CHAPTER 534: A BLISSFUL NIGHT (I)

Kiev’s steps slowed as he wandered the quiet cloister beside the garden. Night had long fallen, and after dinner the mansion had grown hushed, its occupants retreating to their chambers for rest.

Loneliness pressed in on him. Usually, Elis would be at his side, listening to his stories, trading thoughts with him, and sharing the stillness together. But not tonight.

After their quarrel earlier, even when he had led her away from the training ground, she had remained silent, refusing even a glance in his direction. She obeyed outwardly, yet her anger lingered like a veil between them.

The Mederian Prince’s heart weighed heavily. Winning back his sulking wife seemed more daunting than commanding troops on a battlefield, for her heart was a dense forest he had yet to learn to navigate.

He had tried speaking to her, but she avoided him at every turn the whole afternoon. Even Jessy had advised him to step away for an hour after dinner without explanation.

Now, the burden of it all gnawed at him, for he longed to express his heart to Elis, if only she could understand what he was trying to do for her.

Disheartened, he paced the cloister, turning over ways to momentarily forget their rift, when a sudden burst of laughter drifted from the garden.

He stilled immediately at the familiar voices.

"Stop it! Someone will see us!" Callis’s playful protest carried on the night air, followed by her hand smacking lightly against Rafe’s shoulder.

But the healer only grinned, undeterred, and continued raining kisses along her cheek.

"I won’t! It took me all day to get you to speak to me again. I’m not letting you go now!"

He nuzzled at her neck, drawing another ripple of laughter from the Mederian Princess.

"That tickles, Rafe!"

Rafe finally lifted his head, eyes wide and puppy-like.

"You don’t like it?"

Callis’s answer was quick. Her arms wound tight around his waist.

"No! That’s not what I meant. I do like it. I really do!" Her voice brimmed with renewed spirit.

The night had turned out far more surprising than she had imagined. After sulking away from him the whole day, she hadn’t expected Rafe to appear with such gestures.

First, she was presented with a bouquet of roses, then her favourite strawberry shortcake, and finally, gentle words of apology. How could she refuse these when they came from her beloved soulmate, whom she had been longing for?

"Even if you insist you don’t want me to, I’ll still do this!" Rafe murmured, nipping against her bare flesh and breathing in the lingering fragrance that soothed his restless heart. "You have no idea how much it hurt, being ignored by you."

Callis gave a playful scoff.

"Since when did you get so good with words? Usually, you’re the blur one."

Rafe chuckled softly. The ’coaching’ he had secretly sought from Eric after his desperate plea had paid off, and he silently thanked himself for swallowing his pride and accepting the knight’s nagging. Had he not, he might never have won his wife back.

"Since the moment I realised you mean the world to me," he said.

Heat rose to Callis’s cheeks, her Mederian pride giving way to a blush.

The healer lifted his head, gazing at her with eyes that were soft and drooping. The reflection of his beloved filled his vision, warming every corner of his heart.

"I love you, Callis," he whispered tenderly.

Her gaze mirrored his, brimming with affection no less intense than his own.

"I love you too, Rafe... oh, Rafe!"

She drew him close, their bodies entwining in a tender embrace, the air between them sweet and heady. Their lips were a breath apart when a sharp sound suddenly cut through the moment.

"Ahemmm."

Startled, Rafe jerked back, his temper flaring.

"Who the hell dares interrupt me now? Can’t you see I’m busy—"

His words died as his eyes landed on the figure glaring at them with dagger-like eyes. His whole body stiffened.

"Brother!" Callis exclaimed, her cheeks flushing, and she instinctively shoved Rafe away. The poor healer staggered, nearly losing his balance.

"Oh heavens... Rafe, I’m so sorry!" she blurted in panic, rushing to steady him.

But then, in the pause that followed, a thought struck her.

Why had she pushed him away? There was no shame in what they had shared. They were husband and wife, bound by vows, and even Kiev himself had permitted them to be together.

"Seems like you won her back," Kiev remarked dryly, though the faint curve of his lips betrayed a hint of teasing. "That was quick of you."

Rafe swiftly planted his feet, regaining his composure. The near fall just now embarrassed him more than he cared to admit.

It almost felt as though he and Callis were reckless teenagers caught red-handed by an overbearing parent. Clearing his throat, he puffed up his chest.

"Well... I did my best for my beloved! Who in their right mind would want to be ignored for so long?"

Callis pressed her lips together, trying hard not to giggle at Rafe’s proud declaration.

"Fine," Kiev conceded with a huff. "Even so, must you do it out here in plain sight?"

"Why? Since when was it wrong for a husband to show affection to his wife?" Rafe shot back. "If I recall correctly, weren’t you always sneaking off with Elis... smooching behind that very tree?"

He jabbed a finger toward the large oak not far from them.

Kiev’s ears and cheeks flushed instantly.

"Get yourself a room, will you?!" he barked.

"Aha! You’re sulking because you still haven’t made peace with your wife, aren’t you?" Rafe teased, his eyes gleaming with mischief, he couldn’t quite hold back.

