The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

From day one, it was crystal clear: you've got to establish where you stand in the family pecking order.

Hertha wasn't having any of it, forcefully shrugging off Alaric's arm: "Back off! You've got some nerve, thinking you can just pin me down?"

Alaric, who was deep in slumber, was jolted awake by Hertha's forceful shove. Groggy and disoriented, he barely opened his eyes to see Hertha glaring at him, visibly annoyed. Rubbing his eyes, he asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Hertha replied, her brows furrowed in anger. "Why on earth are you sleeping with your entire arm over me?"

Alaric was puzzled and explained, "I've got to hold you."

"And why is that?" Hertha shot back.

"Sleeping next to the person you love means you gotta hold them close, keep warm, and feel blissful," Alaric reasoned as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

other person should just get it. But with Hertha, it was as if

a chord with Hertha; Alaric actually called her his beloved. That sentiment warmed the depths of her heart. Just yesterday, she had denied to her mother that Alaric had feelings for her. Today, she heard

up to Alaric's presence was genuinely delightful. She felt so happy she almost laughed, but Alaric was still there, and she couldn't let him see her amusement. Otherwise,

dump the weight of your

back of his head, "Got it,

he pulled the

and lay down again. Just as he settled Hertha yanked the blankets away, and a cool morning breeze apt in, making

let's sleep a bit more," Alaric coaxed

it is? Still sleep?" Hertha

in some effort last night, was up half the night. I'm almost