After a long day’s work, Lorin dozed off on the carriage ride back to his mansion.

He only stirred when the carriage jolted to a stop before his estate.

“Where on earth did that guy run off to?”

Lorin had lingered at Xueyi’s place earlier but still hadn’t seen her.

Guess he’d have to visit another day.

The moment he stepped inside, a maid approached. “Your Highness, you’re back.”

“Mm.” Lorin rubbed his temples, easing the day’s fatigue. Seeing the maid still hovering, he frowned. “What is it?”

She never acted like this.

“Your Highness, it’s just—”

Before she could finish, another maid shouldered past her, shooting a meaningful glance.

“Dinner’s ready, Your Highness,” the second maid said smoothly. “Shall you dine first or bathe?”

“I’ll eat.” Food first, then a bath—straight to bed after.

Lorin headed straight for the dining room.

Once he vanished from sight, the first maid whispered, “You were about to tell him, weren’t you? Miss Glaite said not to!”

“But he should know,” the other insisted, uneasy. “Don’t you think it’s risky?”

“Risky? Miss Glaite stayed here for ages. Who knows what’s *really* between them?” She wiggled her eyebrows, tapping her thumbs together.

“Really?”

“Who knows. Best not to meddle.”

Lorin ate lightly, bathed away the exhaustion, and collapsed onto his bed feeling reborn.

If only his territory assignment hadn’t been moved up—none of this rush. All thanks to Oulei’s scheming.

He meant to review unfinished tasks, but his eyelids grew heavy. Sleep swallowed him whole.

Half-dreaming, he sensed weight on his body again. He cracked one eye open, murmuring, “Another dream?”

To avoid last time’s nightmare, he shut his eyes tight. *Just sleep through it.*

But the shifting on the bed persisted. Something pressed against him under the covers.

Sighing, he peeled back the blanket.

A head popped out.

“Hah… hah… almost suffocated!”

Lorin stared blankly at the figure gasping atop him. No surprise.

Just like that dream. It was Xueyi.

She caught her breath, grinning. “Surprised?”

Lorin shook his head woodenly.

Her smile faltered. She’d expected him to jump.

*If not for that dream*, he *would* have. Now it just felt like a rerun.

“Give me *some* reaction,” she poked his cheek.

*Reaction?* He half-opened his eyes on cue. “Wow.”

Then tugged the blanket up, ready to sleep. Dream-energy drained him enough already.

Xueyi pouted. “You wanna sleep? *Fine!*”

She yanked his face toward hers and kissed him—no regard for whether he was awake.

Warmth flooded his mouth. Something soft as marshmallow slipped inside, searching…

It coiled around his tongue, treating *it* like the sweet treat.

Lorin jolted awake. This wasn’t a dream.

He shoved Xueyi back, gasping fresh air.

Both panted, staring.

Lorin’s face twisted in horror. “This… isn’t a dream?”

“Oh?” Xueyi traced her damp lips, a silvery thread stretching from her fingertip. “So you thought it was?”

*That* explained his flat reaction. She almost laughed—glad he’d mistaken it. His stunned face was priceless.

“But—why are you *here*?” He’d spent all day wondering where she’d vanished.

“Why not?” She propped her chin on her hands, still straddling him. “I lived here before, remember?”

Truth was, Xueyi had arrived right after Lorin left at noon.

She’d planned to wait for him—but a mischievous idea struck.

She’d bribed the maids to stay silent and hid in her old room.

While Lorin searched for her, she’d watched him from the shadows all evening.

Lorin rubbed his forehead. “I don’t recall this being *your* room.”

“It’s not. But if you *want* me to stay…”

Honestly, she’d stay whether he wanted it or not.

“Where were you these past two days?”

He’d noticed her absence when he skipped the academy. A rest day had delayed his search.

“These two days…” Just recalling it drained him. Too tired even to shove her off. Let her use him as a mattress.

At least now he could tell her everything.