Page 118 of The White King's Favorite

Right after, Tessandra ended their kiss, her hands still on Sabael’s collar with a proud smile.

“There!” she exclaimed, visibly satisfied. “Now, you’re mine!”

“Uh... th-thanks,” dropped Sabael, at a complete loss of what else to say.

“Shut up,” retorted Tessandra, frowning. “You shut up. Don’t add anything.”

“...Sorry.”

“I’m sleepy,” groaned the willful young woman. “Take me to bed.”

Behind them, Cessilia was completely at a loss. She had seen Tessandra become a handful when drunk, sometimes too violent as she didn’t control her strength, and willful too, usually toward her dad, but never with a man her age. She silently apologized to Sabael but, much to her surprise, the young Royal Guard didn’t seem offended at all. He sighed, and as if it was natural, lifted Tessa up, letting her wrap her arms around his neck and rest her head on his shoulder. Curled up in the soldier’s arms, the young warrior didn’t seem so feisty anymore. She was probably going to fall asleep long before they reached the castle. A smile appeared on Cessilia’s lips, although it was likely her cousin would flip over all her bold actions the next morning...

“S-sorry about this,” she muttered to Sabael. “T-Tessa was b-bit uneasy about what happened th-this morning.”

“...You probably mean my attitude,” sighed Sabael. “My apologies, I just needed... a bit of time. I’ve never been with a lady like Tessandra before. I’m not used to... bold women. It made me... a bit insecure as a man.”

“...What a-about now?” she asked carefully, glancing at her cousin’s peaceful figure.

“I am still working on it. ...But I think running from Lady Tessa isn’t going to give me the answers or the resolution I need.”

Cessilia smiled, relieved for the two of them. Sabael wasn’t as stubborn as he seemed, and he was a good man. Becoming the interest of a girl like Tessandra was likely forcing him to reconsider the values he had grown up with, as well as challenging his own pride. It probably wasn’t easy, but he had come back anyway. Perhaps those two would be able to find the key to their understanding after all.

For a little while, neither of them added anything, both lost in their thoughts while on the way back to the castle. Cessilia hadn’t drank as much as her cousin, but this little walk helped her shake off that bit of tipsiness, and instead, her heart was gradually filled with expectation. It was a bit late, but she hoped Ashen hadn’t changed his mind on their date.

“...Princess, watch out.”

Sabael’s nervous voice took her out of her reflection. He had stepped in front of her by reflex, but she could still spot the large, hooded figure standing ahead of them, right outside the castle’s gates. It was a bit unnerving to cross paths with an imposing silhouette like this in the middle of the night, but Cessilia immediately recognized that familiar frame. Her heartbeat accelerated a little in anticipation, and she put a hand on Sabael’s shoulder.

“I-it’s alright,” she said. “C-can you g-go and p-put Tessa to b-bed for me?”

“...Are you sure?”

Cessilia nodded, catching a glimpse of shiny, white hair under the hood.

“Yes, d-don’t worry. N-Nana should still b-be up, t-tell her not t-to wait for me either.”

“...I understand.”

Although he hadn’t recognized his King under that hood, he politely nodded at the large man standing in the way, and made a little detour around him, still carrying Tessandra, a cautious expression on. He was confused as to what was going on, but he knew not to ask. Cessilia watched him walk away and disappear inside the castle with Tessandra.

As soon as he was out of sight, she almost ran to Ashen. He opened his arms just in time to hug her tight, burying his face into her large curls.

“I missed you...” he whispered against her ear.

“I m-missed you t-too... D-did you wait a long t-time?”

“I saw you coming back from afar, I wanted to greet you as soon as I could. ...Who was that?”

“S-Sabael? He’s Naptunie’s b-big brother...”

“...Is he interested in your cousin?”

“Yes... T-Tessa has been the one ch-chasing him, b-but I think he has feelings for her t-too.”

“...Hm. Good, then.”

Cessilia frowned, a bit confused why Ashen would care about Sabael and Tessandra’s relationship... until she quickly remembered that she had touched Sabael’s shoulder. She blushed.

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