He is a strong man

The pain in her palms didn't bother her at all. The Palace Healer that Azel had summoned, even though he was on his guard, was afraid that Selah would be in pain when the medicine was applied to her hand. But Selah remained silent, trying her best to calm down.

Blood was already rising to her head. Selah wanted to throw something at King Tristan. No, it would be better if she hit it directly with his hand.

"I have finished treating your wound, Your Grace. Is anywhere still in pain?" asked the healer doubtfully.

"You can go now. Thank you," said Azel in place of Selah.

The healer glanced at Selah, and she stared back at him with a cold gaze filled with murderous intent. The look seemed to frighten him, and the healer quickly left.

"I'm at the door if you need me, Your Grace," said Azel.

But Selah prevented it. "Does… Prince Aeneas know you are here?" he asked quietly.

"No, Your Grace."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because of instinct and previous experience."

"Why?"

"Because I'm sure King Tristan will say something about Prince Aeneas, and Your Grace will go berserk." Azel paused for a moment. "I know Your Grace already knows King Tristan's treatment of Prince Aeneas."

"Are you the only one who knows?"

"Yes, I don't want to add to His Highness's worries."

"Ha." Selah snorted, amused. "Haha. So it's true that he can't marry me…."

Selah should have realized that Aeneas's kisses all this time were to get used to her later. Aeneas says they should have children soon after marriage. But after what he's been through before, Aeneas must be traumatized. That's why he kisses and touches Selah every chance he gets so that Aeneas doesn't look like a coward when they certify their marriage later.

Damn it. What's wrong with Aeneas being afraid on their first night? Not that Selah would pounce on him like King Tristan did. They can also delay having children!

"He just made me look like a bad person," Selah hissed in disgust.

"My deep apologise, Your Grace. His Highness didn't want anyone to know how he was. He thought you would never read the late Lady Helena's diary forever," Azel explained. "Regardless of His Highness's trauma, it doesn't mean he doesn't want to marry you..."

"I know, but…."

But Aeneas can tell Selah about it, and together they can find a way out. So Selah thought.

If it were like this, Aeneas would be the one to suffer.

"How can you be sure that Prince Aeneas doesn't know I've read my mother's diary when you do?" she asked.

"I heard that Sir Hacket went to Tullia, and I haven't reported it to Prince Aeneas," Axel replied.

"Good. I know you are not my knight, but please don't tell Prince Aeneas."

"Very well, Your Grace." Azel watched Selah for a while. "How about you? Are you okay?"

"Yes, thanks to you."

After King Tristan said disgusting things about his son and Selah was ready to throw a vase of flowers at him, there was a sudden knock on the bedroom door. A healer said that it was time for King Tristan to rest. Selah was escorted out by a knight who brought him to Azel.

Again, Azel saves her from death, just like when he was in Blair's study some time ago.

"Prince Aeneas has ordered me to protect and treat you well, Your Grace. You don't need to worry," said Azel. Somehow his tone sounded soft. "Prince Aeneas is a strong man. He has gone through a lot and managed to survive until this moment. Isn't that proof that Prince Aeneas is capable of protecting himself?"

"I know, but…."

Selah can't imagine how Aeneas has struggled or what he had to do to get to this point. Tears and blood will not be enough to pay for his struggle, King Tristan's life is not even worth the torment Aeneas has ever received.

"Duchess Dulcia, Prince Aeneas would get suspicious if he saw you with red and swollen eyes. I know you are angry, but please hold your anger."

Azel held out a handkerchief to Selah.

***

After checking many times, there were no traces of tears on Selah's face. Her breathing had calmed down, and she claimed she had control of herself. Azel took him to Aeneas.

"Mother, let's see who's here," Aeneas says to Catalina.

Catalina, who was busy arranging flowers, immediately turned her head. Her golden brown eyes twinkled at Selah. "Lady Selah! Nice to see you again," she greeted warmly.

The queen immediately asked the maids to prepare snacks for Selah. Selah tried to refuse, but Catalina insisted. It seems that Catalina already likes Selah.

My role is finished here, thought Azel.

"Hmmm, there seems to be something different about her," muttered Aeneas, surprising Azel. "Did something happen?"

"His Majesty invited Lady Dulcia early in the morning, Your Highness. Maybe she's tired or still sleepy," said Azel.

"Perhaps she hasn't had breakfast either," says Aeneas. "Lady Selah didn't say anything to you anymore?"

"No, Your Highness."

"What about King Tristan's medicine? Has it been delivered?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Right after Lady Selah came out."

"And Crown Prince Blair?"

"I didn't meet him. But from the information I got, Lady Dulcia had a meeting with Crown Prince Blair. They didn't have much time to talk."

Aeneas looks towards the patio where Catalina and Selah are now sitting. Catalina seemed to be showing her flowers, and Selah responded well. After Azel watched from afar, it was true that Selah didn't look like her usual self. She looks exhausted.

And hopefully, it's true. Azel couldn't tell if Selah was crying because she had been angry earlier.

"You may go then."

"Excuse me, Your Highness."

Azel let out a long breath once he was far from the garden. FoItemed he could rest easy for now since his master would be fine.

For now.

What about after marriage later? It wasn't just Selah who was worried about him. Azel had been worried about him ever since Aeneas planned to marry Selah. And it's not only about the trauma but also about King Tristan, who could suddenly cancel the wedding, or Blair, who might have smelled something strange.

"Are you going to be okay, Your Highness?" muttered Azel while watching him from a distance.