I didn't know how long I had been asleep, but when I finally stirred once again, Noah was still there holding me like I was made of porcelain. Arms wrapped around my shoulders, his chin resting lightly against my forehead.
Since I had already cried enough earlier, I wanted to get to the main point.
"What happened?" I whispered my voice hoarse. "Why… did this happen to me?"
His hand moved gently along my back, calming the small trembles I hadn't even realized were still running through my body.
"Was it… my family?" I asked again, "The Crown Prince? Possibly someone we don't even know about yet?"
Noah's voice was low and steady, like he'd been rehearsing his explanation a hundred times while I was unconscious.
"Slow down," he said softly, kissing the top of my head. "I'll explain."
I closed my eyes, just listening to the sound of his voice.
"It wasn't the crown prince directly." I felt Noah's body tense up. "Someone who worked with him, a noble family that hadn't been exposed yet, one we missed."
"Missed…?"
He nodded.
"They realized who was behind the fall of his other allies, who helped me destroy them. They figured it out… and decided to strike where it would hurt me the most."
I swallowed hard and said, "Me."
Noah didn't say anything, but his silence was obvious. Everyone knew by now that I was his weakness, and if you truly wanted to derail anything he's doing, go for me.
I've become too complacent recently, not even seeing something like this happening. Tears started to fall before I could stop them, realizing that I could have died and Noah probably would have gone berserk.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm so sorry, Noah. I'm just a burden… so weak, I didn't even…"
"Don't," he said, sharply but gently, tipping my chin up to look at him. "Don't you dare apologize."
I looked at him through watery eyes.
"This wasn't your fault; none of it is."
"But…" Noah interrupted before I could say anything.
"I don't care if you're my weakness, because I'm not giving you up, not now or ever." His words cut through the haze like sunlight.
"There's no way I could ever do that." He repeated his last statement; I guess really wanting me to understand.
I couldn't find the words, so I just stayed quiet, listening to him as I leaned against Noah's chest.
The world was cruel, but when I was inside this man's arms, it felt safe, like armor.
"I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe, Sera." After a long pause he repeated, "Everything!"
I just nodded at him, wanting to believe it because I knew he was sincere, but even for Noah it was hard to guard me at all times.
Deep down I knew the truth, but I would never say it to him. Especially not when his voice was still trembling, I pulled his head into my chest and hugged him tightly. Noah would only ever show this side to me; the second he left this room, he would go right back to being cold and stoic.
The idea of a safe world isn't possible with still too many enemies out there, even some I'm pretty sure we can't even see.
The next week passed in a strange haze.
I wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone, not even to the bathroom. Noah wouldn't leave me for more than a few minutes at a time, and when he did, at least three armed knights shadowed me like silent statues.
Every person who entered the archduke's estate, whether they were staff, messengers, or merchants, it didn't matter… They were all vetted by two layers of security and magical inspections.
Noah still barely slept; he didn't trust anyone. What in the world did I unlock in this guy? I can't lie that it was a little terrifying, but I could also feel the care.
The estate felt colder. Not literally, but in the way people moved. I always tended to avoid servants because I never trusted them from the beginning. But… when I did occasionally walk past one of them, they would shrink back and look away.
It wasn't me they feared.
I got a firsthand experience of what it's like to have a literal yandere as your significant other. Although… if he's killing people, I haven't seen it happen, besides that assassin.
Is my brain so messed up that I actually don't mind the way he treats me? It's not like he chains me up and says I can't go anywhere. He will just follow me like a guard dog. With how things are right now, I feel safer that way.
It was kind of funny to watch how even one mistake in my presence while I was with Noah would cause an instant response from the servant. They would pretty much bash their head into the ground asking for mercy, even though what happened wasn't even a big deal.
The best way I could describe it is that he was a tamed yandere because he would still listen to any of my words. I even saved a few servants who didn't really do anything wrong by getting his attention and forcing him in the other direction.
He was almost too soft with me, but the rest of the world still feared his feminine face, not even daring to ever speak the words I've said to him in the past.
In some twisted way I felt like I was currently living the dream of any female who's ever read a novel with a Duke of the North. We all know how those stories end up for the female lead.
The wedding dress, at least, was finished, and it looked breathtaking.
It sparkled like starlight, silver-threaded lace with hints of soft blue and shimmering pearls. My hair glowed even more when I put on the dress. Looking at myself in the mirror, I was attracted to my own appearance. I saw nothing wrong with that because people should love themselves.
The designer cried when I first tried it on. I wasn't sure if she just admired her work or was afraid of Noah, who said something to her without my knowledge.
