I couldn't believe what my ears heard, making me dropped my quill pen in the process.

"He what..."

I looked at my attendance, who began to sweat and wiping his palms on his pants repeatedly.

"I asked a question,"

I growled at him, who jumped out in surprise as he stuttered and jumbled up his words.

"Master Jeno had-"

He stopped for a while, taking a deep breath and repeated his words calmer than before.

"-had her in his faction headquarter, sir."

"Out..."

"S-sir?"

"I said, out!"

I barked at him to get out from my room and ordered the guards to never open the door until I told them to.

"Now, were where we, dear?"

I whispered, looking at her with a delightful smirk, as she began to whimper under my gaze.

∆∆∆

"We're here."

I woke Y/N, who was sleeping in my arms, by gently shook her shoulders, trying not to shock her too much, which failed.

I actually didn't want her to wake up and instead, carry her in my arms to my room, if it wasn't for my brothers that were waiting for us.

"Careful,"

I whispered when she stepped out from the carriage while holding onto my hand.

Renjun walked to me, slightly tiptoed to whispered in my ear as I nodded at hin before left Y/N with him.

I walked to Chenle and WinWin, who were talking about something before noticed my presence.

"What is it?"

I asked as Chenle shot a look at WinWin, who shrugged out before took out a small black box with gold clover crest on it.

"We found it buried under Jaemin's pillow."

Chenle looked grimaced at thought of its noticeable sharp edges which made him thought that whoever put it under there was a dumbass.

I opened the lid and found a small, red rose shaped stone ring with a cursive 'malestiscious' engraving on it when I examined it carefully.

"Malestiscious? What does that mean?"

"No one knows,"

I replied softly before placed it back inside the box and closed the lid, giving it back to WinWin.

"For now, just save it. We'll need it for later."

I said as we walked into the building together, keeping up so no one would be able to hurt us.

WinWin walked faster than us two, buying me sometime to talk with Chenle in private for a while.

"Le, I know this is not that easy for you,"

I whispered as I placed the small box on his palm before closing it, gently lowering his hand.

"Y/N will need to be protected with this ring and I trust you with them, Chenle,"

I watched his eyes in silent.

He gulped down his saliva. I could see his pupils shaking, but he kept plastering such a courageous expression, enough to make me feel relief to trust Y/N's safety in his hand.

∆∆∆

The clinking sound of silverware and crockery distracted my mind from the others' keen gazes on me.

Jeno, being a gentleman he is, placed down the napkin over my lap as he overlapped his glove clad hand over mine.

"It's okay, they're just curious. Don't worry, dear,"

He whispered before spared a soft glance at me and shifted his attention to the beef Wellington on the plate.

Unlike the others who chatted with ease and light heartedly, I could only stare on my meal before dabbed my lips after I finished it off.

Most of them had left the dining hall. Sicheng and Renjun still enjoying their second parfait while Chenle and Jeno having a talk with one of the members of the faction.

1Leaving me in total silent.

"So, OA also has been taking a liking on you too, miss..."

"Y/N,"

"Miss Y/N, what a beautiful name. My name's Viella,"

She had a dirty blonde hair that tattered and tossed over her shoulders.

Navy blue overcoat draped and covered her bare shoulder. Her dress was sleeveless and the neckline was quite low to show her collarbone.

The twin beauty mark under her sharp right eyebrow piqued my interest because it shaped like a shooting star.

"It's a pleasure to meet the nest empress of this place,"

"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Viella,"

I muttered shyly as she plopped down herself on the seat right beside me. Placing her arm over my shoulder, she whispered with hushed tone.

"Be careful, this place has been spied by OA since few months before your arrival. Make sure you're still under Sir Jeno's sight, Lady Y/N,"

She whispered as her golden eyed glinted because of the chandelier as Jeno walked toward us.

"Lady Viella, it's nice to meet you,"

He said as he shook his hand with her.

"I see you have met Y/N,"

He smiled gently at my direction, making my heart swelled up as I gulped down my saliva and nodded gently.

"Yes, she's quite reserved, I see,"

Viella commented with a smile as Jeno nodded at her.

"Viella is one of the imperial guards in here,"

Imperial guard? A lady knight? A knightress?

"And one of my most trusted right hand to check the faction while I'm away,"

The three of us kept talking with each other about the recent activities of YB.

Knowing that I was new, Viella made sure to share every single detail and explained some unknown words to me, so that I didn't feel left out in this talk.

"Well then, Lady Viella. It's nice to meet you, please send our regard to your husband,"

Jeno said as Viella nodded and left us alone.

The night was late and Jeno didn't want to sacrifice my safety. So, he brought me to sleep in his chamber together.

"Good night, dear,"

He whispered before placed a quick kiss on my forehead, brushing out my hairs as I closed my eyes.

"Hmm, good night, Jeno,"