I nodded and immediately decided to return to my room for preparations. As I stepped into the corridor, I saw Neven at the far end. I ignored him and walked toward my room, but Neven followed me.

"Princess, are you fleeing?" The mockery in his voice grated on my nerves. "Now that the forest has failed, is a room all you have left? Did I frighten you that much?" I could hear the smirk on his lips.

"Yes, I am fleeing. I am fleeing to war, Prince Neven. Are you coming?" I turned my head to read the failure on his face.

It was exactly where I sought it.

"Excuse me, my husband is waiting... We wouldn't want to keep the Emperor waiting." Know whose wife I am, you honorless...

I continued on my way with rapid steps; with a signal to the servants, they followed me. They prepared me and the things I was to bring. Because so many people were working at once, the tasks were finished early. I knew what everyone was thinking.

"His Majesty really must want to frighten someone with his wife's curse."

"Or is His Majesty simply unable to stay away from his wife?"

"If a wife won't prepare her husband before a war, what is she there for?"

"What if she goes and dies?"

"Which one will die? Hahaha... Let's just hope she doesn't leave her wretched curse to the General." ...and many more things.

Alright then, my body was enveloped in thick layers of clothing and wrapped in a fur cloak. These clothes were incredibly heavy, the kind that did not permit running around. You asked for this, Deyanira. So I accept it... The horse-drawn carriages had already been prepared. I wondered if my horse, Liora, would be able to come too? Tenebris's presence was certain. I hadn't seen Liora since I fled to the forest; it was as if Ambrose regretted introducing me to her, regretted teaching me how to ride. I still wasn't a good rider, but I had gained enough skill to run away—a grand experience. I doubt he'll ever hand me the reins again...

What was Ambrose thinking? Had he realized that having his wife by his side would be a good thing, or did he merely consider me a hindrance? Of course, for a man like him who would take the head of anyone in his path, I was likely closer to a hindrance.

When the knights opened the door to the carriage, I saw Ambrose already settled inside. His eyes recalled the greens of the forest, while his dark hair matched the dark cloak that resembled the night. Generally, our garments were light blue and white. The black he was currently wearing was a preliminary preparation. I sat across from him. While he took up nearly an entire bench, I was small enough to fit into the tiny space he left in front of him.

"Have you ever taken a long journey in a carriage before, Princess?"

"No, Your Majesty..." I sighed.

His voice took on a mocking edge of irritation, not the fiery kind, but the piercing cold of ice. "Taking you to war on your very first outing is a move perfectly suited to me."

"People already belittle me, there is no need for you to speak like this as well." My brows furrowed.

"Which mortals are these?" Give me names and let them taste the death...

I faltered for a moment. Seeing my silence, he pressed: "Tell me their names. And I will silence them."

I swallowed. "To protect me, or to punish me?"

"Every rotten soul who puts your name in their mouth deserves to be punished. It is that simple." He fixed his eyes on me. "Since you became my wife, they should not dare utter a single word that hurts you."

"People question not only my presence, but your decision as well," I said, turning my head. "They ask why you brought me. Some call it a bad omen, some call it weakness."

"And you listen to them?" he asked, his voice ice-cold this time. "Is my voice not enough for you?"

"Your voice chains me!" I burst out suddenly, the words exploding from me. "When I ran away, I wasn't just trying to be free... I was just... trying to breathe. Even at the tea party I attended with Princess Amorette, the other ladies didn't even try to hide their smirks—as if you had placated a child with a toy, that child being me and the toy being the lie that a second wife would not come."

A moment of silence. Then, he bent his knee and leaned toward me slightly. "So you believe the words of those spoiled ladies?"

My eyes dropped to my empty palms resting in my lap. You are the one doing unbelievable things; it is harder to believe you.

"Then listen carefully now, Deyanira," he said, his voice slow but deep. "I have told you time and time again, there will be no second woman. Even if we must never love each other, even if we hate each other forever, this conviction will not change. From now on, you will only be by my side. You will not step a single inch out of my sight. Because if you want to breathe... I am your oxygen now." His authoritative voice forced me to bow my head, but it only provoked my inner voice that screamed, 'Do not surrender, Deyanira.'

