You look shaken

Archibald Dulcia's hand was cut off. In the presence of several witnesses, the terrible event took place.

From Dulcia's side came Jeremiah, as well as a family elder. From the Palace, Blair and two other officials attended. From the side of the people, there were three elders present. But among all of them, tucked away Azel, who infiltrated on Aeneas' orders.

Then what about Selah? She asked if she could ask Jeremiah later.

"Surely you wouldn't exile your father in a tough spot, would you?" Aeneas asked Selah as he chose which flower he wanted to pick.

"There is a family villa far from here. The place is just a small two-floor house. There was nothing there except the neighboring farm, which was quite far away. I think that's enough for him," Selah replied.

"Unexpectedly, you're kind-hearted too, huh?" comments Aeneas. "You didn't charge him for the alleged murder of your late mother and Baron Tullia's family."

"Uncle… Baron Tullia doesn't want his family problems to be prolonged. He says it will only hurt him. Then I…"

Selah's words hung unfinished. She didn't want to say with her mouth that she wouldn't be able to watch her father hanged to death.

I think I'm a coward, Selah thought.

"For me, maybe I won't be like you," said Aeneas. He finally pulled out a summer rose with his bare hands, as if he wasn't afraid the thorns would cut his finger. "That I will make sure my father dies in a more painful way than my mother's."

After a long silence watching Aeneas. "Sorry if I'm being presumptuous, Your Highness. But… people around me say that I must hear a story from your mouth. Does… does that have something to do with what you just said?" he asked carefully.

"Let's just say that."

"We're about to get married. I feel entitled to know more about you."

Having never received an answer from Aeneas, Selah decided to approach him. It turned out that Aeneas was pensively staring at his bleeding finger. It must be because of the rose thorns.

"You are hurt," Selah said. "Should I call a maid for you?"

Aeneas snorted in amusement. "There are too many wounds to heal," he said. "If you just leave it like this, it's also left to dry – as long as Mother and Blair don't know."

Selah took Aeneas's injured finger and tried covering the wound with her handkerchief. "If you know you're injured, you must treat it right away, right? Instead of just letting it go," she said. "A wound this small can have a big impact if left unchecked."

"It seems you are speaking from experience."

"And you learn absolutely nothing."

"It's not that I don't study, Lady Selah." Aeneas smiled. "I deliberately let the wound open so that the people who hurt me know how my wounds are."

"You masochist."

Aeneas laughed at this.

But that made Selah even more curious. From what he said, the injuries Aeneas received from King Tristan and Blair must have been pretty bad. Selah doesn't know how nasty King Tristan's wound was, considering how much he loved Aeneas in the past. Blair too…

Did Aeneas just misinterpret something? Or is it just me who knows? thought Selah.

"Your Highness, Your Grace." Azel arrived with a composure that was hard to feel. "The sentence on Lord Archibald has been carried out. He is currently being taken to receive treatment."

Selah could feel her legs go limp. And as if he knew how things were going, Aeneas led Selah to sit back down.

"Anything else?" asked Aeneas.

"The day after tomorrow, the punishment of those who conspire with Lord Archibald will be carried out," Azel replied. "With that, Lord Archibald will be sent into exile."

"Thank you for the report, Sir Azel," said Aeneas.

"I'll be back then. Excuse me."

Selah looked up at the sky in the distance. The sky looked very bright for this sad day.

"I wanted to congratulate you, but it seems you don't need it," said Aeneas.

"If you permit, I want to go home now," said Selah.

"Want me to take you to the front?"

"No, thank you. I can find my way."

Selah stood up and left Aeneas without saying anything else.

Wasn't this what Selah had wanted all along? She had painstakingly won her father's seat, but why wasn't she happy? Instead, he felt empty. Something seemed to disappear from him.

Is this a disappointment? Is this what you call regret? Selah asked herself. Usually, she wouldn't regret her choice, but this time…

Brace yourselves, Selah. You can't go home feeling like this, she thought to herself.

"I thought where were you, but you're here."

After stopping her footsteps, then she bowed respectfully. "Selah Dulcia greets Crown Prince Blair," he greeted.

Blair paused, then leaned in closer. "What a coincidence, Lord Archibald has just received his sentence," he informed her.

"Thank you for telling me, Your Highness," Selah said simply.

"You…" Blair leaned in slightly and whispered, "look shaken."

"I am pleased to receive your concern, Your Highness." Selah glanced at Blair sharply. "But I don't need it."

"Even to the end, you kept your head high," Blair said. He leaves. "One day, that kind of attitude will destroy you."

"I won't regret it," Selah said more to herself.

***

[One day, that kind of attitude will destroy you.]

Not being able to show her true feelings and in order to maintain her dignity, Selah returned to her regular routine. After hearing Jeremiah's report about the execution of the sentence, Selah returned to her work. She entered her study accompanied by her usual tea.

There is no special celebration, no special treatment. Everyone in Dulcia's residence went to their daily activities as if nothing had happened.

"Y-your Grace?" said Janette timidly. "Would you like some sweets? Even though it's late, I think it's fine to eat a little before dinner."

"No need. I will eat dessert at dinner tonight."

"B-but those sweet treats can make you feel better."

"Are you telling me that I'm not okay?"

"That's not what I meant–"

"Get out, Janette," Selah clucked indignantly. "Go out. Now!" she added snappingly.

Janette was immediately frightened. She hurriedly bowed and left. Selah herself was massaging her temples. It had been a long time since she had been this incoherently angry.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Janette immediately sent a message to Azel. She said that the lady she was serving was in a bad mood.

Azel conveys the message to Aeneas.