A New Kind of Warmth

Valencia tightened her jaw, averting her eyes immediately and pulling away. She gulped, her hands shaking. Kael observed her reaction and looked at her hands.

“You were not wearing these clothes earlier today…” he whispered.

Valencia’s teeth ground against each other. Did he catch on to me? What should I say to him? She slowly clenched her fists.

“I…”

“Are you cheating on me?”

The question hit her like a brick. She froze and stared at him.

“W-What?!”

Kael pouted, a fake tear forming in the corner of his eye. Valencia held her breath, her eyes widening.

“Could you… be guiding another Esper besides me?” he teased.

She furrowed her brow and punched his head. He froze—

“What kind of nonsense is that?!” she questioned. She stood, placing her hands on her hips. “I… I only changed my clothes because they got dirty… there were monsters’ blood stain on it when I tried to escape.”

“Monster?” he realized. Then he grabbed her shoulders and turned her side to side. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”

She bit her lower lip and pushed him back to the bed.

“I’m fine… I’m fast enough to run away…” she argued, grabbing her elbow and averting her gaze.

Kael looked at her, watching her flushed cheeks. He smiled in relief. As long as you’re not planning to leave me… I don’t mind anything else. He grabbed her hand slowly, waiting for her to return her gaze to him. Once she hesitantly turned—

“Kael—!”

“Let’s get married tonight… the wedding hall is finished.”

Her eyes went completely white with annoyance, like someone had erased her pupils out of spite.

“HEY! The monsters just raided the city!” she screamed.

He chuckled, nudging his cheek against hers.

“Oh… but I want to hold you tonight.”

“You’re already holding me without my permission! Now let go!” she demanded, pushing him away as hard as she could.

“Be my wife right now…”

Kael held Valencia all afternoon before it was dinnertime. During dinner, Nuredus glanced at Valencia and then at Kael.

“Why is my son blooming with hearts at the dinner table?” Nuredus questioned.

Valencia frowned, squinting her eyes.

“I don’t know… your son has a unique… mind,” she answered.

Then the doors opened. Valencia darted her gaze toward—

“Could this be… my daughter-in-law?!” Ezrael exclaimed. He hurried to her side and grabbed her hand, shaking. “I’m Kael’s father, Duke Ezrael Izekiah! But you can just call me Dad or Father.”

“Yes…” Valencia nodded hesitantly, her eyes glancing at reactions.

“Father, you’re scaring her—”

“Shut up, my incompetent son! How dare you bring her here without introducing her at home?!”

Kael shrugged nonchalantly and took a deep breath.

“You were all too busy—”

“I didn’t raise an animal… you must not touch her for a whole month!”

“Father, you’ve gone too far…” Kael frowned.

“Look at her! She’s so skinny! You must wait until she’s well-fed!”

Kael showed his teeth, but it wasn’t a smile. His eyes rolled away. You’re right… she needs more food. He slammed his hand and pointed at the chef.

“Cook… more food for her!”

“Add some desserts on the side!” Nuredus chimed.

“Make sure her plates return empty!” Ezrael roared.

Valencia smiled awkwardly, her eyes observing each and every servant in the room. A sweat in each of them fell as they closed their eyes. They obeyed and brought the meals as requested. Through the night, Kael and his parents watched Valencia eat… where she only finished a potato.

After dinner, Kael’s parents pulled their hair out because they didn’t want to force her to eat. Valencia went to the bath and sank her body in. She kept her nose above the water and blew it, forming and popping bubbles.

Kael entered the bathroom and smiled at her.

“Have second thoughts on this marriage?”

Valencia turned around, blushing with a smile.

“No… I was just thinking… that your parents are very kind people,” Valencia replied.

Kael flinched, locking eyes with her. He chuckled.

“Kind? That’s a weird thing to say…” he teased. He leaned against the marble rim, grabbing her chin. “For the years that I had lived under them, they were the craziest people… always challenging each other about who is the best at everything.”

Valencia giggled, raising her shoulders as she moved closer to him.