"What?" Laura frowned, her displeasure evident. "He just came back from a mission," she protested against her eldest sister. "He's barely recovered after surviving two assassination attempts. He won't be going anywhere, Eldest sister. Either you can go alone or tell them that you aren't coming."
Amanda's lips turned into a sly smile. "The invitation came to the imperial palace, my little sister. The Queen isn't going and I have to go in her place. As the Queen's son-in-law, Kael's presence is mandatory. He's expected to attend, and I'll need him for the dance too."
Kael didn't speak anything and Laura's expression already hardened. "If he's going, then I'm going with him to protect him."
Amanda, however, shook her head. "This is a formal event. You didn't receive an invitation from the organizers, and you're not a part of the imperial court. The same goes with my other sisters too. None of you can't attend unless a Ball Event invitation actually comes to Moonstone House. So, it will only be him and me."
Laura's glare deepened, but Amanda was unyielding. "Besides," Amanda added, pointing to the wolf still devouring its meal, "he has his new companion to protect him."
The wolf, which decided to stay oblivious to the conversation, let out a loud belch and wagged its tail, content with the feast.
Kael couldn't help sigh inwardly, thinking, "Whenever these wives of mine discuss something, they just take unanimous decisions and don't even ask my opinion. It is tough to live as a man in this world."
Two days later, Kael stood outside their home, dressed in formal travel attire. The imperial carriage gleamed in the sunlight, flanked by a hundred elite soldiers.
Laura stood by his side, her eyes filled with worry. "Be careful," she whispered, clutching his arm.
Kael lowered his head, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry about me."
As he climbed into the carriage, Laura watched it roll away, her heart heavy with unease.
"He'll be fine," Melissa said, patting her shoulders. "Don't need to unnecessarily worry about his safety."
Laura shook her head. "It's not that. I don't know why but I feel uneasy about this trip." After a brief pause, she mumbled. "Maybe, it's because he'll be away for two whole months."
Seraphina silently stared at her possessive sister, shaking her head with a sigh.
One week into their voyage, Kael sat quietly on the deck of the ship, holding a fishing rod over the vast expanse of the sea. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the hull filled the air.
Nearby, the spectral wolf lay sprawled out on the wooden planks, its ears drooping as it groaned. "This endless stupid water... I miss the forest. The trees. The scent of earth. Why did I agree to this? I should have stayed at home and let him summon me directly when he needed me."
Kael heard its complaint but didn't respond and only slightly smirked in amusement. Suddenly, he felt a sharp tug on the fishing line. "Finally," he muttered, gripping the rod tighter as he tried to reel it in.
The resistance was quite strong.
In an instant, he analyzed the strength needed to pull the fish to the boat and started acting.
As the line pulled tight, Kael planted his feet firmly and acted as if he was struggling to maintain his balance.
"Wolf, help me!" Kael called, pretending to be weaker than he planned
The spectral wolf lazily opened one eye and huffed. "I'm too seasick for this nonsense. Handle it yourself, human." While it indeed acted as a spectral wolf with a high ego, its current situation isn't good at the moment either. Kael also understood it too.
Kael let out a roar as the rod jerked again, nearly pulling him overboard. "Argh…" Just then, a firm hand grasped the handle of the rod.
Kael turned to see the figure and his face lit up. "Captain Cain." His expression looked like he was elated to see the figure.
Cain, a towering man with a broad chest and an air of authority, grinned down at him. His weathered hands gripped the rod firmly. "Let's see what you've got here, Lord Moonstone."
Kael let go of the rod and Captain Cain pulled against the immense force, overpowering the creature below. With one last heave, a massive yellowfin tuna king broke the surface, glistening under the sun.
The deck erupted in cheers as sailors gathered to marvel at the catch. The commotion drew Amanda from her cabin. She stepped onto the deck, her gaze falling on the enormous fish.
Cain straightened and saluted. "Your Highness, Lord Moonstone has caught a beast worthy of legend."
Amanda's eyes widened in surprise. "Kael caught that?"
