CHAPTER 185: UNEXPECTED DATE [1]

"Zaina?"

Akamir mumbled, walking towards her.

’What is she doing here?’

Zaina turned her head as she heard her name, her eyes locking onto Akamir.

A smile bloomed on her face as soon as she noticed him.

She quickly walked towards him and Akamir also walked closer.

But—.

Someone grabbed Zaina’s hand and made her halt her step.

’Hmm?’

Akamir looked at the tall woman who stood behind Zaina.

The woman behind Zaina was dressed in a black robe, plain but elegant.

Her black hair was tied neatly at the back, and her eyes were sharp, like she was used to being obeyed without question.

She didn’t say anything at first and just looked at Akamir.

Zaina glanced back at the woman holding her wrist.

"It’s okay," she whispered, trying to pull her hand free. "He’s a friend."

But the woman didn’t let go, she kept on staring at Akamir.

Akamir walked closer until he stood in front of them.

He looked at the woman. "Who might you be?"

The woman tilted her head slightly, then looked down at Zaina.

"Go wait by the gate," she said calmly. "I’ll speak with him."

Zaina hesitated. "But—"

"I said go."

There was no anger in her voice, no threat, but the way she said it left no room for arguing.

Zaina looked torn. Her eyes flicked to Akamir, as if asking him what to do.

"It’s fine," Akamir said, nodding. "Go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute."

Still unsure, Zaina slowly stepped back. The woman released her wrist, and without another word, Zaina walked off.

Now, it was just the two of them.

Akamir folded his arms. "Now, explain who you are."

The woman didn’t flinch. "You’re Akamir, aren’t you?"

He raised an eyebrow. "That depends. Who’s asking?"

She studied him for a moment before giving a small nod.

"My name is Helen."

Akamir blinked. ’An unfamiliar name.’

"I serve the Church," she said, as if reading his confusion. "I have been assigned as the guardian of Lady Zaina."

Akamir narrowed his eyes as he nodded once. "...I see."

She looked up and made sure he could hear her properly.

"I am well aware of your relationship with her," she said, "and I don’t plan to interfere, but..."

’Yeah, there is always a but.’

Akamir thought as he waited for her to continue.

"I will not allow you to touch her," she continued, "she is way too precious for a mortal to touch."

Akamir rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at her. "So, I need the Church’s permission to touch her now?"

"You cannot touch her," she replied, staring dead into his eyes. "And don’t worry, the Church will give you—hey!"

Akamir ignored her as he walked towards Zaina, who stood by the side of the mansion.

Zaina turned quickly as Akamir approached her, a worried look still lingering in her eyes.

"Did she say something weird again?" she asked quietly, glancing back over his shoulder.

Akamir shrugged. "Depends on what you count as weird," he replied as he began to walk. "She told me not to touch you."

Zaina’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "She’s always like that. Ever since the Church assigned her to me, she’s been overprotective."

Akamir tilted his head. "You didn’t ask for a guardian?"

Zaina shook her head. "No. They said it was for my safety. Too many people know about my lineage now."

Akamir shrugged as he knew things aren’t going too well for her.

’But compared to her novel counterpart, she is doing a lot better now.’

"Why are you here anyway?" Akamir asked, as he noticed her closeness. "You need something?"

"Uh, yeah," Zaina said, her fingers intertwined with his own. "Well, the Church provided me with a home and I needed some decoration so...."

"...I see," Akamir nodded as he felt two glaring eyes on his back.

Glancing back, he found Helen, her sharp eyes watching from a distance.

She didn’t follow, but her presence could still be felt.

"By the way, when did you come back?" Zaina asked, her voice curious now. "And are you coming back to the academy?"

"I came back just a few days ago to my dukedom," Akamir replied, "and no...I would probably not go to the academy now."

Zaina lowered her gaze, disappointment clear in her voice. "...That’s too bad."

"What about you?" Akamir asked, as they both walked into the shop. "Have the Church already given you any task?"

Zaina nodded as they stepped into the shop, the scent of polished wood and dried flowers greeting them.

The place was quiet, filled with rows of handcrafted ornaments, magical lamps, and crystal charms that glowed faintly with enchantments.

