Okay."
Athanasia's smile brightened, and she thanked Cale, feeling her heart race with joy at the prospect
Cale couldn't help but find Athanasia's reaction adorable, and a slight blush crept up his ears as he though