A Butterfly Through the Mist - Chapter 105

“This is the room you’ll be using as your bedroom.”

The place Ilex opened for her was a room with a beautiful view located on the top floor of the mansion.

‘This is… the guest room?’

Tilia looked around the room in disbelief.

The room he offered was excessively large and stunningly beautiful. Yet despite its grand scale, it didn’t feel ostentatious—likely due to the balance of only essential decorations and the subdued carpet pattern.

‘Of course, just because it’s not flashy doesn’t mean the furniture isn’t more expensive than my annual salary.’

Managing her expression to hide her unease, Tilia stepped through the door he had opened for her.

Amidst the undeniably luxurious furnishings, her worn-out luggage sat awkwardly, like a package delivered to the wrong address. They were the belongings brought from the inn.

“The maids will sort your luggage tomorrow. For tonight, just rest. You must be tired.”

Ilex spoke as Tilia silently stared at her bags.

“I’d like to have breakfast with you, but I’ve got work early tomorrow.”

She turned around, baffled, and he shrugged and added, “Even if you’re disappointed, there’s nothing I can do. So don’t bother waking up early—get some good sleep. I’ll tell the maids not to wake you.”

“I’m not disappointed.”

Tilia shot back tersely and nudged the paper bag sitting between her luggage with her foot.

“…When will you be back after going out tomorrow?”

“Are you curious? About when I’ll be back?”

There was a strange anticipation in the man’s voice as he asked. In the softly lit room, the glint in his eyes became subtly intense, and it made Tilia turn away slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

“No.”

“I’ll be back in the evening. Let’s have dinner together.”

Despite her curt reply, he went ahead and made plans on his own.

“The glass greenhouse would be nice. The weather’s warming up perfectly.”

After that, neither Tilia nor Ilex spoke further.

A tense silence settled into the otherwise cozy room.

But it wasn’t the kind of unpleasant stillness Tilia had known before.

It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but she didn’t feel like running away either. It made her constantly wonder what the other person was thinking.

Even with her back turned slightly toward Ilex, Tilia could sense it—he, too, was feeling the same kind of tension tonight.

The stalemate lasted for a while.

“That’s enough. Get some sleep.”

It was Ilex who finally broke the taut atmosphere, his voice quiet like a retreating step.

“The bathroom should be ready. You must be tired…”

Looking down at the floor, he stepped back as if trying to convince himself.

“Just sleep. For tonight.”

Only once he had put some distance between them did Tilia finally lift her gaze from the paper bag and look at him.

Their eyes met—his pale blue-gray eyes now clearly filled with the desire he could no longer hide.

Thinking of the marks still lingering on her neck, Tilia unconsciously hid her sweating hands behind her back.

As he silently observed her flustered reaction, he finally let out a small sigh and turned away.

“I’m going.”

With a voice that sounded like he’d made a firm decision, he turned the doorknob and left the room.

Click. The moment the door shut, the heat that had filled the air seemed to dissipate like magic.

Haa. As her body relaxed, Tilia let out a flustered breath and moved to sink onto the daybed in front of her.

Clunk—the door suddenly opened again in haste.

“Tilia.”

Caught in the middle of sitting down, she looked toward Ilex, who had re-entered the room.

In her wide, startled green eyes, she saw him open his mouth with a shameless smile.

“My bedroom is the one next door.”

“……”

“To the left. Right next door.”

As if worried she might confuse left with right, Ilex even pointed to it with his finger.

“I always leave my door open.”

Hearing this unnecessary bit of information, Tilia let out a faint laugh despite herself. The uneasy heat rising from her chest faded, replaced by a teasing flutter.

“Get out.”

Still, she didn’t want him to notice her softened heart. Tilia spoke firmly and pushed him back. Ilex’s brow furrowed slightly.

“You heard me, right? My room is to the left—”

“I said get out.”

Tilia marched right up to him, sensing he would just keep repeating himself.

As the distance closed and the tall man filled her vision, his playful intentions blurred slightly.

Was he wearing cologne? Why did he smell so good? Tilia tried not to notice the scent coming from Ilex and spoke even more coldly on purpose.

“Get out. I’m going to sleep.”

“Want me to sing you a lullaby?”

But the tension vanished like a mirage at his absurd comment. She couldn’t help but laugh, and Ilex laughed along with her.

“I’m not joking.”

He added that as he glanced at her expression.

“I’ll put you to sleep. I figured you might be scared after everything today.”

Still smirking, Tilia lifted her head and looked at him. There was a flicker of hope on his face as he met her gaze.

Why hadn’t she noticed before? He was so easy to read. It was painfully obvious how much he wanted to be with her.

As he gazed at her face like he was enchanted, he spoke softly, “…Should I wash up?”

His husky voice made Tilia let out another small laugh. Then she reached out a hand toward him.

His body visibly tensed up. She could feel him holding his breath, waiting for her touch.

Click. But what she touched wasn’t Ilex—it was the doorknob.

Realizing too late that she had moved away, he watched her as she firmly said, “Out.”

“……”

“And lock your door. In case a thief sneaks in.”

He stared down at her like someone who had just been hit over the head, then let out a hollow laugh.

“I’m going to sleep. Hurry up and go.”

Tilia’s tone made it clear she didn’t care about his reaction.

He looked at her like she was an annoying but adorable creature, then finally said, “Alright,” and stepped back.

He’s finally going.

Just as Tilia let out a sigh of relief, thinking he was about to leave after dragging things out forever—

He grabbed her cheek and tilted her head up.

“Mm.”

Without warning, their lips met. A hot tongue slipped between her surprised lips.

The kiss wasn’t long. His tongue only skimmed the roof of her mouth before retreating. Then, as if reluctant, he nibbled lightly on her lower lip before letting go.

But that brief moment was enough to leave Tilia breathless.

“Good night, Tilia.”

As he stared at her trembling eyes, Ilex whispered, “If you need a lullaby, just come next door.”

With one more quick kiss on her lips, like a thief, he turned away.

“Lock your door. If you don’t want a thief coming in.”

With that, click, the door closed. Tilia stared blankly at it, then, realizing what had just happened, bit her lip.

“Seriously…”

Wiping her lips with her arm, Tilia muttered with a frustrated look, “What a scoundrel.”

Still, she couldn’t deny how helplessly drawn she was to the man who had just played such a low trick on her.

She stood there, heart pounding, then turned away without locking the door, pretending not to notice.

Her still-flushed eyes finally took in the room.

Now that the man was gone, Tilia was able to properly look around.

The soft carpet underfoot. The lighting luxurious but not overly extravagant. The table legs beautifully carved.

As she slowly looked around the spacious room, her gaze dropped as she touched the soft bedsheets.

It was too clean, too cozy. Uncannily aligned with her tastes.

As if it had been prepared with her arrival in mind.

She looked at the bed’s headboard, where two pillows were placed, then raised her eyes toward the door.

He said his bedroom was right next to mine.

But normally, would the master’s bedroom be right beside the guest room?

‘…Probably not.’

Tilia stared at the door with a faint, knowing smile, then turned her head.

Well, whatever. She could overlook this much.

Lightly brushing aside her suspicions, she walked across the carpet and into the bathroom.

‘Ah, right.’

Just before undressing completely, something came to mind. She hesitated, then quickly returned to the room and grabbed something as if on instinct.

‘Just in case a thief comes in.’

What she took with her—just in case—was the paper bag containing the new underwear she had so painstakingly chosen today.