Arzenio sat on the floor, right next to the bed.
His back leaned against the mattress, one hand holding Alea's limp hand.
"I'll stay here," he said softly.
"I won't sleep until I'm sure you're safe."
He held Alea's hand tighter, closing his eyes for a moment.
A faint green aura from his wolf power radiated softly, guarding and protecting her.
Behind Alea's closed eyelids, her fingers moved slightly.
It was as if her body knew who was beside her.
Arzenio opened his eyes and smiled slightly.
"Good night, Alea. I'm here."
And throughout that night, Arzenio didn't move an inch.
THE NEXT MORNING
The morning sun slipped through the thin curtains of Alea's apartment.
The sparrows outside the window chirped softly, contrasting with the heaviness in Alea's head.
"Agh... my head," she muttered softly. Her eyelids moved slowly. The world appeared blurry for a few seconds before finally coming into focus, and the first thing she saw was...
A thick, dark coat covering her body.
"Wh-what is this?" she whispered.
Alea tried to sit up, but her hands were held down by something.
Someone.
Alea turned to her right, and her heart stopped beating for a moment.
"Arzenio?"
The wolf prince was asleep in a sitting position on the floor, leaning against the side of the bed.
His head was bowed, his silver hair slightly covering his eyes. His fingers still held Alea's hand tightly, as if he didn't dare to let go.
Alea froze.
"He... was here... all night?" she whispered.
Arzenio's face looked softer as he slept. He wasn't as fierce as when he was angry at the palace, and there were even thin dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn't slept at all.
Alea stared at him for a long time. Her heart was beating strangely.
Warm.
Not like when she was with Elton.
Alea quickly took a deep breath to calm herself, and at that moment her hand moved slightly, causing Arzenio's grip to change.
In an instant, those green eyes opened.
Arzenio sat up straight.
"Alea?" his voice was hoarse and worried. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
Alea was startled and quickly pulled her hand away.
"Why are you following me?" said the girl named Alea irritably.
"From now on, I will always be with you and make sure the baby in your womb is safe," said the man with green eyes firmly.
Alea remembered last night's incident that almost got her into trouble.
Alea looked down. "How did you know I was pregnant?"
"I can feel my baby's heartbeat, Alea."
Alea sighed heavily. She realized that the baby she was carrying was no ordinary baby, so it could signal who its father was.
Alea lifted her face, looking faintly at Arzenio.
Arzenio noticed that Alea's face was still pale.
"Are you dizzy? Or nauseous? You're carrying our child. You can't—"
"Can you be quiet?" Alea cut him off quickly, her face reddening.
"I'm not ready to hear things like that first thing in the morning."
Arzenio fell silent, then nodded slowly, a little awkwardly.
"Okay, but I'll still take care of you."
Alea frowned. "You want to stay here? In my apartment?"
Arzenio looked around the small room, with its thin walls, small table, and makeshift bookshelf.
His expression didn't change, as if he were in a royal chamber.
"If it makes you feel safe," he replied calmly.
Alea bit her lip. "You can't stay here forever. This is the human world, not a palace."
"I don't care," he replied simply. "I'll adjust."
Alea fell silent.
There was something in his words that made her chest feel warm, scared, and confused at the same time.
Slowly, Alea pulled her blanket up, holding her stomach, which showed no signs of anything yet.
"I don't know if I'm ready."
Arzenio stood up slowly, then sat on the edge of the bed, keeping his distance, but still close. He looked at Alea seriously, but gently.
"Alea, you won't be alone anymore."
Alea immediately looked away.
Resigned.
Shocked.
Unprepared.
But she couldn't hate him, and for the first time, Alea didn't push Arzenio's hand away when it touched her shoulder.
Alea was getting ready to go to work.
Arzenio, who was there, just sat watching Alea comb her hair.
To Arzenio, Alea looked so beautiful in her human clothes.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To work. I have to work because it turns out I haven't been to work for a year." Alea continued combing her hair.
If Alea didn't have a relationship with Elton, her boss at work, she would have been considered out of there a long time ago, but even though Alea was dating Elton, she still refused all of Elton's lavish gifts.
Alea didn't want to be considered a materialistic woman who was with Elton because of his wealth.
"Work?"
Alea looked at Arzenio through the mirror. The man stood upright, his face serious as if discussing something very crucial.
"I need my life, not just money," Alea replied softly. "I need my job, my friends, my world. I can't just stay in the apartment."
Arzenio didn't seem to understand.
His green eyes narrowed slightly, like a confused big kid.
"But you're pregnant. I don't want you to get tired. I can take care of you all the time."
Alea turned around and stood in front of him.
"That's exactly why I have to keep living my life. If I suddenly stop working, people will get suspicious, and I—" Alea swallowed. "I'm not ready to tell anyone about this baby yet."
Hearing the word baby, Arzenio's expression changed.
Soft, warm. But also possessive.
"I'm coming with you," he said suddenly.
"What?" Alea's eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm coming with you. I won't let you go alone to a place full of danger." His tone was firm, unquestionable.
Alea tapped her forehead. "You can't just suddenly show up at the office. You're so different from humans. Everyone will be suspicious."
Arzenio nodded slowly, but his gaze clearly showed that he completely disagreed.
"I can disguise myself," he said firmly.
"A white wolf is not easily recognizable. I can suppress my energy and move as your shadow."
Alea was stunned. "A shadow?"
"I've mastered that technique since I was a child. In your world, that form won't attract human attention." The corners of his lips lifted slightly. "That way, I can watch your every move."
Alea wanted to protest, but in the end, she could only sigh.
"Fine. But don't do anything weird, okay?"
Arzenio approached her, lowering his head until his face was level with Alea's.
"If it's to protect you," he whispered softly, "I'll do anything."
Alea's heart was pounding. She quickly grabbed her bag and left the house.
Behind her, Arzenio followed.
Arzenio immediately took Alea's hand.
"Be careful when you walk." Arzenio seemed to want to make sure Alea wouldn't fall because she was walking so hurriedly.
Alea stood still, staring at the man in front of her.
"Are you really going to come?"
"Of course," Arzenio replied firmly.
Alea remained silent, staring at the man in front of her.