"None of your business!" Kiev snapped, folding his arms across his chest and turning aside, his expression sour.

"It very much is my business!" Rafe countered with mock indignation. "Look, Callis! Your brother’s sulking, and now he wants to drag us into his misery!"

Kiev scoffed, his voice tight but firm.

"When did I ever say that? I only told you to keep your ’romantic business’ somewhere private. Let me remind you, Rafe Amares—" his eyes sharpened, "the woman you’re holding is my sister. You’d better treat her with the respect she deserves."

"Oh, stop it, you two!" Callis cut in, exasperated. "No one’s treating anyone without respect, and there’s no reason to be grumpy."

Her words silenced them both. Turning to her brother, she asked more gently, "What are you doing out here all alone, brother?"

Kiev’s dissatisfied expression softened into something more solemn, though his tone remained steady.

"Jessy told me to take a walk for a while. Most likely, she wanted to speak with Elis privately and give her a piece of her mind about our situation."

"Ahh..." Callis murmured with a knowing smile. "Well, I imagine that ’talk’ must be nearly finished by now. Why don’t you head back?"

Kiev glanced around, trying to gauge the time. He had been wandering for quite some time. It must have been close to an hour already.

The Mederian Prince gave a slight nod.

"All right. You two should head back as well. It’s getting late," he said.

"Yes, brother," Callis agreed, not wanting to prolong the exchange. She turned to her husband and said, "Let’s go, Rafe."

She started toward her chamber, but the healer suddenly tugged her hand, pulling her to a stop.

"My room isn’t that way," Rafe said.

Callis blinked at him in surprise, only to catch the mischievous glint in his eyes.

"It’s this way," he tilted his head with a grin. "We still have plenty to finish from where we left off."

Her cheeks flared crimson, and the firm grip of his hand left no doubt of his resolve.

"Now, if you’ll excuse us, Kiev," Rafe added with a teasing flourish as they passed the Mederian Prince. "This reconciled husband and wife have much to attend to tonight."

"Good night, brother!" Callis giggled, giving a playful wave as Rafe swept her along.

Kiev only hummed in reply. He bore no real resentment toward their teasing, yet the contrast stung.

His sister and her husband walked off towards what promised to be a blissful night, while he remained mired in unrest. The rift between him and Elis was disturbing, gnawing at his chest like a weight that refused to lift.

Still, he straightened his shoulders.

Enough wandering. It was time to face her and to end this silence once and for all.

***

Jessy gave the chamber one last sweeping glance, her wrinkled lips curling into a satisfied smile. Everything was in place just as planned. With careful steps, she slipped out and closed the door behind her with a soft click.

"Jessy..."

"Oh, heavens!" The nanny nearly leapt out of her skin at the sudden voice behind her.

One hand flew to her chest as she turned, only to see Kiev standing there, watching her.

"Your Highness! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" she scolded, breathless. "When did you arrive?"

"Just now," Kiev answered with a faint smile. Then, after a pause, he asked hesitantly, "Is your talk with Elis over?"

"Talk?" Jessy blinked, puzzled.

"You said you needed a moment with her after dinner. I assumed you were giving her some advice," the Mederian Prince guessed.

"Ah, right! Yes!" Jessy clapped her hands. "Plenty of advice, indeed. Hehe..."

Her smirk lingered, but something about it felt a little too rehearsed. Kiev remembered how Callis had worn that same odd grin earlier. Perhaps it was just his imagination.

"Then... is she all right now? Is she still angry with me?" he asked cautiously.

Jessy’s smile didn’t falter. Instead, she tilted her head and said gently, "Why don’t you go in and find out?"

Kiev nodded slowly. His chest felt tight, torn between dread and hope. Whatever awaited him, he needed to face it—he couldn’t let this rift with Elis remain.

"All right. I’ll see her, then. Thank you, Jessy."

"You’re welcome, Your Highness."

She bowed.

The Mederian Prince stepped forward when Jessy’s voice stopped him.

"Your Highness..."

"Yes?"

This time, her smile had softened, the slyness was gone, replaced by genuine warmth and care.

"Please take good care of Her Highness tonight."

Kiev frowned slightly at the strange phrasing.

"I always take good care of her, Jessy. And I’ll continue to do so, tonight and every night."

The nanny ducked her head quickly, hiding her embarrassment. Of course, he hadn’t caught her true meaning. He wasn’t supposed to—not yet.

"Yes... of course you do," she murmured. Then, with a knowing look, she added, "Have a blissful night, Your Highness."

The nanny bowed and excused herself, hurrying away. For a moment, Kiev’s eyes followed her diminishing figure, her parting words echoing in his mind.

’A blissful night...’

His hand lingered on the door handle, brow furrowing. What had she meant? Perhaps it was simply a blessing, her hope that he might reconcile with Elis at last.

With a quiet breath, he pushed down the thought, turned the handle, and stepped inside.

At once, his steps faltered...