19

Sitting on the bed, Aurelia Delensar watched as Caelum Valtaris knelt before her, fastening her shoes. Her crimson eyes flickered with contemplation.

She observed him quietly.

After witnessing Caelum effortlessly defeat Charles, a knight of the highest honor, Aurelia had come to understand the depth of his strength.

Her brother had once told her that the truly powerful often possessed traits that set them apart from ordinary people.

Aurelia decided to be more lenient with Caelum, tolerating behaviors she would normally never allow.

But the look in his eyes earlier…

Caelum's dark, tousled hair gave him an air of submission, yet his towering frame, kneeling before her, was like a dormant volcano—silent but brimming with explosive danger.

Volcanoes inevitably erupt.

He wasn't entirely safe.

"Nini," Aurelia asked suddenly, "is this your first time serving as a knight?"

Caelum looked up, his golden eyes reflecting only her. "Yes, my lady. You are my first and only master."

His gaze was pure, like a mirror, utterly focused.

Aurelia glanced away, nodding softly, as if moved by his loyalty.

Her golden hair fell like a curtain, shielding her face.

She had made a decision.

"Let's go out," she said, standing up. "We didn't finish exploring yesterday."

But her legs gave way, and she collapsed back onto the bed.

"Huh?"

She blinked, attributing her weakness to her cycle, and abandoned her plans.

Aurelia nestled back into the soft bedding, only her golden head peeking out. "Nini, how did you know about my… you know?"

She bit her lip, her eyes glistening like dewy morning roses.

The reserved princess was usually too shy to discuss such private matters.

Caelum's expression remained neutral. "As your knight, it's my duty to care for all your needs."

Aurelia seemed to accept this explanation.

She relaxed, flipping onto her stomach and propping her chin on her hands. "Go fetch the crown for me. I'll rest here."

The crown needed to be resized, and they had arranged to pick it up today.

Caelum considered this. The trip to the jeweler would take no more than half an hour. He nodded.

Aurelia, drowsy and nestled in the bed, seemed unlikely to wander. Still, he added, "My lady, if you wish to go out, please wait for my return."

She nodded sleepily. "Don't worry. I'm staying right here."

Caelum's concerns eased.

"Oh," Aurelia added, a strand of hair sticking up, "who changed my nightgown last night?"

Caelum froze, his back to her, his face hidden in shadow.

"Your dress was soiled," he said calmly. "A maid attended to you."

Aurelia hummed, assuming he had enlisted the help of the inn's staff.

The pampered princess had high standards for her attendants.

She pouted, complaining, "The bow on the dress was a mess. It made my back hurt all night. And…"

She glanced at Caelum's back, hesitating before swallowing her words.

And…

The placement of her personal items had been all wrong.

How clumsy!

Caelum's face burned.

Even his dark skin couldn't hide his discomfort.

His ears, hidden beneath his hair, twitched nervously, a mix of tension and heat.

Last night had been chaotic.

He had barely restrained himself from giving in to his instincts.

His hands had trembled as he tied the bow, let alone ensuring it was neat.

But…

The outwardly loyal knight allowed himself a small smile.

Aurelia was too trusting, too naive to see through his lies.

For example, a knight could also be a princess's "servant."

The trip to retrieve the crown took longer than expected, and Caelum returned half an hour late.

Aurelia would likely be upset.

He sighed, though a secret part of him looked forward to it.

The image of her crimson eyes blazing with anger, her cheeks flushed, her voice trembling with indignation—it stirred something primal within him.

Even her scolding would sound sweet, her words soft and ineffective, only fueling his darker desires.

The black wolf of the tundra was no gentle creature.

They were born to dominate, to claim what was theirs with unyielding possessiveness.

Caelum was no exception.

He was just very good at hiding it.

His good mood vanished the moment he stepped into the inn.

Aurelia's laughter echoed down the hall.

She sounded unusually cheerful, her voice laced with her usual haughtiness. "Oh, my dear Edward, you're such a bore, but your sister is simply delightful!"

Caelum paused, his gaze sharpening as he turned toward the sound.

Aurelia sat on a small sofa, a large white rabbit in her lap and a red fox curled at her feet.

She wore the new dress she had bought yesterday, her pale legs visible through the sheer fabric, a string of golden bells jingling at her ankles.

She had run into an acquaintance—Edward, a nobleman from the capital, and his sister, Serena.

The siblings shared similar features, their flaxen hair and glass-like eyes marking their royal lineage.

As Serena recounted a story about the queen's frugal fashion choices at a recent salon, Aurelia laughed so hard she nearly clapped her hands.

"As Serena said, our queen is quite the actress," Aurelia remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

A proper lady shouldn't gossip, especially about the queen.

But Aurelia had been exiled here because of the queen, and she needed an outlet for her frustration.

She quickly changed the subject, turning to Edward. "Why don't you bring Serena to more events?"

Edward, ever the picture of elegance, smiled warmly. "It would be an honor, Your Highness."

Aurelia rolled her eyes.

She disliked his polished, insincere manner.

They were distant relatives, and at past balls, Aurelia had often used Edward as a shield to avoid dancing with others.

Her brother and the court had mistaken her actions for affection, but Aurelia felt nothing for him.

Edward's smile was too perfect, too fake.

She had no interest in the man behind the mask.

As she turned back to Serena, the rabbit in her lap suddenly bristled, and the fox curled into a ball.

Aurelia blinked, sensing a cold presence behind her.

She turned to find Caelum standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"Nini!" she exclaimed, rushing over to him. "You're back!"

She reached for the box in his hands, her bells jingling merrily.

Aurelia opened the box, her eyes lighting up as she examined the crown.

She placed it on her head, tilting it this way and that.

"How do I look?" she asked, her ruby eyes sparkling.

Caelum's anger melted away.

He could never stay mad at her.

Even as jealousy clawed at his heart.

"Beautiful," he said softly.

Aurelia, oblivious, returned to the sofa, only to find the rabbit and fox gone.

She sighed but was too excited about her new crown to care.

"I'm going to rest now," she said, smiling at Edward and Serena.

Edward rose gracefully, bowing. "Until tonight, Your Highness."