Two-Faced Princess

“Where did you learn that? I didn’t teach you.”

Apollonia sighed and asked playfully.

“I don’t have to learn everything,” Uriel whispered sweetly. Apollonia wrapped her hands around his cheeks and looked into his eyes. They were darker than usual, resembling deep seas. His eyes crinkled like crescent moons every time he smiled and the little drops hanging from the end of his long lashes couldn’t be so beautiful. She couldn’t believe she once thought these eyes were cold. Now, his eyes were burning with the desire for her.

“I love you,” Uriel confessed. An uncontrollable smile spread across Apollonia’s lips.

“You said you like me earlier.”

“It’s the same. It’s always been like that for me.” Uriel said. Apollonia stretched her fingers, which had enveloped his cheek, and settled it around his neck. As the two embraced each other, Uriel’s wet silver hair caressed her nape.

“I know,” said Apollonia, smiling. Then, she felt Uriel’s arms wounding tighter. They stayed like that for a long time. For the first time in her life, she felt complete happiness and she prayed it would never end. When they managed to pull away, footsteps were heard near the door of the broken cabin.

“What is that?” Uriel and Apollonia turned their heads at the same time. Their eyes confirmed the identity of the footsteps growing closer.

“Caelion!” cried Apollonia. It was him turning into the pouring rain. Whether he had heard her call or not, he was climbing back up on the horse he had been riding.

“He must have seen us,” Apollonia said softly.

“Are you worried?” Uriel asked, examining her expression. One of his hands was still wrapped around her waist.

“A little bit. But perhaps, it’s for the better.” She said, putting her hand on Uriel’s hand wrapped around her waist. “I have no intention of hiding it.”

* * *

They arrived at the annex a little after midnight. As soon as she entered the room, something which resembled a little puppy jumped at her.

“Your Highness!” It was Adrian. She was about a centimeter shorter than Apollonia when she hugged her, pushing Uriel away.

“Your Highness! I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Your Highness! I shouldn’t have delivered the letter———-” She sobbed for a long time, holding Apollonia.

“Why wouldn’t you deliver the letter to me?” Apollonia deliberately said it like a joke, but it only made Adrian cry even more.

“Well, then! I should have stopped you from going————”

“Adrian, you did nothing wrong. How can you stop me from going?” Apollonia said, gently gripping Adrian by the shoulder. The little maid sniffed a few more times and eventually nodded.

“Are you feeling all right? Didn’t you get rained on? Uriel looks wet.”

Adrian looked worried when he saw Uriel soaked in rain.

“I’m fine.”

“Her Highness looked like she got wet after being too close to you. Only the front of her dress is damp!” Uriel tried to tell her not to worry but Adrian didn’t listen. She examined Apollonia and glanced at her face afterward. “That’s strange! You don’t have a fever but your face is red. What have you been doing?” When Adrian touched her forehead, Apollonia stepped back in surprise. Uriel also coughed several times.

Adrian, didn’t Caelion come by any chance?” Apollonia asked to change the subject.

“I was about to tell you. Like Uriel, he was also soaked when he went straight into the study. Thanks to him, I was told early that Your Highness was safe.” Adrian spoke with a curious look on her face while holding out a towel for Uriel. Her words might not match but she cared a lot about Uriel’s health. If the escort knight got sick, that might put Apollonia in danger. Apollonia sighed and headed for the study.

“Your Highness.”

“I’ll be right back, so please wait a little bit,” Uriel called her with a worried look but Apollonia smiled slightly and moved pn.

*CREAK*

When she opened the door, what she saw inside was Caelion’s tall form stretched out on the sofa. In front of him was a towel, dry clothes, and tea, as Adrian had brought him, but he didn’t seem to touch anything. His hair was wet and a little more curly than usual as drops trickled down his solid jawline.

“You’re here.” He spoke in a subdued voice while staring at nothing in particular.

“I came here to find you.”

“I came because I thought you might,” Caelion replied with a bitter smile.

“Cael, what happened earlier——-” “You don’t have to tell me.” He spoke in a stifling tone.

“Am I the one to interfere with such a thing to my sister?”

“Cael…”