Chapter 282: It’s Manageable

Nat smirked faintly down at her, resting a heavy hand against the top of her head. "So... do you want us hanging around while you’re in the tub, or should we wait in the sitting room? We can always tuck you in when you’re done, sweetheart."

April’s cheeks flared a pale, flustered pink. "Don’t be ridiculous. None of you are tucking me in."

She turned her gaze toward Alexander and Xavier, her logical mind kicking back in. "It’s late, and we have a full tournament schedule to oversee tomorrow. You two should head home and rest."

Alexander let out a soft, playful sigh, shaking his head with an amused smile. "Bummer. Dismissed just like that, huh?"

"She’s right, though," Xavier conceded smoothly, checking his watch before glancing back at April with a gentle, lingering look. "We need to be at the arena early. Get some rest, April. I’ll be in my study if you need me."

As Xavier and Alexander turned to make their exit, April’s eyes flicked over to Samuel, who was currently organizing the tea set on her nightstand.

"Samuel," April called out softly.

Samuel instantly paused, his entire posture perking up as he turned to face her with bright, unwavering attention. "Yes, Miss April?"

Across the room, Xavier and Alexander both froze mid-step. Even Nat’s eyes narrowed slightly as all three men turned their heads back, their attention sharpening on Samuel with sudden, prickling suspicion. Why was she singling him out right now when she asked everyone else to leave?

"Are you heading home now?" April asked gently.

Samuel offered her a polite smile. "I will be leaving in about an hour, Miss April. I just need to finalize tonight’s security logs. Is there something you need?"

April shook her head slightly. "No... but I’d like to speak with you for a moment. Could you give me a moment of your time after I finish my bath?"

She wanted his perspective on her predicament with the men—a continuation of the advice he had given her before.

At her request, Samuel’s chest subtly expanded, a faint, deeply satisfied smirk touching the corner of his lips as he felt the heavy, envious gazes of the other men burning into the back of his neck.

He gave a low, elegant bow, his tone dripping with absolute, polite devotion. "Of course, Lady April. I will be waiting for your call. Just let me know whenever you are ready."

Nat, Xavier, and Alexander exchanged a sharp, silent look, a heavy cloud of unspoken jealousy settling over the room.

There was clearly a level of private trust and understanding between April and her devoted shadow that none of them were privy to—and it left the three of them feeling entirely out of the loop.

Xavier and Alexander eventually took their leave, leaving behind a lingering sense of silent frustration as Samuel stood outside the room like an unyielding guardian.

Inside the spacious room, Emily gently helped April out of her stained clothes, her face filled with quiet, sisterly concern.

Having suffered through her own deadly, agonizing cramps in the past, Emily handled everything with extreme delicacy—preparing a warm, soothing bath and laying out a loose, ultra-soft cotton nightgown and a fresh set of sanitary pads.

"Are you feeling okay, Sister?" Emily asked softly, carefully testing the bathwater temperature. "Does it still hurt really bad?"

"The heat patch and the medication helped," April murmured, letting out a long, weary sigh as she sank into the warm water, feeling her tense muscles finally loosen. "It’s manageable... for now."

"Then, I’ll leave you to your bath." Emily said, "Call me if you need anything."

April nodded and closed her eyes.

After a thorough, refreshing bath, she stepped out dressed in the comfortable cotton gown. She looked down at the pile of her discarded clothes on the hamper.

Her pants and underwear were heavily stained. She grimaced. The seat definitely got stained, she thought but sighed, knowing there was nothing she could do about it now.

They probably took care of it already.

Rather than handing her bloody mess over to the mansion’s dry cleaning staff—not because of the thought of staining the expensive machine, but simply because the thought of strangers handling her personal, bloody clothes made her deeply uncomfortable—she decided to wash them by hand in the basin.

As she sat on a low stool scrubbing the fabric, a quiet, high-pitched meow echoed in the dimly lit bathroom.

April turned her head to see Lily, the little white kitten, trotting inside. The cat purred softly, weaving itself around April’s ankles and rubbing its soft white fur against her bare legs.

"Why are you awake at this hour, Lily?" April whispered, resting her wet hands for a second to lightly tap the kitten’s pink nose. "Rufus is already fast asleep out there. You should be sleeping too."

Lily gave a tiny, contented chirp, curling up directly over April’s feet to keep them warm while she finished scrubbing.

April just assumed there was a bit of bad luck clinging to her that attracted Lily. She would eat it all up and then go back to sleep.

Once the clothes were thoroughly rinsed, April carried them out and handed the clean, damp fabrics to a sleepy night helper to hang up in the drying area. She also washed Nat’s jacket.

I’ll give it to him once it’s dry, she thought, watching the night helper walk away.

Wrapping a soft robe around her shoulders for extra warmth, April quietly made her way downstairs.

The tea Samuel made her was nice but there was no stopping that insistent throbbing between her thighs.

The kitchen was dimly lit, save for the soft glow above the marble island. Samuel was standing by the counter, brewing a fresh cup of coffee for himself as he wrapped up the night’s security logs. Hearing her light footsteps, he turned around, his eyes instantly softening as they landed on her.

"Miss April," Samuel said softly, setting the coffee pot down. "How are you feeling? Do the cramps still hurt?"

"It’s gone down for now," April replied, pulling out a high barstool at the island and hopping up onto it. "I guess I should be lucky it doesn’t ache 24/7."

Samuel poured a cup of warm water and placed it gently in front of her.

April wrapped her hands around the glass, staring down at the swirling water as a sudden, contemplative quiet settled over her.

"I acted on my feelings," April said abruptly, looking up at him. "Remember when you helped me confirm that I actually had feelings for them? Well, I acted on my desires today. And... I wanted more."

Samuel paused, his hand tightening slightly around his coffee mug before he maintained his calm, immaculate composure. "Well, do you regret acting on it, Miss April?"