I ran and ran, hands still covering my face. I had no idea where I was headed until I stumbled into a small alley and leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.
I shook my head in disbelief.
How embarrassing!
Everyone saw it!
I shook my head again, trying to shake away the mortification.
"Where do you think you were running?" A sudden voice jolted me, and I looked up in shock.
There he stood, his dark gaze locked onto mine as he stepped closer. His presence filled the narrow space between us, his movements slow and deliberate.
My breath hitched.
"W-what are you doing here?" I whispered, lowering my gaze.
"What do you mean, 'doing here'? You bolted, like a rabbit running for her dear life. I should probably start calling you a 'rabbit.'" He mused, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.
I was speechless.
"Tell me, little rabbit," he continued, voice lowering, "why did you run away? Didn't you like my kiss?" He leaned in, one hand holding my waist while the other rested on the wall beside my head, caging me in.
My eyes widened in surprise.
I blinked several times before replying, "I-it's not like that. I just didn't like you kissing me in front of so many people! How embarrassing! I just… I don't like to be kissed in public."
He pursed his lips and tilted his head slightly, scrutinizing me.
"Hmm… You speak as if you've been kissed many times before." His expression darkened, his voice laced with something unreadable. "Tell me, how many men have you kissed before?"
My mouth hung open in utter disbelief.
I snapped my head up, meeting his intense gaze.
"Y-you! Why would you say that? I didn't kiss anyone! You… You are the only man I've kissed," I stammered, my face burning with embarrassment.
He blinked several times, his eyes staring at me in disbelief.
Then, he asked, "I'm the first man you've ever kissed?" His tone was still filled with disbelief.
I blinked innocently, then nodded.
"Yes, and that... that was my first kiss," I replied, my voice coming out as a whisper, like a shy little girl.
His gaze softened, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "I see," he murmured, lips curving into a knowing smile. "Forgive me if I'm being rude, but why is that? Why haven't you been kissed before?"
I frowned slightly. "What do you mean, why?" I asked, slightly annoyed.
"Well," he mused, a playful glint in his eyes, "isn't it true that when a flower is beautiful, many wild bees come to claim it?" He leaned in closer, his lips curling into a sly smile.
I was once again speechless.
This man…
"That… That is because those bees were hunted down by my brothers! You see, I was quite a precious flower to them." I replied, following his lead.
He laughed, a deep, rich sound that sent a strange warmth through me.
"What are you laughing at?" I frowned again.
"I see. Then I must thank my dear brother-in-laws the next time I meet them—for keeping this precious flower away from wild bees." He grinned mischievously.
I bit my lower lip and quickly blurted to change the subject.
"Aren't you going to feed me? I haven't eaten anything. I'm hungry." The words slipped out before I could stop them, desperate to escape the kiss conversation.
He blinked in surprise before his expression darkened slightly. "You haven't eaten?"
I shook my head. "No."
"Come, let's eat something."
He took my hand and led me out of the alley and back into the bustling streets.
We soon came across a small food stall, the aroma of grilled meat filling the air.
"Sit here. I'll get something for us," he said, gesturing for me to take a seat.
I sat on an empty seat outside, where many people were already enjoying their meals. He disappeared inside the food shop.
I sighed in relief, finally relaxing. A small smile crept onto my lips as I took in my surroundings.
Unbeknownst to me, two people, a man and a woman, had taken a seat behind me. Their silver eyes watched me attentively.
Soon, Aurelius returned, carrying grilled meat, bread, and some juice.
The people behind me stiffened, their dark gazes fixing on Aurelius as he approached. The woman made a move to stand, but the man beside her grabbed her wrist and shook his head. She frowned but obeyed, sitting back down.
Aurelius and I, oblivious to them, focused on our food.
"Here, let's eat," he said, placing the food on the table.
"Try this," he continued, picking up a piece of meat and holding it near my mouth.
I hesitated for a moment before taking a bite. The juicy meat melted in my mouth, and I smiled. "It's delicious! You should try it too." I picked up a piece and held it up for him.
"I'm glad you like it." He took a bite as well.
Just like that, we fed each other, laughing between bites. The warmth of the moment filled me with an unfamiliar sense of ease.
Before we knew it, it was time to leave.
"Amara," he called as I finished eating.
"Yes?"
"Do you want to stay a little longer, or should we head back?" he asked, his gaze searching mine.
I looked around, realizing how late it had gotten. The streets were dimly lit, and the once-bustling crowd had begun to thin.
"No, it's getting late. We should head back," I replied.
"Then let's go." He extended his hand, and I took it without hesitation.
