In the bedroom, after taking a shower and changing into underwear and pajamas, Funina lay on the bed but couldn't fall asleep.
Whenever she thought of Leo, she felt a flutter of shyness and snuggled into her covers, laughing softly to herself. She wasn't sure why she was laughing. It feels like I've tricked the pure-hearted boy into falling for me. He's so… cute!
From the living room came the sound of running water—Leo hadn't left yet. Sitting up, Funina considered her next move, then quietly rose and crept to the door, opening it just a crack.
On the balcony, Leo was rubbing clothes in his hands. His ice-elemental power circulated faintly, chilling the air and keeping his sharp thoughts in check.
A strange sensation ran through his nose, and he raised his hand, wiping it. A hint of warmth met his fingers. Looking at the blood, he realized: he had a nosebleed.
Quickly, he turned on the faucet, rinsed his face, stuffed two pieces of paper into his nostrils, and continued rubbing the clothes.
Leo! Funina thought. How could you be so useless? I barely sniffed my clothes twice, and you're already defeated! What's next?
Leo, feeling a gaze from the shadows, glanced toward the corner of the balcony. Their eyes met, and the air between them shifted subtly.
Funina's heart skipped a beat—she had been caught peeking! But who was she? Oh… Funina!
"Ahem. Leo, brush your shoes. Good night!"
With that, Funina slammed the door shut. She touched her face and glanced toward the shoes on the balcony. There was no escaping her fate: she would have to clean them.
After flattening the clothes and placing them on the rack, Leo prepared for the final challenge. He bent down, picked up the elegant black shoes from the balcony, and tossed them into the pool.
"Huh~"
Taking a deep breath, Leo began brushing his shoes, his ice-elemental power swirling around him, freezing any mischievous thoughts.
A while later, the shoes were spotless, and the pressure of the task vanished.
After closing the window and drawing the curtains, Leo stepped out the door. Glancing at his pocket watch, he saw it was half past eight. A rare night where I don't have to feed cats, dogs, or pigeons during my next early shift. The night is finally mine!
Passing through the living room, he spotted a half-eaten cake on the coffee table. After a moment's hesitation, he shrugged. Wouldn't it be a waste not to eat it? Residual saliva? Who cares. It's not my first time.
Leo sat on the sofa, enjoying the cake slowly. After finishing, he tidied up and prepared for a stroll through Fontaine Hall, with plans for a midnight snack and some wine. The master is an alcoholic anyway; I'm hardly worse.
At the bedroom door, Leo recalled Funina's earlier words and loosened his grip. The door remained tightly closed—she must not be asleep. He approached slowly, pacing evenly, and knocked lightly.
"Dong, dong, dong." Three solid knocks struck Funina. Even now, I won't lose my beastly nature.
"Lady Funina, good night!" he called, then quickly left the living room.
Inside the bedroom, Funina lay on the bed, reflecting on the unusual night. Sleep? Impossible.
Sitting up, she slipped on her slippers and went to the living room for the rest of the cake. But the coffee table was empty—her happiness had vanished.
Silence. Then anger. Little guard! No! Leo!
Without changing clothes, Funina stormed toward Leo's room. Why didn't he change? What a joke! At this hour, Momang Palace is empty except for Neuvillette, working late.
She knocked hard, then again—no response. Realizing Leo had left, her expression turned cold. Good night as promised, and you go out for a night on your own?
Funina headed to Neuvillette's office and knocked. The official looked up, surprised at her cold expression.
"Ms. Funina, what's wrong?"
"Give me the key to Leo's room! That boy ate my cake, locked himself in, and won't come out! I won't forgive him!" Funina said earnestly.
Neuvillette blinked, retrieved the spare key, and handed it over. In his mind, this was just a playful quarrel between them. A spat between lovers? No problem.
Funina caught the key, left thoughtfully, and returned to Leo's room. She turned on the light, searching for a hiding spot to surprise him, but found none.
Under the bed? Too obvious.
The cabinet? Too full.
The bathroom? Too risky.
Finally, her eyes landed on the quilt. It was soft enough that hiding under it, with the pillow as cover, she could almost disappear.
She slid her slippers off, crawled inside, and waited. Sleep tugged at her, but just as she was about to give in, she heard Leo's voice.
"Da da, da da, hum hum, ah ah ah~"
Despite claiming to be tone-deaf, his hums were strangely pleasant.
The bathroom door opened. Funina's heart raced, smelling faint alcohol. Where is he going at night?
Leo, slightly drunk but freshly showered, stepped out, wearing shorts. He lay down, humming, musing: A big bed is still comfortable. The one I ordered for Lady Funina arrives the day after tomorrow. Comfortable. Sleep.
He pulled the quilt over himself and rested, unaware of the hidden Funina.