Roman slowly awakened, his expression dazed as he opened his eyes.
At that moment, he was facing the window.
The evening breeze made the curtains billow in waves, and through the fabric, Roman could vaguely see the blazing red sunset and the evening glow slowly sinking below the horizon.
Not yet fully awake, he found himself momentarily lost to the concept of time.
How long had he been asleep?
Roman wondered, closing his eyes again.
He had always been a light sleeper, rarely experiencing deep sleep.
Partly, it was because he’d been vigilant since childhood, and partly because his mind was always occupied with worries—even in sleep, he found it hard to relax.
He didn’t know what was different today, but he’d fallen into a deep nap, and waking up now felt almost like stepping into another day.
Turning his head to stare at the ceiling, Roman began to think about the events of the day.
Maybe it was because Luo Xiya had helped him properly lay ‘Mother’ to rest that he was able to relax so much, if only for a moment.
Just as he was slowly regaining his senses with his eyes closed, he suddenly realized something.
The next second, Roman flipped over and sat up from the bed.
Throwing off the covers, he didn’t even bother putting on his shoes before pushing the door open and rushing out.
The corridor in the evening was exceptionally quiet.
The sunset poured in through each window, dyeing the entire hallway in golden hues.
An indescribable emptiness echoed in his heart, growing stronger with each passing moment.
Standing quietly at the doorway in the empty corridor, Roman was bathed in the sunlight streaming through the window, which left a gentle kiss on his face.
His delicate, soft features seemed more defined and mysterious in this light.
And there was a faint trace of worry on his face.
After a while, he reached up to smooth the messy ends of his hair, tousled from sleep, and straightened his rumpled clothes.
Then, looking around, he suddenly found himself at a loss for what to do.
Since coming to this world, Luo Xiya had given him a sense of security he’d never felt before.
She was always there, caring for him, sheltering him, keeping him close at all times, not allowing him to suffer even the slightest grievance.
Drifting in this ocean filled with love and tenderness, Roman found both body and soul delighted.
While enjoying her gentleness, he was quietly being changed by her—gradually growing used to her holding his hand, her embraces, even her kisses, and by now, he could even take the initiative to seek her affection.
The silent and resilient man he once was had, at some point, become a thing of the past.
Lin Xuan’s shadow on Roman was growing fainter and fainter.
At the same time, he felt himself becoming softer and more vulnerable.
Especially when he pushed open the door and, failing to sense that familiar, intimate presence in the Estate, for a moment, his heart felt so fragile that even he was startled.
Roman retreated back into the room he shared with Luo Xiya, returning to sit by the bed, his slender legs curled up against his chest.
Wrapping his arms around his knees, he rested his chin gently on top, gazing at his own fair, dainty feet.
No one, not even himself, knew what he was thinking right now.
After a while, he reached out and cupped his cheeks in his hands.
I already…
He already couldn’t bear to be apart from Luo Xiya.
Half dazed, half shy, he was startled by a sudden knock at the door.
Roman’s train of thought was interrupted, and he was seized by a sudden sense of danger, as if his private space had been invaded.
“Who is it?” he asked from the bed.
“Roman, you’re awake, aren’t you?”
A gentle, mature woman’s voice sounded at the door.
Hearing Lady Catherine’s voice, the furrow in Roman’s brow unconsciously relaxed.
“I just woke up, my lady. Is there something you need?” he asked softly.
There was no immediate reply.
After a few seconds, the other party spoke, “May I come in?”
“Of course,” Roman replied without hesitation.
The sound of the door opening followed, and the elegant, alluring Lady Catherine slowly entered from the doorway.
A faint fragrance immediately filled the air, along with a rose-like perfume.
“Did you sleep well?”
Lady Catherine naturally moved to Roman’s side, tidying up his bed like a true mother.
“I’ve never slept so comfortably before,” Roman answered honestly, glancing down now and then at Lady Catherine’s movements.
Although he’d felt an unprecedented emptiness and loneliness upon waking, the energy and vitality brought by such deep sleep were obvious.
Even his complexion had improved noticeably. In the sunset, Roman’s cheeks were rosy, as bright and appetizing as apples.
Lady Catherine, having finished folding the quilt, couldn’t help but purse her lips in a gentle laugh.
When she’d seen Roman asleep at noon, she’d quietly cast an Anmian Spell on him, letting him fall into a comfortable sleep, quickly entering a dream state where he could see the scenes he most wished for.
Lady Catherine herself would use this spell whenever she suffered from insomnia due to stress.
Thinking of this, Lady Catherine’s cheeks flushed a little, and a trace of curiosity arose.
What would Roman dream about?
“As long as you slept well.” Lady Catherine frowned slightly as she glanced at Roman’s thin clothes.
She picked up Luo Xiya’s shawl from the side and draped it over Roman, gently fussing over him, “It’s easy to catch a chill after waking up. Look at you now.”
As she covered Roman with the shawl, Lady Catherine’s gaze naturally fell on Roman’s smooth, small feet, and then on his slender calves and fair thighs, all exposed.
Her eyes lingered for a few seconds before she wrapped Luo Xiya’s shawl more snugly around Roman, making sure he wouldn’t catch cold.
Roman sat there, dumbfounded by Lady Catherine’s intimate gestures and caring expression.
Thinking back to his time with Lady Catherine and the increasingly familiar days, he realized that compared to the so-called birth mother in his memories, the warmth Lady Catherine had given him these past few days was far greater.
With this in mind, the emptiness and loneliness he’d felt just minutes ago faded considerably.
Lady Catherine looked up just in time to see the smile at the corner of Roman’s lips, and she couldn’t help but smile herself, asking curiously, “Is something making you happy?”
“Ah…”
Roman snapped back to himself, looking at Lady Catherine’s beautiful face so close to his, swallowing nervously as he shook his head.
“I see.”
Lady Catherine sat down by the bed as well, studying Roman.
“How long have you been awake?”
“Just now.”
“When I came in, I noticed your mind seemed a little absent. Is something bothering you?”
Lady Catherine asked with concern.
Seeing the hesitation in Roman’s eyes, she added, “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. Come down for dinner soon, you didn’t eat at noon.”
“It’s not something I can’t talk about.”
Roman shook his head.
“It’s just that when I woke up, I found that Sister Luo Xiya was gone, so…”
“You’re a little sad?”
Lady Catherine gently stroked Roman’s head, her tone full of concern.