"Ophelia."


    Ophelia stiffened. Then, she felt a heavy warmth drape over her shoulder. She frowned to the ground, seeing her shadow joined by another one. He hoisted her to her feet, and she shook her head in reluctance.


    "Come inside and reject me, don''t do it in the cold." Killorn''s voice was lowered and soft. He was so patient, she thought he was amb, but in reality, was a wolf in disguise--literally. Her heart fluttered when he slid a warm hand across her spine.


    Ophelia realized he took off his cape. She was wearing his fur shawl, leaving him freezing against the frigid wind. For once, the thing felt cold. She shrugged it off, but he kept it in ce.


    "You''ll get sick, Ophelia."


    Killorn''s voice was far too beckoning. It should be a sin to sound this convincing. Once again, Ophelia felt like a fool, for she blindly turned to him. With her tear-rimmed eyes, moistened face ,and messy hair, she was certain he''d turn her away. Instead, his usual frigid expression was twisted with remorse. He looked like he aged five years in the minutes that passed between them.


    "I''m sorry, Ophelia." Killorn loosely kept his arms around her, so that she''d at least not freeze to death. "I really am."


    Ophelia didn''t know if she should believe him when he never did with her. She didn''t know if she was going to ept this apology or not. If someone else was in her shoes, would they oblige?


    "N-no..."


    Ophelia could barely look at him. A great man like him apologized to a worthless thing like her. She struggled to keep her emotions at bay, but was huping every second. His steel-cut eyes watched her with concern. She flinched as he cupped her cheek, his head lowered. His hair was sleek against the moonlight, a faint glow washing over both of them.


    "Come inside, my lovely wife."


    Ophelia''s heart fell. "Y-you always c-call me that, w-when I-I''m not..."


    Killorn''s expression hardened. Her heart skipped. She stepped back, but he immediately came forward. Shoulders squared, gaze set on fire, lips thinned, he was abruptly frustrated again.


    "Who said you''re not?" he demanded in a low growl. "Which bastard is seeking death this desperately?"


    "M-me?"


    Killorn gritted his teeth. His jaws tightened, forming a straight line. Ophelia nervously swallowed and nced away. She knew he saw the gulp on her throat and her shaking fingers.


    "Why?" Killorn demanded. "You--"


    Killorn cut himself off. "You''re so--" he stopped again. Running an aggrieved hand through his hair, he red down at her.


    "Is it the auction?"


    Ophelia stilled. She immediately returned her attention back to the puppy burrowed in her arms. Even now, she doesn''t know the gender. Instead, she nervously patted their head, unable to answer him.


    "I waste," Killorn immediately said. "I woke up and you were gone. Imagine my surprise. Your grandmother said you left with the Niletons. I thought it was what you wanted."


    Ophelia''s head snapped up.


    "I thought you''d like them more," Killorn muttered. "I didn''t believe you at first--being forced into marriage. I wanted to respect your decision."


    Ophelia''s heart skipped. "D-did you only s-sleep with me b-because--"


    "No," Killorn immediately cut her off. "I am a selfish man, Ophelia. I was certain I could convince you back into my house. I journeyed to House Nileton and they turned me away, but your smell was nowhere in the castle. That was when I knew."


    Ophelia''s breath was caught. She couldn''t imagine his vicious expression that night.


    "Every waking moment you are enjoying life under my roof, they''re living through hell," Killorn calmly murmured. He stroked her cheek, watching her tremble at his touch. By now, he saw her slowly lowering her guard. He epted this was just her natural reaction to affection.


    "Would you like to see?" Killorn offered her, as if he was asking for a walk in their dreary garden. Ophelia quickly shook her head, her eyes wide with terror, and her face pale.


    "Y-you made me w-watch..."


    "But it helped you sleep at night, didn''t it? Knowing they''ve suffered."


    "I-I am not s-so cruel," Ophelia blurted out.


    "No, mydy wife, you are much worse." Killorn clenched his teeth and gazed at her. There was visible confusion on her soft features. Her amethyst eyes bewitched him, her silver hair always beckoning his touch, and her soft skin always invited him. Every second of every hour, she mesmerized him, and didn''t even realize it. The things he''d love to do to her, her sweet cries, her heavenly scent, everything invaded his senses and resolution.


    "Now,e back to the castle, so I can love you properly."


    - - - - -


    Ophelia wondered if fights happened frequently in the castle. When Ophelia returned with Killorn in tow, none of the servants acted like something was wrong. They went above their task as normal, bowing and smiling at their presence. Even Cora was still stone-faced whilst passing something to Killorn with two of her hands as a sign of respect.


    Killorn took it and guided Ophelia to the main dining hall. She nced over her shoulders to see her stuff being moved, but she assumed it was back to his chambers.


