FIH | CH 12

Chapter 12

Haela ate breakfast in her room and read the letters and invitations addressed to her. Since it was obvious how much the servants would gossip if she went out looking like this, she felt more comfortable staying in her room even if it felt stifling. The bruises would fade in about a week, so she just had to endure until then. Even so, people were still coming in and out of her room, so she felt self-conscious and sat in front of the vanity to apply powder. After doing so, the marks were barely noticeable unless one looked very closely.

She was about to stand up with a much lighter heart when Heinrich arrived. Standing beside him was a boy who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen. He was about a head taller than Haela, but standing next to Heinrich, his thin body looked even more fragile and pitiable.

“This is the personal escort you mentioned yesterday, Madam,” Heinrich said to the boy. “What are you doing? Greet her at once.”

“I will protect you with my life, Princess,” Elliot said as he knelt on one knee.

“He is young, but he has a steady and upright character. He is the only one in the knights around the same age as you, so he would be good for conversation, and he is skilled enough to handle an emergency.”

“I trust your judgment, Sir.”

After Heinrich left, three people remained in the room.

“Sir Elliot.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“What is your last name?”

She had never had such a conversation with him before. These were her people—those who protected her and those she had to protect. Since they were precious connections she had met again through an impossible chance, she intended to cherish them.

“It is Flare. It’s a humble family, so you likely haven’t heard of it. I am a relative of Viscount Flare, and I joined the order upon his recommendation.”

“How old are you?”

“I am seventeen this year.”

“I’ll be in your care. I’ll have many tasks for you.”

He was as stiff as a wooden stick due to his strict discipline, and even at a glance, he was frozen with tension. With his kind eyes and clean face, he had an angelic appearance, especially since his hair and eyes were a pure silver, almost white. Furthermore, his skin was fair and translucent, and his eyelashes seemed longer than a girl’s. Seeing his youthful face so rigid with nerves made her laugh.

Haela looked at him with a soft gaze. She had already lived a full life and died at twenty-four. Perhaps because of that, even though they were roughly the same age, the boy before her felt like a cute younger brother.

“Thank you for the handkerchief. If you find it difficult or uncomfortable while following me, don’t hesitate to speak up.”

“I will do so.”

Elliot inadvertently raised his head and locked eyes with Haela, then immediately looked down. His white, soft-looking cheeks turned a rosy pink as if he were blushing.

***

The sun set.

“Uriel.”

A short knock was heard, followed by Kersian’s voice. When Uriel told him to enter in a weak voice, the door opened and he walked in. His clean, white skin looked even more noble, and the deep gaze in his long, sharp eyes was sunken and dark. He was still overbearing and handsome, holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Kersian placed the bouquet on the table next to the bed and approached her.

“Uriel, are you feeling alright?”

Uriel groaned as she sat up. She looked down with a sorrowful face.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry. I heard you were coming, but please forgive me for greeting you like this since I still don’t feel well.”

Unlike usual, Uriel wore light makeup, and her long, wavy hair hung down without any ornaments. One of her cheeks was badly bruised, but she was still beautiful.

“It’s alright, so just stay seated without worrying about manners.”

Kersian made Uriel sit back on the bed and sat down beside her, stroking her cheek. Uriel flinched and let out a short groan.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

When Kersian tried to pull his hand away, she quickly grabbed it and rubbed her cheek against his large hand. Her eyes, beautiful as a lake, were full of affection.

“It still throbs, but I’m okay.”

Kersian withdrew his hand with a worried face, then pulled Uriel into an embrace and stroked her hair. Uriel sat quietly in his arms and looked over his shoulder at the bouquet he had brought. They were red roses, her favorite.

“Your Grace, I was so scared and in pain.”

Uriel hugged Kersian’s neck and cried while clinging to him. Kersian waited until she stopped crying, then pulled back and said with a regretful face, “To hit you so hard… the Count went too far.”

“The Princess forced my father to hit me until I was on the verge of fainting. My father probably had no choice since the Princess ordered it.”

At those words, Kersian’s expression darkened.

“Many servants surrounded and watched me that day. The Princess must have called them in advance. They watched me kneel before her and get hit by my father, and they ridiculed me.”

