Brandon was sitting with Freya in the room with her leaning on him while he gently stroked her hair.

"You suspect there is a traitor in the castle?"

Nodding his head, Brandon replied "The assassins quickly received the information that I am at the lakeside."

"So someone in the castle must have seen us leaving or knows that we are going to leave the castle."

Freya’s frown deepened "Hmm... true. But it’s quite common. Even our empire has spies in other kingdoms and empires."

"So it would be hard to find the spy if it’s a soldier or a maid in the castle... but if it’s a minister or a noble, we can try."

She let out a slow breath "My brother’s court has grown complacent over the years. There are always nobles whispering, servants gossiping, and ambitious fools looking for favors from foreign powers. But to betray the Goddess’s Shadow directly... that takes real nerve." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"I’ll start making discreet inquiries. I have my own network of eyes and ears in this castle. If someone is feeding information to Nacirfa, I’ll find them."

Brandon continued stroking her hair "Be careful. If they’re bold enough to send assassins after me in broad daylight, they won’t hesitate to silence anyone."

Freya’s lips curved into a small smile. She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the side of his neck before resting her head back on his shoulder.

"Don’t worry about me, Kael. I have played these politics before."

"Besides... I have you to protect me now, don’t I?"

With a smile, he nodded his head "True."

Freya smiled and nuzzled closer, clearly content to stay in his arms a little longer before the responsibilities of the day pulled them apart.

*THOOM*

The door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, slamming against the wall.

Both Brandon and Freya jolted in surprise.

Amelia stormed into the room as she marched straight toward the sofa with her eyes locked on her aunt.

"AUNT FREYYAAA!"

Freya blinked in genuine surprise, barely having time to react before Amelia reached her.

Amelia grabbed the front of Freya’s gown near her neck with both hands and started shaking her vigorously.

"You already told Father about my relationship with Sir Kael?!"

Freya’s eyes widened comically as she was shaken back and forth, "W-Wait- Amelia, dear- calm down!!"

Amelia’s cheeks were blazing in red, "I just came from Father’s study! He asked me directly if there was something going on between me and Sir Kael! He even mentioned the letters! How could you-?!"

Brandon sat there, momentarily stunned, watching the chaotic scene unfold right in front of him.

Freya was still being shaken by her much smaller niece as her generous chest bounced with each vigorous shake.

Freya finally managed to gently pry Amelia’s hands off her gown, holding her wrists to stop the shaking.

"Amelia, sweetheart, breathe," She uttered, trying to sound soothing even as she fought back a laugh.

"I didn’t tell him everything. I simply... mentioned that you seemed happier lately and that a certain handsome young man might be the reason."

Amelia’s face turned an even deeper shade of red.

"That’s basically telling him everything! He started asking about marriage prospects and whether Sir Kael was suitable! I nearly died on the spot!"

Freya couldn’t hold it in anymore, and a bright laugh escaped her lips as she pulled her flustered niece into a hug, patting her back.

"Oh, you’re so adorable when you’re embarrassed. I couldn’t help it. I had to say something!"

Amelia groaned loudly, burying her burning face against her aunt’s shoulder.

"You’re the worst... I told you it was a secret for now..."

Brandon finally cleared his throat, "Should I... leave you two to sort this out?"

Both women turned to look at him at the same time.

Amelia’s eyes widened even further as she realized he had been sitting there the entire time, watching her throw a tantrum.

She quickly pulled away from Freya and smoothed her dress, trying to regain some dignity.

"S-Sir Kael... I... um..."

Freya, still laughing softly, leaned back against Brandon’s side again, wrapping one arm around him.

"Don’t mind her, Kael. She’s just upset because her father now knows she has a crush on you."

Amelia’s gaze narrowed as she saw how comfortably Freya is leaning on him and she even called him as just ’Kael’

"Wait... wait a minute..." Her voice rose with growing realization and jealousy. "When did both of you get too close?!"

Freya’s grin widened and nuzzled even more against Brandon "We have always been~"

Amelia’s cheeks puffed out in frustration.

She quickly reached over, pried Freya’s arm off Brandon’s waist with both hands.

And then hopped straight onto his lap, straddling him possessively.

"No, no! I come first!" she said, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and pressing herself against his chest.

She glared at her aunt over Brandon’s shoulder, hugging him like a koala claiming its tree.

Freya blinked once, then burst into bright laughter.

She didn’t seem upset at all; if anything, she looked even more entertained.

"Oh my, look at you! So bold all of a sudden," Freya teased, covering her mouth with one hand.

"Just yesterday you were too shy to even admit you kissed him, and now you’re jumping into his lap like that?"

Amelia’s face turned bright crimson, but she refused to let go.

She buried her face against Brandon’s neck, hiding her embarrassment while still clinging to him tightly.

"I-I’m not letting you steal him!" she mumbled against his skin. "You already tried yesterday morning... and now you’re acting all close with him..."

Brandon sat there with one arm wrapped around Amelia’s waist to keep her steady on his lap.

"You two..." he chuckled, shaking his head. "I feel like I’m in the middle of a very affectionate war."

Freya leaned in from the side, resting her chin on Brandon’s other shoulder so she could look at her niece with a playful smirk.

"Don’t be greedy, Amelia dear. Sharing is caring~ Remember that old promise you made me?"

Amelia lifted her head just enough to glare at her aunt, "That was when I was a child! And you’re taking advantage of it!"

Freya giggled again and leaned even closer, "But he seems to like it when we both pay attention to him... don’t you, Kael?"

Amelia let out a small huff and tightened her hug, practically squeezing Brandon.

"He’s mine first. I... I kissed him first."

Brandon couldn’t help but sigh softly.

Freya winked at him, "Consider it practice for the future," she purred, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

"After all, if Amelia really does become your wife one day... I’ll be part of the package."

"AUNT FREYA!"

---

It was already night-

Brandon lay completely relaxed on top of Rheanne.

His head rested in the crook of her neck, one arm draped across her waist while his leg tangled with hers.

Rheanne, however, remained awake, staring quietly at the ceiling as she listened to his breathing and felt the comforting weight of his body pressing her into the mattress.

She enjoyed this. The quiet nights where he sought comfort in her arms, where she could hold him gently.

But then, in the quiet darkness, Brandon mumbled something against her neck.

"...Noona."

Rheanne’s hand froze in his hair and she frowned.

"That name again..."

She had heard it a few times before when he was lost in dreams.

It carried a soft intimacy that made something tight and unfamiliar twist in her chest.

She continued stroking his hair, but her other arm tightened slightly around his shoulders, pulling him closer.

"Who is she...?" Rheanne whispered quietly.

"The one you call ’Noona’ in your sleep... And this Elize, Florence and others?"

Brandon shifted slightly in his sleep, nuzzling deeper into her neck with a contented sigh.

Rheanne let out a soft breath and tilted her head to press a gentle kiss to the top of his head.

"What happened to you before you met me..." she whispered against his hair. "So many names and secrets from a past I cannot see... But you always come back to me. You always sleep like this in my arms."

A faint, almost sad smile touched her lips.

"One day... I hope you’ll trust me enough to tell me who ’Noona’ is."

Rheanne closed her eyes, but sleep did not come easily.

The night stretched on.

Brandon slept peacefully on top of her, lost in dreams of another time.