Chapter 37: Dear, Thank You!
Most girls would've been freaked out after what happened last night.
But here she was, laughing like nothing ever happened.
Was she just indifferent or incredibly tough?
Frederick smiled and walked over.
Rebecca was recounting last night's events to Isabella, who teased her for finally standing up for herself despite being so kind and easygoing.
The two were chatting away, lost in their conversation.
Feeling the mattress dip beside her, Rebecca glanced up to see Frederick lying down.
Maybe he wasn't ready to sleep yet.
Or maybe he saw her still on her phone.
Frederick didn't turn off the light.
Their eyes met, and Rebecca felt a sudden rush of panic, her heart pounding for no reason.
What should she say?
Goodnight?
Or, I'm not done chatting, I'll be on my phone a bit longer?
Before Rebecca could decide, Frederick's deep voice broke the silence, "Not going to sleep yet?"
"...I'm going to sleep now!"
Rebecca nodded, glanced at the screen full of messages, and quickly sent Isabella a "Goodnight, I'm going to sleep" before muting her phone and putting it away.
The next moment, the room went dark as the light switched off.
From light to dark, Rebecca instinctively hunched her shoulders.
The faint scent of sandalwood filled the air, and Rebecca’s body slowly began to relax.
Her mind, however, was unusually alert.
She thought about her helpless self leaning against the lamppost.
About Dennis, who had handed her a spiked drink with a gentle "Becca, blessings to you."
And about Frederick, who had appeared like an angel after her desperate cry of "Frederick."
And in front of the dormitory, where he had walked up to her through the snow to call out her little lie.
In the dark room, Rebecca’s heart pounded loudly.
"Frederick?"
Rebecca’s voice was barely a whisper, as if testing whether he was asleep.
Frederick, who had just closed his eyes, suddenly opened them.
He waited for a long time, but she didn’t continue. He knew she would only relax and fall asleep if she was sure he was asleep.
Just as Frederick was about to close his eyes again, that soft whisper came once more, "Dear, thank you!"
The sudden rush of his heartbeat pounded painfully in his ears, and in the darkness, Frederick’s eyes narrowed sharply.
The beast inside him roared loudly.
It banged against the iron cage, the chains around its neck clinking, as if it wanted to break free and pounce.
Pounce on her, pin her down, and look into her eyes to seriously confirm: What did you say? Say it again!
With a storm raging in his heart, Frederick turned over, facing her.
In the next moment, he noticed Rebecca’s body tense up, as if she was extremely nervous.
The beast inside Frederick stopped abruptly.
Then, step by step, it slowly retreated back into its cage.
There was some hurt.
But more than that, there was joy.
The faint scent in the room slowly faded, leaving only her delicate fragrance.
Through the thin sliver of moonlight coming through the curtain, he couldn’t see Rebecca’s face, but he could make out the rise and fall of the blanket beside him.
She was right there.
The person who once seemed unreachable was now lying beside him, something he hadn’t even dared to dream of.
Not to mention, she had gone from calling him Mr. Windsor to secretly calling him dear.
A lifetime is long.
No rush!
Frederick sighed softly in his heart and closed his eyes again.
As his consciousness began to fade, just before he fell into a deep sleep, Rebecca turned over, naturally rolling into his arms.
Maybe she liked the scent.
Or perhaps the embrace was warm.
Rebecca snuggled her forehead comfortably.
A tingling sensation spread through his chest, and Frederick couldn’t resist lowering his head, capturing Rebecca’s lips.