The villa in the mountains was an impressive display of architecture. Standing in a clearing surrounded by a dizzying forest, it was like a gleaming pearl in the heart of an oyster.
Tall windows accentuated by sweeping arches adorned its pale exterior and four small turrets protruded from the building's edges. An unfurling staircase led to the main entrance, shadowed by a grand balcony on the floor above. Valorieve's flag fluttered atop the structure's peaks, gold, imperial blue, and the emblem of a prowling leopard.
You and Minho were ushered in to rest upon your arrival while the staff handled your luggage. The head butler of the villa served you tea and light snacks, a necessary refreshment after a day's worth of travel.
Bringing the porcelain teacup to your lips, you looked at the scenery outside the giant windows. There was a shimmering lake behind the villa, which you did not know of. A few birds poked at its edges, and the surface rippled occasionally with the fish swimming underneath.
The trees and grass surrounding the lake were untended, left to grow to their natural will. It was no fine garden like that of the palace, but its wild beauty did not pale in comparison.
"We should take a stroll outside when you have rested enough," Minho suggested from where he sat across the small table. You tried to discern a hidden meaning to his words, but you found none.
It bothered you. Surely there was something that required your help. You set your teacup down, responding, "All right."
A slight chill tickled your nose when you stepped out into the open. Side by side, you walked with Minho, taking in the stunning scenery around you. You saw the surrounding mountains more clearly now, white peaks hiding among the clouds. The lake was a mirror to the vast sky, tempting you to disrupt the tranquil image with a dip of your hand.
The silence that settled between you was pleasant, and it unnerved you. Minho was not saying anything, instead, he seemed almost content.
This is not right, you thought. If he wanted something, then why was he taking so long to ask for it? This was only a waste of time. You hated beating around the bush the most.
Stopping short in your tracks, you prompted cautiously, puncturing the silence, "Do you have business in the mountains? Is that why we are here?"
Minho's steps faltered, and, body half-turned, he regarded you with a slight raise of his brow. "I simply wished to spend some time with my wife away in the mountains. Is that too much to ask for?"
The cool breeze bit at your cheeks as your heart lurched in a sickening motion. You stared at him blankly, and his steady gaze broke with the sigh that puffed out of his lips, self-pitying. "I knew that you wouldn't believe me."
Minho did not await an answer, quickly admitting, "I am investigating something important. That's why we have to be away from the palace."
An investigation? you clenched your fists, trying to hide your earlier discomposure. "Is it something I can help with?"
"Of course," he said, turning around and resuming his walk. "All you have to do is act freely."
That did not answer the question.
You caught up to him, muttering loud enough for him to hear, "That is rather unhelpful."
The corner of his lips quirked in mischief, completely ignoring your complaint. "Say, would you care for a dip in the lake?"
"That would be improper," you sniffed. The image of your dress soaked in water and dragging about was not pretty. "Besides, it's cold."
"There is no one here but us, Lady Y/n." he waved a hand at the sprawling forest and distant mountains, his tone lighthearted. "You can afford to forgo some propriety."
"No."
"You're no fun." he shook his head, feigning disappointment, to which you calmly lifted a shoulder.
"I never claimed to be."
Minho laughed.
It was a soft, breathy sound that tickled your ears and danced in the breeze. A glimpse of joy that had you entranced, and you did not realize that it was over until he teased, "Touché."
• • •
"My lady." one of your handmaidens hurried to you after you reentered the villa, eyes filling with remorse as she spoke, "It appears that one of the carriages faced some trouble on the road and will not be arriving tonight."
"Is that so?" your brows furrowed in confusion and you assured her, "There's no need for you to be worried about that."
She shook her head frantically. "No, my lady. That carriage was transporting the trunk that has all of your sleeping furs."
"Oh."
That was indeed cause for worry.
"Don't fret. You can have mine," Minho offered, having overheard the news when he walked in.
"No. I can manage." you shook your head and turned to your handmaiden, to reassure her. "Do not concern yourself with this, please. Tend to your tasks as normal."
"If you say so, my lady," she gave in, and with a practiced bow, scurried off, leaving you to contemplate your predicament.
Judging by the coolness of the day, you would only expect the night to be much colder. Without heavy robes and thick furs, you could all but freeze. You hoped that snuggling into the blankets would suffice for the night.
When the sky darkened and stars began to mottle its depthless blue, you were met with the harsh truth.
The shiver that rattled your body was so violent, it seemed to ignore the dense blankets weighing down on you and the crackling fireplace. The frigidness of the air made it impossible to relax enough to sleep, and your eyes remained wide open, hands cupped over your mouth in an attempt to warm them up.
You felt a weight shift on the other side of the bed followed by Minho's hushed voice as he sat up. "You're shivering so much. Come closer."
When you said nothing, he sighed, and shortly after, something heavy dropped over you. You shot up, flinging the mass of dark fur and wool off as you exclaimed at him, "You'll freeze!"
"Likewise, do you think you're invulnerable to the cold?"
His hair was slightly tousled from lying down, and a sliver of moonlight slid down his cheekbones in the dark. Even like this, he managed to remind you of that day two weeks ago.
You shied away from his attention, clutching the woven garment spread between the two of you. You were not so foolish as to lie to yourself. It was cold and curling up in the warmth of those sleeping furs sounded like the best thing imaginable.
But you would not allow Minho to suffer for your sake. What if he were to get sick? Many were relying on him to do his job as the heir, you could not have him catch a cold or develop a fever.
His utterance prodded at the silence that befell you, gentle, not at all demanding. "For the life of me, I never seem to fathom your mind."
You were not able to leash your surprise at his confession. Sudden as it came, it carried with it a semblance of dejection, and you found yourself speechless in its wake.
"So, until you decide to indulge me yourself, I surrender," he exhaled. "But please, accept my help this once—if for nothing other than my own self-righteousness. I would like to sleep with my conscience untroubled."
You realized his attempts immediately. He was giving you a reason to act selfishly. A reason that made him seem like a benefitting party. You were not so stuck in your own reservations to allow it.
"We could...share."
Your suggestion was so softly spoken that even you thought you had imagined saying it. It was the only solution you could think of, as much as it inexplicably embarrassed you.
Minho's brows arched, taken aback, and he hesitated before clearing his throat. "You don't mind?"
"I don't."
"Truly?"
"Truly."
A lie. Your heart seemed to mind a lot, but you ignored it as he drew you close, draping the sleeping furs and covers over your bodies. Despite the cold and the hammering in your chest, your slumber was peaceful that night, warmly nestled in your husband's arms. Tucked away from the frigid horrors of your world.