As they set out again, Aurelia Delensar coldly rejected the knight's suggestion to carry her, choosing instead to trudge along the uneven country path. Her silhouette appeared graceful, but in reality…
Her feet ached.
The princess, raised in the comfort of a greenhouse, had never walked such a distance. Within twenty minutes, she was already at her limit.
Her large eyes flicked subtly toward the knight.
His broad shoulders were steady and strong, his muscles visible through the thin fabric of his shirt, forming a perfect curve. It looked like the ideal place to… sit. Surely, it would be comfortable.
The princess was tempted.
—No!
The knight without his armor exuded an overwhelming presence.
Aurelia had always seen Caelum Valtaris as a movable block of gold, to be placed wherever needed. Only now did she truly realize that Caelum was not an emotionless object.
His tall, powerful frame radiated vitality. Even as he quietly followed behind her, his towering shadow seemed to engulf her entirely.
Raised by Sister Maribel, Aurelia had been taught never to walk alongside danger.
She needed to leave Caelum and find her brother!
Maintaining her composure, Aurelia made what she believed to be the most rational decision.
"I can't—"
Thirty seconds later, the pampered princess gave up. All her resolve vanished in the face of her aching feet.
She looked up. "Caelum, I command you to carry me!"
Only a fool would refuse such comfort.
One more step on this muddy, uneven path, and Aurelia swore she would collapse on the spot!
As for the danger…
She could always dismiss Caelum once her brother arrived.
Night fell, and the stars emerged.
Aurelia stood at the highest point of the hill, gazing into the distance. Endless mountains stretched before her, while behind lay a dense, verdant forest.
The evening breeze gently tousled her golden curls, soft and tender.
They had been traveling all day.
The knight stood behind her, his deep voice blending with the moonlight. "Your Highness, we may need to spend the night in the forest."
Aurelia turned, her expression slightly surprised.
Caelum kept his head bowed. "The nearest town is over two hundred miles away, and the forest is teeming with nocturnal beasts. Continuing would be unsafe."
His explanation was logical and reasonable, delivered in his usual slow, measured tone, which only reinforced his image as a reliable and loyal knight.
It also made Aurelia overlook the fact that he had cleverly delayed informing her of tonight's plans until now.
Had the knight forgotten?
Perhaps.
Aurelia frowned. "Is there no other way?"
Even as she asked, she held little hope.
The forest was dense, its shadows impenetrable, like the gaping maw of a lurking beast.
The surroundings were eerily quiet, save for the rustling of the wind.
It was indeed unsafe to continue.
Caelum spoke solemnly. "I will keep watch for you."
From his pack, he produced a soft woolen blanket, a plush pillow, and other essentials for camping. His preparations were thorough, as if he had anticipated this very situation.
"Rest assured, anything that disturbs your sleep will be dealt with swiftly."
His voice was steady.
Aurelia bit her lip.
Looking at his resolute face, she wanted to say that he was the biggest disturbance to her sleep.
But there was no other choice.
She could only emphasize her commands. "Once I'm asleep, you are not to look at me! You are not to sit within a meter of me! And you are not to make any strange noises that might wake me!"
…Wait, what was she saying?
What did she mean by "strange noises"?
Aurelia quickly glanced at Caelum, relieved to see him still bowing respectfully, showing no sign of confusion. Thank goodness he was a man of few words, sparing her further embarrassment.
Otherwise, how could she explain recalling that night a year ago when the knight had sat at the foot of her bed, breathing heavily like an unrestrained beast?
It was too mortifying to mention.
Since bringing Caelum back, both had silently avoided discussing the past.
And until she reunited with her brother, Aurelia had no intention of bringing it up.
She bit her lip, her expression conflicted.
The faint indents on her lips resembled crescent moons on delicate petals.
Finally, she made up her mind, adopting a stern tone. "You are to act as if you don't exist. Do not disturb my sleep!"
Caelum nodded. "Understood."
Aurelia felt reassured.
She nestled into the soft blanket, her face half-buried in the pillow, and soon drifted off.
His princess was asleep.
Right before him.
The wind was still, the forest silent.
Occasional curious gazes from the shadows were met with the knight's cold, golden eyes, sending them fleeing. Only Aurelia remained, lying in the blanket he had prepared.
Caelum's gaze softened. He was content.
This was his familiar environment—the forest, just him and his princess, peaceful and undisturbed. It was like the scenes he often dreamed of, everything proceeding as he wished.
The faint moonlight bathed Aurelia's face, her lashes resting gently, making her look utterly serene.
Caelum's hand twitched, an uncontrollable urge to touch her lashes. But as he raised his hand, it froze mid-air, unable to move closer.
Ah, he had almost forgotten.
The Bloodbound Oath's restriction—he was not allowed within a meter of her tonight.
Caelum chuckled softly.
The little princess was surprisingly wary of him.
He withdrew his hand.
But a beast never stops for obstacles, and neither did Caelum. He blinked slowly, his golden eyes gleaming in the darkness, fixed on her face.
Her wariness only made her more endearing.
So endearing that he wanted to claim her entirely.
To make her show even more adorable expressions.
Her command was for the man not to approach her, but she had said nothing about the beast.
The Bloodbound Oath seemed unbreakable, but there were always small loopholes humans overlooked. And Caelum knew them well.
The stoic knight allowed himself a rare, mischievous smile.
This was his most guarded secret.
A cloud drifted across the moon, casting a brief shadow.
When the moonlight returned, the tall knight sitting beneath the tree was gone, replaced by a sleek, black wolf.
The wolf stood with elegant poise.
His form was powerful, his fur smooth, and his golden eyes bore a sharp, upward slant. His tail, full and bushy, swayed slightly.
He was the perfect predator.
The wolf approached the princess cautiously.
His sharp fangs were carefully concealed, his desire to kiss her almost unbearable.
But just before contact, Caelum hesitated.
He realized, with some regret, that he lacked the experience to ensure his actions wouldn't wake her.
Instead, he extended a deep red tongue, testing the pressure, and gently licked Aurelia's cheek.
Leaving his scent as a mark.
The wet sensation made Aurelia murmur softly.
"!"
Caelum froze, his ears flattening and his tail stiffening.
But seeing that she remained asleep, he relaxed, reluctantly pulling away.
Yet he didn't leave. Instead, his tail coiled around her slender waist, lifting her gently into his embrace.
The black wolf lay on his side, cradling the princess he had longed for.
Under the moonlight, they both drifted into dreams.
Aurelia dreamed.
In her dream, she was back in her palace, lying on her bed layered with seven or eight downy mattresses.
Even the scent was familiar.
She nuzzled into the soft bedding, finding the most comfortable position. Her hand reached out, searching for her favorite stuffed animal, which she hugged tightly.
Except…
Why did it feel unusually warm today?
And… a little prickly?