A tough woman

At their last meeting in the goddamned pub, Aeneas promises to find a way to find answers. He said that after Selah complained about thugs teasing her. Aeneas agrees and says that he will meet Selah sometime soon.

The thing is, Selah didn't anticipate Aeneas meeting her in her room 2 days later. The man knocked on her balcony door at midnight!

"Hurry in! For God's sake!" Selah hissed while tugging at Aeneas. She hastily closed her balcony door.

"Wow, you are very aggressive, aren't you?" laughed Aeneas. Selah immediately glared at him, telling him to shut up.

Now there are a lot of new questions in my head, Selah thought tiredly. "Apologies in advance, Your Highness. But don't you know something called front door?"

Again Aeneas laughed. "Ah, sorry. There's no other time. Tomorrow I have an appointment with Crown Prince Blair all day. If I'm not there, he's definitely suspicious," he explained. "So how? Will you accept my proposal?"

"I am still the Crown Prince's fiancée."

"Well, just break up then. Don't worry, I will help you."

"You think we can break up that easily?!"

"Do you even need a reason? He cheated on you. Blair rarely pays attention to you, either. Right?"

"Naturally, he's busy because—"

In her dimly lit room, Selah just realized that she was too close to Aeneas. He deliberately approached her.

"What are you-"

"Lady Selah, you are a tough woman. You had faced multiple assassination attempts before, struggled to the top of the social world, and tried to satisfy that workaholic, Duke Dulcia." Aeneas' eyes flashed in the dark. "But I know, as tough as women are, they also need attention too."

Aeneas' hand felt soft and cold against Selah's skin. From this close distance, she realized why Aeneas had the nickname of the child's God.

The words handsome or beautiful are not suitable to describe his appearance. Aeneas is charming and majestic, as well as dangerous.

"Tell me, Lady Selah. Has Crown Prince Blair ever accompanied you at night or visited you like I'm doing now?"

Selah clenched her fists. "You think that's romantic?" She shook off Aeneas' hand. "What you are doing now is a criminal act."

Aeneas finally retreats. "All right, all right. Sorry if I was impolite for visiting your room at this time of night," he said. "So, can I assume you accept my proposal?"

That means Selah will be involved in a grueling battle for the throne. That meant Selah would have to face Duke Dulcia's wrath sometime soon. Does she accept it?

"Yes, I am willing."

Aeneas smiled, then asked for Selah's hand. With hesitation, Selah gave it to him.

"You don't need to wear it. Consider it a formality between us," Aeneas said as he put a ring on Selah's finger. Unexpectedly, the ring fits perfectly on her finger.

"You don't need to bother getting all the rings ready," Selah said, looking at her new ring. The sapphire glowed like one eye of Aeneas.

"Of course, you have to. I'll prove that you won't regret choosing me." Aeneas suddenly kissed her fingers. His lips felt a little wet and cold against Selah's fingers. "I'll prove I'm better than Blair."

Could Aeneas have his grudge against Blair? thought Selah. As she recalls, the two brothers always got along. There's been no bad news about--

Suddenly, without Selah knowing it, Aeneas kissed the corner of her lips. Selah was shocked half to death because she didn't anticipate it.

"Now I'm your fiancé, right?" teased Aeneas.

"I don't need this kind of attention, Prince Aeneas," Selah growled.

"Really?" Aeneas kissed the corner of her lips again, slightly touching Selah's lips. "Even though I'm sure you are often confused when the noble ladies talk about how sweet their partners are. Touching-" Aeneas intertwined his fingers with Selah's, "whispered sweet words-" Aeneas whispered them right in Selah's ear, "and kissed," Aeneas kissed her on the lips. "Blair must've never done that to you, right?"

"That's none of your business," Selah said, holding back her anger.

"But it's possible that Blair has already done it with Lady Evanthe. What do you think?"

Selah's mind automatically drifted to when she discovered Blair's affair a few nights ago. A few nights ago, In one corner of the beautiful garden, kissing under a shady tree accompanied by spring flowers: never once did he do that with Selah.

Why? Was it because Selah wasn't pretty enough? Was it because Evanthe looked prettier among the flowers?

"Selah." Aeneas took her in his arms. His hands were soft and cold, stroking Selah's long black hair. "With me, you don't have to feel small. I can definitely treat you better than Blair."

Selah gripped Aeneas tightly, who was about to lower her nightgown. Selah glared at him angrily, trying to warn him before he resorted to violence.

"We're working together here, right? I hope we write down all the agreements on paper after this," said Selah threateningly.

Aeneas winced but smiled at the same time. "You really are a tough woman," he said. He rubbed his wrist that Selah had released. "Okay. Let's write it: what we want and don't. At the next meeting, we will discuss the contents."

"I hope our next meeting is more appropriate for you, Prince Aeneas."

"Of course," said Aeneas. "Oh, right. Blair will be inviting you for tea shortly. Since you have agreed to the cooperation I offer, I hope you decide at that time."

And just like that, Aeneas exited Selah's room through her balcony.

"That guy really tires me out," Selah muttered.

***

"Aeneas? Is that you?"

That voice stopped him, and then he turned around. When the hood of his robe was lowered, Aeneas's face was lit by the moonlight.

Blair had known and realized long ago that his half-brother had a gorgeous face. But somehow, the smile he gave this time looked terrible.

"Good evening, Your Highness," replied Aeneas.

"No need to be so formal. It's just the two of us," Blair said as he came to his senses. "I know you like to go out at night, but isn't it too late? What if you get sick?"

Aeneas always accompanies his mentally ill mother, a fragile woman who cannot help but see her child for even a second. It kept Aeneas almost imprisoned all day. The only time Aeneas has alone is when his mother sleeps.

That's why Blair lets Aeneas out at night. He knew that his half-brother felt cramped in the palace all day.

"I'm fine, Brother. Thanks for worrying about me," Aeneas replied.

Blair examined Aeneas up and down, ensuring his brother was okay. Aeneas has no talent for martial arts. If he is attacked, he can only run away. So if something should happen to Aeneas…

"Your hand…" Blair takes Aeneas' hand and finds a reddish bruise on his wrist. "Why is this?"

"Oh." Aeneas looked surprised. But then he chuckled. "Just a small accident. It can heal immediately if I compress this."

"Aeneas, you shouldn't let yourself get hurt one bit. What's the use of you having Sir Azel? Huh, let me find you a new knight—"

"So what if I get hurt?"

THUMP! Blair felt his heart stop for a moment.

"Is it because the wound will leave marks on my skin? Is it because the scars will make me disfigured?" continued Aeneas.

"No, Aeneas," Blair said with difficulty. "That's not what I meant. I…"

Memories of the past suddenly invaded Blair's head. He saw his father and Aeneas who was crying, also Catalina who was begging Blair.

"Blair!" Aeneas restrains the unsteady Blair. "You must be tired. You should rest soon."

Blair grabs Aeneas by the shirt. "Yes. Yes, I… need to rest."

To forget those memories.