We walked through the dwindling crowd, making our way back to our carriage. Just when we turned into a quieter street, a scene caught my attention, and I frowned.
A man with black hair was gripping a woman's hair forcefully, his voice raised in anger.
"You useless woman! How can you not even make a simple dish? Didn't I tell you I wanted meat? What is this plate of grass?" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the narrow street.
"I… I can't! There's no meat left in the house. You didn't bring any, and there's no money left! You gambled it all away!" The woman's voice trembled with unshed tears.
"You dare blame me? I bet you ate all the meat yourself, you lying wench!" He raised his hand to strike her.
Without thinking, I rushed forward and caught his arm mid-swing.
"Stop!" I yelled. "What do you think you're doing, beating a woman?"
The man turned to me, eyes blazing. "Who the hell are you? This is my wife! I'll do whatever I want with her!" He yanked his arm, trying to free himself, but I didn't let go.
"No, I won't let you hit her again. Step away," I said coldly.
"You—!" The man shoved me aside and sneered. "If you want to take her place, that's fine by me."
The moment he moved to strike me, a strong hand wrapped around his throat and lifted him off the ground effortlessly.
Aurelius.
His dark gaze burned with cold fury. "Now, now. I let my wife stop you because she felt guilty watching you abuse that woman. But it seems you're an untamed dog who needs proper training." His voice was lethal. "And for throwing my wife to the ground, you must pay."
With a single motion, Aurelius twisted the man's arm—until a sickening crack echoed through the street.
The man's agonized scream pierced the night.
I gasped, rushing to stop Aurelius before he would kill him, but before I could reach him, he tossed the man across the street as if he weighed nothing.
The man crashed into a wall, crumpling to the ground with a groan.
Aurelius stepped forward, his voice eerily calm. "Shall I break something else?"
"You will pay for this" the man barked.
"Really? Let's see what you've got," Aurelius smirked. He stepped closer, but before he could reach the man, the woman—his wife—rushed forward and knelt before Aurelius.
"My lord, please, don't kill him! He is the only family I have left," she pleaded, her eyes filled with desperation.
Aurelius hesitated, but before he could respond, I spoke up from behind him.
"But didn't he abuse you? Why are you pleading for him?" I asked, my voice laced with disbelief.
The woman looked at me, her eyes filled with sorrow. "My lady, please forgive him. He won't do it again. Isn't… isn't every man like this to their wife?"
I frowned, anger bubbling within me. "What do you mean by 'all men are like that'? Didn't you see my husband protecting me when your so-called husband tried to harass me too? Are you seriously defending him?" I said coldly, unaware of Aurelius watching me with an amused smile.
The woman hesitated before asking, "My lady, is your husband not like that?"
I smiled, linking my arm with Aurelius'. "I think you need to open your eyes and teach your husband a lesson. As for your question—my husband treats me with respect and care. Not every man is like that scumbag of yours. So please, if he ever raises his hand again, leave him." I shot a pointed look at her husband.
Aurelius smirked. "Did you hear that, woman? If you don't want me to kill this scum, then leave him."
The woman bowed her head. "I understand, my lord and lady. I will do as you say. Thank you for your help. You may leave now, I will handle this."
Her husband's expression darkened at her words.
"Are you sure you can handle him on your own?" I asked, concerned.
She nodded. "Don't worry, my lady. With that broken arm of his, he won't be able to do much. I will be fine," she assured me with a small smile.
Aurelius and I exchanged glances before nodding.
"Alright, we will leave. But are you sure? Want me to break his other arm just to be certain?" Aurelius asked with a straight face.
Everyone: "..."
I coughed slightly and nudged his arm.
The woman shook her head. "There is no need, my lord. If he tries anything again, I will break it myself." She shot her husband a glare. The man was speechless.
Aurelius chuckled. "Good. That's how every woman should be. Well then, we will leave you lovebirds to your 'arm-breaking' game. Goodbye."
He took my hand, and together, we walked away.
Once we disappeared down the road.
the woman smiled watching the empty street where we had disappeared.
"Damn it, did he really have to break my arm?" the man grumbled. He placed his uninjured hand over the broken arm, and soon, a soft white glow enveloped it. Slowly, his bones mended.
The woman turned to him, her gaze softened as she came near and crouched before him.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her tone laced with worry and guilt.
He narrowed his eyes.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, blinking innocently.
"What's wrong with me looking at you like that? You and your so-called bad script just made me a horrible husband. Couldn't you have written a better plan to test your inhuman son-in-law? Honestly, if people ever ask you to write a play, I can say with confidence—you'd suck at it." He tilted his head, his face straight but his tone dripping with sarcasm.
