Morning light burst through the window and fell across Shin's face on the bed. His eyelids twitched, his brow furrowed slightly, and only then did his eyes crack open.
Ayano stood beside her bed, leaning over to look at him.
"Lord Shin."
Shin pulled the blanket tighter, trying to avoid the dazzling light.
"What time is it?"
"Past nine."
Shin yawned. He had stayed up rather late last night tinkering with Sealing Jutsu. Ayari should have been up by now.
Ayano went to open the window. Cool light and wind rushed in together, gradually dispelling the haze of sleep from his mind.
"Lord Shin, breakfast is ready."
"Mm."
Shin merely responded lazily, then lifted a corner of his blanket. Seeing this, Ayano obediently slipped off her outer robe and crawled inside, where Shin pulled her into his arms.
Ever since Ayari moved in, Ayano had not lain here again, and Shin no longer needed her to warm his bed.
Though Shin occasionally went to her room, her treatment was no longer the same as before. She was more like a servant now.
Shin kept his eyes shut, seeming to want to hold her and sleep a little longer.
Ayano took one of his hands and slipped it into her clothes herself.
Other than the slight chill of her clothing, all Shin felt was soft, warm fragrance.
He buried his face in Ayano's hair and took a deep breath, saying lazily, "Your scent is very different from Ayari's."
Ayano asked, "Then whose do you prefer?"
The moment she said it, pain shot through her chest, and she immediately stopped talking.
A sudden knock sounded at the bedroom door, followed by Ayari's voice from outside.
"Get up already. Look at the time."
Hearing her, Ayano hesitated and tried to climb out from