Lullaby and goodnight (1)

Sooner or later, Duke Dulcia would definitely find out. But Selah didn't think her father would find out about her breakup with Blair that night.

"Yo-your Grace, I think this is enough…"

"Move, Jeremiah! This kid still needs to be taught a lesson! How could she ask for a break from Crown Prince Blair!"

One more punch to Selah's face. Each blow always hurts more. Duke Dulcia seemed to be putting all of his strength into it just to punch Selah.

But Selah persisted, as much as she could refuse to fall, kneel, or beg for mercy. Even though her eyes were now swollen, she was trying to give her the wildest look.

"You still dare to stare at me like that, huh!?" Another punch was thrown. "What are you so crazy about asking to break up with Crown Prince Blair!?"

Selah lifted her face. "In fact ... I regret it," she said with difficulty. "Regret that I… only did it now…"

Duke Dulcia glared at her. "What else is it that makes you dissatisfied? You should be grateful that a man wants to ask for your hand with a face like that. Do you think I don't know what people are saying about you?" he shouted. "A wicked woman who only cares about money and status! Doesn't know how to dress up and isn't pleasing to the eye! You are just like your mother!"

"Just like Mother?" Selah laughed sadly hearing that. "Father, do you think I'm as stupid as Mother to want to marry a man like you? Do you think I'd be willing to marry a man with only eyes for the Tullia Mine and then support his mistress with the mining money?"

The blow was crushing. Selah finally fell after surviving dozens of blows from her father.

"How dare you-!"

Selah chuckled. "What? You think I don't know that you also cheated on Mother?" she quipped. "Father, I even know if you have a bastard!"

This time it wasn't a punch anymore. Duke Dulcia kicked Selah. Over and over again until finally, the leader of the knight squad of Dulcia's residence, Zen, stopped him.

"That's enough, Your Grace. I beg you, enough is enough," said Zen. "The wounds you inflicted on Her Ladyship could disfigure her."

Duke Dulcia pushed away his knight. He glared at Selah. "Keep her in prison. Treat her wounds, but give her nothing but water for a week," he ordered. "Beg for me, Selah. After that, beg for Crown Prince Blair."

Duke Dulcia walked away, leaving Selah still lying on the floor.

"Father, you are the one who will have to beg my forgiveness someday."

***

Selah has no fond memories of her childhood.

Helena is a perfectionist mother with symptoms of mental illness. Many of Selah's days were spent studying with her mother, who did not hesitate to punish her when Selah made a mistake. Selah had to learn faster and harder than anyone else. Selah was educated to be the most competent woman in Balthasar.

Meanwhile, Archibald is an inattentive father. Never once did he care about the condition of his wife and daughter, but he always demanded perfection. If something goes wrong or gets in his way, he doesn't hesitate to step in and fix it immediately. After learning martial arts, swords, and horse riding from Archibald. Everything is filled with bad memories and wounds.

Growing up with that kind of upbringing, it's no wonder Selah sometimes had a nightmare. Especially now, when her body is weak and locked in a dark, cold prison.

"You're crying?"

Be aware for a moment. She was immediately alerted but immediately relieved when she realized who was speaking. "I don't think I need to be surprised anymore if you sneak into my father's room, Prince Aeneas," she said without thinking.

Selah could see the glint of Aeneas' beautiful sapphire and gold eyes in the darkness of the prison. He smiled and said, "Hearing that you can talk like that, it seems you are fine." Aeneas' hand stretches past Selah's cell. "But still, I am the cause of these injuries."

Aeneas' hand felt cold on Selah's face. It looks like he rubbed something on the bruises on her face.

"Forgive me. I know that Duke Dulcia is a lighthearted person. But I didn't think he could cast his hand on you."

"No need to apologize. This is normal. After all, it's not your fault. This is Crown Prince Blair's fault."

"You mean… Blair knows that Duke Dulcia can lay his hands on you?"

"Yes, he knows."

Selah's original plan was to calm her father down and slowly break up with Blair. Archibald would still be angry and punch Selah, but if he had been told slowly, his anger would not have gotten to this point. At least, Selah won't be imprisoned without eating for a week.

"Here, eat." Aeneas handed something to Selah. "I couldn't bring much because it would be too suspicious if you came out energized. But at least it's enough to help you think."

Selah stares at the package Aeneas gives her. It contains various pastries. "Surely you're not here to feed me some pastries, are you?"

"What are you talking about, Lady Selah. I promised to protect you, right?" said Aeneas. "Indeed, we haven't been able to maximize it because we don't have legal relations in society yet, but at least I can do something."

Oh, so this is how it should be, thought Selah. A partner who helps you in difficult times instead of making things worse. A partner who immediately apologizes for causing you trouble instead of blaming you back.

Blair had never done anything like this to Selah.

"Unexpectedly, you are a crybaby too, aren't you, Lady Selah?"

"It is not like that. It's just… I thought… Maybe this is what they called attention," Selah's eyes started to get dizzy. "It feels like before… no one has ever…"

"Okay, just sleep again then."

Selah faintly heard Aeneas humming.

[Lullaby and goodnight. Those eyes close tight. The angle will come. So sleep without fear. Even I hate to see you go; lullaby and goodnight, Sweetheart.]