SMCBRN Chapter 3

What good would it do to feel wronged? It wasn’t like I could protest to God, or to the Crown Prince, for that matter.

 

When the future emperor of the empire makes a request, a mere noble lady has no room to refuse.

 

“…Rank really is power.”

 

“Yes, my lady?”

 

“Y-Yes! Did you need something? Please, say the word. I’ll carry out your orders at once!”

 

I’d grumbled under my breath, surely he didn’t hear that?

 

“To oust the host and claim the bed feels… a bit off.”

 

…Wait. Was he asking me to lie beside him?

 

“I don’t need the blanket, so take it with you.”

 

Of course. That figures.

 

“I’ll make sure you’re properly rewarded later. What do you like? Money?”

 

“Oh, no, that would be unthinkable. Just being of help to Your Highness is honor enough for my family.”

 

“Good answer. But still, you like money, don’t you?”

 

“Well… if Your Highness insists, I wouldn’t say no.”

 

Reynard smiled faintly, eyes half-lidded in amusement.

 

“I didn’t know you had that kind of personality. You’d never guess it from the rumors. Ah, and this little matter, we’ll keep it between us, yes? The fact that the Crown Prince suffers from insomnia, and possibly some kind of bizarre curse.”

 

“Of course!”

 

If a word of that got out, it would be ripe for political exploitation. I valued my neck too much to let that happen.

 

“Then I’ll count on you.”

 

With those final words, the Crown Prince closed his eyes. I stared at his face for a moment, mesmerized.

 

Those features, both strong and refined, and that hair, shimmering like spun gold… That novel’s line about “a sculpture shaped from all the world’s nobility” never felt more fitting.

 

If only he didn’t ruin it by occasionally spewing nonsense like “I think I’ve fallen for you.”

 

With that ridiculous thought in mind, I grabbed a blanket and headed for the sofa. Wandering around the mansion at this hour, claiming to look for a spare room, would only raise suspicion.

 

Just imagining the chaos that would erupt if anyone found out the Crown Prince was sleeping in my room was enough to give me a headache. And Reynard had asked me to keep it secret, too.

 

I laid the blanket on the sofa, then double-checked the terrace door. Looks like Reynard had locked it properly after entering.

 

To think someone could break into the marquisate so easily, well, even if he’s a supporting male lead, he’s still a male lead. Worst case, he’d probably steal before letting the heroine go hungry.

 

Let’s save the curses and comment section woes for tomorrow.

 

I sank into the sofa. Sleep crept in quickly, I was just as exhausted as he was.

 

But just as I was about to drift off into sweet dreams, someone shook my shoulder.

 

For the second time tonight, I was jolted awake by someone else’s whims just as sleep was taking me.

 

“…Is something wrong?”

 

Despite the irritation prickling at the edges of my voice, I forced a gentle tone. It was the Crown Prince, after all. But he looked far more annoyed than I felt.

 

“I can’t sleep. At first, I thought I’d finally be able to, but… the feeling just vanished.”

 

“Could it be that my bed has nothing to do with Your Highness’s insomnia after all?”

 

I asked hopefully, but he shook his head.

 

“I keep seeing your face in my mind, over and over again.”

 

He’s not even in love, so why is my face haunting him?!

 

Suddenly, the Crown Prince fixed me with a heated gaze.

 

“That sofa.”

 

“S-Sofa? What about it?”

 

“I want it. Hand it over.”

 

“…Pardon? Not the bed?”

 

“I don’t know why, but ever since earlier, I’ve had this urge to lie down there. You take the bed, I’ll take the sofa.”

 

So I returned to the bed. Reynard squeezed himself uncomfortably into the narrow sofa.

 

With his frame, even that couch looks small. It fit me just fine, though.

 

Honestly, if I got to sleep in the bed, all the better. Time to finally get some rest.

 

But… why the sudden switch? Could it be…

 

No. No way. I pushed away the silly thought and willed myself to sleep.

 

Fatigue must’ve caught up to me, because the moment my head hit the pillow, sleep seized me like a tide.

 

But again…

 

“My lady, would you get up for a moment?”

 

“…What now…”

 

There was no hiding the irritation in my voice this time. Being yanked from sleep over and over, it was starting to feel deliberate.

 

The Crown Prince looked sheepish, glancing away.

 

“I can’t sleep on the sofa either.”

 

“And?”

 

“I feel like… I can only sleep in the bed again. Not the sofa.”