"I’ve been given some small duties," she said, brushing her fingers along a carved glass vase. "Nothing too serious."

Akamir watched her carefully. "They’re training you slowly."

Zaina smiled faintly. "You think so?"

"Hmm." He hummed softly. "When are they calling you back to the main Church?"

"In two-three months?" she replied, unsure about it herself. "I don’t know, they say a big ceremony is being held for my arrival and it will take time."

Akamir gave her a short nod as he already knew about it.

’It’s most probably about the competition to find her husband,’ Akamir thought to himself. ’Which is already decided...well, not really.’

Even if the Pope has decided it, Akamir wasn’t really going to let it happen.

’Anyway, looks like she isn’t aware of the whole thing.’

He thought, glancing at the girl, who seems to be oblivious of her fate.

Akamir stayed close beside her as she admired a row of wind chimes made of glowing crystal feathers.

Each one rang softly without wind, humming with a light enchantment.

Zaina reached out and gently touched one, her expression softening. "These are pretty... don’t you think?"

"They’re overpriced," Akamir replied flatly, picking up a small one and flipping the tag.

Zaina let out a quiet laugh. "Well, you aren’t wrong."

Akamir let out a sigh as he rubbed his chin.

"Just buy whatever you want," Akamir said, looking at her. "I will pay for it."

"What, no! The Church already gave me enough money—"

"I am your fiancé, Zaina," Akamir cut in her words. "Let me spoil you once in a while."

Zaina blinked, her cheeks warming again.

"You can’t just say things like that out loud," she whispered, looking around like someone might be eavesdropping.

Akamir raised an eyebrow. "We’re alone."

"Still..." she mumbled, turning away to hide her face. "You don’t act like a fiancé most of the time."

"I’m making up for it now," he replied, "not that it matters now."

Zaina didn’t say anything as she looked away.

She started choosing the items from the shelves.

"By the way," she finally said after a while. "Father was asking about you."

Akamir blinked. "Why?"

"I don’t know," she shook her head. "He said it was related to the mines."

"...I see," Akamir mumbled, nodding his head. "I will meet him, soon enough."

Zaina’s eyes lit up. "Are you going to visit my home again?"

"Uh, yeah," Akamir replied, nodding his head.

She slowly walked closer, her breath now felt on his cheek. "Will you stay the night?"

Akamir looked at the girl confusedly. "Why do you ask?"

Zaina opened her lips to reply but quickly blushed away.

"Ahem," she let out a fake cough before quickly walking away. "I..I was just asking."

Akamir rubbed his temples as he clearly knew why she was asking it.

’Did someone flip a switch in her or something?’

He wasn’t sure but what he was sure of was that someone was really glaring at him.

He let out a sigh as he didn’t even look at Helen, who was close by.

’What a pain.’

Zaina, on the other hand, had found a glowing sunstone lamp shaped like a flower.

It pulsed gently with warmth and a faint golden glow.

"This one’s cute," she said, turning it toward him. "Don’t you think it’ll look good on the windowsill?"

"It’ll attract mana bugs," Akamir replied flatly.

Zaina pouted. "Can’t you just say ’yes’? You’re such a killjoy."

He glanced at her sideways. "Fine. It’s cute. Buy it."

Her smile returned instantly, and she turned back to the shelf with a satisfied hum.

Akamir walked up beside her. "You’re acting strangely sweet today."

Zaina paused, her fingers still brushing the sunstone lamp. "You don’t like it?"

"It’s not that," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "It’s just... unusual."

Zaina tilted her head slightly. "Well, maybe I missed you."

"Sure you did," he said with a soft chuckle. "Anyway, how long are we going to spend here?"

"Why?" Zaina asked, looking back at him. "Do you have to be somewhere?"

"Not really," Akamir replied, shrugging. "Well, I guess I can be with you for a few more hours."

She smiled brightly at his words. "Sweet, then it’s a date."

"Not really—"

"Let’s go!" Zaina said, once again grabbing his hand. "We will spend the whole day goofing around."

Akamir sighed as he looked at the ceiling.

’Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.’