Everything in the vicinity was still in a deep slumber even the sun hadn't woken up as a shadow swiftly shot from corner to corner with steps as light as air and caution. 

Right, left. No one was there as the silhouette moved towardd its destination however, a tug from behind stopped it.

"Where are you going, Seraphina?" A calm voice asked but the threat was still visible in it. Seraphina tilted back and found her maid, Celia stood there tapping her foot. 

"Err... Celia?" Seraphina let out a nervous chuckle, "I... Ah! I was going to the kitchen."

Celia's eyes narrowed at her and in darkness Seraphina could see the doubts swirling in them. She gulped. 

"You are going to the kitchen dressed in..." Celia looked at her from tip to toe and gasped, "in men's clothing!"

"These are not men's clothings! It's a warrior's attire, I got it from Hidden Valley," Seraphina said and held her chin up as the dragon girls had gave her those.

Celia's foot tapped rapidly now as she crossed her hands above her chest, "And why are you going to the kitchen in warrior clothing?"

"That..." Seraphina tried to find an excuse, "because, if anyone comes, I can run to my room easily."

Celia hummed and said, "Then go back to your room, I'll bring something for you."

"Yes, that would be—"

"And don't try to sneak out of the castle," Celia added as Seraphina went still. Damn it! She got caught! After she learned from Master Valentine that the ship would be leaving at 6 from Dragon city harbor, she hadn't rested. She took needful things and the new sword and the knife the dragon girl had given. She was prepared! But seeing a demonic face of Celia before her made her rethink of her plan.

"I... I wasn't—"

"You even have the sword hanging from your waist," Celia noted. 

Seraphina stayed silent as Celia began, "You know very well what Prince Demian's orders were. Why are you going?"

"It could be dangerous... And besides, Casian is going as well. I don't feel good about him going alone with that reptile." Seraphina growled.

"Then there's more to worry about because if you go like this, he will know that you are not the princess."

"But Demian had seen me in this clothes because these are from the dragon girls and there they wore this kind of clothes. There wouldn't be anything to doubt about..."

"There will be Mr Alonzo and Prince's personal guards. You won't be needed and I'm sure they are going just for the people to numb the riled up commoners. There won't be any fights."

Seraphina didn't know if there would be any fight or not but the dream she had where Demian was going away making her restless. She didn't know why she was always having bad thoughts. It was making her scared.

As Seraphina stood with clenched fists and looking determined to go, Celia huffed. She knew if Seraphina had decided something, then it was almost impossible to move her from it. She would go by hook or crook. 

"Fine, take some of these herbs I've prepared for you." She gave her the ointment and added, "Be careful there. Don't let Casian know about you."

Seraphina cast a broad grin and left. Celia looked at the sky as the stars still twinkled in the velvet sky however, where it met with nature, dusk had appeared.

*****

"Your Highness, are you feeling sea sickness?" Alonzo asked, his face crowned with worry and it seemed he would panic in a moment before starting to cry.

"No. I am fine." 

"Do you need something for a little snack?"

"No."

"Your Highness must be cold, shall I take the woollen robe from your luggage?" 

Demian's brow twitched. From the moment he had arrived at the harbour, Alonzo had been panicking over every little details and not to mention his continuous questions. Why had Master Valentine sent this crybaby with him?

Well, he was a steward and that just justified the fact itself. No matter how panicky Alonzo was, he had heard from his brother that the steward was good at his job. He looked after the big king's properties and regularly gave his brother reports of his collections and tackled the matters of lands. 

Demian said calmly, "Alonzo, I'm absolutely fine." His eyes stayed at the Port city, Cordihood and moved at the men beneath. The harbour was crowded probably because it was the best route for trading and different countries' merchants came here for trades. Also, the fish market near it was Blooming everyday. The sailors were hurrying to the ship with wooden crates as it was time for the ship to depart.

He moved his eyes on the deck, the  sailors were tying the crates, some were spreading tarpaulins and some were scrubbing the deck. They were hurrying as their ship officer shouted at them.

"Um... Your Highness, why don't you take a seat, I'll order them to move some of the crates here?" Alonzo asked.

 "No need. I am fine." Demian mumbled almost in a whisper as his distant eyes went to the city view before him. It was a magnificent view as the light of dusk fell on the harbour where large, small sea vessels stood in series. Some belonged to the Dragon nation and some from other nations. A large number of men carried goods in some of the cargo ships beside them. Some ships docked at the port to carry passengers. He released a sigh as he wasn't in the mood for sightseeing. 

He came here without telling her of his voyage and although it wasn't far from Cordihood, just three days apart, he wanted to see her face one last time before departing. But it would defeat the purpose of what he had imposed on her. She must still be angry at him. But it was right. 

 The thought lingered in his head for a while and he felt a little pain on his chest. 

He would see her after two weeks or maybe never... 

"A very good morning, your Highness," came a voice from behind him. The flattery in it told it was Casian. Demian tilted his head at him and immediately scowled at his smile which always had some meaning behind them. 

Demian didn't say anything as Casian said, "Cold as always, aren't you?" He came beside him and leaned against the railings and watched the men doing their work. "Where is your wife, Prince Demian? I didn't see her coming."

"She is in the castle where she should be." 

