Let us depart now

"I'm fine, Lady Ischa," Selah said with difficulty as she tried to escape her aunt's interrogation.

Not believing her words, Lady Ischa checked Selah's face and body instead. "How come you're okay? Try telling me back what Crown Prince Blair was trying to do to you!" she said without thinking. "Hit? Pointing his sword at you?! If you weren't raised as Dulcia, you would have died long ago!"

"But I'm fine, and I can stand up for myself. Besides, there is Sir Azel who helps," Selah explained for the umpteenth time.

During King Tristan's death, Blair's attack on his brother's wife becomes big news. The news had spread overnight throughout Mesina, even though the snow was still piled up everywhere. Worse, most of the news that circulated was exaggerated. Therefore, Lady Ischa was even willing to barge into the Palace, which was tense insolently.

"Forget about the coup. I can behead that child alone now," said Lady Ischa angrily.

"Lady Ischa, please," said Selah, trying to stop her. "You don't usually act like this."

"Of course. You think I can keep quiet when my pregnant niece gets attacked by her ex-fiancé?!" said Lady Ischa spicily. "Selah, don't you remember that he dumped you first? And now he's trying to kill you? What does he want?!"

"Crown Prince Blair is already mad, but we can't go mad too," Selah warned. "The situation here is not good. Everywhere, I hear that war will soon break out between Prince Aeneas and Crown Prince Blair. Honestly, I'm worried."

Hearing Selah's anxiety, Lady Ischa softened. She patted Selah's shoulder to calm her down. "Don't worry. I won't make you a widow at this young age."

"Everyone tells me to calm down," Selah complained. "Can I calm down in a situation like this?"

Lady Ischa let out a long breath. "There's nothing else I can tell you. You can only trust me and Prince Aeneas, Selah," she said. "So try to believe."

Selah gave a slight nod. The pillow from Blair that she used to lean on was now out of use. Selah had thrown it away herself. There isn't a replacement yet, but Aeneas has promised to buy a new one after all this is over.

The question is: when?

In the past, Selah had been looking forward to this. She looked forward to the day Blair would accept his deeds, and Selah would become queen. But now, Selah had doubts. Is this a sign of her being weak or just a feeling of sympathy because death is not something Blair deserves?

No.

A voice in her mind whispered, making Selah recall what Blair had done to her.

Blair, who never treats her as a partner, Blair, who often doesn't care about him, the cruel treatment he doesn't directly commit, what he has done to his uncle, also his infidelities…

Then what about Aeneas? Dying multiple times definitely wasn't enough for Blair to pay for his mistakes.

It doesn't matter. Don't be afraid. Don't worry. As Lady Ischa said, now Selah just needs to believe Aeneas. Then, everything will end.

This nightmare will end.

***

It was snowing that night.

The darkness of the Palace made the night even colder. The lighting was only on in the courtyard, while only a few lights were turned on inside the building. Not because they were in a period of mourning but because of the tension that no one else was feeling.

"It's not in vain that I ordered more than one chest. This way, Father won't be alone in hell, will he?" asked Aeneas at the portrait of King Tristan on the fireplace.

Aeneas stares at the portrait for a long time. Then, the portrait falls to the floor. Aeneas immediately kicked him so that he burned with wood.

"Crown Prince Blair doesn't look prepared for much, Your Highness. But I know the reasons behind his decision," said Azel.

"He seems to have doubts. When it comes to me, Blair always does, right?" said Aeneas confidently. "Love can indeed make someone stupid and blind."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. But I… don't understand things like that."

Aeneas chuckled. He turned around and approached Azel. Standing right before him, the difference in their heights was obvious. Aeneas had to look up at his knight. "Really? Haven't you also been fooled and blinded by love, Sir Azel?"

Azel closed his eyes for a moment. "I am a knight who has sworn allegiance to you, Prince Aeneas. It would be inappropriate for me to question the reasons behind your actions. I'm just carrying out orders," he said diplomatically.

"It seems that because you have been with me for a long time, you have become good at talking," said Aeneas, amused. He turned and looked back at the fireplace. "I will assume your choice is beyond my control, Sir Azel. So don't let me hear your complaints."

"Of course, Your Highness."

"I also don't want you telling me to reconsider my decision, Sir Azel. I'm still going to kill Blair. No buts."

"Yes. At your command, Your Highness."

Because I won't regret it, Aeneas decides to himself.

There will be no apologies; Aeneas had been preparing for this for many years. It would be ridiculous if he abandoned his plans at the last second just because of love.

There are no words of love for Blair. If his brother really loved him, he would not have left Aeneas when King Tristan abused him.

"Excuse me, Your Highness. All the guests have come and are waiting for you now," said a waiter who came.

"Thank you, we'll be right there," said Azel, representing Aeneas. "Your Highness?"

Currently, most of Aeneas's faction is gathered in his residence. They gathered in silence to attack in silence. After Blair attacked Selah some time ago, Aeneas knew this was the right time to strike.

"Let us depart now, Sir Azel."