Kael shook his head modestly. "No, I just caught it. Captain Cain did the most of the work."
Cain chuckled, his deep voice carrying across the deck. "Nonsense. It was your keen sight and patience that made this possible. I merely lent a hand." He then shifted his gaze to the princess. "Your Highness, Lord Moonstone was worried about your seasickness. As this particular fish is also known to cure seasickness, he was looking for it for several days and eventually, fate smiled upon his efforts." The spectral wolf's ears perked all of a sudden upon hearing that it cures seasickness. It couldn't help but swiftly raise its head to look at the large fish on the deck.
Amanda's expression softened as she glanced at Kael. A faint smile crossed her lips, but her eyes betrayed a mix of emotions—gratitude, discomfort, and something she couldn't quite name.
"Well done, Kael," she said softly before turning to the crew. "Prepare this fish immediately. Make sure it's cooked to perfection."
She returned to her cabin, leaving the bustling deck behind. Sitting alone on her bed, Amanda ran a hand through her hair. Her mind replayed the scene on the deck, and a quiet murmur escaped her lips.
"He's trying so hard," she said to herself, staring at her reflection in the mirror hanging on the cabin wall. "Even with his weak strength, he works tirelessly to care for me. And yet... I can't return those feelings."
Her voice paused as she leaned back against the headboard, a deep sigh escaping her lips. The sounds of the lively deck faded into the background as the ship sailed steadily onward.
As Kael stared at the massive yellowfin tuna king now being prepared in the galley, he couldn't help but replay Captain Cain's earlier words.
"That fish's eyes cure seasickness?" Kael asked, still puzzled. "I didn't plan for that. It's just a coincidence I caught it."
Cain crossed his muscular arms, his expression warm but firm. "I'm aware of it. I apologize for doing it on purpose."
Kael tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"
Cain leaned closer, his voice lowering. "You're her husband, Lord Moonstone. Whether you admit it or not, she needs you. I wanted her to see you as someone she can rely on, someone who can help her move forward from her painful past."
Kael's curiosity was piqued by his explanation. Though he knew bits of Amanda's history, the details eluded him. "Her past?"
Cain nodded solemnly. "The late General Klaus. He was more than a husband to her—he was her best friend, her first love, her protector, her partner in everything."
Cain's voice softened as he recounted the story. "General Klaus was born a commoner but served the royal family as a loyal servant. The General and Her Highness grew up together—he was always by her side. When Her Highness was groomed to become a duchess, he enlisted in the army, determined to prove himself. At just 24, he became the youngest general in the Queendom, leading armies with unmatched skill. Imagine a male fighting against all odds and attaining such a position at a young age. Even her Majesty couldn't help but recognize his brilliance and approved their marriage despite the class divide."
Kael listened intently as Cain continued.
"But during the war with Orlon Kingdom, The General was assassinated in his own tent. The official report blamed rebels, but the truth has always been unclear. Her Highness... she was devastated. She buried her pain under work, throwing herself into politics to avoid the memories."
Cain's voice lowered further. "She still carries that pain, Lord Moonstone. I'm aware of the circumstances of your marriage but I truly wish her to forget that pain and move on. We are going to be on this journey for two months. It is a perfect opportunity for Lord Moonstone to win her heart."
Kael felt sympathy for her but that doesn't mean he would force himself to love the woman who still is in love with her late husband. But then again, she is his wife and he had to try his best to ease her pain at the very least. "I... I'll try to be better to her," he said quietly.
When the meal was ready, Kael sent a female soldier to Amanda's cabin to invite her to join them. However, the soldier returned alone.
"Her Highness said she'd prefer to rest as she just took her medicine for seasickness," the soldier explained.
Concerned, Kael decided to check on her himself. But when he knocked on the cabin door twice, there was no response from her. Entering the cabin, he immediately noticed her pale complexion and sweatdrops on her forehead. She lay curled on her bed, her breaths shallow and labored.
Kael knelt beside her, his hand hovering over her arm. "She's burning up," he muttered. "Medicine overdose?"