CAELUM

CHAPTER 19

CHANYOEL'S POV:

I get dressed in a blue button-up shirt and white trousers. As all of us are wearing colours matching our wives' outfits. Our family is modern so we don't have a particular dress code, unlike the typical royal families. They always believe in one thing when dressing up comes 'Clothes doesn't define one's personality. While drying my hair I see Rhian coming out of the washroom wearing a white off-shoulder top and blue jeans. She looks really good with an off-shoulder top but isn't it showing too much of her skin. I feel my protective side taking over me any moment. "Rhiu".

She looks at me and responds. "Yeah Yeol". "Are you sure you wearing this top? ". She answers in an obvious tone. "Yeah". "Change and wear another shirt or top, you've got really good tops in your collections Rhiu". She pouts. "But I like this, it's comfy. Doesn't it look good on me ". She checks herself in the mirror and I hug her from back resting my arms on her waist. "You look really beautiful but don't you think it's showing a little too much skin of yours". She giggles. "Protective hmm". "Of course, My cousins are visiting and I don't want them to cast a predatory gaze on you". She turns in my arm and places her hands on my chest. "Babe, you're worrying for no reason, why would they do that". I sigh.

"Because I know how they are. They literally are predators, so please change the top babe". She coos like she's talking to a child. "Chan c'mon, I'm strong and you know that, so don't worry".  Turning around she puts on the chain I gave her and puts her hair up in a ponytail. I feel my protective side coming out. "Okay, wait don't tell me that you're putting your hair up in a ponytail while your shoulders are bare". "Yeah, I am, it suits the outfit". Well, here we go, let my protective side take over. I turn her around by grabbing her waist, holding her close so that there is no space left between us. "You're not wearing that, is that understood Mrs Chanyeol". "Chanyeol what's wrong with you". "What's wrong with me you ask, why don't you listen when I tell you something which you are new to huh?".

Our eyes meet and I can sense her anger as well as hurt as my voice raised unintentionally. She chuckles dryly. "New? Oh c'mon. I'm not a child Chanyeol. Bodyguards didn't follow me everywhere I went back when I was a teenager, do you get that". I scoff. "So, you think you'll survive these guys". She gives I -can't – with – you expression. "You know what I'm done. The top I'm wearing is final and I'm not changing it". I lose my temper. "If something happens, don't come near me saying that you should've listened to me. I'm not your knight in shining armour this time clear?".

My eyes widen the next moment I realize what I said. Looking at her, a wave of guilt crashes me as tears flow from her eyes even if she's trying to control them. Ughhhh, why did I let my anger take over me? "R-Rhian, babe I- .". She cuts me off by showing a stop sign with her hand. Wiping her tears, she responds "It's clear, crystal clear. Thanks for clearing my feeling of you being my knight in shining armour. Hope you enjoy your day and don't worry I won't come near you if something happens, Mr. chanyeol". I messed up big this time as she never calls me Mr Chanyeol and if she did it means I hurt her badly. Before I say something, she goes out of our room.

A deep sigh escapes. *Ughh, what the hell did you say, it was my promise to be her knight in shining armour every moment*. I slide along the mirror resting my head on it. After composing myself, I make my way to the garden or the place where the get-together is to happen. My eyes search for Rhian and I see her talking to the workers. After their small talk, she looks at me and our eyes meet. After a few seconds, her gaze averts from mine and she goes to help others. I also go help my brothers with some work so that I get some time to think as to how to fix this mess I created.

JONGIN'S POV:

I'm helping Soo and Seren in preparing desserts and dishes while the other cooks are busy preparing the rest of the menu. As the get-together will last for 3 days, so they got a list of foods that they have to prepare. "Jong in can you please get me the whipping cream from the fridge ". "Oh sure". I go to the fridge to get the whipping cream and my eyes catch a stressed chan. Soo speaks "Seren can you please look after the syrup; I'll go and handle the other dish". She replies "Oh sure". Slowly making my way towards Soo, I think what made Chan stressed. Placing the whipping cream pack on the table beside Soo, I sit on the counter.