49 Getting Married

HAELAN'S POV

Snuggling on the warm body that smell of lavender, I have to admit that I had a good sleep despite the floorboards were hard and creaky. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in the arms of Stellan. Good thing he's still buried in his deep sleep, that I was able to remove his arms from my waist without him waking. I slapped my face from embarassment, and stood up to clear the uneasy feeling. I'll just think of it as brothers sleeping side by side, no malice and overthinking.

I fanned my warm face with my hands as I went out of the hut. Surely, Stellan didn't caught a glimpse of our sleeping situation, because if he did, he would've kicked me out. I pursed my lips as I exhale slowly. As I walk further, it was then I realized we're on top a hill surrounded by tall cypress trees.

The rains have ceased. It was nearly early dawn as the sunlight scatter on the rolling clouds in the sky. From faint blue with a tinge of orange, the flares of sunlight beams dramatically on the bed of wispy clouds. It's cold and hazy all over, yet nothing beats the breathtaking view of the sunrise.

I stretched out my arms and breathe in the undeniably fresh air. How can someone abandon their home with a promising view and a relaxing weather? Nether has neverending ways to make me appreciate its beauty.

Remembering the map that I tore from the book in the Southwing tower, I took it out from my pocket and sadly, it's all ruined because of the heavy rains. I guess I have to find other ways how to get to Caluso, searching for the stone is much more unimaginable.

"Done with your morning routine?", I heard Stellan said as I turn around. He have already worn his gambeson, and now, preparing his dark stallion.

"How was your sleep?", I asked as I approach him. He just turned away as his ears turned scarlet. I guess we're back to the cold shoulder treatment.

Immediately, we started our journey to Brandenburg. Not only Stellan made me wear his furcoat once again, he also let me ride Areon as the Paladin Knight chose to walk on foot. With how red his ears and cheeks are, I can tell he's freezing. I offered his furcoat so many times, yet, he rejected twofold without even looking.

"Do you come here often? I'm guessing you knew the hut and have quite visited the place a few times.", I asked as he knew the way around the tiny hut.

"This place hold a special spot in my heart", he answered briefly. Wondering why would a hut be valuable to a Paladin, I discouraged my nosy head and didn't asked more to avoid his day from ruining.

In the middle of the woods as we trudge on the damped ground, Stellan cleared his throat with his fist on his mouth. "Haelan", he suddenly uttered. "Last night, you said that you won't be here for too long. What does that mean? Are you leaving because you think I hate you?", he asked.

"No Sir Stellan, I'm leaving because I have to", I answered. "I mean, as a warrior of Brandenburg, I'll be eventually ordained to a different area", I clearly said. I cannot give more hints to this Paladin. In some way, they may outsmart me and figure out who I am.

"I don't hate you.", he said softly as he held the leather straps of Areon. "You have so much to learn from Lord Harlan, so you can't just leave me. Stay in Brandenburg, if you don't prefer Hesam. The palace calls for you, and I see you with a different potential", he said.

I choked at his request. Did he want me to stay for him or for Lord Harlan? I can't make promises that I can't keep. After quite some time, I never found the words to say. He doesn't seem to be bothered with my silence. However, my restless heart undyingly hoped that Stellan sees right through me. Not as Haelan, not as Agalea.. but me as Helena.

Time travelled so quickly that I didn't noticed that we have already arrived in the fortress of Brandenburg. I was about to tell him the truth about me when I noticed a gold carriage waiting at the entrance of the academy. The closer we get, the clearer that I see the carriage emblem that is indistinguishable with the one on Atrius' coat. Suddenly, a brunette lady in a marigold gown rushed out of the carriage and jumped on Stellan's arms. "My beloved knight! I have been waiting for you all night", she said as she wrap her arms around Stellan's waist. "You ignored me in the banquet, I kept calling your name", she said as she bury her face on his chest. I then realized that Stellan is the knight betrothed to the Princess of Vierme. Stellan is getting married.

"I must have misheard, Princess Eirah ", Stellan said as he keep his hands to his sides. Unknowingly, I have held on to Areon's leather straps tightly as I watch how intimate the two were.

"It's alright. You're here now", the princess sweetly answered as she tighten her arms on Stellan. "I wanted to see you so we can talk about the preparations for our wedding", she said. Her face is so fair and gentle, her tiny hands would probably fit Stellan's. I stared until I could no longer bear. A soul traveler in a man's clothes like me could never compete to this beautiful royal.

"I will take Areon to the stables", I said as I click my tongue and gave Areon a light kick on the back. How could I be so reckless and make false assumptions that I can be seen by this knight? I was hopeful, but then, I should start learning how to put my augmenting feelings behind. Thinking that Stellan might have opened a tiny window for me to get arounf his thick walls, I forgot how our lives are unfated in every way. And I guess, my fragility was triggered with his misleading choices of words, that I was starting to cloud my heart with my delusive contentment.

I looked back and saw a mere view of the inseparable pair. Why does it feel like I'm getting stabbed straight to my heart with an indescribable despair?