Why? Are you scared?

"You're the only one who meets him—for God's sake. I couldn't even resist hitting him in our last meeting."

Aeneas chuckled hearing Selah's confession just now. Erm, he means, his wife's confession just now.

Still wearing a white dress for their reception just now, Selah looked away, looking the other way. His wife even refused to look in the corridor of King Tristan's room. It seems their last meeting was not going well.

"Well, I will not force you," said Aeneas then.

"You will still see him?" she asked.

"I just got married, and my father can't leave his room; of course, I have to meet him, right?" Aeneas kissed the corner of Selah's lips and added, "I'll be fine."

"If you are that sure, fine.…" Selah then looked at Aeneas firmly. "Don't let that damn old man get to you."

"My dear wife, what you call damn old man is my father, your in-laws, and a king, you know," warned Aeneas in an amused tone.

"I can't believe I have a father-in-law like him."

Again Aeneas chuckled. "I met Father first, then. We will meet again after this."

Selah was silent for a long time before saying, "Yes, of course. We will meet again tonight."

With that, they separated.

The two knights standing guard at the door of King Tristan's room greeted Aeneas and immediately invited him to enter. Aeneas had indeed arranged for King Tristan to wake up on his wedding day. His father had to see him at his best, with neat short hair, a clean and shining face, and white wedding clothes with golden accents. King Tristan must see Aeneas, who has taken a new step.

"Aeneas Seneca greets His Majesty the King, Tristan Seneca," greeted Aeneas. He bowed slightly, waiting for his father to ask him to come closer.

"Look who's coming. Come here, my son." King Tristan ordered the healers and knights on guard in his room to leave. "You look beautiful in that clothes."

"I chose the model myself, thank you," says Aeneas.

King Tristan stretched out his wrinkled hand and took Aeneas' hand. "Oh, what a shame. Since this disease gnawed at me, I couldn't do anything until you finally fell in another hand. What a lucky person she is."

"Not so, Father." Aeneas lets go of King Tristan's hand. "I am the lucky one to have Duchess Selah as a wife. Her Grace has what I want."

"Is it true? What did that woman have that got your attention?" King Tristan coughed a little. "But I can give you everything you want."

"Loyalty and trust, maybe?" Aeneas chuckled. "Something that Father and Crown Prince Blair would find difficult to give."

"Oh?" King Tristan grinned weakly. "I guess it's because you feel like you already have a powerful ally to do something about."

"It's not like that, Father. Please don't take my words to heart," said Aeneas sweetly. "My father and my wife both have what I want, and neither have what I need. I did all of this to protect the one I love."

"You speak sweetly as usual, eh?" Again King Tristan coughed a little. Aeneas swiftly handed him a glass of water. "Are you happy with her then? With Helena's daughter. I met her once yesterday. She looked like she wanted to punch me after I told her all about you. Hah! But she seems to have great self-control–just like her parents."

"The people around me think so too." Aeneas watches his father drink. "I hope our child looks more like Duchess Selah than I do."

"Have you thought about getting there? Can you really do that?" sneered King Tristan. "I'd rather have a beautiful and sweet granddaughter like you."

"Why not?" asked Aeneas back. "That's our goal, Father. Build a family that is not like mine nor my wife's family. We will create a new era for this kingdom and for the Royal family."

"What do you mean-"

In an instant, King Tristan fell asleep. Aeneas grinned widely. His hands moved towards King Tristan's neck as if he wanted to strangle him. His fingers itched there.

"Wake up later, Father. Then sleep again for good. Blair will be following you soon."

***

After confirming that all the windows and balcony doors were locked, Aeneas drew the curtains. Now the moonlight could only penetrate through the cracks in the windows.

I can hardly see, thought Aeneas as he stood in the middle of his bridal chamber.

Should he light another candle? Aeneas doesn't really like the dark, but on the other hand, he doesn't want Selah to see clearly.

A knock on the door awakens Aeneas. He opened the door of his room and saw Selah being escorted by two maids.

"Why is it so dark?" comments Selah after Aeneas closes the door.

"I can light the candle again if you like," said Aeneas.

"You immediately speak casually, huh?"

Aeneas smiled at that. "Well, we're husband and wife. Nothing wrong, right?" He approached Selah to confirm something. "What you brought?"

"The best wine I could find at the last second. You know, to break the awkwardness," Selah replied.

That's why she asked earlier why it's dark in here, thought Aeneas.

His hand then took the wine bottle. But Aeneas puts it on the table instead of opening it and pouring out its contents. "I don't think we need it," he whispered, tucking Selah's hair behind her ear.

"You are mistaken, Your Highness. Maybe you don't need it, but I do," admitted Selah, turning her face the other way.

Aeneas is surprised to hear this. He didn't expect the brave woman he knew to be afraid at a time like this. If their room had been brighter, Aeneas could have seen the blush on Selah's face.

"Don't laugh at me," Selah said.

"I'm not laughing at you for that. I can't believe you still call me 'Your Highness' even on our first night," said Aeneas reasoningly. His hand brought Selah to look at him then. "Why? Are you scared?"

"Of course. It involves my body. And, I don't like pain."

"You really never did that with Blair, did you?"

"Do you have to mention anyone else's name at a time like this?"

Aeneas chuckled. "Oh my gosh, you really are," he said, amused, then kissed Selah's forehead. "There's nothing you need to worry about. I've had experience—you know that."

After saying that, Aeneas intertwined his fingers with Selah's. He gave her small kisses on her face, which Selah avoided at first, but soon accepted.

"You say that, but your body is shaking," Selah said. Finally, she looks at Aeneas. "You don't have to force yourself. There's still time, right?"

In one fell swoop, Aeneas picks up Selah. His wife shrieked, apparently surprised because she didn't expect Aeneas to have enough strength to carry her. Then slowly, Aeneas put Selah to sleep on their bed.

"If I don't do it now, the courage I have gathered so far will disappear," whispered Aeneas as he hugged Selah. "You have no idea how scared I was too."

"Forgive me. I don't mean to belittle you…" Selah replied softly. "But rather than seeing you like this, I'd rather we do it some other time. Besides, I'm also… scared."

Aeneas let go of his embrace and stared at each other in their dim room.

Aeneas is not sure who did it first. But as soon as he realized, they were already kissing.