She’s My Wife, So I’ll Protect Her However I Want

Chapter 11: The Knight's Lies

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting silver over the polished floor and high ceilings. A faint breeze stirred the heavy drapes, carrying the cool scent of the night.

Kael had already made himself comfortable, stretched across the bed in a loose white shirt and dark trousers. He let out a slow sigh, eyes half-lidded in thought. He wasn't even sure why they still shared a bed, considering how much Seraphina insisted she despised him. Perhaps it was some lingering noble custom, or maybe—just maybe—she didn't hate him as much as she claimed.

He smirked at the thought.

Then the door creaked open.

Kael didn't move, but he already knew who it was.

Seraphina entered, silent as a shadow, though the tension radiating from her was unmistakable. Without sparing him a glance, she climbed onto the other side of the bed, pulling the blankets over herself with deliberate force.

Kael chuckled softly. "Welcome back, honey."

"Shut up," she muttered, her back to him.

He propped himself up on one elbow, watching her. "Are you really that scared of me?" His tone was light, teasing. "I mean, come on, I'm just a weak little adventurer. You, on the other hand—" He let out a low whistle. "The great Knight Order Captain. Everyone fears you."

Seraphina scoffed. "You think too highly of yourself if you believe you are included in that 'everyone.'"

Kael grinned. "So you don't fear me? That's a relief." He rolled onto his back, hands tucked behind his head. "Then there's no reason for you to be all the way over there, right?"

He could practically feel the daggers she was glaring into the wall.

"I am staying as far away from you as possible because I value my sanity."

"Ah," Kael sighed dramatically. "That makes sense. You must be exhausted after spending all day thinking about me."

Seraphina jerked as if struck. "I WAS NOT—" She cut herself off, inhaled sharply, then exhaled through clenched teeth. "I hate you."

Kael turned onto his side again, closer this time. His voice dropped to a smooth murmur. "You keep saying that, but…" His smirk deepened. "You came back, didn't you?"

Seraphina went still.

Victory.

Kael let the silence settle between them, stretching the moment just enough before adding, "You know, last night was actually kind of lonely."

Seraphina didn't move, but he knew she was listening.

He sighed, letting just the right amount of grievance seep into his tone. "I had to sleep on the couch. My back's been aching all day."

"Good."

Kael snorted. "You really are heartless."

She hummed. "I try my best."

A quiet pause.

Kael closed his eyes, the steady rhythm of her breathing filling the silence. Despite her icy glares and sharp words, her presence was strangely comforting.

"Goodnight, dear."

"…Just go to sleep."

Kael grinned.

Tonight, he had won.

---

Next morning...

Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Kael stirred, blinking against the brightness as he turned onto his side. His arm stretched slightly, reaching toward the empty space beside him.

No warmth. No presence.

His gaze drifted to the vacant side of the bed, the sheets still slightly rumpled but untouched for hours.

She was already gone.

Kael sighed, rubbing a hand over his face as he lay there for a moment longer.

"Must've gone to work,"browmthought idly.

It wasn't surprising. Seraphina was always up early, far earlier than he ever cared to be. He supposed he should be grateful—she never demanded that he rise with her, never pestered him to join her morning routines.

Not that she would.

After another moment of stillness, he finally sat up, stretching his arms above his head before running a hand through his messy brown hair. The quiet of the room settled around him, the absence of her presence oddly noticeable now that he was fully awake.

But Kael didn't dwell on it.

Instead, he got up and went about his morning as usual—washing up, getting dressed, taking his time. There was no rush. The house was quiet, peaceful.

It was only when he wandered into the kitchen that he paused.

The table was empty. No plate set out, no lingering warmth of freshly cooked food, no scent of breakfast in the air.

Nothing.

Kael blinked, then huffed out a quiet chuckle as realization settled in.

"Of course, she wouldn't."

After the way he had spoken to her last night, teasing her as he always did, he wasn't exactly surprised. If anything, he should've expected it.

She had ignored him the whole night, barely sparing him a glance. It wasn't anger—but she had her own ways of showing her irritation.

Apparently, this was one of them.

Kael shook his head, running a hand through his hair before stepping toward the counter.

"Guess that means I'm making breakfast today."

He moved easily through the kitchen, opening cabinets, retrieving ingredients with a practiced efficiency.

Still, as he cracked an egg into the pan, a passing thought crossed his mind.

"Did she eat before leaving?"

It wasn't concern, not really. She was responsible enough to take care of herself. If she hadn't eaten here, she would find something later.

She wasn't reckless.

He let the thought pass as he continued cooking, the steady rhythm of the morning settling back into place.

