The door creaked open. Freya’s soft footsteps approached.

“Mia, what are you giggling about all alone in your room??”

Karl, still in bed, turned pale at his wife’s voice, legs trembling.

Thankfully, Mia’s bed was large and the mattress plush—Karl sank into a soft dip, fully hidden beneath the quilt.

Mia tugged the quilt tight, pressing one leg over Karl, then feigned calmness:

“N-no… I wasn’t laughing… You must’ve heard wrong, Sister.”

No way she’d admit her brother-in-law had pinned her down tickling her.

Freya’s brows furrowed slightly at Mia’s shifty eyes. “Are you hiding something from me??”

“N-no! Of course not! Why would I hide anything from you, Sister? You’re overthinking it!”

As she spoke, Mia shifted her leg—her smooth, fair skin brushed Karl’s nose. He froze, torn between panic and fluster.

His life hung by a thread. One slip, and it was over.

Freya’s eyes narrowed. “Why rush straight to bed after dinner??”

She reached for the quilt.

Mia snatched it back instantly. “D-don’t pull it! It’s cold!!!”

“Hiding something under there?! Hand it over!!” Freya’s tone turned stern.

Karl’s face drained of color. He gripped the quilt desperately from beneath, heart hammering.

“Defying your sister now?! I’m flipping this quilt today!!!” Freya tightened her hold.

Mia wilted. “O-okay… don’t pull. I’ll tell you everything.”

*Oh crap!* Karl’s mind screamed. *You spineless sister-in-law—giving up already?! Our secret’s blown?! And she didn’t even try!*

*Wait… Why does this feel like *I’m* the one cheating?! We’re completely innocent! At most… I was just hiding under her quilt… brushing her thigh…*

*…*

*…*

*…*

*No explanation possible! If Freya sees me—cleaver ending guaranteed!!!!*

Just as Karl’s heart leaped into his throat, Mia carefully pulled two books from under her pillow, pretending they’d been hidden beneath the quilt. “Here…”

Freya’s eyes narrowed at the titles: *Loving the One You Shouldn’t*, *The Baron’s Second Son Fell for Me*.

One glance told her everything. “Where’d you get these? If Mom sees them, you’re getting spanked.”

Mia pouted, head down. “Nana lent them… I haven’t even opened them.”

(Nana was Mia’s maid—just like Ling.)

“Sister, please don’t tell Mom~~ I’ll return them right away!” Mia pleaded.

Freya tucked the books away. “I’ll keep them. After I read them…” She paused. “…After I check if they’re suitable, I’ll decide.”

Mia muttered under her breath, “So *you* wanted to read them…”

Freya shot her a cold glare. “What was that?”

“N-nothing! I said nothing!!” Mia shook her head wildly.

Freya turned toward the door. “Get up. Burrowing in bed all day’ll rust your bones.”

“Okaaay…” Mia replied weakly.

The door clicked shut. Karl let out a shaky sigh and peeked out from the quilt—still faintly scented of Mia.

*Thud!* The door flew open again.

Karl dove back under.

“Oh—have you seen your brother-in-law? He wasn’t in the study.”

Mia swallowed hard. “I… I think he went to the garden looking for you. Maybe you crossed paths?”

Karl’s face pressed flat against her thigh. Not daring to breathe.

“I’ll check the garden. Now get up!” Freya closed the door.

Only after her footsteps faded did Karl slowly emerge.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack…”

Mia eyed his sweat-drenched face. “Brother-in-law’s such a scaredy-cat. Just hearing Sister made you soak my sheets.”

“Shut up! You’re drenched too!” His nose and lips were damp where her skin had brushed them.

“Hmph! I was scared, but I faced her. Did *you* dare come out?!”

“…”

“…No.”

“Exactly. So lame.” Mia tossed the quilt aside and hopped off the bed.

Karl stood up. “I’m out. If Freya can’t find me, she’ll tear the house apart.”

Mia’s room was a death trap. One more return visit—game over.

“You made me lose two books! Compensate me!”

“They were trash. Serves you right.”

“Fine! I’ll tell Sister *you* lent them to me—and hid under my quilt rubbing my thigh!”

“My dearest Mia,” Karl said earnestly, “name your price. Anything I can do, I’ll do.”

*A true man knows when to yield!*

Mia grinned. “Come tell me a bedtime story tonight.”

“…”

“Just kill me now.”

“Huh? You sleep with Sister—why not me?!”

“Have you no shame?! She’s my *wife*! What are *we*?!”

“I’m your lawful sister-in-law!”

“Spare me. If Freya catches us, we’re both doomed.”

“Mmm… Fine. Stories after dinner then. No sleeping over.” Mia stepped back, disappointment clear.

“And in the *living room*! No entering your room!” Karl stated firmly.

“Tch. How boring.” (￣へ￣)