Should she go and find him? While she was thinking about it, there was a knock at the door.

“Yes!”

Grace quickly grabbed a robe and pulled it over her. Even though he was her husband, it was still her wedding night and she felt too shy to greet him in just her nightgown.

‘What should I say when we meet? Will things flow naturally?’

The phrase ‘wedding night’ felt unbearably awkward as she thought about it. Carefully she opened the door.

“Oh.”

Grace froze, her eyes widening slightly as she instinctively took a step back.

It wasn’t her husband Velenus standing at the door, but Cajetan.

He stood silently, staring at her with an unreadable expression.

A tense silence filled the room. Should she ask why he was here at this hour? Or should she just slam the door in his face? As Grace hesitated and took another step back, a small moan broke the silence.

“Ugh….”

The slurred sound was unmistakable, completely distorted by intoxication. It was then that she noticed the arm draped over Cajetan’s shoulder. Opening the door a little wider, she finally saw her husband, Velenus, completely drunk and leaning heavily on his brother.

“My brother has had a little too much to drink, sister-in-law.”

Cayetan said with a faint smile.

“Oh, I see.”

Grace replied. Not knowing what else to say.

Even from a distance, the strong smell of alcohol wafted towards her. Grace stepped closer, reaching out to help, but Cajetan entered the room with a gentle smile, forcing her to take a quick breath as their bodies almost touched.

“I’ll put him to bed.”

“No, that’s all right. I can help him myself.”

“He’s heavy.”

“It’s all right.”

Grace stubbornly stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Despite the fact that she had only met Velenus for the first time today, and had only been married to him for a few hours, this was their bedroom – their space. No matter how close Cajetan was to her as a brother, it felt inappropriate, even disrespectful, to enter her marital chamber like this.

“I’ll help him.”

“Why, sister-in-law? Are you uncomfortable with my entering your room?”

“…To be honest, yes.”

But her words did not deter him. On the contrary, Cajetan pushed the door further open and stepped fully into the room.

“Cajetan!”

“I’m only here to lay my brother to rest.”

Grace bit her lip, her unease growing. His gaze flickered towards her and she felt it slowly tracing her body. Instinctively, she pulled her robe tighter around her.

Cajetan carried Velenus to the bed and laid him down gently.

“Ugh…”

Velenus groaned, shifting slightly before falling completely still, clearly passed out from his drunken state.

Grace crossed her arms and hunched her shoulders, feeling tense. Though her husband was present, he wasn’t conscious, and the mere fact that she was alone with Cajetan in this situation made her deeply uncomfortable.

“It’s time for you to leave.”

“…”

Cayetan remained silent, his silence only adding to the tension in the room.

Their eyes met again and Grace instinctively stepped back.

‘How could someone’s gaze be so animalistic?’

She clutched her thin robe as if it were armour, pulling it tighter around her in a vain attempt to shield herself.

Cajetan’s lips curled into a small smile. The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows across his face, giving him a strange and unsettling expression.

“Please leave.”

Grace said as calmly as she could, repeating herself. But she could hear the slight tremble in her voice. She told herself there was nothing to be afraid of, but her body betrayed her. She felt like a rabbit, helpless and trembling, thrown into a predator’s lair.

“Sleep well.”

Cayetan said with a mocking, exaggerated bow before walking slowly across the room and out the door.

Only when the door closed behind him did Grace let out the breath she had been holding and take a deep breath.

‘I was sure something was about to happen.’

The thought struck her and she froze. What did I think was going to happen? She shook her head, trying to push the disturbing thought away, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Velenus.”

“Ugh.”

Her husband groaned, the heavy stench of alcohol on his breath.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry… ugh.”

He murmured, his words slurred as he reached for her hand with unsteady fingers.

“My brother… said it was a toast… to celebrate.”

She carefully pieced together the incoherent words. Cajetan had insisted on offering a celebratory drink and kept pouring more, leaving Velenus in no position to refuse.

“Ha, really.”

Should she scold him? Or let it go? Torn between the two, she let out a deep sigh. Watching her husband mumble apologies, even in his drunken, collapsed state, made it hard to stay angry.

“If this happens again, I’ll be furious.”

The smell of alcohol lingered heavily on him, and his hand, still holding hers, radiated an almost feverish warmth.

And yet, why was it Cajetan’s face that kept coming back to her? Was it the bone-chilling cold he evoked? Grace closed her eyes, willed herself to push the thought away.

The first night of their marriage passed, heavy with the stench of alcohol and a lingering unease.

***

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I slept well.”

Grace replied with a bright smile. In the morning, Velenus had woken up looking absolutely miserable and apologised profusely for the previous night. Not wanting to start their marriage with a quarrel, she forgave him with a gentle reminder not to let it happen again. Velenus eagerly promised he wouldn’t, and the matter was settled.

It was a peaceful start to the day.

‘Cajetan isn’t here.’

That fact alone made her feel better. When she casually asked about his absence, she was told that Cajetan rarely joined them for breakfast.

Relieved, Grace was able to enjoy the meal with her new family – the King, Queen and her husband – without him being too much on her mind.

After breakfast, the other three left promptly, caught up in their many duties as Crown Prince, King and Queen.

‘I’ll be busy soon too, I’m sure.’

For now, she was grateful for their thoughtfulness in letting her rest and adjust to her new life. Thinking she could take it easy for a while, Grace settled comfortably into the lounge.

But her peace was abruptly interrupted when the door suddenly opened.

“Who…?”

There stood the one person she least wanted to see.

“Isn’t it the Crown Princess?”

Cajetan said with a faint grin.

“Cajetan. Did you sleep well?”

Grace asked, forcing a polite tone.

“No.”