It was just another day.

---

At the Knight Orders Office...

A quiet knock echoed through the office. Seated at her desk, Seraphina exhaled sharply, already bracing herself for whatever excuse was about to come her way.

"Come in," she said, her voice even but firm.

The door creaked open, and a knight stepped inside, straightening before giving her a respectful salute. "Captain, did you summon me?"

Seraphina folded her arms, her sharp blue eyes scrutinizing the man before her. "Gareth, I summoned you two days ago. You were supposed to meet me then. Why didn't you?"

Gareth shifted slightly, his fingers curling at his sides. "I was on patrol, Captain," he said, his voice steady.

"Patrol, hm?" Seraphina tapped her fingers on the desk, her gaze never leaving him. "Interesting. Because according to my records, your shift ended hours before our scheduled meeting."

Gareth stiffened. "I—uh—there was an incident, Captain. A group of merchants got into an argument at the western gate. I had to step in."

Seraphina raised a brow. "Merchants?"

"Yes, ma'am. They were—uh—causing a disturbance. I had to stay behind to make sure everything was resolved."

Her fingers drummed against the wood. "Strange. I received no report of such an incident."

Gareth hesitated for only a second before quickly adding, "It wasn't serious enough to be reported, Captain. Just a minor squabble. By the time it was handled, it was already late. I thought it best not to disturb you."

Seraphina studied him for a moment, then leaned back slightly. "So, you thought ignoring my summons was a better choice?"

"I—I meant no disrespect, Captain," he said hastily. "I just thought it could wait until morning."

She let the silence stretch between them. Then, without a word, she reached for a parchment and placed it on the desk.

"I have a report about you. Two days ago."

Gareth's jaw tensed. "W-what report, ma'am?"

Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Did you already forget the commotion you caused at the guild?"

Gareth's face paled slightly. "The guild?" He let out a nervous chuckle. "I—uh—I don't know what you mean, Captain. I was nowhere near the guild that day."

"The Guild Master came to report it personally," Seraphina said coolly.

Gareth swallowed. "He did?" He forced another chuckle, shaking his head. "There must be some misunderstanding. I swear, Captain, I was nowhere near—"

"Enough." Her tone was sharp, slicing through his words like a blade.

Gareth flinched.

"Do not insult my intelligence, Gareth," she continued. "You were there. And you know exactly what you did."

He hesitated before quickly shaking his head. "N-no, ma'am. It was just an accident. I swear I didn't do anything wrong!"

Seraphina exhaled slowly. "An accident, you say?"

"Yes! I—I may have bumped into someone, but that's all! It wasn't intentional!"

She studied him for a long moment. Then, she picked up another parchment and read aloud, "'Knight Gareth struck an adventurer in the middle of the guild hall without provocation.'" She lowered the paper and met his gaze. "Do you still want to claim it was just a bump?"

Gareth opened his mouth, then quickly shut it. His fingers twitched. "I… I was provoked," he finally muttered.

"Oh?" Seraphina leaned forward. "So, now you were there?"

Gareth winced but nodded. "Yes, Captain. But it wasn't my fault! The adventurer—he insulted the Order!"

Seraphina tilted her head. "And what exactly did he say?"

Gareth hesitated. "I—I don't remember the exact words, but it was something disrespectful. Something about how knights are all—uh—useless bureaucrats who only care about appearances."

Seraphina raised a brow. "And that warranted you hitting him?"

"He was looking for a fight!" Gareth said defensively. "I was just putting him in his place!"

Seraphina let out a long sigh and leaned back in her chair. "How many times, Gareth?" Her voice was quieter now, but somehow heavier. "How many times have I had to sit here and listen to you make excuses for this?"

Gareth flinched. "I—"

"This isn't the first time, is it?" she continued. "You lost your temper at the market last month. And before that, it was the tavern. Now, the guild. How many more times do I have to punish you before you learn?"

Gareth clenched his jaw. "I… I just—"

"You just lost your temper," Seraphina finished for him. "Again."

He lowered his gaze.

She picked up another parchment and placed it on the desk. "Gareth, from today onward, you are suspended for one month. You will also spend that time working under the Guild Master's authority. Whatever punishment he sees fit, you will accept it without question."

His eyes widened. "O-one month? Captain, please—"

"I could make it three," she said, her tone unwavering.

Gareth bit his lip but said nothing.

"Turn in your uniform by the end of the day," she added. "And don't make me regret not dismissing you entirely."

He bowed his head. "Understood, Captain."

As he turned and left, Seraphina sighed, rubbing her temples.

"Why do they never learn?"

---

(Chapter Ended)

To be continued...