Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 150
Kyden, who suggested going back to like how they spend in the cabin for a week, truly ignited with the same fervor as before.
Every evening, after finishing his work, he would rush home like someone with urgent matters and sweep Roel into his arms. Most dinners were spent with her perched on his lap.
Having given up on resisting, Roel let herself be carried around like a soaked stuffed toy, realizing that flailing about only drained her energy.
Whether he pressed her down or lifted her up, or placed her on his knees, she relaxed and went limp, treating his lap like a chair.
Yet, no matter how much she conserved her energy by yielding to him, she ultimately found herself worn out first.
When her weary moans turned into a signal to stop, she would rub her cheek against his chest, prompting Kyden to wrap her in a tight embrace with a satisfied smile, nearly taking her breath away.
How had he managed to hold back for so long, despite wanting this? Of course, she had no intention of continuing this way indefinitely. It was a temporary indulgence to enjoy until his birthday, after which life would return to normal.
As Roel recalled the past few days, her face flushed, causing Lady Lorraine to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
“I, I caught a cold. But I’m much better now…”
“It’s not even winter, yet you’re saying you caught a cold?”
“I know.”
“You need to take care of yourself.”
Roel offered an awkward smile and looked away. She couldn’t very well explain that the shadows under her eyes were from their sleepless nights of making love.
Whether he sensed her discomfort or not, Kyden welcomed his family in his usual manner, looking healthier than usual. He immediately laid down the law with his siblings.
“If you cause a ruckus this time, I’ll kick you out.”
Kyden’s brothers were nearly as large as he was. While they might not have matched his looks, they were all tall and manly. His second brother, Kysen, managed the territory in place of their father, while the third brother, Kyron, had become a son-in-law to a wealthy family in another region a year ago. Though it was an arranged marriage, they reportedly got along quite well.
“Just do well, older brother.”
“I do well.”
“I do well too.”
“Me too!”
As the brothers teased each other and exchanged barbs, Kyden gritted his teeth in frustration. However, he couldn’t lash out at them, mindful of Roel’s presence. His brothers were well aware of this and continued to poke fun.
Their voices remained low, but a tense silent standoff ensued. Roel couldn’t help but shake her head at how alike they were.
At first, watching them growl at each other like people desperate to devour one another left Roel at a loss, but she seemed to have adapted a bit now. She could easily ignore their little squabbles.
It was Jared who put an end to their childish power struggle.
“Kyden. The Count wants you to come up quickly.”
“What’s going on?”
“There’s a territory causing trade disputes lately, and he wants to consult with you about it…”
Count Serley would always turn to Kyden whenever there were territorial wars or disputes with other regions. Even if it wasn’t directly related to the lands Kyden managed, he would ask for troop support from him.
It was annoying, but it also meant that he trusted Kyden as one of his close associates.
Was he planning to send Kyden to the conflict zone? Roel listened with concern, and Jared shared unexpected news.
“He has some questions about marriage.”
“….Why would he ask me about his own marriage?”
“Lady Eliope is strongly opposed to the Count’s marriage. Apparently, she’s a Viscount’s daughter with considerable wealth, but she’s a widow with two children.”
“Hmmm.”
Kyden rubbed his chin, as if he could guess the situation.
In the end, Serley had gotten what he wanted. He found an older woman with sufficient wealth and the experience and wisdom to guide him. Given that he was insisting on marrying despite the conflict with his mother, it seemed he had made up his mind.
Calling Kyden over meant he wanted help persuading Lady Eliope. She trusted Kyden, who had saved Serley’s life multiple times.
Roel stepped closer to Kyden.
“It seems the Count is finally thinking about getting married.”
“It seems so.”
Kyden nodded in agreement.
A few years ago, watching him only chasing married women for dates at a banquet made him think he was hopeless. Though he had wealth and charm, finding a husbandless woman wasn’t easy, and she worried that he might struggle to marry.
But it looked like he had found his ideal type.
Deciding to think about going to the Count’s territory later, Kyden and Roel led their families to the dining hall.
“It must be tiring to have come so far. Please come in quickly.”
Thanks to Roel’s efforts, conversations flowed comfortably whenever the family gathered.
Jared would often discuss how to manage their territories and command the soldiers with Kyden and Kysen, while Lady Lorraine would share tips with Roel on managing the household, asserting the master’s authority over the servants, and the importance of mingling with the ladies from neighboring territories.
As they chatted about various topics, one recurring theme emerged:
“Is there still no news of a child?”
The conversation inevitably turned to the subject of the next generation.
