Casian's eyes glinted as Sera stepped back a little. He smiled, the hood of darkness disappearing as he stepped in the moonlight.

"No. I wasn't lonely..." Sera said, "I was just enjoying the view. It's beautiful."

Casian's eyes gazed at the sea as he nodded, "It indeed is." He seemed strange as he didn't have that sly vibe in him or any of that look that screamed of his ill intentions. He seemed normal as he stood beside Sera.

"It would have been better if Princess Demian came with you, wouldn't it?" He asked.

"Well, he is busy with work and I don't think he will come any time now." Sera said as her curl strands swung by the air. A few distance away, a few sailors' voices were coming, they were still working. She felt a bit lonely without him as her eyes gazed at the sea and Casian's presence wasn't capable of vanishing that feeling.

"Still, I think it would be a man's job to accompany their women at least to provide protection."

"Well, I don't need his protection."

Casian chuckled, "It's not about physical protection, Your Highness," he looked at her with an intense gaze as if it was burning, "All men like to protect what's theirs from watchful eyes and definitely stay strong in front of their women no matter how weak they are." Casian shrugged, "It comes naturally and I am certain, Your Highness must have felt that in Prince Demian as well." He smirked.

Sera looked at him with a blank face and tried to remember when Demian had done that. All she could remember him shouting at her, telling her not to poke her nose into his business and even he didn't take her here, she came herself. And more than that, he was trying to avoid her as much as possible. Was he ashamed of her as a princess of the human nation or maybe he didn't want her...

What was she thinking! There wasn't anything like that between them and she was here only to protect him as she was tasked to do. Because in just three weeks, she will be going back to her home.

As Seraphina didn't say anything Casian said diverting the conversation, "Well, putting that aside, I really liked the sword style you showed me today." He cast her a smile, "My master is XY. And up until now I had heard he is one of the top great swordsmen in this world so when you defeated me, I was shocked."

"I didn't defeat you. You haven't used your skills to the fullest."

He chuckled, "You saw through it. I'm flattered."

He released a sigh, "Well, I didn't think it would be needed but now I think, I underestimated you."

Sera tried to find any suspicion behind his actions but it seemed he was genuinely interested in swordsman skills.

"Yes, you should never underestimate even if your opponent is weak." Sera said, remembering Merlene's words.

Casian seemed a bit shocked as he stated, "That's exactly what my master's words were."

"Really?" Sera asked surprisingly, "I suppose, it's every master's words."

They both nodded and Casian asked, "Princess Seraphina, I would like to meet your master."

"She isn't my master." She scratched the back of her head, "more like my elder sister."

Casian took her hand as Sera was surprised at his sudden action. "Would you introduce me to her someday?" He looked at her with a pair of excited eyes and Sera found unable to refuse him.

"Err...okay," she mumbled and looked away thinking that would never happen at least in this life. Maybe sometime in the far future but not now.

"Your Highness is very considerate-" Casian was cut off as a man collided against him, his sack flew to where Seraphina stood. Casian was fast as he came near Sera and the sack of goods collided behind his back.

The young sailor immediately bowed down to the ground and said with a crying voice, "I apologize for this, your Highnesses! I-I was in a hurry..."

"Watch your move from the next time," Casian growled, "You could have harmed Princess Seraphina."

"I'm absolutely fine, Prince Casian. There's no need to get all riled up." Sera said to the poor sailor who trembled on the ground, "You may go. Accidents happen."

The sailor didn't look up as if he was ashamed, instead he nodded while collecting his sack and left.

"I hope Your Highness is alright," Casian said and Sera found he was leaning against her while his hands gripping the railings from both sides of her.

Sera felt uneasy with the Closeness as she stated, "I-I am alright-"

Before she could finish the sentence both of them felt a presence of dark, dangerous power.

They looked at the source and saw in the darkness of the ship, Demian stood wearing it as his crown. His eyes had darkened and he sent daggers at Casian.

"D-Demian?" Sera smiled as he came after all but why the terrifying aura surrounding him?

Demian's eyes followed them where they were entangled against each other and his eyes darkened more.

Casian seemed to have noticed it as he pulled himself from Sera and with a nervous chuckle said, "I-I shall leave now as my dear cousin has come to give Princess Seraphina company."

He bowed to them and left for his compartment.

Demian stayed there looking at her, his eyes blazing fire.

Seraphina said, "Come here! Why are you standing there in the dark?"

He didn't answer, instead he turned around and went away to his chamber leaving Sera behind.

Sera stood there for a moment as she couldn't find why he left all of a sudden. She followed him to their compartment and saw Alonzo stood beside the table and he had brought them their meals.

