It was a beautiful, sunny day with not a cloud in the sky. The waves were calm, and the wind was refreshing. In the wide crystal clear lake, there was a single boat.

Rowena was alone with Killian on the wide boat. They had a variety of sandwiches, fruits, and fresh flowers.

To anyone who looked at them, they looked like lovers on a cozy date. It was a scene she had only dreamed of during her three years as his mistress.

Rowena wished she could see inside the head of the man who was paddling the oars in front of her, just like how she had seen him again in the falling old building.

It had been a month since she came to this place. It was funny how every night she tossed and turned in her sleep, breathlessly expecting the connecting door to open. Still, he never once came into the bedroom, let alone held her. And that wasn’t all. Every day, he would have lunch with her and ask her about her daily life.

When he had abandoned her so cruelly five years ago, she had never been able to understand him. Now, after he had forced her to come to the castle, she couldn’t fathom how he could act as a gentle lover.

“Rowena.”

Killian reached to her as she took a bite of her scone.

She closed her eyes at the sudden action before licking the crumbs from her mouth. Rowena turned her head to the side as her red tongue was revealed. Killian looked at her refusing to face him and suddenly said.

“I’ve got something for you when you get back inside.”

“A present? You’ve already given me enough…”

Frankly, It was more than enough; by this point, it was overflowing! She thought of all the luxurious things that Killian prepared when she did not even want them.

“I really don’t need it.”

“…….”

“If anything, I would rather meet with Damian more.”

Damian, Damian, Damian.

A name he would rather forget, but she keeps bringing it up to him again and again. He slowly closed and opened his eyes again and answered softly.

“I think I’ve given you enough freedom.”

“You only allowed me to see my child at certain times.”

“So?  Are you saying you want to stay with him all day? In my castle?”

The quiet sarcasm chilled the otherwise calm and peaceful atmosphere. Rowena spoke earnestly to Killian, who had revealed his true nature for the first time in a while. Her confident tone was somehow mixed with a plea.

“I’m grateful that you allowed me to spend some more time with him. But, my Duke. Damian is still very young. He needs to be taken care of by his mother.”

“There are two nannies, you know. There is also a maid on standby at all times.”

“No one cares for a baby more than a mother. The same goes for young children.”

“I have a different opinion.”

Rowena seemed to be talking to a wall, as no matter how much she tried to sound convincing, he wouldn’t bat an eye.

****
Notes:

Stay safe!