About the other women

"You must be waiting for me, huh?"

Selah woke up alert. She was ready to attack, but a soft hand hugged her from behind. When she turned around, she saw Aeneas with a bruise on his face.

"I am deeply moved that you waited for me to fall asleep in a chair like this," said Aeneas amused.

Selah tries to get away from Aeneas. "If you already know that, quickly tell me your business," she grumbled, annoyed.

Aeneas chuckled. "My, are those words you would say to someone your father just beat up?"

"I don't remember asking you to protect me," Selah said. "After all, what were you really thinking at that time? You should know clearly that Father's punch is that strong. You see yourself Baron Tullia just fell down like that!"

Aeneas shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I promised to protect you," he said. "Hmm, but seriously, you're going to scold me after what happened to me?"

After exhaling a long breath. "I was worried about you," she admits. "Father's fist is that strong. I thought you would faint on the spot."

Aeneas laughed at that, causing Selah to glare at him to keep him quiet. "Oops, sorry. Don't underestimate me like that, Selah. I know I look weak. But I'm not that weak," he said. "There's no way I could faint in front of my fiancee, right?"

That is true. Now we're officially engaged, Selah thought to herself. "As your fiancee, can I ask you to be more careful in your actions?"

"What else do I need to be careful about? This way, Duke Dulcia would be easily eliminated. Blair doesn't look like he's going to let go easily," says Aeneas.

"Were you the one who brought Father to Baron Tullia's residence?" asked Selah suspiciously.

"No. At first, I even thought that it was your own doing." Aeneas smiled. "After hearing the report from Sir Azel, I know that the culprit seems to be Blair's man."

"That Crown Prince Blair did?" repeated Selah in disbelief.

"Yeah, even though it looks like that, Blair actually really loves me, you know. He doesn't like seeing me with you. That's why he shows the danger of being close to the Dulcia family," Aeneas explains. "He also took this opportunity to criticize Sir Azel. Hahaha, I always knew that Blair didn't like Sir Azel."

"Huh? What is it? That doesn't sound like an affectionate case."

Sounds more like… an obsession. But somehow, Selah couldn't tell Aeneas. Because that man… just smiled.

A strange and dangerous smile.

Selah will never be comfortable seeing Aeneas' smile.

"Then, how? Does that mean we don't have your brother's blessing?" she asked.

"Oh, not really. Blair gave only a small warning. We can still get married if that's what you're afraid of," said Aeneas. The way he spoke annoyed Selah. "Now then, about Duke Dulcia again."

"I have no intention of releasing Father. Honestly, I've set a trap in Father's safe myself. But it turns out…." After a long silence. "Prince Aeneas, this is all safe, right? I mean, you snatched me away from Crown Prince Blair after all."

"I already told you that Blair really loves me. That Blair will give me anything to please me," said Aeneas. "Even if he suspected something, he would turn a blind eye."

Even though he said that...

Suddenly Aeneas pulled Selah's hand gently. He then fell asleep on the bed while she herself sat on the edge. One hand rests on Aeneas, the other caressing Selah's head as if trying to lull her to sleep.

"Am I a baby?" grumbled Selah.

"Sssh, you overthink it." This time Aeneas smiled gently. "I must have nearly made your head explode today."

"Glad you noticed that."

Aeneas chuckled. "You saw I was fine and knew Blair wouldn't mess with us. So now go to sleep," he said. His cold palms covered Selah's eyes. "Sorry for making you wait to worry almost all night."

Aeneas kisses Selah on the forehead.

***

Last night felt like a dream. Selah felt like she had been enchanted to sleep soundly because the atmosphere was so different when she woke up.

No, no. I'm sure Aeneas did come here last night, thought Selah. She was also sure that yesterday she was indeed proposed by Aeneas in front of many people.

Yesterday was a tiring day.

And today will be even more tiring.

"There have been a lot of letters coming for His Grace. Everything in it is asking about the next steps to be taken," Jeremiah reported frantically. "My Lady, these people are suing us."

You don't need to be told, Selah also knows.

"Calm down, Jeremiah. I'll take care of it," she said. "Now, let's do the remaining work. Then we calm the old down."

"Is there still a way for His Grace to return?" asked Jeremiah.

Honestly, nope. Matters after this would become even more complicated if the Palace decided to search this residence and find the letter Selah exchanged in Duke Dulcia's safe. In an instant, Dulcia's name would collapse.

"Father has served the kingdom, so Crown Prince Blair will not give him the death penalty," said Selah. "Maybe his hand will be cut off," she muttered.

"How can you be this calm, My Lady?"

"You don't have to worry about your job, Jeremiah. I will not leave Dulcia's family. Even if I have entered another family, I will try to take over the affairs of this family under my new name. Satisfied?"

Jeremiah let out a long breath. "That is not the case, My Lady. It's just…." He looked doubtful. "About the other women His Grace has."

Selah smiled crookedly. "It seems the bastard has heard about his poor father," he said mockingly. "What is it? The family is afraid of losing monthly money?"

"With all due respect, My Lady. Considering the bastard royalty status, the bastard can take over this family if you marry later."

"Well, that makes my job easier. If the bastard wants to take it, take it."

"But, My Lady…" Jeremiah looked uncomfortable. "I'm not sure about the bastard's abilities."

Selah laughed at that. "Oh, my. Sorry for my rudeness, Jeremiah. Am I mistaken, or are you telling me to do something for you?"