Rafe ca out of the dressing room feeling refreshed and fully dressed. He had opted for a simple yet neat attire, wearing a long-sleeved blue cotton tunic adorned with a long grey overcoat with a front slit. A sash belt was tightened around his waist, adding a touch of credibility to a healer’s persona.
As he entered the main room, he noticed that a hearty breakfast had already been served on the table, and Callis was standing beside it, waiting for him. The servants stood behind, lowering their heads in deference.
"Please sit down," she invited.
Rafe hesitated for a mont before responding, "You sit first."
"You’re my husband. You should take the seat first," Callis insisted politely.
Understanding the importance of cultural customs, Rafe didn’t argue any further. He took the seat, and the derian Princess followed suit, sitting before him.
"Please serve him," Callis said to the waiting servants. "What would you like first?" she asked Rafe.
"It’s all right. I can do it myself," the healer replied. "Can you all excuse us?" he requested, addressing the servants.
Sensing his desire for privacy, the servants bowed and left the couple to enjoy their al.
"You don’t like to be served by the servants?" Callis inquired.
"It’s not sothing I’m used to, and I prefer to have a al without being watched," Rafe explained.
"I see... Then, would you like to serve you?" she offered.
"Oh no! You don’t have to!" the healer quickly responded, not wanting to burden her.
"Why not? Isn’t it part of a wife’s duty? Or is it because you don’t like to?" Callis questioned.
"No... no... it’s not like that," Rafe reassured her, feeling the need to clarify. "Your shoulder still hurts, so you should hold back your movents and not strain yourself."
Callis’s expression softened as she understood his perspective.
"Right."
"Then... Let’s eat," Rafe replied.
Callis struggled to use the cutlery with her left hand, her movents awkward and hesitant. Sensing her difficulty, the healer offered his assistance. "Let help you."
"It’s fine. I don’t want to trouble you. I can manage on my own," the derian Princess insisted, her voice tinged with a hint of stubbornness.
Rafe’s gaze softened as he gently said, "You’re not well. Let take care of you. Besides... you’re my responsibility now," he said.
His words caused a warmth to spread through Callis’s chest. A faint blush tinged her cheeks, realising that despite their sudden marriage, the healer still cared for her deeply. She thanked him for his upright deanour.
With practised ease, Rafe tore the bread and cut the sausages into smaller, manageable pieces, making it easier for Callis to eat using the fork.
As they began to eat, the derian Princess mustered the courage to broach the topic he wanted to discuss.
"You said you wanted to talk to ," she started tentatively.
Rafe paused montarily, his gaze eting hers, before offering a small smile.
"Let’s eat first, shall we? We can talk afterwards."
The derian Princess nodded. They continued their breakfast in comfortable silence, allowing their thoughts to settle as they savoured the al in each other’s company.
Once they had finished eating, Rafe led Callis to the veranda, where they sat down, overlooking the breathtaking scenery. The air was crisp, and the quiet serenity of the surroundings provided a peaceful backdrop for their conversation.
After a mont’s pause, Callis gathered her courage and spoke softly, her voice filled with apprehension, "Are you... mad at ?"
Rafe’s grey eyes darted to et his wife’s gaze.
"I don’t think anger is what I feel right now," he answered sincerely, his voice calm and reassuring.
Callis fidgeted with her fingers, her nervousness palpable. She couldn’t bring herself to et his eyes, her gaze downcast.
"I’m so sorry! I didn’t an for things to turn out like this! Truthfully... I never expected His Majesty to order us to marry," she admitted, her words laced with regret.
"We both know the reasons behind His Majesty’s decision," he said.
A fleeting look of guilt crossed Callis’s face.
"I never wanted to force you into this marriage. It was never my intention. Please believe ," she pleaded, her voice filled with sincerity.
Rafe took a mont to gather his thoughts before responding.
"I understand. But, every action has consequences, Your Highness. I believe you are fully aware of it now," he said, his tone asured and composed.
Callis’s voice trembled with remorse as she admitted, "Yes... it’s all my fault. I truly apologise, I really do."
"His Majesty has issued his royal decree, and we are now bound in marriage. There is no turning back from this path we find ourselves on."
"I know you must be angry with . But please, give a chance to be your wife. I promise I’ll make up for all the wrong I’ve done," Callis pleaded earnestly.
Rafe’s gaze held a complexity of emotions.
"Honestly, it’s difficult for to put into words how I feel right now. I can’t say that I’m happy about this situation, but I’m not against it either. It just happened so abruptly. You are a beautiful woman, Your Highness, the most beautiful person I’ve ever t in my life. With such beauty, any man would desire you."
Her heart fluttered as she heard his words, and she couldn’t help but interject, "Please... call Callis."
Rafe nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Right, so... Callis," he said, the sound of her na on his tongue quickening her pulse.
"Let explain further. I am just an ordinary person, and until now, my focus has solely been on my work. It’s not that I never thought about marriage or having a family of my own. It’s just... I never believed that any woman would be interested in . I have been so consud with my tasks that I never expected my life to take this turn after eting you," Rafe elaborated honestly.
Callis looked at him, her eyes filled with curiosity. "aning?"