I turned my head away, but I couldn't hide the mist in my eyes. Still, I hadn't surrendered.

"You supposedly dislike the chains I place on you," I said. "But you don't seem very uncomfortable putting them on me." I felt the need to needle him, to rebel against him.

He smiled with a dangerous patience. "Because you cannot simply fade away in someone else's chains. Therefore, I am the only one who can place them on you."

As the carriage rolled on, both fire and ice pooled inside me. We were going to war, and I had thought I left my own war behind in the palace, but I had already found the war right beside me.

As the sun set, the sky took on a hue of purple tinged with orange. The lodging place resembled a hunting lodge, but it was quite sparse and adhered to military order. While the knights positioned themselves around the perimeter, the servants began preparations. Exhaustion reflected on faces, but it was felt most deeply within me. Two of my personal maids had also come with us to tend to my needs. Normally, more would come, but the impending war complicated matters; it was surprising Ambrose even allowed these two to come. He could have further punished me by not bringing them and letting me exhaust myself. I would have felt the tension of the war at our doorstep much more intensely.

When I was brought to the room, my gaze swept the surroundings. There was only one bed. A large bed with a dark wooden frame and covers in shades of navy and silver. My nightgown had already been taken from the chest and left at the edge of the bed. As if everyone were in agreement.

This was the room we were both going to share.

I brought my hand to my throat. My breathing quickened. Three weeks of marriage... Though just how married we were was still debatable. After all, he still called me 'Princess' most of the time. And I called him 'Your Majesty'. There were too many knots that needed untying, and it wasn't just a matter of clothes.

"I can stoke the fire if you are cold," came his voice from behind me.

I jumped. Ambrose was at the door. He hadn't taken his armor off yet, but he had removed his cloak; his chest was broad, his posture still military.

"No... No, there is no need," I said, averting my gaze. I tried to smooth my skirts with my hands, though nothing was out of place. The maids had already taken my fur anyway.

Ambrose stepped inside silently. He left his bag at the edge of the bed. Then he looked at me, wearing that familiar expression that seemed devoid of emotion but carried something within it. "I prefer the left side of the bed," he simply stated. It wasn't like an order, more like a clarification. I couldn't even manage an 'alright' or 'okay'. The left side was the side facing the door.

He sat down. He placed his hands on his knees. I was still standing upright. Then he turned, examining me from head to toe. "Are you afraid of me?"

Suddenly?— "No. I just... feel strange," I said.

"Do you regret coming?"

I shook my head immediately. If he heard I regretted this decision, he would never listen to my insistences again! "No, no! I had just forgotten that we would be sharing the same bed. And this bed isn't like the one in the Palace, this is small..."

What Amorette had said while drinking tea came to mind. About preparing him for war and calming him down...

He furrowed his brows, not in anger, but pausing. "Did you think I would touch you just because you will sleep in the same bed as me?"

My eyes widened. I was embarrassed. In the silence, I bowed my head.

He shook his head and exhaled, "Deyanira..." he said. His voice had slowly softened, "I married you, but I want nothing I have won by frightening you. The day I bring you no peace in that bed is the day I have no place in it. I thought I had made that clear on our very first night."

My throat knotted. His words were so... clear, so heavy.

He added calmly, "The night you ran away, in that cabin, you were writhing to snuggle up to me."

First, he offered assurances that I was safe, as if giving advice, and then he shamelessly threw what I had done back in my face... Shame on him.

My cheeks flushed; how could he say this with such a straight face? "I was freezing and i was out of my mind that night!" Rather than standing in a corner of the room, I approached him.

"Should I put the fire out?"

I was mortified. What was that supposed to mean? Did he want me to writhe like that again? I didn't know if I was getting angry or if this heat was merely a byproduct of my embarrassment.

He reached out to my silence. "When you get angry, your brown eyes take on a tint of purple. Have you ever noticed that, Deyanira?"

My eyes... Had he noticed that too?

He took my hand and pulled me a little closer.

"I don't understand..?" I murmured. "Actually... That's not how it is."

"Hmm... That's not how it is?" he calmly repeated my words. He mimicked my tone, but his expression was faintly smiling, teasing(?). He was playing with me as if I were in the palm of his hand again. I needed to bite him, but where?