Uriel spoke while sobbing again.

“I’m terrified of the thought of them looking at me like a spectacle when I visit the Duchy again.”

“You don’t have to worry; I will take measures so that you don’t run into them.”

“Thank you.”

With a relieved face, she kissed Kersian passionately and pulled him down onto the bed. At the same time, she placed Kersian’s hand on her body. Through the thin white nightgown, he could feel her warm body temperature and soft curves. Uriel looked at him with a heated gaze. Looking down from above, Kersian’s face was still arrogant and beautiful. He looked like the most expensive jewel perfectly crafted. Kersian did not belong only to her, but she belonged to him. She had to be satisfied with that fact for now, but one day…

“Your Grace, I’m still so scared when I think of that day. Can’t you stay with me a little longer?” Uriel asked in a suggestive voice. Her eyes held clear greed, but combined with her seductive posture, it was simply captivating. Kersian did not refuse her.

.

.

.

The two separated only after two hours had passed. Afterward, Kersian dressed and prepared to return. From under the covers, a tired Uriel wrapped the blanket around herself and hugged his waist as he stood up.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I have matters to handle. Is there something you want to say?”

“Your Grace, my father has given orders and my physical condition is like this, so I can’t even go out. Since the Princess acted so scary and threatened me, I’m afraid to go to the Duchy even though I want to see you.”

She sat on Kersian’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her untidied clothes slipped down, making her look even more alluring. She slowly raised her head and looked at Kersian with a desperate face. Her large eyes were full of tension.

“So, can you continue to come here in the future?”

Kersian gave her a short kiss on her unbruised cheek and looked at her as if she were cute.

“Did you look so tense just to say that?”

Kersian had a sharp impression, but he looked infinitely warm when he smiled. Even though she had seen his face for a long time, Uriel couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter every time she saw this side of him. With eyes curved beautifully like crescent moons, he spoke in a calm voice.

“Since you aren’t well, it’s best to think of it as recuperating and rest at the Count’s mansion for a while. I will drop by the mansion whenever I have time, so don’t worry… As it has always been, you don’t need to worry about anyone’s reaction when you come to the Duchy.”

***

On a peaceful afternoon, Haela was holding a quill and writing with a serious face. She had lost a little weight since the wedding day, making her features sharper, and the vitality that used to fill her cheeks and lips had faded. However, her face as she focused was more beautiful than before.

Elliot stood quietly by Haela’s side like a shadow. He still looked very disciplined, but it was better than a few days ago. He was blankly staring at Haela focusing on her writing when he snapped out of it at the sound of someone opening the door.

“I heard His Grace didn’t come in today either. I heard he stayed the night at Count Betia’s mansion,” Marlin said with a flushed face, clearly angry. Her voice trembled as if she were struggling to suppress her rage.

“If even you know, then the mansion must be noisy with that talk right now.”

Just as Haela said, Marlin had rushed over after accidentally hearing the maids gossiping in the garden. She had wondered why the atmosphere in the mansion was so unsettled today, and she couldn’t contain her anger once she learned the reason. However, Haela, the person most involved, seemed unbothered by the news. Instead, it was Elliot who looked down and checked her reaction with a darkened complexion.

“Since I blocked the daughter of Count Betia from entering the mansion, he must have gone there. At least it means there won’t be a commotion inside the mansion for the time being.”

“Madam, how can you be so calm? Don’t you know who is at the Count’s mansion? His Grace must have gone to see that fox-like woman.” Marlin said, stomping her feet.

“Kersian has known the daughter of Count Betia much longer than me. So, if those two want to meet, how could I stop them?”

Just then, there was a knock at the door. At Haela’s nod, Marlin opened the door, and a maid entered. Haela’s eyes narrowed upon seeing the maid.

“I heard the light in your room was on all night, so I brought some tea that’s good for insomnia in case you’re suffering from it.”

The maid poured the tea with a smile. Steam rose from the reddish tea water. It wasn’t a difficult task, yet her hands trembled. The maid pushed the tea toward Haela. A flash of tension and anticipation passed through the maid’s eyes as she watched her.