    "Your Highness," Jte greeted them when they walked inside. "Mydy."


    Ophelia shyly smiled, almost in embarrassment by her outburst. Jte didn''t even seem to mind as she dipped into a bow again.


    "And mydy''s dog?" Jte stated when she saw the mass of ck fur in the kind woman''s arms. She made no otherment, but gestured to the door.


    "To bid you a safe journey, the chef has made you a grand meal, Your Highness," Jte exined as butlers came rolling in with carts of food after food.


    "D-did the soldiers a-also eat?" Ophelia asked.


    Jte was surprised, but didn''t miss a beat. She warmly smiled and nodded. "Yes, mydy, they did and a few are saying goodbyes to their wives before departing with the Duke tomorrow."


    Killorn fondly smiled at her words. He caressed the back of her head, almost proud of her achievements and how far she hade since entering his castle.


    Finally, Ophelia took a seat as food was beginning to be served to them. Instead of sitting face to face, Killorn plopped beside her. When all the dishes were on the table, he excused the servants and instructed Jte to feed the animal. Finally, they were all alone in therge banquet hall.


    Ophelia nervously ate under his pressing gaze. He was watching her like a hawk, his stare flickering. The atmosphere was thick. The firece crackling filled the room, but she felt heat slide off his body in waves. When he abruptly ran his knuckle down her neck, she jumped. Then, softly, she exhaled as he fingered the cor of her dress.


    "I''m leaving tomorrow morning," Killorn said to her.


    Ophelia''s grip tightened on her spoon. He brought the te of soup closer to her. Despite the aromatic roasted mushroom soup with toasted nuts, she didn''t have an appetite.


    "If you don''t like it, we''ll have the chef make another te."


    "N-no, I''ll eat," Ophelia whispered whilst digging into the soup. He pried apart the dinner rolls for her, thered them in butter, and offered it to her. She thanked him and dipped the doughy bread into the soup, then took a bite.


    Killorn shifted all of the food closer to her. Just watching her eat was enough to make him full. When he saw her finish her soup, he brought forth the main entree.


    Just as Ophelia dug her fork into the mashed potatoes, Killorn went into his pockets and slid over a in leather book towards her. Ophelia curiously nced at the gold lining.


    "W-what''s this?" Ophelia curiously asked.


    "The ledgers you requested from Cora," Killorn said. "But also, some of the things kept in my safe."


    Ophelia slowly nodded.


    "If it''s not enough, tell me, I have many more safes and ie channels. Money isn''t something for you to be worried about," Killorn said.


    Ophelia opened her mouth, but then closed it. She didn''t want to look money-hungry or too wasteful. She was always mindful of never ordering jewels or clothes. She wouldn''t mind wearing rags either.


    Ophelia curiously opened the book, saw the numbers, and choked.


    CLATTER!


    Ophelia''s spoon fell out of her fingers. She numbly stared at the number and then back at him. He stared at her with a serious expression.


    "Is it not enough? I know it doesn''tpare to the House Eves ie," Killorn muttered. "I began saving and earning when I was eighteen."


    "T-this is more than e-enough," Ophelia stammered out. She nced at the numbers and saw themas. She couldn''t fathom her own eyes. If this was how much he had in the safe, then what about the amount in the other locations?!


    "It''s not," Killorn firmly said. "Your family should have more in their safe, no?"


    "W-we have n-nowhere--" Ophelia cut herself off. Did they even pay him a dowry? Her lips trembled. Most likely not.


    "If anything, I can always hunt more monsters. I''ve also made wise investments," Killorn continued. "We have three mines in the mountains as well. There are ample natural resources."


    "T-this can lst us for f-five generations," Ophelia weakly said.


    "Does it?" Killorn raised a brow. "Should you not want more than one castle?"


    "M-my lord, this can b-buy us ten with leftovers," Ophelia squeaked out.


    "And you think that''s enough?" Killorn asked in disbelief.


    Killorn expected his wife to go through gold like it was water. He purchased her enough gowns, shawls, coats, and jewels tost her an entire season without repeated outfits. He always frowned when he saw herck of expense.


    "Anyways, I have enough to support your spending habits. Buy anything to your heart''s content." Killorn paused. "House Mavez utilizes a specialbination and equipment to enter our vaults. It is heavily guarded. Should you need anything in there, tell me."


    Ophelia didn''t dare to tell him she had never spent a dime in her entire life--except one time. But she thought he''d ever remembered. They were just children back then.


    "I will always provide for you, Ophelia. All you have to do is remain by my side," Killorn told her with great seriousness. His handsome features came together sharply, his lips in a tight line.


    Ophelia frowned. "H-how can I-I be b-by your side if y-you''re leaving a-anding back in g-god knows how long?"


    Killorn tilted his head. "Well, you''reing with me. That''s how."


    What did he just say?