For the entire month, ever since Seraphina got back to the boarding school accompanied by Zachary, of course, nothing peculiar occurred.

The two of them never fail to laugh whenever they remember the reaction of the Headmistress at the sight of them getting off the carriage in front of the boarding school.

It's no wonder the Headmistress knows Zachary since he is a well-known painter. The Headmistress even asked him about his clients.

However, before that, the Headmistress was stunned at such a scandal.

"Just what do you think you're doing all alone with a man, young lady?" blurted out the Headmistress, her arms crossed, she looked as if any minute now, she'd faint.

Her emerald eyes traveling around her surroundings, Seraphina could perfectly view the girls upstairs staring down at them. Some with confused looks, smug looks while the others are simply shaking their head, silently judging her.

Before Seraphina could explain, she felt Zachary's hand encircled around her waist. Uh-oh. Way to get things worse, buddy.

Trying to escape his grip, Zachary tightened his arm around her waist. At the corner of her eyes, she could tell the Headmistress is totally not in a good mood.

Before either Seraphina and the Headmistress could comment about Zachary's scandalous gesture in public, Zachary blurted out the words, "You need not worry, Madame. Veronica Hearts entrusted me her niece to travel back here in Bath,"

The Headmistress was about to respond but Zachary raced her off once again. "And Ms. Hearts here told me lots of great things about you. I wonder if you'll grant me an honor of painting you sometimes,"

At the mention of that, the Headmistress's mood lightened. It was as if she didn't say what she just gaped upon a while ago.

With that, the Headmistress let out a chuckle, fanning herself, inviting Zachary for a cup of tea inside.

Zachary was on the verge of accepting, Seraphina could tell when she decided to take the matter in her hands.

"Oh, Mr. Canning here still has a business to attend to,"

" I do?" Sardonically asked Zachary, her brow rising in such a playful way. Seraphina wants to roll her eyes heavenwards but decides not to since the Headmistress will comment about it.

"Oh, you do, Sir. Now, off you go," insisted Seraphina while avoiding his gaze. He could tell he is staring at her with amusement.

When she looked back at the Headmistress, her brows were meeting but said nothing about it.

"Right. If you excuse me, Madame. Ms. Hearts and I would just talk for a bit,"

The Headmistress was about to protest when Zachary uttered the words, "Right. You have my gratitude, Madame,"

With that, Zachary dragged her hand and led her at the back of the boarding school, away from the Headmistress and the girls.

Now that the two of them are alone, Seraphina hit him in the chest, "Just what do you think you're doing, Zach?"

She was rewarded with a gentle chuckle, "Finding a way to talk to you,"

Rolling her eyes heavenwards, "We've already talked for hours, Zach. Goodness gracious, I've barely seen a human being beside you for the last couple of days,"

Crouching down in her level, Zachary whispered the words, "and let's keep it that way,"

Seraphina was glued in her spot and she was just beginning to think of a witty comeback when she felt his hands cupping her cheeks, his chapped lips kissing her forehead.

"I'll go see you later tonight," was the last thing he said before snaking his arms around her, dragging her back to the Headmistress.

Everything was going along well causing Seraphina to somehow loosen.

Throughout the town and even back to Avebury, there are zero cited murders so far. No more unknown intruders with scarred faces or mysterious appearing knives with bone-chilling messages.

In fact, to get it better, Zachary stayed true to his word. Always coming into her room every single night to check her out with her permission this time, of course.

With that, Seraphina grew accustomed to his presence. He'll always barge into her room still not consuming his supper causing Seraphina to feel guilt.

And so, every supper, Seraphina would secretly snatch a couple of garlic bread for Zachary later.

Every night for the past month, they'll discuss any topic their brain can conjure.

Seraphina would always talk about her life here in Bath, the few balls she attended and the books she read and her rebellious trips to the Town's Market without a chaperone. The whole time, Zachary remained quiet, just staring at her, listening to every sound she utters, his hands on top of her lap, sometimes intertwined with her slender fingers.

"You must hate me now, Zach," exclaimed Seraphina one afternoon, her emerald eyes staring back at his mesmerizing blazing blue eyes.