Rafe took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing.
"What I an is that I never dread of having soone like you. I know who I am, and you are a princess seemingly out of my league. I am genuinely surprised you have such deep feelings for after our brief encounters. I am worried now that I won’t be able to et your expectations. Perhaps you have imagined more than I can offer, and I fear you will beco frustrated in in no ti."
Shaking her head, Callis responded, "No, Mr Amares! From the mont I first laid my eyes on you, I knew deep in my heart that you were my soulmate. I won’t beco frustrated with you because I love you just how you are. You are already perfect for in every way."
Rafe’s eyes searched her gaze for any signs of doubt.
"But I am not a noble, and I do not co from a wealthy family with high status. I am not even a knight with great strength."
"I don’t desire any of those things. I sincerely want to devote my life to you because I can never love anyone else. My mother always said that not everyone has the chance to find their soulmate, but when we do, we will know, and I knew it right away when I t you. It may sound crazy, but it’s sothing that both the derians and the Ro’ans believe in."
Rafe nodded, a sense of acceptance washing over him.
"Fine, I won’t question it any further. I suppose Flora is right. If it’s ant to be, then it’s ant to be, and there’s no way we can run from it. So, if I ever hurt you in any way after this, please forgive my shortcomings," he said with humility.
"I trust that you won’t. And I will do my best to be your good wife. Though I am a derian, I am still a human, and I may make mistakes from ti to ti. So, along the way, please teach so that I can be better," Callis replied, her voice brimming with sincerity and love.
"We both need to learn and grow together. I will do my best as your husband, too," Rafe affird, his voice filled with determination.
A wave of relief washed over Callis as she heard his decision.
"Thank you for accepting . You don’t know how worried I was. I thought you would be furious with and want to divorce ."
"How can I do that? His Majesty would surely be displeased if I resorted to such a thing. Though it is shocking to be married this way, I understand my role as a man. I agreed to this marriage, so I am responsible for upholding my decision," he replied.
A shy grin tugged at Callis’s lips as she ventured, "Then... may I call you Rafe now?"
Rafe returned the response with a smile, too.
"Yes, you may. It’s a new start for both of us. However, please understand that I still need to get to know you. I acknowledge that you have a deep affection for , but please allow so ti and space to fully accept you as my wife."
"I understand. Thank you for giving this chance," the derian Princess replied earnestly.
Rafe’s gaze turned thoughtful as he continued, "Also, for a new beginning, if you don’t mind, there is one thing I would like to have."
Curiosity sparkled in Callis’s eyes.
"What is it?"
"Families’ approval," he said. "Although we are already married under the royal decree by His Majesty, their approval is important to . So, I would like to introduce you to my parents and brothers first. They reside in Rivendelle, a town located between the City of Gantz and the Duchy of Gerhard. It’s a two-day journey from here. If you don’t mind, I would like to take you there to et them."
A smile of excitent spread across Callis’s face.
"I would love to! When are we going?"
Rafe’s expression turned slightly more serious.
"Well... before we embark on that journey, there is one more person we need to see," he revealed.
Anticipation filled Callis’s voice.
"Who?"
Rafe’s eyes t hers, a determined look on his face.
"Your brother. He is your family, and his consent to our marriage is essential, too."
Callis’s voice filled with concern and alarm, "But... but you know he objected! If we et him, who knows what he’ll do to you! He tried to kill you before!"
Rafe acknowledged her fear with a solemn expression.
"I understand he was angry and had reservations about . But you are his sister, and I cannot afford to be the reason for your strained relationship. This bond of yours needs to be nded and returned to the way it was."
Callis hesitated, her voice trembling slightly, "It’s not that I don’t want to. The thing is... you don’t know him. My brother is a stubborn man. It’s hard to change his decision once he sets his mind on sothing."
"The stubborner he is, the harder we should try. As I said, families’ approval is important. Besides, didn’t he say that a bride can only be married by the consent of her male guardian according to derian clan customs?"
Callis sighed, her shoulders slumping.
"That... that is true."
"Then, we are considered unofficially married according to your customs. Since he’s the only family you have here on the continent, his approval is necessary. As for your family on Sabel Island, we should arrange a visit to them too," Rafe suggested.
Callis’s heart skipped a beat, unsure if she should reveal her true origins to her husband. She hailed from Seta, another hidden island located northeast of the continent, rather than Sabel Island, which fell under the derian royal administration.
"Callis," Rafe called out, sensing her distraction.
She snapped back to the present. "Yes?"
"Is it fine with you if we et him?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.
"et him?" Callis repeated, her mind racing. After a mont, she relented, "Yes... I suppose we should. You’re right. His approval is crucial, too."
A relieved smile etched on his lips by her response.
"Then, let’s go and et him now."
"Wait... now?" the derian Princess asked, taken aback.
"Yes, the faster we settle this issue, the better. It’s not a good thing for siblings to have prolonged confrontations. I would like to start our new married life on good terms," Rafe explained earnestly.
Callis nodded, though a concern rose in her eyes of the outco.
"I understand, Rafe. Then, let’s go! I, too, need to return his dagger to him."
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