Have I changed to be like my father?

After thinking things over, Selah came to one conclusion: It was Aeneas who hit Azel just now.

Isn't the timing just right? Aeneas, who had just returned home, was fine, Azel was still fine until this morning, and both of them were injured that night. Well, even though Selah was sure it was only Aeneas who attacked.

Now the question is, why did Aeneas hit Azel?

Not because of me, right? thought Selah. Somehow he felt guilty.

"I was worried that you would avoid me again," greeted Aeneas when he realized Selah's presence.

"I couldn't have avoided you through dinner, could I?" Selah said. She then sat down with the help of Aeneas. It was an opportunity to ask about his hand. "What happened to your hand?"

"Oh, this?" Aeneas raises his bandaged hand. "Not something you need to worry about."

The same answer as Azel gave. It's obvious that Aeneas tries not to talk about his wound.

But for the sake of the peace of their dinner, Selah decided not to ask any further questions. However, they recently got married. Selah couldn't allow her marriage to be shaken in the first place over such a small matter.

"The wind is getting cold," says Aeneas after the minutes they have spent in silence. "It seems wrong to have asked you for dinner like this."

"It's not that cold. I quite enjoy it," said Selah. She looked up at the tree whose leaves swayed slightly in the wind. "It feels like when we were in Lièvremont."

Aeneas finally smiles. "You like it there?"

"Yes. I am envious of Lady Xavia."

"If you want, you can go there for a while."

"What–no, no," Selah refused hastily. "Your Highness, when I was here earlier, I was escorted by Sir Azel, whose face was injured. You're the one who hit him, right?"

"I have always been amazed at your speed of thought," said Aeneas in awe.

"This is not the time to be amazed," Selah chuckled. She let out a long breath then. "Why did you do it? Your hand must be hurting so much…."

"Why did I do it? Of course, because Sir Azel made a fatal mistake. He was negligent in looking after you," answered Aeneas. "Selah, now you are… afraid of Blair, right?"

It's really obvious, thought Selah. Well, judging from his attitude all day, it's clear that Aeneas knows. "It'll be back to normal later. You don't need to worry."

"How can I not worry? I've been through it before, so I know how it feels–how you feel right now," sighed Aeneas. He looked at Selah with a sad look. "Sorry that it had to happen to you."

"You're not the one who should apologize to me," Selah said. She was silent for a long time, "After all, compared to what you have experienced, this is nothing. You don't need to hit Sir Azel."

"You say that for Sir Azel's sake?" asked Aeneas in disbelief.

Selah rolled her eyes. "I said that so next time you won't have to hurt yourself defending me," she said.

"Otherwise, I would have punched Blair. I never hit him." Aeneas took Selah's hand and kissed it. "But I'll cut off his head—maybe."

Selah tried to smile. "That is the revenge I expect from you," she said.

***

It was late enough that day to receive visits. But hearing that it was Aeneas who visited, Blair accepted it happily.

Unfortunately, Blair did not expect that what he would see would not be the usual Aeneas.

What met him in his living room was not a sweet little brother who was obedient and always smiled. The younger brother who met him now was a figure that looked very angry.

"What did you do to Selah?!" shoot Aeneas as soon as he sees Blair.

The maid and Raul, who was accompanying Blair, were even surprised. It was the first time they saw Aeneas get angry and snap at someone. It was also the first time they had seen Blair being scolded.

"Aeneas…" Blair hastily reassured his brother. He gestured for the maid and Raul to leave. "Calm down–"

This may also be the first time Aeneas brushes off Blair. "What did you do to my wife?" he repeated. His beautiful eyes were sparkling with tears. "I don't forbid you to meet Selah even though I know you still have feelings for her. But how can you touch her?!"

Blair's heart seemed to stop for a moment. He wasn't surprised because Selah had already told Aeneas what had happened in the garden at that time. Blair is more shocked because he has resurrected Aeneas' trauma.

Of course. How could Blair forget? How could Blair do this to his brother?

What Blair did to Selah then was the same as King Tristan did to Aeneas and Catalina!

"You know how I am. But-"

"Wait, Aeneas," Blair interrupted quickly. "That… it was just a misunderstanding. I only…"

Aeneas' silence makes Blair's heart tear. He didn't even dare to look at Aeneas now.

Blair has committed a grave sin. This sin is even more terrible than his silence when he found out what King Tristan did to Aeneas.

This time, it was as if Blair had done it to Aeneas himself.

"I am wrong!" Blair grabs Aeneas before he can get away. "I wronged you, Aeneas. Forgive me. I… What must I do so that you will forgive me?"

"Let me go," muttered Aeneas in a cold tone. He just walked away then, leaving Blair alone with his guilt.

[What have I done? Am I out of my mind? Have I changed to be like my father? How is Aeneas now? No. No!]

Blair's mind suddenly became confused. He couldn't think straight. Flashes of his harrowing teenage years with Aeneas and Catalina swirl through his head; screaming, crying, and anger mixed into one.

What have I done? Blair asked himself that question many times. But no matter what, he couldn't find the answer.

Oh no. Of course, there is an answer. Isn't this all Selah's fault? It was Selah who suddenly caught the attention of the innocent Aeneas. It was Selah who captured Aeneas' attention from Blair.

Blair, Aeneas, and Catalina had been fine before, just the three of them. Until one day, Selah came to win Aeneas' heart. Little by little, Catalina's heart will be won by him.

"I can't let it. Yes, this is her fault…" Blair muttered.

If Selah didn't exist…. Aeneas would just be sad for a little while, right? Blair will be able to comfort him later.

Right?