Watch over us?

Aeneas didn't realize it, thought Selah while her husband was still busy with his fishing rod.

This is a serious matter. They came to Lièvremont without taking any special knights with them; only one person was a messenger from the Palace. Aeneas left Azel for Catalina, and Selah left Zen for her residence. Selah thought her honeymoon would settle down and now realized it was a stupid thought.

At times like these, the enemy would precisely target the two of them.

Now Selah is torn between two options. If she approached the figure, Aeneas would be alone in the river, which might be a trap. If Selah had stayed quiet, this someone could have thrown a trap attack. Which should she choose?

"Are we still long? I can't stand my wet clothes anymore," said Selah to lure Aeneas back home.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you felt that way." Aeneas hastily got up from the river and approached Selah, sitting between the rocks. "You must be cold. Then let's go back now. Wait, I'll clean up first. Could you please get the fish there?"

"I'll just clean it up, and you take care of the fish," Selah grumbled.

Unaware of the danger that was threatening them, Aeneas laughed casually as usual.

Luckily their journey back to the villa went safely. There was no disturbance whatsoever, even though Selah was tense and alert herself. She doubted whether the feeling of being watched just now was just her feeling.

"Why? You have been looking outside since we got back," said Aeneas. "Our dinner is almost done. Do you want to eat here?"

Selah stared out at the forest behind the chrysanthemums. The forest, which was dark because the sun had already set, made her anxious. One couldn't possibly shoot his arrows from there, right? The distance is too far.

But… it could be that someone is now hiding in a corner of the villa.

"Selah!" called Aeneas quite loudly. His face looked worried. "What's wrong with you?"

Selah turned to Aeneas in surprise. "Sorry..." he muttered. He massaged his temples. "I was thinking about something."

"I know you work hard, but we're on vacation right now," said Aeneas. He tried to smile. "Please relax a bit and enjoy these days. We've come this far. It's fine to relax a bit."

"You are right." Selah tried to smile. "Come in. I was curious about the results of your bait earlier."

"Our bait," corrects Aeneas.

They both went back into the villa. Selah herself tried to relax a little more like Aeneas said.

Someone who is watching the two of them needs to know if someone who is watching the two of them is real.

***

Maybe because the atmosphere between them had been a bit tense before dinner, Selah and Aeneas didn't do anything when they got into bed. They lay in their respective positions without being able to close their eyes. But gradually, Selah heard Aeneas' soothing breathing, a sign that he had fallen into a dream.

After tilting her body to the side, she watched her fast-asleep husband. Sometimes she wonders, how can there be a man whose facial skin is without pores like this? Is it because of his easygoing nature that he rarely puts a frown on his face? While Selah would often furrow her brows, worried about something like this now.

Satisfied with watching and sure that Aeneas is sound asleep, Selah carefully steps out of the balcony. She looked around, and sure enough, she found something lurking below.

Selah immediately jumped down and chased after that person. The man was shocked and ran away. Luckily Selah managed to catch him. Of course, that person did not remain silent and tried to get away from her.

Wait, he's trying to get away from me?! Selah thought in surprise to herself.

Because her mind was briefly distracted, Selah was caught off guard. That person quickly locked Selah's hands tightly, as if he didn't want to let his hands do anything.

"My apologies, Duchess Dulcia," said the person.

That voice… "Raul?" Selah asked, unsure. His hand brushed against Raul's and he finally managed to escape. "Hah! Did Crown Prince Blair send you here?"

Raul raised his hands and said, "I was only assigned to watch over you two, Your Grace."

"Watch over us?" Selah repeated in disbelief. After everything that happened, did Blair think Selah could trust him again?

"His Highness was worried because you two did not bring a special knight," added Raul.

"Tell your master, Raul; we don't need supervision. His sympathy makes me suspicious," said Selah and then turned to leave Raul.

Damn it, Selah thought, annoyed to herself. The cause of her stress throughout the day had been discovered, but she had only gotten more dizzy. Somehow Selah still can't feel calm.

Blair watched them. What does that man want? Did Aeneas know it?

As soon as Selah opened her bedroom door, she found Aeneas sitting on the edge of the bed. The man even lit one of their bedroom lighting candles. It was obvious he was waiting for Selah.

"Where were you?" Aeneas immediately approached Selah and checked on her condition. His attention fell on Selah's blushing wrist. "This…"

Selah gently pulls his hand away from Aeneas, then tugs at the sleeve of her nightgown, trying to hide the bruise. "Something happened, but you don't need to worry."

Aeneas stared at him in disbelief. "Do you think I can rest easy after you've been on your toes since we went to the river earlier?"

"I'm fine…"

Aeneas opened his mouth, looking like he wanted to say something, but then he let out a long breath. He then brought Selah to sit down.

"You can't always hide everything from me, Selah. It's just a coincidence that this time Sir Azel isn't here," Aeneas told him while taking something out of the nightstand. An ointment. "So don't even think about doing it again."

The ointment felt cold on Selah's skin–or was the cold sensation coming from Aeneas? Selah didn't know which one it was. What is clear, now she feels guilty to her husband.

Come to your senses, Selah. He's not a kid. After all, you were the one who asked for openness first, thought Selah while watching Aeneas smear the ointment on his wrists.

But really, Selah has to give bad news while they are on their honeymoon like this?

"If you frequently furrow your brows like that, you'll quickly get wrinkles," said Aeneas while stroking Selah's forehead gently. "Come on, go back to sleep. Let me sing you a lullaby to make your worries go away."

"Am I a child?" click Selah.

She followed Aeneas into bed and they lay face to face. Aeneas looked at her with a smile, while Selah tried to avoid his gaze.

"Here, come closer." Aeneas pulled Selah into his arms and started patting her back. "Sleep tight, Selah."

As Aeneas sings, Selah falls into a deep sleep.