Aurelia Delensar followed Caelum Valtaris as they slipped away from the royal palace. The escape was effortless, executed with such precision that not a single soul was alerted. They stood beneath the shadow of the last towering spire of the palace's outer wall, successfully evading the patrolling guards. As her feet touched the ground beyond the palace gates, Aurelia felt a surreal sensation wash over her.
Was it really this easy? Had she truly escaped?
Her lips parted, but no words came. She was lost in her thoughts, unaware of the tall, silent knight behind her who subtly raised his arm, as if relishing the memory of the princess's soft form cradled against him.
Aurelia's emotions were a tangled web. A strange, unfamiliar feeling blossomed within her, like petals scattered by the wind, unfurling their wings beneath the open sky.
It was freedom.
Pure, untainted, and unburdened. A freedom she had never known, not even in the presence of her brother. True freedom.
Aurelia's lips curved into a smile as she tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling with joy. Her heart felt light, and even her gaze toward Caelum softened. No longer did she see him as a clumsy oaf; instead, her knight was brave, valiant. She was so elated that she began to hum a soft melody.
The distant sound of celebratory music drifted from the palace, signaling the start of the Midsummer Festival. Aurelia snapped out of her reverie. Queen Isolde must have discovered her escape by now, likely seething with rage. The princess allowed herself a moment of smug satisfaction before turning her thoughts to the next step.
Caelum remained in the shadows, silent and watchful. He didn't need to think; his duty was to follow the princess and await her commands.
After a moment, Aurelia looked up at him. The knight stood with his head bowed respectfully, his gaze averted. He appeared every bit the dutiful protector.
"So… Caelum," she began, her voice hesitant, "where will we stay tonight?"
She bit her lip, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush that the night concealed. It was the first time she had sought his opinion, and the unfamiliarity of it made her uneasy. Aurelia was at a loss. She had fantasized countless times about escaping the palace, but her plans had always ended at the act of leaving. Beyond the palace walls, she was clueless.
"We can't stay in the capital," she murmured, her voice soft. "The Queen will surely send people after me."
She placed her trust in Caelum, her tone gentler than usual. She even offered him a small smile.
Caelum's breath hitched. The way Aurelia looked at him, her eyes earnest and trusting, made him feel as though he were sinking into a cloud, his chest filled to bursting. Her voice was delicate, almost a whisper, and it was the first time she had spoken to him with such warmth.
It was like a petal, drifting down to brush his forehead, tracing the contours of his face—his brow, his eyelids, the bridge of his nose—lingering, caressing. The scent of crimson bloom lingered briefly at his nose, and her lips were so close, almost within reach.
But just before they could touch, the petal vanished.
Caelum instinctively chased the sweet fragrance, his lips parting beneath his mask, but he grasped only air. The emptiness left him restless, his breathing uneven.
"Caelum?" Aurelia tilted her head, her patience uncharacteristically abundant. She didn't seem to mind his silence, accustomed to his reserved nature. Instead, she smiled warmly. "You were amazing back there, dodging all those guards."
Of course, she didn't notice his distraction or the faint sheen of sweat on his brow. Everything was hidden beneath the stoic golden mask.
Restrained. Controlled.
Caelum fought the urge to pounce, to claim the sweet reward he craved. He forced his gaze away from her rosy lips.
"I know of an inn," he said, his voice low and rough, as if parched. "It's in the western part of the capital. The Queen won't find us there."
"Still in the capital?" Aurelia frowned. She had hoped to leave the city entirely, to find a safe place to write to her brother.
Caelum explained, his words flowing more smoothly than usual. "The capital is protected by a massive magical barrier. Anyone entering or leaving must register at the gates. To leave unnoticed, we must wait until dawn, when the barrier briefly deactivates."
It was the most he had ever spoken to her, but Aurelia didn't notice the change. The inexperienced princess was already overwhelmed, her pretty face clouded with confusion. "That sounds… complicated," she sighed, her voice trailing off.
Aurelia hated complications. It seemed that without Caelum's help, her escape would be impossible. She looked at him with newfound appreciation. He was strong, loyal, and capable of handling any obstacle.
He was her anchor.
"Then I'll leave everything to you," she said with a bright smile, rubbing her sleepy eyes. She stood on her tiptoes, attempting to pat his shoulder, but the height difference was too great. Her hand landed on his arm instead.
The soft pat pat of her palm against his smooth golden armor echoed faintly.
Aurelia cleared her throat, quickly withdrawing her hand and tucking it into her cloak. She had seen her brother reward his knights with similar gestures, and she hoped it would encourage Caelum, perhaps even make him forget the time she had angrily dismissed him.
After all, she would need him in the days to come.
Her smile returned, and she even reached out to touch him again, her small hand brushing his arm.
The beast within Caelum stirred, eager to claim the delicate flower before him, to mark her with his scent, to make her his in every way. But she was too fragile, too precious. A single misstep could shatter her.
Patience. He needed patience.
Caelum was no ordinary man. His kind were intelligent and powerful, ruling the frozen northern wastes for centuries without challenge. He had always been in control, except for that one fateful night under the full moon when he had lost himself and been banished from the palace. But now, he would do better. He would make Aurelia trust him, rely on him, desire him—just as he desired her.
Every moment, every breath, he craved her.
Caelum's hand brushed the spot where Aurelia had touched him. The cold armor retained no warmth, but he could still detect the faint trace of her scent.
A pity.
His golden eyes flickered with regret. If not for the cursed armor, he might have claimed more.
But there would be other opportunities. He would ensure it.
For now, he would wait. And when the time came, he would claim his reward.