12

As the hand covering her lashes withdrew, a heavy black cloak descended, enveloping Aurelia Delensar completely. Caelum Valtaris's timely arrival dissolved her fear, even as darkness obscured her vision. She no longer cared about the chaos outside. Her heart steadied, beat by beat.

Her knight had come.

The clashing of swords outside the cloak meant nothing to her. Aurelia sat calmly on the balcony, listening to the metallic screech of blades, confident in Caelum's victory. He would win honor for her.

The cloak carried his warmth and a faint, familiar scent—like a roaring bonfire in a snowy wilderness. It was a wild, primal heat, slow yet overwhelming, melting the ice of her fear. It was a contradiction, much like Caelum himself. She often found him dull, as unyielding as steel. Yet, at times, a single glance or a deep breath from him hinted at something dangerous.

Aurelia hated danger.

But today, her knight had brought her safety—a comforting, irresistible sense of security.

The fighting ceased, and silence returned to the room. The battle was over.

Yet, no one spoke.

Aurelia bit her lip, her voice trembling. "Charlie…?" Her tone betrayed her uncertainty. She hadn't called Caelum's name, and her confidence waned with the prolonged silence.

She couldn't believe it. If her knight had won, he wouldn't remain silent for so long.

Finally, a low, steady voice broke the quiet. "Not Charlie. It's me, Aurelia."

Caelum's deep, gravelly tone was calm, almost soothing. "I won."

During the fight, the dark-haired, golden-eyed knight had been a ruthless beast, his gaze filled with cold fury. The thought of the Silver Knights nearly breaching the room had pushed him to the edge. He'd restrained himself from tearing them apart, not wanting Aurelia to witness such brutality.

He hid the parts of himself she wouldn't like.

But she had called for Charlie—clear and melodious. Caelum didn't like hearing her say another man's name, just as he disliked calling her "princess." She was everyone's princess, but Aurelia was his alone.

His golden eyes, stormy with suppressed emotion, flickered downward. The black cloak concealed her entirely, save for her small, bare feet dangling from the windowsill. They were delicate, like polished pearls, their slender ankles so fragile he could encircle them with two fingers.

He imagined marking her as his, ensuring she could never escape.

His gaze darkened. When he'd entered the room, his keen eyes had caught a glimpse of her—pale, perfect, and vulnerable. Now, his cloak clung to her, touching her skin without barriers. He envied the fabric.

Caelum's voice remained steady. "The bathroom's a mess. Let me take you to another room, alright?"

Aurelia nodded, her mind foggy and her chest tight. She was desperate to leave this nightmare behind.

In an instant, she was lifted into his arms, her body settling naturally against his. She adjusted her posture, leaning back and twisting slightly to find comfort. The movement caused Caelum's breath to hitch.

His careless princess seemed unaware of her state. The towel beneath the cloak had loosened, barely clinging to her chest. The softest parts of her pressed against his arm, her movements sending ripples of warmth through him.

The faint sound of her skin brushing against his muscles was almost imperceptible.

Aurelia, exhausted, had fallen asleep.

When she awoke, refreshed, Caelum explained that the Silver Knights' pursuit wasn't coincidental. Something she carried bore a tracking spell.

Trusting him, Aurelia laid out everything she'd taken from the palace: the red gown, the jewelry she'd meant to sell, the leather boots her brother had gifted her, and a delicate undergarment she couldn't bear to part with.

Her cheeks flushed as she pointedly ignored the undergarment. "Caelum, check these carefully."

She turned to the window, pretending not to watch as his large hands neared her intimate clothing. Her face burned. "Be thorough!" she added, her voice sharp.

Caelum's lips curved slightly. His princess was adorable, her sweetness tempting him to taste her lips. He'd be gentle, never harming her delicate petals.

Shaking off the thought, he focused on the task. He examined each item meticulously, his expression stern. He recalled an ancient tracking spell, its mark a wolf's paw.

On the sole of the leather boots, he found it—faint, obscured by dirt, but unmistakable.

He hesitated. "Aurelia…"

She turned, her smile fading as she followed his gaze to the boots. "Did you find something?"

Caelum remained silent, cleaning the sole to reveal the paw print. "This is how they tracked you."

Aurelia's face fell. She wanted to deny it, to believe her brother hadn't betrayed her. But the evidence was undeniable.

Caelum tried to comfort her. "Perhaps he was only concerned for your safety."

She cut him off, her voice sharp. "Then he should've told me himself, not—" Not sided with Queen Isolde.

The betrayal stung. Her brother had been her only ally in the palace, and now even he had turned against her.

Aurelia wiped her tears, her eyes red and raw. She bit her lip, her gaze clear and resolute. "Caelum, we're leaving Lien City today. Bury these boots outside the gates."

Her voice, though shaky, was firm. "I don't need my brother anymore."