Tangled By Fate

Ironin's comment perked up Sebastian's curiosity. "Oh, come on! You heard everything she talked about, didn't you? Help me out here. Does she not like him? What does she not like about him? Isn't she thinking about marrying him? They went on a day. They should have progressed." 

"Ask her if you are curious." Ironin didn't show him any mercy. 'Serves you right for saying I disappointed you,' he thought.

"…" Sebastian became quiet. 'I had a feeling he wouldn't tell me. But what's wrong with Catherine? Doesn't she like Vincent? I've seen her happily chatting with him every time they were together. That Vincent bastard is always chummy. No wonder she fell for that stupid brat. I hope everything goes well for her.'

After enjoying the sunset, they all head back to the resort. On the way, Veronica talked to Sebastian, "Did you find anything about the massage shop?"

Sebastian replied, "Yes, Mistress. The shop is genuine. Nothing shady is going on. The shop is already popular among the noble ladies. Commoners have also started going there. All the employees are female. I believe it's safe."

"Then, we can fill in the form. What do you think, Cathy?" Veronica glanced at her friend.

"Since you are up for it, me too," Catherine gave her approval.

After leaving her in the resort, Veronica and Ironin bade goodbye. Sebastian hid in the trees. Knowing that he was there, Catherine was relieved.

She went to the lounge and found Vincent there. He didn't have the brightest expression. She wasn't expecting otherwise. "I'm sorry, I took so long," she apologized.

"No, no, it's quite all right. I think there was a mistake on my part." Vincent was also quick to apologize. "I shouldn't have forced you and scared you away. I apologize."

"We don't have much time left. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning. Do you want to take a stroll in the flower garden?" Catherine felt like something heavy came out of her chest. 'Thank goodness, he understood. I don't know what I would have done if he was upset about it.'

Vincent checked his notebook and then gave her a polite answer, "I will be free after dinner. Shall we go then?"

"Definitely." 

After dinner, the two of them took a stroll in the garden. The cold breeze sent chills running through her spine. Catherine shuddered vigorously. 

Vincent took off this coat and covered her with it. "A shawl isn't enough here at night in the winter season," he stated.

  "So I see," Catherine commented. "But it's not snowing here, and the weather is rather warmer."

"That's because this is the highest place in Tybu. The weather is a bit different. Also, there is a huge lake. It somehow prevents the weather from getting colder. But at night, it's cooler than you can expect."

They walked for the while. The heavy clouds covered the moon. Everything became a little dark. Magical lamps illuminated the garden with different colors. 

Not being able to stand the silence, Vincent opened his mouth, "How's your work?"

"Work? Busy as usual. In my job, I cannot afford to make a single mistake. So, I always have to be extra careful. Checking double and sometimes triple times."

"It's a hard profession," Vincent remarked. 

Catherine couldn't agree more. "It is but it pays well. I can have a good place to stay and also eat free food. I hardly need to spend money."

"So, I was thinking." Vincent took a deep breath before continuing, "I was hoping I could invite you for dinner."

He noticed her awkward expression and quickly stated, "I know what you might think but I promise you that today is the last time. I'll never push my desire on you."

Catherine nodded as though she could feel what he was thinking or feeling. 

"I understand, Vincent. I don't mistrust you. I'm just not ready yet. For my friend, she got married first before they got married. I came from a place where women aren't allowed to have an intimate relationship before marriage. That's why I'm a bit uncomfortable with it."

Vincent lowered his head and bit his lower lip. "I didn't know you grew up in a conservative country. I'll do my best to go along with you."

"Thank you. Thank you." Catherine felt grateful from the bottom of her heart. 'I knew he would understand. I chose the best man for myself.'

From the tree, Sebastian stared at the couple. He was silent the whole time.

---------

Two days later, Veronica and Catherine joined the massage shop. Two of them became rigid after taking off their clothes. 

