Published: August 1, 2025
Early morning――.
Bathed in the unobstructed morning sunlight, my whole body was warmed. Maybe because of that, I woke up feeling astonishingly refreshed.
I sat up in the hammock.
It immediately swayed unsteadily, but if I didn’t panic or struggle, I wouldn’t fall out. Raising my arms high and stretching my back, I was surprised at how well I could stretch.
My body felt light. It was like I’d just had a massage from a Tunic. Come to think of it, I’d heard that because the hammock distributes your weight, it’s less likely to hurt your lower back or spine.
“Hehe…”
I deliberately rocked the hammock, enjoying the feeling of swinging.
“Granado Castle’s bedroom probably won’t have one, but maybe I could ask Lord Cyrus to have a hammock made on the terrace for naps.”
Looking at the hammock next to mine, Lord Cyrus was still sleeping.
Among adult men, Lord Cyrus was quite large, but this hammock was very spacious and fit him completely, right down to his toes. He seemed to be sleeping deeply, even more soundly than usual.
You see, Lord Cyrus is actually a bit slow to wake up. Sometimes he's working overnight, but once he falls asleep, it’s hard to rouse him. Back at Granado Castle, we usually slept in separate rooms, so I hadn’t realized. I recalled Mio’s words, “Lady Marie is a great help because she wakes up just by calling,” and I chuckled softly.
Balancing myself with a bit of effort, I quietly got out of the hammock.
I lowered myself beside him and lingered, enjoying the sight of his sleeping face.
—Yeah… Lord Cyrus really is the most handsome in the world.
It’s been over half a year since I met him, and I should be getting tired of his refined profile by now, but I never get used to it. When I gaze at him up close like this, my heart still races.
His exposed Adam’s apple rose and fell slowly with his breathing. Even through his clothes, his broad chest was evident—I gently pressed my ear against it. The rhythmic sound of his heartbeat was strangely endearing. I just can’t help but find his heart adorable.
“Hehe… I love you.”
I whispered unintentionally, then continued to listen closely to his heartbeat.
Suddenly—
—KON! A loud noise rang out somewhere.
“W-what was that?”
—KON! KAKON! KAKON!
It sounded like something being struck... not too far away, but no source was in sight. It wasn’t noisy enough to be a disturbance, but loud enough to wake me from my drowsiness.
Lord Cyrus’s shoulder twitched. Hastily, I spread a sheet over him, covering his ears. I wanted him to sleep a bit longer, but the noise continued.
Resigned, I strained to listen and headed toward the direction of the sound.
The kakon kakon noise was firewood being chopped.
The source was behind the hotel, near the service entrance leading to the kitchen. Someone was chopping firewood with practiced, rhythmic strokes.
—it was Mr. Angelo and Ms. Kaede. The two who had arrived unannounced last night. Only Mr. Angelo was wielding the axe; Ms. Kaede sat beside him, watching the work.
Mr. Angelo was shirtless, sweat flying as he continued chopping with the kakkon kakkon sound.
“Phew…”
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and resumed immediately.
I quietly approached and took the chance to call out.
“—Mr. Angelo, Ms. Kaede.”
“Oh, Lady Marie.”
Noticing me, he immediately set down the axe.
Ms. Kaede next to him looked clearly displeased. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I just left her alone. Mr. Angelo ignored her mood and turned to me, bowing politely.
“Good morning. The weather is fine today—ah, did I wake you?”
“No, I’m used to waking early. I just came because I was curious about the noise.”
I smiled as I answered, and Mr. Angelo placed his hand on his chest and let out a relieved breath.
“That’s good.”
His face crinkled with a broad smile that nearly closed his eyes.
That smile was surprisingly childlike and innocent, making it hard to believe he was much older than me.
“Hmph.”
…Ms. Kaede seemed to mutter something again.