“Where have you two been?” Gideon asked, voice calm and composed as always and yet there was fury behind those wise eyes of his. “I had to learn from Aiden and the others of what had occurred in the common room but then the both of you just vanished for hours. Do you know how alarming that is?”

　　Both Cassian and I smiled at him, feigning innocence as we tried to think of a way to explain what we were doing by avoiding the truth. It would be absolutely embarrassing to inform Gideon that we were in my room frolicking about when rumours of Cassian cheating on me with my own sister was spreading throughout the castle.

　　I glanced over to Cassian, hoping that his silver tongue would provide a valid reason as to why he and I disappeared for a long time and even missed out on breakfast. If anyone could lie to Gideon, I assume that it would be Cassian.

　　“Sorry for worrying you and the others, Lord Gideon but we were in the princess’s room prior to this.” He said, causing my mouth to gap open in shock.

　　Gideon raised an eyebrow. “Doing what?”

　　“What else would a husband and wife do in their chambers?” Cassian casually said, his smile not fluttering.

　　“C-Cassian!” I panicked, reaching out my hand to grab his sleeve, hoping that he would stop talking. He placed a hand over mine as though to reassure me that everything was fine.

　　“That is what the two of you did after finding out about the cheating scandal?” Gideon asked, voice devoid of any ounce of surprise or frustration.

　　“That’s right. Before that, the princess fell into the lake by the palace gardens and nearly drowned but I saved her, and things just escalated after that.”

　　Gideon then let out a tired sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I am glad that the both of you are getting along but…whatever do you mean the princess nearly drowned?” he turned his gaze on me. “You were in trouble, and I must hear about it like this? Cordelia, I did not take you to be the reckless type.” he huffed. 

　　“It wasn’t her fault. She was only put in that situation because of me.” Cassian defended me, his hand squeezing my own.

　　“So, you are telling me that not only was your involvement with Princess Elina the only thing people are talking about in the palace, but you are also to be blamed for putting Princess Cordelia’s life in danger?” Gideon summarised everything that had happened today, and it was barely afternoon.

　　“That’s right.” Cassian casually nodded.

　　I pulled my hand away from him and stood up, turning to Gideon. “That’s not true at all! Elina is lying because Cassian was not even in the palace last night.” I blurted out. Gideon looked at me as though I had just revealed the most scandalous thing he could have imagined.

　　“What do you mean he was not in the palace? Was he not supposed to be with you last night?”

　　“Well, I suppose this is the right time to bring Lord Gideon up to speed, don’t you think, my sweet Cordelia?” Cassian asked as he leaned back onto the couch. Both Gideon and I made a face in response to his smugness.

　　I then paused. “Wait…everything?” I asked, thinking about how his affliction with the Hollows would be revealed if we were to recall everything to Gideon.

　　Cassian smirked. “Everything.” He repeated and for a moment, I was afraid he was going to take this too far.

　　In the end, we spent some time telling Gideon about all that had happened so far, from the time I went to Cassian’s room, to our agreement about him investigating my father’s death and even Cassian telling Gideon about the Hollows. Naturally we left out details about our intimate time spent together.

　　Gideon listened carefully, no doubt already coming up with a plan on how to fix this mess. I was rather surprised at his ability to remain straight-faced even after the information about the Hollows were revealed.

　　“And that’s the whole story.” I ended the recollection with how I got changed out of my wet clothes and went to find Anne to help get Cassian’s clothes. We were both then summoned to Gideon’s study.

　　I realised at that moment how exhausted I was. This entire day has been tiring and I could feel it weighing on my body even though I had changed into a more comfortable attire. Getting completely soaked and then being intimate with Cassian right after was definitely not the smartest thing I did. If I were to get ill, it would be rather inconvenient.

　　Cassian then offered a small plate of light snacks to me and the sight of the food caused my stomach to grumble. The both of us barely had anything to eat since morning. I thanked him under my breath as we both started to munch on the bite sized snacks while Gideon was deep in thought.

　　“Hm, this is a rather…interesting development. I had my suspicion on you, Cassian but I would have never guessed that you were the one who founded the Hollows.”

　　Cassian beamed proudly. “You flatter me, Lord Gideon.”

　　“I suppose you made the right decision in asking for his help in investigating your father’s death, Cordelia, but I would have appreciated it if you were to discuss these matters with me.”

　　“I would if I could.” I told him with a remorseful look.

　　“Ah.” Gideon turned back to Cassian. “Don’t tell me you were threatening her to keep this a secret from me.”

　　“I wasn’t,”

　　“He was.” Cassian and I gave contradicting answers at the same time. We turned to each other, and I glared at him while he merely smiled.

　　Gideon sighed. “No matter now, we have to fix this scandal before it spreads to the ears of the common folk.”

　　“How are we going to reveal that Elina was lying without making it obvious that Cassian and I were not actually together last night?”

　　“It is simple, really.” Gideon chimed in. “You do as Lady Marie is doing.”

　　“What do you mean?”

　　“Are you saying that you want us to lie?” Cassian asked.

　　“Exactly. It’s good that the both of you get along now, it would make this plan easily executed. All you must do is be undeniably in love.”

　　“…that’s impossible.” I blurted.

　　“Ouch.” Cassian feigned hurt from my words.

　　“If it’s true that Lady Marie knows that Cassian was not in the palace and that I was in his room alone, then lying would not affect anything. They could easily twist the story.”

　　“Hm, I agree with the princess. They even have their own maids who vouch that they saw me with Elina in their false story.”

　　“No need to worry too much about that, I shall handle the lying eyewitnesses. The both of you just need to do as I say, and this scandal will die down in due time. Do you understand?”

　　“Yes.” Cassian and I said in unison.

　　“Very well. Go and have an early lunch and make sure to spend the entire day together.”

　　“But I have sword training soon.”

　　“I’ll watch you.” Cassian said, too eager for his own good. I frowned, not really enjoying the idea of having an audience during training. Cassian seemed to have noticed this shift in my mood and quickly corrected himself. “I’ll watch you from afar.”

　　“That’s rather…peculiar, Cassian. You would seem like a stalker.”

　　“Ah, but you won’t know that I’m there watching you so you will be free to fumble around as you please.”

　　“Fumble? Are you disregarding my swordsmanship?”

　　“Oh, I would not dare!” he said. He was clearly being sarcastic and for some reason it was getting on my nerves.

　　“Would you like to spar then?” I suggested with a forced smile on my face.

　　“I am not interested in beating a girl.”

　　“Ah I see. You are frightened.” I mocked.

　　“Oh, please princess, have you forgotten that I lead a group of mercenaries? Why would I be frightened of you?”

　　“Then accept my challenge since you are so courageous, Cassian.”

　　“If this is your idea of flirting then I must say it is rather unconventional.”

　　Before I could counter back, Gideon cleared his throat aloud which caused Cassian and I to turn our attention to him. “And here I thought the both of you are finally getting along. Will my plan be a success if the both of you still argue over such minor topics?”

　　“We are getting along!” Cassian reassured him with a toothy grin. From the corner of my eyes, I could see him reaching his hand out to rest around my shoulders.

　　“Don’t touch me.” I huffed before his hand could even wrap around me. Cassian was quick to retract his hand and place them on his lap.

　　Gideon looked absolutely exhausted at just watching the both of us and truthfully, I do not blame him.