The woman was speechless.
She blinked.
The man laughed. "Stop sulking and tell me—are you done checking him, or do you want us to act out another ridiculous scene?" he smirked.
"Stop it. How embarrassing," she muttered, face-palming. "I couldn't help it! I was in such a hurry to test him that I blurted out the first idea that came to mind." She shook her head in disbelief.
The man chuckled. "Alright, alright. Now, back to business. Are you satisfied with your son-in-law? I don't think he's mistreating your niece. Didn't you see how furious he got when I pushed his wife? And that look of amusement on his face? He seems to like her, don't you think?" he mused.
"I don't know… I can't say for sure yet. But at least he isn't mistreating her," she sighed. Then, her expression darkened. "I was furious when I heard that the king forced my niece into marriage with a prince from a neighboring kingdom. I thought he was human, but now that I've seen him… I wonder how he became a prince. I need to investigate further."
"Don't stress over it. I doubt he'll hurt her," the man said lazily, rubbing his chin. "And honestly, if that beast of a prince falls for her, he'll keep her safe—even from his own people. That's exactly what you want, isn't it?"
The woman scoffed. "You really have a wild imagination."
"What? Did I say something wrong?" he raised his shoulders and extended his hands, blinking innocently.
She just stared at him.
He sighed. "Fine, my queen, what's bothering you?" He slipped his hand behind her waist, pulling her closer as he leaned against the wall. "Tell me," he urged, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear and gazing into her eyes.
She blinked, caught off guard by his intense stare.
She leaned into his chest, and he held her tightly. "I… I don't know. I promised my sister I'd keep her safe and happy. I don't know if she'll be happy here or not." She exhaled sharply, closing her eyes.
The man pulled her away just enough to meet her gaze. He placed a hand on her cheek, gently brushing his thumb over her skin as he spoke.
"She'll be happy," he reassured her. "You did what you promised—you kept her alive and away from those beasts. And as for her husband… didn't I say he seems to care about her? I doubt he'd do anything to harm her. And if he does…" His lips curled into a smirk. "I'll make his life hell myself."
He tilted his head. "So? Tell me, Zania,Are we done here, or do you need another dramatic test?"
She smiled.
"I'm glad she's happy. If she weren't, I would have broken the rules of our kind and killed that damned king who forced her into marriage with that beast. I left for just one month, and they dared to do this? I should teach them a lesson and you better not stop me Keal." Her eyes burned with anger, fists clenched.
Keal sighed. "Come on,Stop worrying. We have more urgent matters to tend to. Let's go." He extended his hand toward her.
Zania hesitated before taking it. "Fine. For now, I'll leave her be. But we will return to check on her."
Keal inhaled sharply. "Alright, my queen. We will return." he stretched to last words.
She smiled again.
After making sure no one was around, they both vanished into thin air.
---
Far away, deep in the mountains within a vast forest, they reappeared.
Zania closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, her dark irises had turned silver, her hair shifting to a nearly white shade. Keal, too, underwent the same transformation—his black hair now a brilliant silver.
Zania took a step forward, her long, shimmering hair flowing in the wind as she moved toward the hidden sanctuary where their people awaited them. Keal followed, though he seemed lost in thought. Sensing this, Zania called out to him playfully.
"What is it that has our great Keal so deep in thought? Care to share, Master Keal?"
Keal sighed. "It's nothing. I'm just worried about our people being hunted by those wild beasts. I wonder... when will it all come to an end?"
Zania paused and turned to him, cupping his face in her hands. "Don't worry, dear husband. It will come to an end soon. We and our people will make sure of it."
Keal's gaze softened as he looked at her. "I think so too," he murmured.
He stared at her for a long moment before pulling her close, his hands settling on her waist. He pressed his lips to hers.
Zania kissed him back, threading her fingers through his hair as they melted into the moment. The moonlight bathed them in a soft glow.
After what felt like an eternity, Zania pulled away, breathless. "Enough now. We must go." She tried to free herself from his grip, but he refused to let go.
"Why? Let me kiss you some more," he murmured, leaning in again.
She placed a hand against his lips. "Did you forget? We need to find our people. We cannot waste time like this." Her cheeks flushed.
Keal sighed dramatically. "Fine. As you wish, my queen."
As they walked forward, Keal's mind drifted back to Aurelius. When their energies had clashed earlier, he had sensed something—something he hadn't felt in over a thousand years.
Strangeboy, he thought.
Isuppose I need to take a closer look at my son-in-law. How Interesting.
He smiled in amusement.