His thumb running across her knuckles, sending chills down her spine, he replied, "What made you say that, love?"

Shaking her head, she answered, "Well, it's almost midnight now and the whole time, I was talking about myself. C'mon, now's your turn,"

He gave her a sardonic look, his brow-raising, a smirk intact, causing her to chuckle, "No need, your voice is soothing, you know that?"

Her cheeks turned crimson, thank goodness it was already dark since Zachary wouldn't see it or so she thought since he brushed his thumb over her blush, causing it to deepen.

And so, Zachary talks about his painting skills, the places he'd been to, and the people he met and so on.

"How' were the women you've met in France?" blurted Seraphina, her brows meet. She knew women in France are liberated and daring. Their clothes are, indeed, revealing, that's what she gathered based on the girls downstairs.

Zachary stunned her by chuckling and ruffling her hair, "Are you jealous?"

"Jealous? Please-" Seraphina doesn't have the chance to finish her defense when Zachary cupped her face, their face only inches apart.

They stared at each other for a second before Zachary exclaimed the relieving words, "Don't worry, you're the most beautiful of them all, they're no match for you, love,"

Seraphina stared at her, cheeks blushing, mouth ajar when he kissed her on the forehead, on the temple, on the cheeks, on her cheeks, on her chin, and to the corner of her lips.

"I'll take you to France when we get married and everywhere I go," murmured Zachary in her ears, tingling her.

"No thank you, Sir, I told you, I am fine with farm life," insisted Seraphina while hiding her blush by looking sideways.

That's how it often goes with them. Laughing and teasing one another. However, every now and then, Seraphina would notice how sometimes, Zachary's facial expressions would change, into guilt, into anxiety, into anger but why?

However, just as quickly as it came, it disappears within any second as well. So fast to the point perhaps, Zachary thought Seraphina didn't take notice of it.

Seraphina began to wonder what's amiss with him. She'll give him time, she knows Zachary isn't really into opening things about his feelings and she'll respect that.

One thing for sure, never did they talk about their childhood. The horrors Seraphina caught Zachary committing.

Frankly speaking, Seraphina doesn't find herself overly eager to mention the topic in fear something will change.

Everything's going fine, there's nothing Seraphina wants to change about that.

However, one cannot deny how Seraphina grew uneasy and anxious when Zachary, for the very first time, failed to show up.

Seraphina decided to shrug off her worry, jumping into the conclusion that Zachary probably has a business to attend to.

And so, for the first time since their agreement, Seraphina slept alone in her bed, confessing to herself at how much she misses him, embracing him and the sight of his sleeping face.

Suddenly, her bed seems large without him.

Mentally cursing herself, Seraphina let out a sigh, told herself to calm down. That this is for the better. That staying away from Zachary is what she needs.

What on earth was she thinking anyway Befriending Zachary knowing what she'd seen him do?

God, what's worse was how Seraphina found herself accepting that side of Zachary. Perhaps, he'd truly changed and if not, then they'll fix it together.

Letting out a soft sigh, Seraphina forced herself to stop thinking about it and went to sleep.

Zachary's absence went on for about a couple of days, transpiring Seraphina's further worriedness.

Nevertheless, at the back of her mind, she thinks of Zachary somehow growing tired of her.

Why? Is it because she wants to live in a country? Is it because she always wears black and her clothes are nor daring enough? Is it because she talks too much? That she cuddles so much? Why?

She knew something's amiss but decided to shrug off such thoughts. Zachary is old enough to handle himself.

It was Zachary's sixth night of not paying a visit, not that Seraphina is counting when another tragedy occurred.

Seraphina roused in the midst of the night, rubbing her eyes, Seraphina crouched in her bed, surveying the tall man before her.

Blinking a few times for she cannot believe the man showed himself, at last. However, she's no fool. She's aware this is nothing but a dream.

Even in her dream, she needs to not let her emotions get ahead of her.

God knows how much Seraphina wants to jump at him, wrap her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist and bury her head in the crook of his neck, demanding to know where he'd been.

