Chapter 5

He looked down at the baby, who had somehow managed to fall asleep in her arms. Something in his chest tightened—a feeling he couldn’t quite place.

“Let’s just focus on what happens next,” he muttered. “Before we both regret this.”

Kara smiled. “Oh, Damien. You were always going to regret this.”

Damien exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. His patience was already wearing thin, but something in the back of his mind nagged at him—something he had overlooked. His gaze drifted toward the grand clock mounted on the opposite wall. The moment his eyes landed on the time, his entire body stiffened.

The clock read **12:00**.

Not midnight—the **next day**.

His entire morning was gone. Meetings, lessons, expectations—utterly destroyed because of Kara Winter and her reckless decisions.

His sharp glare snapped to Kara, who was still cradling the baby. Noticing his expression, she instinctively bowed her head slightly and scratched the back of her neck, giving him a sheepish smile before laughing—softly at first, then breaking into a silent, ridiculous chuckle.

A chuckle that only fueled Damien’s irritation.

“Kara,” he growled through clenched teeth.

“I swear, I didn’t mean to mess up your schedule,” she whispered, still holding back laughter. “It just... happened.”

Before he could unleash a tirade about her absolute disregard for rules, a **sharp knock** echoed through the room.

Both of them froze.

Their eyes met in silent horror before both instinctively looked at the baby, who stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Kara’s expression shifted from amusement to panic as she immediately grasped the situation.

Damien shot her a deathly glare. *This is all your fault.*

Kara, suddenly alarmed, whispered, “What do we do?”

Damien inhaled deeply and **gestured toward the bed.** “Lie down. Now. Keep the baby close and pretend to be asleep.”

“What? Why—”

“Do it before I throw you out that window.”

Kara scrambled toward the bed, carefully laying the baby beside her. She pulled the sheets over her shoulders and closed her eyes, forcing her breathing to slow. Damien quickly scanned the room, ensuring there was no sign of her presence. Once satisfied, he turned toward the door, straightening his coat just as another knock came.

He opened it swiftly.

Standing before him was one of the castle maids, her head bowed in deep respect. “Master,” she said, her voice smooth and demure.

Damien pinched the bridge of his nose, already exhausted. “What?” he snapped, irritation dripping from his tone.

The maid, however, **did not flinch.** Instead, she took a single step into the room, shutting the door softly behind her.

Damien stiffened. Something was off.

Before he could demand an explanation, she **began untying the laces of her dress.** The fabric slipped from her shoulders, revealing more than what was appropriate. Her movements were deliberate, practiced. She was trying to **exhibit herself.**

Damien’s expression darkened instantly. His eyes flickered with anger, but before he could say a word—

*Kara peeked from the bed.*

She had **one eye cracked open,** watching the entire scene unfold with an expression that was a mix of disgust and barely restrained amusement. She covered her mouth with her hand, but her shoulders shook slightly as if she were holding back another fit of silent laughter.

The baby stirred beside her, oblivious to the absurd situation.

Damien clenched his fists, his patience officially obliterated.

“What the **hell** do you think you’re doing?” he hissed, his voice dangerously low.

The maid feigned innocence, tilting her head slightly. “Master, I was sent here to... attend to you.”

Damien’s **scowl deepened.** “Sent by whom?”

“Your father,” she admitted, still holding her dress loosely around her frame. “He believes you need... companionship.”

He exhaled sharply, his teeth grinding together in frustration. Of course, this was his father’s doing. His family had always been strict, but they were also **manipulative.** They saw his refusal to accept the arranged marriage as a rebellion, and this was their **solution.**

Disgust curled in his stomach.

He took a deliberate step forward, towering over the maid. “Leave. Now.”

Her eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting outright rejection. “But—”

“I said, get. Out.” His voice was sharp, final.

Realizing there was **no room for negotiation,** the maid quickly pulled her dress back over her shoulders, bowing deeply before scurrying out of the room. The moment the door shut behind her, Damien let out a long sigh, rubbing his temple as if this day couldn’t get any worse.

Then, the softest sound of **snickering** reached his ears.

He turned, his eyes immediately landing on Kara, who was still **peeking from the bed,** barely holding in her laughter. Her shoulders shook violently as she tried to keep quiet, but it was **useless.**

“Oh. My. God.” She gasped between suppressed chuckles. “Your face—your reaction—”

Damien’s glare could have **set her on fire.**

“This isn’t funny,” he snapped.

Kara sat up, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “No, it’s absolutely hilarious. Your father actually sent someone to ‘attend’ to you? I knew your family was uptight, but this? This is **next level.**”

Damien ran a hand through his hair in sheer exasperation. “Kara—”

“No, no, let me just—” she took a deep breath, dramatically **mimicking** the maid’s soft tone, “Master...”

“Shut up.”

Kara **howled with laughter.**

The baby stirred again, this time letting out a tiny, distressed cry. Instantly, Kara stopped laughing, her instincts kicking in as she turned her attention to the child. She lifted the baby into her arms, rocking it gently.

Damien watched her, still irritated, but that strange tightening in his chest returned.

“I can’t believe your father actually thought that would work,” Kara muttered, her voice softer now as she glanced at him.

Damien sighed, rubbing his face. “He thinks I’m wasting time. That I should be more... focused.”

Kara smirked. “Well, I guess in a way, you are. You’re **babysitting.**”

His eyes flickered to the infant in her arms, then back to her. “This situation is entirely your fault.”

She grinned. “You’re welcome.”

Damien groaned. “This is going to be a disaster.”

Kara gently rocked the baby, a genuine smile playing on her lips. “Maybe. But it’s our disaster now.”

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