I cherished her

The headline in the morning's paper took Evanthe by surprise. How come? The news she has been waiting for is not out! Even though she had used all her money to get the news published.

"How could that be?!" Evanthe threw the newspaper on the floor in annoyance.

She rushed out of her house until a man in a familiar uniform was standing right in front of the door of her small house.

"Greetings to Lady Evanthe Gilmore," the man said. "I am Azel, the knight of Prince Aeneas. Your Highness is waiting for you in his carriage."

Evanthe stared in disbelief at the man in front of her. She also tried to peek behind Azel, and it was true that there was a carriage waiting for her.

"W-what does Prince Aeneas want from me so early in the morning?" Evanthe asked defensively.

"Prince Aeneas said that Your Ladship should come without me having to force," said Azel coldly.

Yes, but why? Evanthe thought warily. "Why? Did Prince Aeneas eventually grow tired of Lady Selah and choose me as his brother did?"

"Are Your Ladyship coming or not?" repeated Azel coldly.

His piercing gaze made Evanthe tremble. Azel is the knight who doesn't like to talk much like Raul. That means Azel will not hesitate to hurt Evanthe.

Evanthe shouldn't have been afraid at this point because Blair would usually help her. Usually. But remembering how their last meeting was...

Evanthe had better just do it this time.

Damn it, Evanthe thought as she finally followed Azel. She didn't expect that she would lower herself to this extent. Even if she marries Blair later, her position will be higher than Aeneas'.

"Good morning, Lady Evanthe. I am happy because you want to come without Sir Azel having to force it."

Aeneas' gentle greeting failed to make Evanthe not surprised. The problem was not with Aeneas but the other people in the carriage.

Blair was also there. He sat right beside Aeneas with cold eyes.

"Do you need any help?" asked Aeneas sweetly, holding his hand.

No. Why is Blair here too? thought Evanthe, still shocked by his existence.

"What makes you move slowly? You're wasting your time," Blair said.

"W-what?" Evanthe muttered in disbelief.

"My Lady?" Aeneas calls out to her, still holding out his hand.

Evanthe enters the carriage with Aeneas' help and sits anxiously across from the two princes.

No matter how you look at it, this is not a good sign. The smiling Aeneas and the silent Blair throughout the journey are a bad combination.

No, no. What's worse is where this carriage is taking Evanthe now.

"Why are we here?!" Evanthe demanded. It turns out Blair and Aeneas brought her to justice!

Aeneas went down first. With his most charming smile, he said evil things sweetly, "Because you made a mistake, Lady Evanthe. Everyone who comes here does, too, right?"

"What have I done wrong? Are you accusing me of being a criminal?!"

"Evanthe." Blair's voice sounded like an undeniable commandment. "Out. Now."

The violent push from Blair's hand knocked Evanther out of the carriage. Aeneas, who had left earlier, did not help her at all. And instead of being welcomed, Evanthe was forced to her feet by the knights after.

"Blair! What have I done to make you treat me like this?! I didn't make a mistake!" Evanthe shouted.

"You attacked a member of the Imperial family with that stupid news you were about to broadcast. You were also the perpetrator of the attack on Baron Tullia last summer. Do I still have to explain them one by one?" said Blair.

"When did I attack the Imperial family members?"

Blair's sapphire blue eyes flashed fiercely. "You threatened my brother's wife, Evanthe. Princess Selah."

Evanthe immediately turned her attention to Aeneas, who was still smiling. His innocent expression made her angry instantly.

"What… What is the meaning of this? Are you defending Selah more now?" Evanthe hissed.

"I've heard you address members of the Imperial family rudely." Blair let out a tired breath. "When are you going to learn? Don't you remember what happened to your father?"

Blair then gestured for the knights to take Evanthe away immediately.

"Wait, Blair! You can't do this to me!" Evanthe shouted, struggling. Of course, her efforts were in vain. "You said you loved me!"

Those last words left everyone who heard them speechless, even the knight who brought her to a halt—everyone except Blair and Aeneas.

The man who once said he loved her,

The man who once whispered sweet words in her ear,

Now he turned his head away and said coldly, "She has gone mad. Take her away from me."

What did I just hear? What did he just say? thought Evanthe.

Amidst the coercion of the knights dragging her away, Evanthe tried to see Blair's face. But instead of Blair's face, she saw, it was Aeneas' satisfied smile that caught her eye.

His charming face which was like a god, suddenly changed like a devil in disguise. The twinkle in his eyes and smile said it all.

[Thanks for your stupidity.] Evanthe saw Aeneas's lips form a sentence.

"Blair! You're being framed! Listen to me first! Blair!"

***

"Even to the end, she kept spouting nonsense," Blair said disgustingly. "You can handle the rest from here, can't you, Aeneas?"

"Of course, Your Highness. You don't need to worry. Thank you for the help," said Aeneas, sounding sincere. "At least this way, Selah's mind will be a little less burdened."

Blair was silent for a long time before replying, "You've been away from her for too long."

"I'd be lying if I didn't miss her, Your Highness." Aenea smiled. "Ah, I have to bring a souvenir so she won't be angry because I just left. Ha ha."

A smile and laughter I've never seen, Blair thought, glancing at Aeneas. "You really love her, huh?"

"She's my wife," said Aeneas amused. "But it seems the word 'love' isn't right to describe my feelings for her. This feeling… what is it called?"

"Cherished," Blair muttered.

"Oh yes. Maybe that's the right word. I cherished her. A lot." Aeneas turned to Blair. "Because she does the same for me."

"I'm getting jealous…" Blair muttered absently. He was shocked when he realized what he had just said. "No, I mean…."

But Aeneas shows absolutely no expression of surprise, disappointment, or anger. His brother was still smiling as if he understood and understood Blair's insolent words just now.

"I'm sure you will find a woman like that too," said Aeneas later.

It wasn't that Blair was jealous.