Humans can’t escape forever

It's true. It turns out that humans can't escape forever.

A week before her wedding, Selah was finally caught after trying hard to avoid the elders who wanted to interfere in her wedding ceremony. Now she is being dragged by them for the last dress fitting.

"I know how you feel right now, Your Grace. But please be patient a little more," Janette whispered timidly to Selah.

Selah sighed in annoyance, then pretended to be busy with a list of whatever she was proffering. "And I could leave everything to Madame Deborah."

Madame Deborah chuckled. "Don't be like that, Your Grace. He lets you choose because they still try to allow you to choose. After all, these are all for you to use, so you are the most suitable."

"Just roll it up as usual. Yesterday I got an heirloom tiara worn for generations," said Selah. "Because my hair is black and the tiara is made of pearls, it will definitely stand out."

"You have good judgment, Your Grace," praised Madame Deborah.

Selah rolled her eyes. Madame Deborah's way of speaking is just as sweet as Aeneas'.

[Thanks for giving me a star I never asked for, Selah.]

Aeneas' tone at that time… sounded softer and more sincere than usual. Somehow, that thrilled Selah's heart for a moment. Selah seemed to realize that Aeneas was a handsome, fragile man and that man was hers.

And, Selah was blown away by it.

"I must be crazy," Selah muttered.

"My, my. Why suddenly muttering like that, Your Grace?" asked Madame Deborah, who now started helping Selah wear her wedding dress. "You're not regretting your decision to get married, are you? Your wedding is next week, you know."

Been silent for quite a while. "There are enough crazy choices I've ever made and this is the most absurd," she said.

Madame Deborah chuckled. "Well, it's only natural for the bride-to-be to question her decision at the last second. Marriage is a big thing that can't be taken back if you make a mistake. Marriage is all about spending your time with one person for the rest of your life. Of course, you are afraid."

"Afraid? To Prince Aeneas?"

"Oh, don't look like that, Your Grace. Not afraid that His Highness will do things to you, but more afraid that you might hurt His Highness? Afraid that you will disappoint him and make him cry. Afraid that if you don't manage to protect him…"

"It seems that Prince Aeneas has the image of a fragile, beautiful man, huh?"

"I'm not going to lie about that." Madame Deborah has now started with the outer part of Selah's dress. "But that's exactly what fascinates you, isn't it? The one that makes you want to protect him no matter what."

Ah, so that's how it is, huh? Is that an explanation for Selah's feelings for Aeneas right now?

The strange feeling that Selah was feeling right now… What's it called? Selah doesn't know.

But whatever the name of Selah's feelings for Aeneas right now...

"Well, it's done," said Madame Deborah. "Once worn, the dress looks beautiful. Prince Aeneas' choice was not wrong. With this dress, your silhouette looks more beautiful."

Selah turned around a bit and saw her reflection in the mirror. Dress in broken white color with a slim model with a long tail. The collar was parted open, exposing Selah's shoulder blades. She remembers arguing with Aeneas about this dress, but it turned out to be pretty good after putting it on.

"Janette, you can call the ladies in," said Madame Deborah. "We try to put the tiara."

"Yes, Madame."

Selah was still staring at her reflection in the mirror.

She is beautiful.

And what makes her beautiful is Aeneas, the beautiful man she thinks is fragile.

***

According to the plan, Selah Dulcia's wedding with Aeneas Seneca will be held in the church with limited guests. There will only be a small reception at the Royal Palace afterward, and the event will be kept short. It was all done in honor of King Tristan, who was still sick and Catalina, who couldn't attend.

"Marriage without the presence of parents, this is the first time I hear about it," joked Aeneas

"From my side, there will be Baron Tullia attending as my closest blood relative. Dulcia's elders will also come. You will only bring Crown Prince Blair?" Selah asked.

"Yes. He is the only representative of the Seneca family. I'm not close to the family of the late Queen Balthasar. People close to Mother have also died," said Aeneas openly. "After that, we went straight to the villa. There is a villa in my own name only two days away. We're just honeymooning there."

Selah almost choked on her tea. How could Aeneas mention their honeymoon now?

"You don't like that idea? Sorry, but I can't leave Mother for too long. Mother will be surprised if her favorite 15-year-old son gets married and goes on a honeymoon."

"It is not my intention. But…" Selah sighed. "Never mind, forget it."

The grin on Aeneas' lips made Selah chuckle, then looked away. This was the first time they had discussed anything related to "rooms" and Aeneas' reaction was light. Selah doubted whether this man really knew what they should do on their honeymoon. Moreover, Aeneas first asked to have children quickly.

"Don't be like that, honey. It's only natural that we talk about the honeymoon," said Aeneas seductively. Selah feigned disgust as she called him affectionately. "The sooner, the better. We, especially me, cannot always avoid things like this. That's why I discussed it with you. You don't need to worry."

"If that's what you say," Selah said casually. She began to think about bringing a few bottles of wine with her there. Can she still have time to buy it now? What wine is the most delicious?

"The villa is quiet," said Aeneas suddenly.

"Yes?"

"There are only a few workers because the building is small. Behind the building is an artificial lake shaded by a shady tree. The front yard is small, but I plant flowers there. Even though it is quite far from people's houses, the villa is close to the villages," continued Aeneas.

"You bought them for hiding places?" guess Selah.

"No. I bought it indeed for this time when I can be alone with my wife," said Aeneas.

"Man, you really don't want to look pathetic, do you?"

"Hah, let's see who's talking."

"Should I prepare anything else just in case?"

Aeneas shook his head. "I've asked the chef there to prepare a soup that's easy to eat for me when I'm sick," he said. "So you just get into bed in the best condition."

Selah fell silent at that.

Not because of the vulgarity of Aeneas' words just now, but…

[..just get into bed in the best condition.]

Because Selah had just remembered how she was herself.