Continuing the chapter...
Selena opened the plate cover and upon opening it:
Selena: !!! (My favorite blueberry cheesecake!!) *smiled slightly*
Zilpher noticed Selena's smile...
Zilpher *smiled*
Selena: How long have you been watching over me?
Zilpher *swallowed* ....
Selena: And why are you watching over me, Your Majesty?
Zilpher: Ah, I will tell you everything in due time. Just know that I have no ill intentions towards you. Trust me, even though I know it's difficult for you to accept that.
Selena: ....
After they finished eating, they went to their room.
Zilpher: You go ahead and get dressed and ready, Selena.
Selena *entered the bathroom* (What exactly are you planning for me, Your Majesty?)
After Selena got dressed, Zilpher followed into the bathroom.
Selena *lay down on the bed and fell asleep*
Zilpher: I need to shower first.
A short while later, Zilpher emerged from the bathroom...
Zilpher *wiping his head with a towel and sitting on the edge of the bed*
Selena: zzzzzzz!!!!
Zilpher *brushed the hair from Selena's face* (When will you learn to love me back?) *held Selena's right cheek* Even while you're asleep, you're still so cute *smiled*
Then Zilpher lay down as well and turned off the lamp.
The next morning...
Selena *practicing archery*
Twang! Swish!!!
Selena: Hah! Hah! *panting*
???: Bravo!!! *applause* Another bull's eye!
Clap! Clap!!!
Selena *wiped her sweat with a towel and looked behind her* Your Majesty??
Zilpher *walked up to Selena* Just call me Zilpher.
Selena: ....
Zilpher: Can I join you in practicing archery?
They continued their archery practice...
Zilpher: Bull's eye every time.
Selena: ....
Zilpher: ???
Selena: Teach me your way of sword fighting against monsters *determined*
Zilpher: Alright.
They stretched their shoulders and picked up their swords. They held them firmly and correctly positioned their bodies. They prepared for attack and defense. Selena attacked first, and Zilpher defended expertly.
Selena: Yahh!!!
Clang! Clang!!!
Their fight intensified. They seemed to dance in the air, their swords creating a strong wind all around. The large space of their practice area allowed them to move and strike effectively. Eventually, their clothes were slightly torn, and Selena almost struck Zilpher's neck, but he avoided it and deflected it with his sword.
Zilpher: Excellent! *smiled intimidatingly*
Their practice grew more intense and longer. Neither wanted to admit defeat.
Until...
Selena: Tsskkk!!!
Selena's sword flew away.
Zilpher *pointed his sword at Selena's neck* I win *smiled*
And their intense practice came to an end.
Selena *drinking water*
Gulp! Gulp!!!
Selena: Hah! Hah! *panting*
Zilpher *wiping his sweat* Let's continue practicing later. I'll be hunting later, and I'll try to return as soon as possible by tomorrow night.
Selena: Alright.
Zilpher: Your sword movements and actions are good. Most importantly, you think and act quickly, but there are still some moves you don't know about sword fighting. You're better and more skilled with ranged weapons like the bow and arrow, as you showed earlier.
Selena: Thank you, Zilpher *smiled*
Zilpher *averted his gaze and smile* You're really good (This is bad for my heart) *held his chest* (My heart is beating so fast and strong) Just from your smile, it feels like my heart might explode like a grenade *murmured*
Selena: ???
Zilpher *looked at Selena* W-we should head b-back to the p-palace!!! *blushing*
Selena *approached and touched Zilpher's forehead*
Zilpher (No, why are you coming closer?!) !!!! *blushed more*
Selena *also touched his forehead* You don't seem to have a fever, but why are you blushing?
Zilpher (I'm doomed!!)
Selena: Are you tired from our practice?
Zilpher: Ah, yes!! *nervous* (I hope she doesn't hear how fast and strong my heart is beating!)
Then Zilpher removed Selena's hand from his forehead.
Zilpher *walked quickly* W-we should g-go!!!! *blushing* (Tsskkk!!! This is your fault, Sel!!)
Selena then returned to the golden library to read and gather more information about monsters.
A few hours later...
Selena: Aagghhh!!! *frustrated* (Why can't I find any information about who started these disturbances?) And until now, I still can't remember what happened to me before *looked at her bracelet* (Could this have something to do with my memory loss?) But it's impossible because I remember what I was doing when Admiral talked to me while I was wearing this (It's just that I can't really remember what happened to me when I was abducted) But why? (Did someone make me drink something to erase those memories?) But why? (And what exactly am I the key to?) Ugh!!! *frustrated*
That night...
Zilpher: Hiyah!! Hiyah!!!
Horse: Neey!! Neeyy!!!
Zilpher had just killed a wild boar.
Twang!!! Swish!!!
Wild Boar: Gwahhh!!!! *fell*
Zilpher: Take this away!!!
Soldiers: Yes, Your Majesty!!
Zilpher also captured a nine-tailed fox, a deer, a rabbit, a bear, a squirrel, and many others.
Then Zilpher looked up at the sky...
Zilpher: !!!! (I knew it....) Take the captured animals back to the kingdom.
Soldier: And what about you, Your Majesty?
Zilpher: I-I have urgent t-tasks to complete!!! (Ack!!) *clutched his chest tightly*
Soldier: Your Majesty?!! *worried*
Zilpher: DO AS I ORDER!!! *with fierce eyes*
Soldiers: Y-yes, Your Majesty!!!
The soldiers quickly left, leaving their king alone in the forest.
Zilpher (I didn't bring my medicine, Tsskkk!!!!) *dismounted his horse* Looks like I need to go home alone to our ranch, Hah! Hah! *panting*
Zilpher patted his horse's back.
Horse: Neeyy!!! Neeyy!!! *ran quickly*
Zilpher (Until we meet again, Zilphy)
>Zilphy is the name of the black horse given to Zilpher by his father on his third birthday.<
Zilpher continued to walk away from his kingdom, growing weaker.