Please keep it a secret from her

Aeneas lowered his waving hand at the carriage Selah was riding home. Within seconds, the carriage had disappeared around a corner.

"She said she had self-control issues," Aeneas told Azel, who was standing behind him. "What did you think just now?"

"Everything is as I told you before you met Her Ladyship, Your Highness," said Azel. "In my eyes, Her Ladyship does have an anger issue. The flower vase that she almost threw earlier was quite large."

"Hmm, no wonder she prefers to be beaten by his father. It must be a form of self-defense so she doesn't hurt anyone else." Aeneas turns and walks inside. "Poor woman."

Azel quickly followed suit. "Do I need to find out about that, Your Highness?"

"I wonder if Selah got that trait from Duke Dulcia or the late Lady Helena. Then, has Selah ever gone on a rampage before this?"

"I'll find out soon," said Azel.

"If you're in trouble, you can ask Janette," suggests Aeneas.

"You mean, the lady in waiting of Her Ladyship?"

"Yes, that young maid who always looks worried."

"Isn't that a problem, Your Highness?" asked Azel carefully.

Aeneas turned and smiled crookedly at Azel. "It's okay if Selah doesn't know," he said lightly.

"Okay, Your Highness. Please wait for my next report."

***

The following day, the Palace announced an official statement that Crown Prince Blair Senaca had ended his relationship with Lady Selah Dulcia. The Mesina Capital was in an uproar instantly.

Everywhere, Azel hears people guessing the cause of their relationship ending. Of course, the name Aeneas could not escape their suspicions. But some say that Selah is not suitable for Blair because of her appearance. Some associate the news with possible political changes.

I don't have to worry about it now, do I? he thought, then continued walking towards somewhere.

A small bar stood in front of him, and it was there that Azel entered. His eyes quickly caught the figure he was looking for.

"Sorry I'm late," said Azel.

The woman who was sitting was looking up and looked at Azel doubtfully. "Sir Azel?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yes. Miss Janette, right?" Azel sat down and called the waiter. "What would you like to order?"

"N-no need," said Janette.

"How about water and a sandwich?" Azel offered. Seeing how frightened Janette looked, he offered a smile. "I won't do anything to you."

"Okay…"

After mentioning all their orders, Azel turned to Janette. The woman was a stark contrast to her mistress. Janette had red hair, pale skin, and a slight build. If juxtaposed with Selah, they will look incomparable.

"I assume that Miss Janette came because Lady Selah has told you to be the bridge between Her Ladyship and His Highness, right?" asked Azel to make sure.

"Uh, yeah…" Janette replied.

"But for once, please keep it a secret from Lady Selah." After saying that, Janette immediately paled. "This is an order from His Highness."

"But…" Janette looked down. "What His Highness wants from Her Ladyship?"

"He just wanted to know a few matters," said Azel. The waiter came to serve their order. "Nothing dangerous, as long as Her Ladyship doesn't know."

"Why does His Highness want to hide something from Her Ladyship?" Janette asked worriedly. "Whereas… Her Ladyship already believes in His Highness!"

Reasonable reason, Azel thought. The problem is, Azel also questions Aeneas' motives. "Just as a precaution. His Highness also doubts whether Her Ladyship is willing to answer the questions he wishes to ask."

"Really… what do you want to know?"

"Before, how long has Miss Janette worked for the Dulcia family?"

"About… four years ago."

It wasn't a long, but Azel couldn't hurt to ask. Besides, Janette is Selah's closest person. "It's a matter of Her Ladyship's self-control," Azel started their subject. "Back in the Palace yesterday, Her Ladyship nearly injured Crown Prince Blair. His Highness is worried that the same thing will happen again and cause harm to them."

Janette covered her mouth, looking shocked. "No wonder Her Ladyship came home yesterday in such a state…" she muttered. "But… Crown Prince Blair isn't injured, right? There isn't anything that can cause Her Ladyship to be punished, right?"

Azel shook his head. "Her Ladyship herself has admitted to His Highness that she has bad self-control. We want to know how bad things are and what will happen if Her Ladyship goes out of control."

"I see," muttered Janette. "But I…"

Dulcia's family's upbringing is truly impressive, Azel thought. Even though Janette was already intimidated by Azel's appearance, she was still reluctant to tell the truth. Maybe this would be difficult, so Azel pressed her again, "I promise I won't use this information for anything bad. Prince Aeneas and I only want to protect Lady Selah if something like this happens again."

"I heard from other maids… that there were times when Her Ladyship was easily offended by a single word. But that only lasts during childhood," Janette finally opened her voice. "Once she got older, Her Ladyship became calmer."

"What usually causes Her Ladyship to be angry? Apart from something happening beyond her predictions or something bothering her."

"Like… trigger words? In that case… usually, the ones related to the late Duchess Dulcia or the Tullia family."

"You've seen Her Ladyship go berserk?"

Janette's expression turned pale. She looked scared and horrified. "Just that one time," she said in a trembling voice.

"How?" pushed Azel carefully.

"Back then, Duke Dulcia told her about Her Ladyship's engagement plans with Crown Prince Blair…."

Janette began to tell stories. She said Selah felt she had been sold by her father and didn't accept it. Duke Dulcia was angry, screaming that Selah should be grateful because there was a man who wanted to be engaged to her. Moreover it was a crown prince.

After shouting back, saying it must all be for Duke Dulcia's benefit only. Duke Dulcia said something that offended Selah, saying she was just as unfortunate as Helena. Duke Dulcia also said that Crown Prince Blair had indeed proposed to Selah because he really wanted to. Later, Crown Prince Blair will definitely take a concubine as well.

Feeling humiliated, Selah attacked Duke Dulcia.

"It happened in His Grace's study, so no one knows how it happened. We only heard screams. When the sound of a hard object falling, the guard knights barged in…

"Inside… I saw Her Ladyship trying to… trying to strike His Grace with a fork. Even though Her Ladyship's condition was messy and bloody. It looks like… they've been attacking each other before because the room was also a mess."

It would be a lie if Azel wasn't impressed by that story. "How was His Grace at that time?"

"Bruises and small scratches on his face. Not as bad as Her Ladyship," explained Janette. "Even so, we all know they just had a big fight."

No matter how you imagine it, Azel couldn't imagine a father and daughter fighting each other. It must've actually been horrific if Janette was shaking like this.

"Drink first, Miss Janette," Azel said. Janette complied but could only take one gulp. "After that, what?"

"After that… Her Ladyship lay ill for three days. But strangely… Her Ladyship has become much calmer." Janette shook her head slightly. "Her Ladyship became more and more silent and frightening over the past few days. Then on the engagement day…."

Selah acted as if nothing had happened. She was still able to welcome guests, talk, and smile. Azel even remembered seeing Selah talking to Blair calmly as if she had happily accepted the engagement.

Poor woman, Azel thought, agreeing with Aeneas' words at that time.

Selah Dulcia…

Actually, how did that woman live all this time?