Aurelia Delensar woke with a loud sneeze, her nose tingling as if it had been tickled by something soft and fuzzy all night. She blamed the small blanket she had slept under.
But as she stood up, she noticed something black clinging to her collar—a strand of hair? It was about the length of her finger, tapered at the end, like the fur from a large dog's tail.
The fastidious princess examined it with a puzzled frown.
"Did a dog climb on me in the middle of the night?"
Beside her, Caelum Valtaris's tail stiffened, and he tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
Cough…
It was almost autumn, and shedding fur was a natural phenomenon for the Lycan kind.
Fortunately, Aurelia didn't dwell on it. She handed the small blanket to Caelum, patted her skirt to ensure nothing else was stuck to it, and went to the nearby stream to wash her face.
Caelum waited quietly, the soft blanket folded neatly in his hands. It was so small compared to him, yet it carried the faint scent of Aurelia—sweet, like the Crimson Bloom of roses. The softness of the fabric seemed to spill through his fingers, a fleeting reminder of the princess's delicate presence.
Unable to resist, he clenched the blanket tightly, his gaze flickering toward the direction Aurelia had gone. Slowly, almost reverently, he brought it to his nose.
The scent was intoxicating, a sweetness that felt forbidden, like a treasure claimed by a beast.
"Caelum!"
Aurelia's voice, though not loud, struck him like a thunderclap.
He jolted awake from his reverie, his grip so tight that the blanket disintegrated into dust, carried away by the wind.
Panic surged through him. Had she seen? Would she look at him with disgust again, cast him aside, and render all his efforts meaningless? Regret, remorse, and pain threatened to overwhelm him, the beast within clawing at the edges of his control, urging him to lay bare his darkest desires.
But before those thoughts could fully form, Aurelia's voice interrupted him once more.
"Come here and help me tie my hair!"
Her tone was as innocent and commanding as ever, the natural arrogance of nobility lacing her words. She was blissfully unaware of the dangerous thoughts swirling in the mind of the dark beast behind her.
Caelum sighed, torn between relief and frustration, and approached her.
Aurelia was combing her golden hair, the sunlight catching its waves like a cascade of silk. It was so thick that even her small hands struggled to gather it all. Accustomed to having her maids tend to her, she had called for Caelum without a second thought.
She blinked in surprise when she saw him.
"Oh, Caelum, why are you sweating so much?"
The forest morning was cool, the breeze carrying the natural scent of leaves and grass, a stark contrast to the artificial perfumes of the palace. Aurelia loved it, feeling at ease and in good spirits.
She casually asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Caelum remained silent.
Aurelia was used to his occasional muteness and didn't press. "If you're unwell, just bear with it. We'll find a physician in the next town."
Even with the fresh forest air, the pampered princess couldn't stand another night sleeping on the ground. She longed for the luxurious comfort of her palace bed.
The Kingdom of Delensar's capital, Liren, was a city rich in gold, its streets lined with houses adorned with golden tiles. The sight was dazzling, even to Aurelia, who was accustomed to countless treasures. In recent years, under Queen Isolde's leadership, the palace had embraced frugality, and Aurelia's monthly wardrobe had been reduced from thirty dresses to fifteen.
This escape from the palace had left her without a new dress for three days—utterly unbearable!
Fortunately, Liren's prices were reasonable. The gold from Caelum's armor was enough for them to stay in a luxurious inn. After paying for their lodging, there was still plenty left, and Aurelia immediately ordered Caelum to buy her new dresses and hire a maid.
The knight was reluctant to leave her alone in the inn, but Aurelia, eager to lounge on the soft bed, pushed him out the door.
The moment her soft palm touched him, Caelum froze. It was like a petal, a feather, a dream he dared not entertain. His muscles tensed to the breaking point, and it took immense willpower to suppress the instinct to pull her into his arms.
He exhaled a shaky breath, his voice low and strained. "My lady, please do not leave the inn. Wait for my return."
Aurelia, though spoiled, wasn't always commanding. Besides, the inn Caelum had chosen suited her perfectly, and she was in a good mood.
She nodded, smiling at the stoic knight. "I know, Caelum. Hurry back!"
Aurelia leaned by the window, watching the bustling street below. Her ruby eyes, golden hair, and porcelain skin quickly drew the attention of passersby. A group of children playing nearby looked up at her and asked innocently, "Miss, are you an angel?"
Aurelia, who loved compliments, grabbed a handful of candies from the table and tossed them down. "Shh, don't tell anyone~"
After the children ran off, she closed the window. She had given Caelum a letter for her brother to send from Liren's largest post station. Unsure how long it would take to reach him, she planned to stay in the city and wait for his reply.
That's why she needed a maid. The big, clumsy knight, though obedient, was too awkward. Earlier, by the stream, he had pulled out three strands of her precious hair while tying it up!
Useless!
Aurelia frowned, rubbing her scalp as she headed to the bathroom. The inn's bathtub, filled with fresh petals and milk, was one of its services, but the scent didn't suit her taste. She found a shelf of labeled magical bubble balls and tossed one into the water.
"Gurgle, gurgle," the bubbles soon filled the tub, the sweet aroma of cream filling the bathroom.
The picky princess was finally satisfied. She relaxed in the bath, suddenly craving peach-flavored cream pudding. She wished she had asked Caelum to bring some back.
"Click," the door creaked open.
The sound of metal scraping, a sword's gem clinking against armor, and heavy footsteps on the plush carpet followed.
Aurelia, thinking it was Caelum, called out cheerfully, "Caelum, you're back so soon—"
Her voice caught.
No. Caelum had sold his armor in the last town. And the knight would never enter without her permission.
Her face paled.
A moment later, an unfamiliar voice echoed from outside the bathroom, its tone elegant and reverent—a voice she recognized all too well.
"Princess Aurelia, we have come to take you home."