 

“…So, are you saying…”

 

I finally gave voice to the question that had been nagging me for a while.

 

“Do you need to sleep with me?”

 

Reynard paused, then nodded, somewhat reluctantly.

 

“I think you’re right. It’s not the ‘bed’ I need, but wherever you are sleeping.”

 

“That’s what I thought too.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

An awkward silence fell. I regretted saying it immediately.

 

Reynard let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand down his face like he was in distress.

 

Was the idea of sharing a bed with me that unbearable?

 

“…There’s no helping it. My lady, would you lie beside me?”

 

It’s not like I had the guts to refuse the Crown Prince.

 

Fortunately, Charlotte’s bed was spacious enough for two. Reynard climbed in beside me and drew an imaginary line down the middle with his finger.

 

“Don’t cross this line.”

 

Ouch. That stung. Seriously?! What kind of deviant does he think I am?

 

Sure, I may have entertained a fantasy or two, but I’m not the type to act on it, okay?!

 

He was the one barging into my room and asking to share a bed, three times, no less. The least he could do was show some courtesy.

 

I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to say something.

 

“Your Highness… please know that I harbor no indecent intentions toward you. I would appreciate it if you kept that in mind…”

 

That was the most rebellious statement I dared make. But really, what choice did I have?

 

Look at those bloodshot eyes. Lack of sleep, sure, but they gave off serious menace.

 

To my surprise, he actually heard my whispered protest and looked embarrassed.

 

“Hey, I think you misunderstood. I didn’t say that because I’m afraid you’ll jump me.”

 

“…Then why?”

 

“I have a reflex. If someone touches me while I sleep, I strike back without thinking. I’ve had too many assassins come after me in my sleep.”

 

Suddenly, the mood grew heavy.

 

“I’ve put my sword away, but… I still might lash out. That’s why I said not to cross the line. For your safety.”

 

“I see… Your Highness’s consideration moves me deeply.”

 

Embarrassed by my earlier misunderstanding, I mumbled nonsense to cover it.

 

“I’m glad we cleared that up. I know this must be difficult for you, a single woman, sharing a bed with an unrelated man. You must feel uneasy. But rest assured, I don’t harbor even the slightest ill intent.”

 

I wasn’t worried about that, to be honest. Sure, people say all men are wolves, but that doesn’t apply to romance novel male leads or their second leads.

 

One of their core traits is ignoring any woman who isn’t the heroine. The male leads in <Looking for a Husband> all followed that rule to the letter.

 

But still…

 

Being told so bluntly that he had zero interest in me kind of stung. I was already planning our fictional wedding, you know!

 

> “I’ll remember your efforts. If there’s anything you want besides money, say the word.”

 

> “Thank you. I have calm sleep habits, so please don’t worry.”

 

> “Good. Sleep well, my lady.”

 

Reynard smiled faintly and closed his eyes. Up close, he was breathtaking. That narcissism of his? Totally justified.

 

But now that we were under the same blanket, my heart pounded. He was close enough to touch, and if I did reach out, I might not survive it.

 

Then a thought struck me.

 

Wait a minute. Are my sleep habits really that calm?

 

They were. Before I possessed this body. But Charlotte? I had no clue. She always slept alone no one could’ve told me.

 

I whispered very quietly.

 

“Your Highness, are you asleep?”

 

“No, not yet.”

 

“This is purely personal curiosity, but… what happened to the assassins who dared to touch you in your sleep?”

 

“That’s a rather obvious question. You really are something, my lady. I didn’t think you’d wonder about that.”

 

“Haha, I’ve always been quite curious by nature.”

 

“They all died. On the spot.”

 

“…On the spot?”

 

“I know I should keep one alive to find out who sent them, but I’m half-asleep at the time. Can’t control myself.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“But don’t worry. You said your sleep habits are calm, right? And there’s no sword nearby. Also… I think sleeping beside you really was the key. I’m getting sleepy…”

 

He yawned and his voice faded. His breathing soon fell into a peaceful rhythm.

 

Me? I was wide awake again. But this time, my heart was pounding for a very different reason.

 

If Charlotte’s sleep habits are even half as wild as her temper, I’m dead.

 

Just look at those muscles, clearly defined even under his clothes. He might not have a weapon, but with a body like that, who needs one?

 

My eyes were dry with fatigue, but one thing was crystal clear…

 

I was spending this night wide awake, eyes open.