After an excruciating eternity, the carriage finally clattered down the cobbled streets of Yalda. The arrival of the Duke and his escort didn’t remain unnoticed and soon the town was buzzing with excitement. By the time their procession halted in the main square before the Cathedral, a large crowd greeted them with cheers and jubilation.

Noah quickly jumped out and silently offered his hand for Lorelei to exit the carriage. For the briefest of moments, he held her fingers in his calloused palm, his eyes pulling her into their warm, gray depths. He opened his mouth as if wanting to say something, but Lorelei hurriedly pulled her hand away and bit her lips into silence. And just in time, because Pricilla was already standing behind her and stretching out her arm like a knight charging with his spear at a training dummy.

‘Keep your talons to yourself, you vulture!’

Lorelei cursed internally as her gaze never left Noah while he was helping her sister disembark. Only propriety and the gathered onlookers saved Pricilla from receiving a well-deserved slap. She couldn’t tarnish the reputation of House Norden because of something this petty.

‘Breathe!’ Digging her nails into the soft fabric of her skirt, Lorelei clenched her teeth. ‘This is a test. If you get maddened by this, what will you do when Ilmaz comes? Breathe! Breathe… Oh, merhek! Stop clinging to him like the blood-sucking leach you are!’

“Are you alright, my lady?” a familiar voice sounded in her ear.

“Ri-” Lorelei gasped, blinking at the young warrior who was leaning in inches from her face. “Yes, I’m fine. But… what’s with him?”

Behind them, her personal guard, Lucas, was staring like bewitched at Pricilla, his mouth - slightly agape. A strong blush flared on his cheeks and crawled down past his collar, hiding under the cold steel of his armor.

“Oi, get a grip! We are on guard duty, not here for sightseeing!” The young Binshi rolled her eyes and gave the knight a strong jab in the rips, snapping him out of his daydream.

“I know that!” grumbled Lucas and the red on his cheeks became even deeper. He lowered his head to Lorelei. “I’m sorry, my lady. It won’t happen again.”

“Nothing bad happened, Sir Lucas.” Lorelei patted his shoulder. “Just concentrate on your task from now on."

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Nodding slightly at his distraught expression, Lorelei turned her back on him, but her ears could still pick up the quarrel between her two guards.

“The shame! You behaved like an adolescent brat, not the Duchess’ personal guard!”

“Very rich statement, coming from a real adolescent brat!”

“I’m an adult, you lecher! And you were drooling after the wrong person. What do you see in that vicious snake?”

“I wasn’t drooling! I… I was just… looking. What’s wrong with just looking? Lady Orten is just so refined, and gentle, and shy. A fine, noble lady from the Capital sure is different from the rough barbarians from the North.”

“Who are you calling a barbarian?”

“You!”

Lorelei just rolled her eyes and snorted. It seemed that her sister’s looks had done their magic even on someone like Lucas. It somewhat stung, but it was nothing unexpected. Cute little Pricilla had always had that effect on all men, young or old. Her gaze rested for a moment on Noah and her sister, who were chatting lively just a few steps away, and the sting in her chest became a stab.

Wasn't their conversation a bit too lively? Didn’t Noah look at Pricilla just like Lucas? Wasn’t he holding her hand a bit too long and too often?

No!

She was overthinking and overreacting again! Everything was as it should be. And yet… couldn’t she give an outlet to her feelings, just this once?

With a resolute face and a sturdy gait, Lorelei approached the two. Just when Pricilla was in the middle of a giggle and was reaching out to touch Noah’s shoulder, she wedged herself between her husband and her sister.

“My lord,” she clung to Noah’s arm like she had seen Pricilla so often do, “can’t we get going? I’m starting to get a bit tired.”

“Y-yes?” For a heartbeat, Noah looked devoid not only of words but also of clear thought. His arms acted on their own and wrapped around Lorelei’s waist, keeping her steady and protected. “You do look pale! You should have stayed in Ildemar.”

“I’m bound by need and duty to be here, Your Highness. It would be highly irresponsible to let my husband and my sister do all the work that the Duchess of Norden is supposed to do. What would the people say?”

Lorelei gave her best to flutter with her lashes and could swear that at that moment all the worry on Noah’s face was replaced by the faintest of smirks. It lasted no more than a second, but to Lorelei, it was like a beam of light shining through the darkness in her soul.

“Wise as always, my duchess. Let’s proceed. Bishop Petronius should be awaiting us. My dear Lady Orten, if you would follow us...”

Giving Pricilla a cursory nod, he carefully guided Lorelei towards the Cathedral’s steps.

“I never thought I’d see you act like this,” his whisper reached her ears.

“Like what?” she replied in kind, her eyes glancing triumphantly at her sister who was slowly turning greener than a sour apple.

“Jealous.”

“Who’s acting jealous?” She tried to suppress the blush coloring her cheeks and failed. “You must be mistaken.”

“Am I? What you did just now-”

“What? Leaning on my husband when feeling weak?” Lorelei blinked innocently and earned herself a small crooked smile.

“Rather fluttering those lashes like you were trying to fan away a pesky fly.”

“There was a pesky fly, indeed. But it’s gone now.” Without giving it much thought, she snuggled in his arms, and when she finally realized what she had done, it was already too late.

“L-Lorelei…” Noah’s voice quacked. What startled her even more was the pain in his eyes. “Don’t… I… Don’t force yourself to act like this?”

“Act how?” Her brows arched as she couldn’t quite understand his words.

“Feigning intimacy in front of the people.”

At these words, Lorelei finally became aware of the shouts of the gathered onlookers and their burning gazes. But all the clamor became a whispering gale the moment Noah’s voice reached her again.

“I know it must be hard. To be the one initiating contact with… me.” His left hand reached for the improvised eyepatch, covering his scar. “I’ve required too much from you this time. You should have stayed far away from… all this.”

“No! I…” She bit her lips and her eyes burned.

What appeared in her mind was the last time they had stood so close together. That night, she had run away, leaving him alone and doubting. But it was only at this moment that she finally understood. He had never doubted her. He doubted himself! That precious, self-deprecating fool! She needed to put an end to this, now and forever!

But just as she was about to speak, a cold, familiar voice wedged itself between them.

“Greetings, Your Highnesses. May the Two Fathers bring you peace and prosperity.”