He only stared like a love-struck fool, and then I heard him whisper something under his breath, "Perfect!"
That afternoon, Noah entered my room without knocking as usual, kissed me quickly on the lips, and grabbed my hand.
"Come," he said, tugging me gently behind him.
He didn't explain… But when Noah was being mysterious, I had learned just to follow.
He led me through the halls, past the outer terrace, and down a freshly laid stone path flanked by trimmed hedges and flowering trees.
We stepped into the garden area, and my mind instantly stopped thinking about random stuff as I saw what was right in front of me.
There, carved into the land like a scene from a fantasy novel, was an enormous water feature that rivaled the one I had seen before in the capital square.
A pond… no, a miniature lake, wrapped in arcing fountains and cascading tiers of crystal-clear streams.
Dozens of carved jets danced in coordinated bursts. Water lilies floated on the surface. Mist shimmered at the edges, caught in the sunset.
At the center was a small stone platform with benches, a place to be together and watch this magnificent attraction.
While still feeling astonished, I hugged Noah's arm and asked, "When did you build this?"
His smile knowing, hands in his pockets.
"I remember how much you liked the one in the square, so I had the builders start working on this the very next day."
It must've cost a fortune, but that didn't matter to him. This was for me after all, hehe. He's going to turn me into a greedy woman with all this love and affection he always showers me with.
I put myself against his chest and wrapped my arms around his body tightly.
"Thank you! This is so amazing!"
His arms folded around me, firm and strong.
As we stood there together, everything just melted away. I forgot about that assassin, Crown Prince, my horrible family, and all these servants who could turn on me at any moment.
We were just in our own little world, and I wished we could stay like that forever.
To my surprise, Noah had more waiting for us in the garden than just the jaw-dropping water feature.
There was a small table set up nearby, draped in silk and surrounded by two chairs. On top was a beautifully arranged dinner. Steaming dishes, fresh fruit, and sparkling drinks in crystal glasses.
We sat together and ate, the sound of fountains soothing the air like background music written just for us. Between bites, I couldn't help but start bantering again, like always.
"I swear," I said, taking a sip from my glass, "I feel like I'm living in an actual romance novel. Secret identities, assassins, overpowered loved interests, water garden kisses…"
Noah just chuckled; clearly amused with the way I try to bring fiction into reality.
"You say it like it's a bad thing."
"It's suspicious, is what it is," I teased. "We're overdue for a plot twist."
He raised an eyebrow, lips twitching. "Actually, speaking of romance novels…"
Oh no, here it comes.
"I recently started to read one," he continued after a slight pause, "where the male lead came across a noblewoman struggling to walk in high heels, which I know you hate."
I groaned dramatically. "Don't you even…" He's not going to ask me to wear high heels, right?
Noah just smirked.
"He helped her sit down, took off her shoes, gently massaged her feet… and then kissed the top of each one."
"Of course he did," I muttered, already blushing at the thought.
"Then," Noah added with a meaningful look, "He pledged himself to her, promising to love her for the rest of his life."
Noah, without any hesitation, stood up and knelt before me. Of course I obviously knew what he was thinking, but I still shyly played into it.
"Noah?"
Without a word, he reached for my shoes. His fingers worked carefully, unbuckling the straps.
Then he slid each one off with slow precision, followed by my socks. Leaving my bare feet exposed to the soft breeze and the cool grass beneath.
He leaned forward and kissed the top of each foot. I just stared at him with stunned eyes, seeing him actually do this all of a sudden.
My whole body heated up from such an action; it felt way more intimate than I even expected. His hands moved to cradle my heels gently, and he began rubbing in small, deliberate circles.
I let out a soft gasp, then another. It felt so… weird, but also intoxicating at the same time, as all my tension in my body seemed to be instantly alleviated.
When I was looking down at him, we both locked eyes… If I didn't know any better, I would think he wanted to devour me right there. I couldn't help but squirm a little bit.
The moans just kept coming as his pressure on the bottoms of my soles kept increasing, but with just the right amount.
I cleared my throat, looking away as heat crept up my neck.
"That novel sounds suspiciously convenient for you." I said softly.
Noah smiled. "I know what I like."
My eyes narrowed at him playfully. "What is that, exactly?" I couldn't help but ask.
He didn't answer, going back to his diligent job of massaging to the best of his ability. Even though part of me wanted to lunge at him because of all these feelings going through my body, I held back.
The day was coming ever closer, and on that day would be the time I would allow him to unleash his self upon me. Just thinking about that, I couldn't help but blush fiercely, with how something like that must feel.