I felt like sinking into the floor right where I stood. "Amorette told me I was supposed to prepare you for war." Because I said this in an 'I-can't-do-it' tone, he understood my dilemma.

"I will turn my back to you, is that what you are worried about?" he said. "I won't even look your way. But if we must sleep in the same bed, it is only so we can get used to one another. There is no other reason, yet."

I slowly lifted my head. Yet?.. "I need to change."

"There isn't a bath nearby this caravan, change here."

So this is the only place I can change?.. He let go of my hand and allowed me to reach my nightgown. I stepped behind him and began to take off my clothes. As the heavy layers dropped to my feet, my back was still turned to him. He must have started taking off his clothes too, because I heard the sound of his armor and pieces clinking. I had put on my top; a white, sheer, long nightgown. But I couldn't look at him. Oh please, as if I haven't seen him with just a towel... bare-chested and towel-clad below, or whatever... Why am I so embarrassed now?

As my eyes traced the floor, I turned around; he was putting on his shirt, and my eyes had involuntarily caught a glimpse. I lay down on the bed but couldn't fully stretch out; I turned my back to him. There I was, on the right side. In the direction the sun rises. He moved to the left, where it sets. I curled up as close to the very edge of the bed as I possibly could. I turned my back to him, and he turned his to me.

"Ambrose..?"
 "Hm?"
"Is Liora coming with us too?"
"Do you want her to?"

Is she coming or not? Tch... 

"I need her. Tenebris is with you... but what about me and Liora?"
"She is coming, but you will not ride her, Princess."

I huffed, "Not even a little bit..?" My voice came out so innocent, as if I hadn't run away before. "Can I see her in the morning..?"
"We will see..."

I nodded, my face burying deeper into the pillow. "Mhm..." I closed my eyes willingly, but I didn't realize when I drifted off to sleep.

***

I woke up while Ambrose was still asleep. I threw my robe over my nightgown and stepped out of the room. The guards were different from those at the Palace, but clearly, they had been stationed near me to ensure I didn't run away. "His Majesty said I could see Liora. Will you take me to her?"

They nodded and escorted me outside. "Princess, shall we bring your cloak? Won't you be cold?"

Even the cold mornings of the palace were warmer than this. At least there was sun. Here, the sky was bright but overcast. Stepping outside, I was actually cold, but trying to look strong, I said, "There is no need, it will be brief."

Liora was beside Tenebris again. I had compared them to us, but I wasn't as loyal to my Tenebris as Liora was... I approached my white horse and reached out my hand.

"Liora... I'm sorry... Forgive me, my girl... Are you alright?" I stroked her.

Tenebris had raised his head, watching his docile mate and me protectively from above.

Liora made faint sounds, but she enjoyed my affection. "Did you miss me? I was so worried that night. Truly. I didn't mean to hurt you... You must have been so scared... What if something had happened to you? I could never forgive myself." My eyes welled up. Perhaps I didn't know her well yet, but whatever harm might come to her, let it all come to me....

I heard rapid footsteps approaching from behind me. "Deyanira."

Tenebris was already aware of Ambrose's arrival; he was completely unresponsive. Liora and I turned our eyes to him.

"Ambrose?"

"I explicitly told you not to leave my side." He sighed in frustration. "You didn't even put anything on. God." He himself must have rushed outside the moment he got out of bed; he had no cloak. I turned to him, and he grabbed my arms. "In these sheer things..." He pulled me to him. "You will see each other later, Liora."

Even she had received an explanation; I was merely surrounded by actions.

Ambrose shot a glance at the guards, and they stopped watching us.

"I am not cold," I said.

"Yes, you are freezing."

"I was already like this..."

"Would I ever leave you this cold in my bed? Look at these lies..."

I averted my eyes. "You gave me permission to see Liora."

"I said 'we will see.' You broke your word on the very first morning."

Oh, no... "I came with the guards; if I were breaking it, I would have come alone."

He scooped me into his arms again. "I am going to chain you to the bed."

"Ha ha ha... Very funny, really..."

"Funny? So you find it funny... You don't take me seriously, do you, Princess?" His voice was softer than I expected. He wasn't angry. He was just messing with me.

"Hey...!" I, on the other hand, was only blushing.