ra waspletely wiped out. Every part of her body ached, and she was burning up with a fever, making it impossible to respond to any messages.


    When she finally woke up, it was already the next day, and her fever was still raging. It hit her like a ton of bricks. Fortunately, she had managed to sell all the apples. After a quick freshen-up, she opened her room door, determined to grab a bite.


    She walked into the dining room and spotted Dn sitting at a table loaded with food. ra was so hungry she felt like her stomach was stuck to her backbone. After asking a nearby staff member, she realized she''d slept through both breakfast and lunch. Now, she''d have to swallow her pride and ask Dn to share his meal.


    "Mr. Dn," she called out softly.


    Just saying his name was enough for Dn to get the hint as he gently tapped his fingers on the table. "Have a seat."


    ra let out a breath of relief and shed a grateful smile. "I''ll take you up on that, then."


    She was truly famished and had no clue how pale and frail she looked. Her lips were nearly colorless, and she''d lost a noticeable amount of weight.


    As she savored thest spoonful of soup, arge hand unexpectedlynded on her forehead, freezing her in ce. It was Dn''s hand-cool to the touch, almost detached.


    "You''ve got a fever." His hand quickly retreated.


    ra, snapping back to reality, raised her own hand to check. "Yeah, maybe. I took some fever reducers, but they didn''t really help. I''ll just catch some sleepter."


    Her voice was raspy,cking energy. Dn''s gaze drifted to her neck, where a bruise crept from her back, dark and purple.


    "Did you get hurt?"


    Indeed, ra had been injured. The first night she arrived in North Ashford, she''d taken a hit from a rake, leaving her back painfully sore for days. When she nced in the mirror after a showerst night, her back was covered in rming bruises.


    "ra, once you''re done eating, get some rest.”


    "Alright."


    As she watched him walk away, ra realized he wasn''t as standoffish as she''d thought.


    She hadn''t had the chance to enjoy a bath the night before, so after eating, she took a half-hour rest, grabbed the robe provided, and headed to the hot spring pool rmended by the staff. They''d promised it would make her skin feel silky smooth.


    The pool was vast, over a hundred square feet, enveloped in a thick mist that blurred everything. A subtle fragrance lingered in the air as she entered.


    It was surprising that such a gem hadn''t been turned into amercial hot spring hotel-surely it would rake in profits.


    She spent about ten minutes floating in the hot spring and then leaned against the edge. The warmth flushed her cheeks.


    Hearing a ssh, she turned to see Dn nearby, eyes closed, having slipped in unnoticed.


    ra shot up from the water, only to remember she waspletely bare. Flustered, she sunk back down, her cheeks burning.


    Before entering, she''d only thrown on a robe. The staff had mentioned the water was freshly changed and unused, suggesting she could take a dip au naturel.


    But they hadn''t mentioned that someone else might show up. And clearly, Dn had arrived first.


    Instinctually, ra hugged her chest. Her whole body heated up, avoiding eye contact.


    The mist was so dense that she hadn''t spotted Dn until they were practically side by side. If ra wasn''t stark naked, she might''ve casually greeted him.


    Dn''s upper body was bare, but he had swimming trunks on. A few bottles of fancy wine and some fruit were set out by the poolside-this guy sure knew how to unwind.


    Now, to get back to her robe, she''d have to pass right by Dn. ra didn''t dare move and sat silently.


    Dn''s wet hair dripped as he slowly opened his eyes. ra shifted slightly, trying not to intrude.


    The space between them was ufortably tight, and she could almost feel his presence. Dn''s features and physique seemed almost too perfect, especially in this hazy setting, making it hard to look away.


    She sneaked a few nces until he asked, "Had your fill of looking?"


    Only then did she realize she''d been staring at him for a good minute. There probably wasn''t anything more awkward than being caught undressed, so she found herself oddly calm.


    "Just admiring something beautiful, Mr. Dn. You''re definitely the most handsome man I''ve everid eyes on."


    Right after herpliment, it hit her that Dn was also her boss.


    She mmed up, staring into the water.


    A soft chuckle reached her ears, low and drawn-out, sending a tickle through her. She thought she might''ve imagined it until she turned to find Dn actually smiling.


    His lips were curved into a slight grin, and his dark eyes warmed up like sunshine in the spring.


    ra was momentarily stunned until a robended over her head. "Here, use mine for now."


    Caught off guard, ra could only hear his soothing voice. So he''d noticed herck of attire. Of course, she had unwittingly swum right past him earlier.


    Her cheeks med as she hastily wrapped his robe around herself, tying it securely.