"Ah! Too bad, I was looking forward to see her as I've heard she can handle the sword well." Casian said as Demian tried to find what was his plans? Why is he always asking about Seraphina? 

He was glad that he didn't take her with him. Knowing Seraphina, she would just show him how to wield a sword although Casian was a good swordsman and he had learned from the best master of Dragonborns. 

Demian didn't answer, instead he spun on his heels to leave Casian's company. It would be better to maintain a healthy distance otherwise, Demian might say something offensive to him or worse, his mood would be soured than already it was.

As the ship departed from the port, Demian released a sigh. Now two weeks. Why was he counting the days? It was so unlike him. He almost chuckled at himself. That girl was something else and at first he dreaded the marriage but now he was glad he met her.

He went to his room and sat on his chair when his ears perked up from a movement behind him. His hand slowly moved to his sword. He could feel someone behind him and slowly nearing. 

He took a sharp breath and spun around while standing up from the chair, his sword in his hands but he halted as soon as his eyes fell on the individual standing before him and not to mention, glaring at him.

He took a sharp breath and spun around while jolting up from the chair, his sword in his hands but he halted as soon as his eyes fell on the individual standing before him and not to mention, glaring at him.

"What the devil are you doing here?" Demian growled as Sera smirked.

"Why? Did you perhaps think of running away from me?" She had a smug look and he noticed she had worn the maroon clothes, however, there was something different in her clothes. 

He looked at her for a moment until he found a stealth hanging from her waist belt. "When did you have a sword?"

"Oh, this! The dwarfs gave it to me." 

"How did you come out of the castle?" Demian made his guards keep a close watch on Sera so she could not go away. He had a hunch she would try to break out and now she stood right in front of him.

"Oh, and why would I tell you about my secret passage of getting out of the castle?" Sera asked, almost feeling proud of her skills which irked him more. 

Demian stood there as he clenched his fists. His face darkened and a black miasma started to slip out of him that Sera stepped back unconsciously. He slowly placed the sword in his stealth and ignoring his dear wife, he went for the cabin.

"Where are you going?" Sera asked from behind him, "Don't ignore me!"

"I'm going to turn the ship and throw you out of it!" He hissed and heard Sera running behind him.

As she came near, she caught his arm and jolted, "Then I'll come back with another ship!"

"No, you won't! You're going straight to the castle and that's final."

"I'll come back again, sneaking out of it!" Sera grinned deviously, "Try all you want, my Prince, but you are not getting out of my grasp."

Demian's left brow twitched. This ogre! 

"I'll make sure that this time I put more guards in every direction so you won't run away!" He growled as his feet took a speed.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to tag along with you no matter where you go. I did say that to you, didn't I?" Sera growled as her face reddened with anger.

He remembered everything she had said but he didn't want her to get involved in his affairs anymore. Not with the dangers lurking everywhere, just why wouldn't she try to understand that he was trying to protect her?

"I'm going with you and that's final." She declared making Demian scowl at her.

"You little..." He growled but didn't say anything else and just ripped his hand from her grip as he stomped out of his room.

He heared her walking behind him like his shadow, why wouldn't she just listen to him for once? Was it necessary to be so stubborn always? Demian had the urge to nail all the lessons in her empty brain but he had restrained himself knowing that it would finally turn useless as her skull was probably too thick.

He shook his head and the sea breeze ruffled his ebony hair, he felt the air stinging at his eyes slightly as he walked over to the starboard. Seraphina walked out behind him and followed him, Demian was hyperaware of the gazes she drawn. Each person on the deck turned to see as she passed by, at first she was dressed as a man, wielded a sword and second she was here without anyone noticing. Just how did she manage to do this?

Demian stopped as he reached the starboard and the captain quickly turned to acknowledge his presence.

"Greetings, my Prince." He bowed and then noticed Seraphina behind him, he straightened up and gave her a quizzical look.

"Uh... May I ask who is this lady, Your Highness?" He asked, his voice was heavy and rough just like any sea and storm moulded sailor.

"She is... my wife. Seraphina." Demian said in a hard voice and the captain's eyes widened, he quickly bowed down again with his cap in his hands.

"Apologies, my princess, I couldn't recognise you." 

"Its all right, I'm not in the least offended." She said waving her hand dismissively.

The captain straightened up, "I am Captain Harvard, it's a pleasure to have you aboard The Royal Maiden, Princess Seraphina." 

His smile was quite wide exposing his uneven teeth, Seraphina smiled back and the captain looked at Demian with a quizzical look. Surely he wasn't informed that Princess was coming along and she hasn't even boarded the ship with His Highness then where did she come from?

"I'm here to ask if there is any problem or some report you want to give." Demian said changing the subject and the captain nodded.

"Yes, Your Highness. The weather seems to be clear today so, the sailing would be smooth you and princess can stay in your chamber while your breakfast is being prepared." 

"Wow!" Demian turned as he heard Seraphina's voice. She was standing at the railing watching the wide blue expanse that stretched till the horizon.

"It's so beautiful." She smiled with bright eyes and Demian watched her feeling the throbbing in his heart turning painful. Just why was he so attached to this woman that it was starting to hurt him to even think that he could kill her? 

He never wanted to be a monster for her, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if she got hurt because of him but how would he tell her about this?