A star I never asked for

Selah's time at Tullia was up. She had promised Jeremiah that she wouldn't be in Tullia for only a short time, considering her long journey and the work she had to leave. So after two days at Baron Tullia's side, Selah decided to return.

"I hope there will be no other surprises when we arrive at Mesina," Selah hoped.

Hacket smiled at Selah. "You are too prejudiced, Your Grace. Rest assured that everything is fine. I'm sure Mr. Jeremiah can overcome the existing problems," he said.

"Sometimes I envy your always positive way of thinking." Selah got into her carriage with Hacket's help. "I leave Baron Tullia to you. I hope something like this doesn't happen again."

"Of course, Your Grace. You can count on me."

"Then, don't you dare lie to me again."

"I'm sorry, Your Grace. If it's the latter, I will always depend on His Lordship."

Selah rolled her eyes, and Hacket laughed.

The carriage left the Tullia family's residence. As it was still summer, the streets in the regional center were still quite lively with lots of activity. If she remembers the history, Tullia will be very quiet this season because the air is hot and there are no trees. Well, who would have thought that all that could change?

"This place is completely different from what my late grandfather told me about," commented Zen.

"Your grandfather was from Tullia?" Selah asked curiously.

"Yes. One of the few people who eventually decided to migrate elsewhere. He said, this place used to be like hell. That's why he then seeks his fortune in another city," explained Zen.

"It seems that when my late mother was born, this place was better than what your late grandfather said," said Selah. "My late mother never said anything bad about Tullia."

"Yes, it seems they are. Ah-"

"What is it?"

"No, I thought I saw someone we know."

After following Zen's point of view, so did Janette.

"I didn't see anyone," said Janette. "Is it someone from Dulcia's residence?"

"No. Looks like a friend of Her Grace," Zen told him. "But that seems impossible. Because she looks a little shabby. Maybe I'm seeing it wrong."

"Woman?" asked Selah to make sure.

"Yes."

Selah furrowed her brows. No matter how much he thought about it, Selah couldn't imagine that any of her circle of friends were here. Lady Xavia and the others must have enjoyed drinking tea in the shade under a shady tree more than going to Tullia.

Of course, Selah didn't have Evanthe's name in her head at all.

***

Luckily nothing surprising happened when Selah arrived at the Capital Mesina. According to Jeremiah, everything went on as usual. Indeed, there are several piles of work, but all of this has been previously anticipated.

"Considering that your wedding is only a month away, the elders are starting to–err–complicate themselves. They protested your decision to go to Tullia yesterday," added Jeremiah.

Selah groaned upon hearing that. "I hope you handle them well," he said.

"For now, they have calmed down. But the closer to the wedding day, it looks like they will be more excited," said Jeremiah. "I suggest you just say yes to what they say, Your Grace. Those elders are happy to see you finally get married."

"Yes, because I'm way past the ideal age to get married," Selah sneered. "Please insert tea party into my schedule for them."

"As you wish, Your Grace. Then I will immediately prepare the event as well."

It was a month before the wedding, and Selah's schedule was getting packed. Will Selah have some free time to celebrate her upcoming wedding? She should at least work things out with Aeneas, right?

I have to do something for us. Like it or not, I have to spend my own time with him, thought Selah the next day before she left for the Palace.

There was as much work at Palace as at home–as she had expected, but still, she was overwhelmed. Selah did not even have time to serve Blair. No. Selah needs to focus on her work so she can meet Aeneas soon.

Or at least that's the hope. In fact, Selah only finished when it was already dark.

Shit, is that really impossible, huh? Selah thought while looking at the aster seeds that Janette brought when she picked her up.

"Your Grace?" said Janette quietly.

"Never mind, just bring it back," said Selah resignedly.

Selah was about to walk towards his carriage when Janette gestured her to look sideways. There, Aeneas is seen wearing his robes, looking ready for a night out.

"Will you make time for me?"

After almost a month since that night, Selah finally met Aeneas.

***

"Don't be quiet like that, like you're not the only one," Selah said after the minutes they sat in silence.

Aeneas gave his first laugh in a long time. "Wow, really, yes, you are," he said, amused. "You never seem to take the time to be sad."

"Letting feelings and hearts get carried away can be dangerous. I don't like it when I can't think rationally," said Selah.

"Said someone who kissed someone else because they got carried away."

Selah froze in place for a moment, then made a face. Meanwhile, Aeneas laughed again.

He could already laugh. Can I assume he's fine? thought Selah as she glanced at Aeneas surreptitiously.

"And now that someone is sneaking glances at me," teased Aeneas.

"It seems useless that I have been worrying about you for the past three weeks."

"Aw, come on. Don't be like that," said Aeneas. "I'm glad you took the time. Even though your work is finished when the night comes."

"Yes, that's how much I worry about you," admitted Selah. She watched Aeneas slowly. "No news from you this week. I also had to go to Tullia and spend much time there. I don't think we can go on like this because our wedding is only a month away. You must think so, too, right?"

Aeneas smiled faintly, then looked at his appearance. "I thought you were home already. It turns out it's still here."

"Is there anything, in particular, you'd like to talk to me about?"

"There isn't any. Same with you, I want to repair our relationship before marriage. Because even after all this is over, I have absolutely no intention of divorcing you. With my past and circumstances, getting married once is enough."

"That means... I can confirm what my late mother wrote in her diary is true?"

"The late Lady Helena has helped me a lot."

Selah exhaled a long breath. Even to the end, Aeneas will never tell his own story. Well, naturally. Who can tell the past like that?

At least Aeneas had acknowledged it. I hope there are no other secrets between us, Selah thought.

"What is that you brought?" asked Aeneas.

"Oh, these are aster seeds. I brought it from Tullia. According to Gardner, Queen Consort Catalina and my late mother took care of it together," said Selah. She gave the seed, then. "I want to give it as a souvenir."

Aeneas accepts. "You know, it is said that asters are created from crying someone who is sad because the sky is not starry. God also comforts the person by making his teardrops into this flower," he said while playing with the tips of the leaves. He looked up, then looked at Selah with his eyes as clear as the stars of the night. "Thanks for giving me a star I never asked for, Selah."