Mark fetched an additional lightweight blanket, ensuring they each had their own.

She observed him bending down and engrossed in the task.

It was difficult to discern his usual dignified air. He simply appeared as an ordinary man.

Unable to resist, she approached him from behind and embraced him tenderly.

Mark gently patted her hand and remarked, “You mentioned feeling uneasy a moment ago, and now you're hugging me. You truly have a childlike temper."

He playfully feigned an attempt to take the extra blanket away.

Cecilia hastily protested, "No. This is fine."

Mark smiled.

With her cheek resting against his back, Cecilia softly murmured, “Even if I'm being a bit wayward, please be patient with me, okay?"

Mark's smile persisted.

“If I'm not patient with you, then who will be?"

He retrieved the towel from her grasp and proceeded to gently dry her hair.

Cecilia had a lush mane of hair, and her nightly hair-washing ritual was a well-established routine.

Mark devoted quite some time to meticulously drying her hair, and his gentle demeanor made the task all the more intimate.

Gradually, she began to unwind. She placed her head in his lap, gently encircled her arms around his waist, and asked, "What did my father say to you?"

Mark continued what he was doing.

“He mentioned that you were opposing his wishes every day, insisting on reconciling with me."

Cecilia lifted her head and responded, "I didn't."

Mark met her gaze, his expression inquisitive.

She returned her head to its previous position but accidentally bumped into his private parts, prompting a faint groan from him.