Morning sunlight streamed into the room as Luo Xiya slowly awoke.
A gentle weight pressed down on her, nestled against her snowy peaks, tickling slightly.
Rubbing her eyes, Luo Xiya reached out and pulled it closer, turning over in the process.
The touch was a bit cool, holding him felt like hugging a little air conditioner.
It was the turn of spring to summer, and for once, Luo Xiya had woken up without breaking into a sweat.
As with any waking moment, there was a brief daze.
It took Luo Xiya nearly a full minute to come back to her senses before she abruptly threw back the blanket.
Their snow-white skin was exposed to the air at the same time.
The sudden chill made Roman frown uncomfortably, and seeing that frown, Luo Xiya only found every expression of his utterly adorable.
Next, she began admiring the countless “masterpieces” she’d left on Roman’s body the night before as though she were appreciating fine art, red marks stretching from his neck to his chest, too many to count at a glance.
It reminded her of red plum blossoms blooming in the snow during winter in the capital.
The hardworking Countess of Lily thought to herself with no small amount of elegance.
From what she remembered, Roman had gone from begging for mercy, to half-resisting, to finally shutting his eyes and letting out soft moans, just like a prideful little kitten.
Luo Xiya pulled the blanket back over Roman and slipped out herself.
Bright sunlight spilled into the room.
Luo Xiya let out a comfortable sigh as she felt its warmth kiss her face, stretching her arms lazily to enjoy the moment, her curves on full display.
Looking down, she froze for a moment, then reached up to cover her chest, her cheeks tinged red.
After putting on her bra and panties, Luo Xiya propped herself up on one arm and looked down at Roman’s cheek.
Thinking back on the details of last night, Luo Xiya narrowed her eyes, smiling like a little fox who’d gotten her way.
Her long fingers brushed across Roman’s slightly swollen lips, yet another one of her masterpieces from last night.
At the peak of their shared passion, she had taken his first kiss without asking for his consent.
And whether it was his first kiss or not, Luo Xiya was now even more certain that it had been.
She was a complete novice in this area, with all her knowledge coming from theory, but Roman had been even more clueless than she was, letting her do whatever she pleased.
Recalling that first kiss, Luo Xiya leaned against the headboard, eyes closed, brows occasionally raising with delight.
The initial touch of lips had felt like kissing a snowflake.
Then, under her warmth, the snowflake melted away, leaving only a flowing stream of warmth.
Climbing out of bed, Luo Xiya walked to the window and pulled the curtains wide open.
Her estate was built on higher ground, and from her room, she could almost take in the full view of her domain.
As a noblewoman, nothing brought greater satisfaction than land and beauty.
Looking behind her and then out the window, Luo Xiya’s lips curled into a smile.
On this radiant morning, she felt immensely content.
A knock came at the door, and only then did Luo Xiya rein in her expression slightly and call out for the person outside to come in.
The tall head maid Elise stepped through the door, giving a slight bow.
As she lowered her head, her eyes flicked subtly to Roman lying in bed.
Roman was still fast asleep, probably exhausted from the night before.
His fragrant shoulder peeked out from under the blanket, gently rising and falling with each breath.
Elise’s sharp eyes caught everything, the redness and swelling of Roman’s lips, the red marks dotting his shoulder.
His silver hair had turned into a wild mess, strands sticking out and the ends slightly curled.
The exposed part of his delicate face was visibly flushed, lips curved into a faint smile, as if lost in a pleasant dream.
This made her frown slightly, a rare flicker of surprise stirring within her.
She quietly glanced at Luo Xiya, who was standing by the window, opening it and leaning forward slightly to breathe in the breeze with pleasure.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted downward, Luo Xiya’s legs moved with a light bounce, showing no sign of anything unusual.
Luo Xiya turned around and caught the fleeting glance Elise had cast toward Roman.
She raised an eyebrow for once, staring at Elise with clear displeasure.
Sigh…
Elise realized she’d been caught.
Lowering her head apologetically, she couldn’t help letting out a sigh.
On the very first day Luo Xiya brought Roman here, she was even willing to help him change clothes herself, completely unbothered by such things.
But now, with her possessiveness taking over, even Elise wasn’t exempt from hostility.
“Elise, bring me that coat of mine,” Luo Xiya said softly.
“Yes, my lady.”
“Oh, right.”
“Hmm?”
“If I’m not mistaken, Tania is visiting today, isn’t she?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then I’ll have to give her a proper welcome.”
Turning back, Luo Xiya flashed a mischievous smile and walked barefoot toward Elise.
As she passed by Roman, she paused and gently covered the exposed shoulder he’d thrown off in his sleep.
Elise kept her head dutifully lowered, her gaze never leaving the floor.
Before long, Luo Xiya stood in front of the full-length mirror, dressed in a tight-fitting shirt and a black count’s coat.
“When Roman wakes up later, tell him I have some business to attend to. Make sure he eats breakfast properly,” she instructed as Elise helped tidy her collar.
After a moment, she added, “He really likes that millet porridge. Bring a bowl up to him later, just leave it by his side. A few side dishes on the side…”
Elise carefully memorized each and every word.
She thought to herself that she’d go to the kitchen personally later.
“All done, my lady.”
Elise stepped back, appraising Luo Xiya’s appearance with a nod of approval.
Her natural nobility, stunning looks, and the physique honed by years of sword dancing, Luo Xiya in a count’s coat radiated confidence and elegance.
Luo Xiya slowly reached out her hand. Her sword flew to her palm in an instant.
With a casual flick, she spun it into a graceful arc and fastened it at her waist.
She then put on a velvet-trimmed hat and smiled at Elise.
“Then, I’ll be off?”
“I’ll take good care of the estate in your absence.”
Once the door closed behind her, some time passed before Roman finally stirred awake.
Sitting up in a daze, he rubbed his sleepy eyes, then leaned back against the pillow for another short nap.
When he woke again, a gentle fragrance suddenly reached his nose.
“Lord Roman, you’re awake?” Elise’s voice sounded beside him, and Roman opened his eyes.
She placed a tray at the bedside, setting down a bowl of porridge and several small dishes.
“This was prepared on Lady Luo Xiya’s orders. Would you like to wash up first, or eat breakfast now?” she asked, making sure to emphasize her words.
This was probably what warmth felt like, far more than any sweet words, it was the little actions that moved a person most.
The eating habits of this world were clearly different from his previous life.
Luo Xiya’s thoughtful gesture could only come from genuine care.