Although they wrapped a white silk cloth around their body, they were never this naked in front of people they never knew.

"It's all right, Mam. I understand that you are uncomfortable but we are all girls here. You have nothing to fear." The female employee who was supposed to give Veronica a massage tried to relax them.

"Miss, no matter what you say, you can't just stay normal. Can you start the massage, please? We only have thirty minutes, right?" Catherine urged her.

"All right, Mam. I'll do as you wish." 

"Oww! My back!" Catherine cried out in pain when the female masseuse was massaging her back.

"Cathy, shut up. My ears are buzzing," Veronica hissed. 

"How can you stay quiet? Aren't you feeling pain?" Catherine complained with a heartbroken expression.

"Unlike you, I don't work sitting all day and night. I move and exercise," Veronica gave her reasons.

"I'll start exercising with you tomorrow," Catherine promised.

Veronica wanted to laugh aloud. "Don't try it. you won't be able to walk the next day."

After thirty minutes of the torture, Catherine's face brightened. "Ver, I have never felt this good in my whole life. Was it magic or something? I feel much better!"

Veronica nodded. "Me too. I did want a breasts massage starting today but having a back massage isn't bad either."

"Yes, we can have a breast massage from next week. Let's have a back massage every month," Catherine suggested excitedly.

---------

"You look happy today, what's the reason?" Arthur asked his wife. He just came to bed and found Veronica reading a book and giggling like a teenager.

Veronica responded with a smile, "Oh, I had a good day today in the massage shop."

"Massage shop? For what?" Arthur heard it for the first time. 

"For a back massage. It makes me feel really good. Even Catherine thanked me for recommending that place."

Arthur pondered for a while. "...Is that place safe?"

"Yes, only female employees work there since the customers are all female. I let Sebastian check their background. It's quite popular."

"As long as you are enjoying it. Do you want to sleep now?" Arthur came to the bed and went under the comforter.

"Uhu." Veronica gave him a sweet smile. After that, she snuggled closer to him. 

Arthur tugged her under the comforter and turned off the light.

The night was long. The snow was falling. They covered the tower and the surrounding area.

Arthur caressed her back as she tried to sleep. He sensed something serene in his heart as he stared at her face in the dark. He could see her features even though it was dark.

Noticing her fidgeting, he asked, "Shall I sing you a lullaby?"

Veronica opened her eyes and glanced at him even in the dark."Lullaby? Like a mother sings her children to make them sleep?"

"Yes, have you heard lullaby before?"

"No, but I read about them in books. I did wonder how the lullaby would sound."

Only then did he remember that she didn't have a mother to sing her a lullaby. He wanted to change the subject, "What were the lyrics? Do you remember?"

Veronica tried to remember, "There was something like –

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night

Sailed off in a wooden shoe —

Sailed on a river of crystal light,

Into a sea of dew.

"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"

The old moon asked the three.

"We have come to fish for the herring fish

That live in this beautiful sea;

Nets of silver and gold have we!"

Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. – this is what I read. I don't know what happened to the story later. It wasn't written in the book."

Arthur scratched his head. "I see. Unfortunately, I don't know this song. But I know another one. Do you want to hear it?"

"Sure!" Veronica agreed.

"Okay." Arthur cleared his throat. Then, he began singing –

"Sweet little baby, sweet little baby, sleep sleep first.

Sweet little baby, sweet little baby, dream dream first.

Dream about flowers, dream about stars.

Dream about the moon, and all beyond Mars.

Fly over the hills and roll on the grass,

Sing with the wind, and let joy surpass.

Sweet little baby, sweet little baby, sleep sleep first.

Sweet little baby, sweet little baby, dream dream first."

Arthur repeatedly sang the song until Veronica fell asleep. When he heard her breathing softly, he stopped singing. He carefully pulled her closer and closed his eyes.

'I'm so glad that my made-up song helped her sleep,' he thought before falling asleep.

The next day, something unexpected happened.