"Welcome back, Your Highnesses..." Alonzo greeted, "Now, you shall have your dinner while it's still hot."

So, Demian came to call her for dinner? Her heart flattered with the thought and she asked with a smile, "Why didn't you say that you came to call me?"

"I see there is no need for me to call you since you already have a company for yourself." Demian said with a cold voice making both Alonzo and Sera silent.

"What? What do you mean by that?" She asked.

"Well, I didn't think you would be so desperate for a man that you go clinging to Casian," Damian said with a hard voice and his tone became hoarse as he said Casian's name.

"I-" Sera stood with a wide mouth as Alonzo looked between them contemplating the situation. "What do you mean by clinging to him? I wasn't clinging to anyone!"

"Then my eyes must have been not working properly as I saw Casian leaning toward some other woman." Demian pressed his words which made Sera furious. She felt her face warming up with the growing anger.

"You-" Sera growled, "He was saving me from the big sack which was going to fall on me!"

"Indeed he was." Demian looked at her with terrifying anger dancing in them as he hissed, "by embracing you!"

Sera clenched her fists as her face twisted in anger. She knew Demian didn't like Casian and he must be angry because it was him. "You are blinded by your hatred toward Casian that you can't even see that he was just saving me."

"No, because I know such men who would make a move just to get what he wants and I have told you before don't get flattered by his words!" Demian growled.

She felt her head would blast, "I didn't get flattered!"

Seeing them so riled up the poor steward could not find any idea how to handle the situation from becoming worse. "Calm down your Highnesses..." Alonzo said as he came between them.

Both of them looked at each other with their angry gazes then Demian diverted his gaze away from her. It was just a quick moment but Sera was certain she saw a flick of emotions in his eyes as if he felt betrayed... Sera's anger evaporated immediately.

"Now, now, this matter can be handled while having your meals," Alonzo said.

"I'm afraid, I don't have an appetite, Alonzo." Demian took his coat as he wore it.

"But your Highness, you haven't had anything since your lunch!"

"I have already said that I have no appetite and Alonzo," he looked at the steward, his face devoid of emotions once again, "prepare for another room."

The anger that had gone down previously came back again. She got that if Demian found someone had betrayed him, he would just close his heart off and put up all the walls around him. But Sera hadn't even done anything wrong. She would never think of doing anything like that.

She growled, "Fine! Do as you like! I'll just stay away from you if that's what you want!" And she left the compartment.

*****

Casian came back to his compartment and cracked his head as he sat on his chair.

"How was it?" A voice from beside the table and Casian tilted his head toward the man who was leaning against the wall.

Casian smirked, "Excellent, Allison. You did a great job."

He looked at his attendant who still had the sailor attire wearing but he had an irritated expression on his face.

"Kindly don't make me wear this kind of clothes again, my Lord," Allison said as he cringed at it, "It seems like I haven't been bathing for a while."

Casian laughed, "Allison. It might suit you in a different way."

At that, his attendant gave him a look as he wore his glasses and said, "I'm going to change my clothes, my Lord, if you'll excuse me."

Casian laughed which made Allison more irritated. He was a reliable person after all.

"Alright! Make sure no one sees you."

Allison bowed and left as Casian flopped on his bed. Tonight was fun. He knew he could not make his plan of eliminating Demian while traveling with him but what he could do was make a crack between Demian and that wizard.

From today's sword fight, he understood, she had an excellent skill and was able to eliminate any threat that would come into Demian's path but if Demian was the one who wouldn't want her to save him, then there might be some chance. Who knows what might happen if Seraphina the wizard wasn't there to save him.

Casian grinned as he knew his plans had worked. The moment he saw Demian's glaring eyes at him, he knew his plan had already gone on the move.

He closed his eyes and found Seraphina's face floating in his mind. He was impressed at her skill, her will power and the way confidence oozed out of her. She might not be of royal bloodline but she had a charismatic personality that was very amusing. She was fearless and Casian never had met a girl like her.

He remembered how she barged into the conference without any lace of doubt on her face. All he found was determination. It was amusing and Casian wasn't bluffing when he whispered that to Demian. If he finally got a chance, he would definitely make that girl one of his concubines. Casian grinned wickedly.

Somehow he felt that prince was very lucky to have her. She was like a precious gem. No wonder that brat didn't like anyone to get chummy with her. She knew how to wield a sword, she was brave and more than that Demian liked to have her with him.

Casian knew the young Prince never liked to get attached to anyone and he noticed how he would close himself before anyone even his brother wasn't able to open her stone heart. However, this girl could manage to do that in just a short period of time. She was special.

He opened his eyes which were now blazing like fire balls and he said, "Lucky cursed Prince, just wait till I snatch away everything from you."