Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 101
Roel stood still, looking at him with a puzzled expression, and changed the subject.
“You must be tired. Hurry up and wash up before bed.”
“Hmm.”
“I’ve already drawn the bath. Come on.”
Roel tried to guide him to the bathroom, but after a few steps, she faltered under his weight.
Surprised, Kyden quickly supported Roel, who leaned on him without thinking. With an awkward look, he asked, “… What have you been doing?”
“I just took a nap and looked out the window.”
“You didn’t go outside?”
“No… It felt unfamiliar.”
The people staying at the hotel seemed so affluent and relaxed that meeting them felt intimidating.
“Let’s explore together next time.”
Roel eagerly nodded in response to his kind offer. She had wanted to walk through the hotel’s garden with him but hadn’t asked out of concern that it might be bothersome.
“I’m sorry…”
Roel mumbled quietly, feeling anxious about his overwhelming consideration. Kyden couldn’t hear her due to her soft voice.
Once in the bathroom, Roel checked the water temperature. The bathwater, which she had prepared earlier, had become lukewarm because Kyden arrived late.
“The water has cooled. I’ll ask for some warm water.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s much better with warm water.”
Despite his protest, Roel quickly went to the living room and rang the service bell.
Roel had taken a warm bath earlier in the day, and after getting into the large tub filled with warm water, it felt like she was in heaven. She hoped Kyden would experience that same bliss.
After requesting the warm water from the hotel staff, Roel returned to the bathroom.
“They said it will be ready soon.”
“Okay.”
As soon as Roel finished speaking, Kyden stripped off his clothes and jumped into the lukewarm bath. The water splashed over, soaking Roel’s skirt.
“Kyden! You should wait for the warm water.”
“Really? I don’t mind.”
Disappointed, Roel slumped her shoulders.
Her plan was to relax Kyden with the prepared bathwater, and then, as he felt content and drowsy, to lie together in bed and talk about the day’s events before falling asleep in each other’s arms. But it seemed the plan was falling apart from the start.
Roel crouched in front of the bathtub, glancing at him. Kyden, leaning on the edge of the tub, raised an eyebrow as if to ask why.
“I was trying to help with your bath…”
“That’s great. Hurry up and get in.”
Kyden quickly nodded.
“That’s not helping with the bath.”
“Why not? We can bathe together.”
“I’ve already washed, so it’s fine.”
“I still want to bathe with you.”
“Stop it, you’ll get my clothes wet.”
As Roel tried to pull him away, a staff member arrived with the hot water, ringing the bell. Roel quickly adjusted her wet skirt and stepped outside.
“I’ll fill the tub with water for you, Guest.”
“Give it to me. I’ll handle it.”
“It’s quite heavy. Are you sure you can manage?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Although the basin filled with water was quite heavy, Roel didn’t want to show Kyden’s naked body to the outside staff.
‘She’ll surely blush seeing Kyden’s body. Who wouldn’t?’
At that moment, Roel realized how jealous she was. But it was something she couldn’t help.
On those cold winter nights filled with fear, she had been thrilled by Kyden’s broad shoulders, his massive chest like a shield, and his strong muscles.
At the time, she had thought it was due to fear and terror, but she was a little excited by his appearance as well.
‘Kyden probably didn’t feel that way…’
In contrast, his face, while holding her, was quite indifferent and numb.
His face, which had been so uninterested when he had touched her unlawfully, was now worlds apart from the hot, passionate expression he had now. The difference was stark, and she could feel it acutely.
Perhaps that was why she was so anxious. She had been watching him since the village, and Kyden hadn’t shown any interest in her. She felt that if the blizzard hadn’t trapped them in the cabin, she might never have won his heart.
‘I hope Kyden is only handsome in my eyes.’
Only Kyden treated her this well. Her relatives hated and despised her, the villagers ignored her, and the inn guests treated her like a discarded object, easily groping and teasing her.
Because of this, Roel didn’t feel valuable, but whenever Kyden looked at her with warmth, she felt special and cherished. It was like the warm sunlight on a cold winter’s day, melting her frozen heart.
So, Roel resolutely carried the heavy basin. She couldn’t bear the thought of showing his naked body to another woman, as he was precious to her.
Thinking that she wished Kyden would grow his beard again, she entered the bathroom.
“Kyden, um, the water is here, um…”