However, Seraphina stayed in her spot and found herself tracing Zachary's stubbles, confused reigning over her on why he chose to not shave this time.

Goodness gracious, it was the first time Seraphina gaped upon an unshaven Zachary.

"When you come back, I'll tell you not to shave," Seraphina uttered, a light smile planted in her face.

However, Zachary's firm shakes around her bare shoulders with his artist's hands confirmed that she is, in fact, not dreaming.

Not a single word escaped her mouth, her brow only lifted, her eyes tracing his features, from his sinister blazing blue eyes, eye bags prominent, chapped lips and even his stubbles.

"We need to get out of here, love," exclaimed Zachary, a downpour of panic detected in his very voice.

Before Seraphina could muster a reply or even properly comprehend his statement, Zachary stunned her by gathering her in his arms.

A soft cry escaped her mouth due to surprise. What in the hell is he doing? Not only is she wearing such a thin nightgown, but she is also barefoot, ankles flashing, hair untied. This is inappropriate on so many levels.

Don't get her wrong, she has no problem looking like this to him but to other people? The Headmistress and her aunt would rage.

Plwherwherrurunningggggin the hell are they even heading in this time of hour?

"Get me down this instant, Zachary!" Seraphina voiced out, voice low yet filled with threat, hand clenching Zachary's shirt.

Zachary made no such comment, instead, he raced outside the boarding school, confused Seraphina in his arms.

Eyes wide, she had never seen Zachary run like this, it was as if this was a matter of life and death. Just what is going on around here?

Everything happened so fast. The next thing she knows, they are already running away from the boarding school, many meters away from them when Zachary halted.

Seraphina was still in his arms, feeling the rise and fall of his chest from running.

Looking up at her, her eyes caught sight of beads of sweat in his temple, his shirt almost soaked. He was, on the other hand, gaping back to the boarding school with a furious look.

Her palm cupped his unshaven cheek, hoping to get his attention, "what is this all about?"

Before he had the chance to answer, a deafening explosion took place, before Seraphina could react, Zachary got down on the ground, dragging her and covered her with his body, his arms, and legs shielding her. His grip is tight and desperate. His head touched the back of her head.

After a second, he loosened his hold, releasing her. Seraphina's determined to know the source of the explosion.

What stood before her made her legs turn jelly for the boarding school is now in ruin.

Her belongings were all destroyed. Forever gone. Most of the letters Dorian, Aunt Veronica, and Zachary wrote her were enclosed in that chamber of hers.

"Th-the gi-girls," stammered Seraphina, blood draining out of her body as her mind began to conjure the images of the girls and the Headmistress' lifeless bodies.

Zachary cupped her cheeks, taking her attention, her eyes still bewildered, "They already left. You were the only one, Sep,"

Seraphina doesn't know what to think of such a statement like this. What does he mean they already left? Why did they not tell her about it? Why did they not take her with them? Why?

Confusion must've been pretty evident in her feature since Zachary brushed his thumb across her fair cheek, "They meant to kill you, Sep,"

Seraphina doesn't know what to say aside from the word, "Why?"

Zachary stared back at her. Guilt eating him up for he knows it was all his fault and all he could ever do is wrap his arms around her tight.

He cannot believe he was so close to losing her a while ago. If he didn't run any faster, he would've lost her by now.

Zachary cannot digest such an idea. His heart still beating fast, Zachary tightened his embrace around her to the point she might think he plans on choking her.

"Why?" whispered Seraphina in his ears.

Closing his eyes for a second, Zachary run his fingers through his dirty blond hair before saying, "I'm sorry, love,"

Draping her slender fingers through his hair, Seraphina stared back at his blue eyes, "God, please tell me you have nothing to do with this,"

As usual, he replied none. Zachary looked so much in pain right now. It was as if he was carrying the world in his arms.

Pulling his hair lightly, hitting him on his chest, and struggling to get off his lap, Seraphina cried, "Tell me you don't know anything about this, Zach, please,"

Zachary just let her be.

Seraphina felt her head throbbing, when she looked back at the boarding school once again, she felt herself crying in anger and puking at her very spot.

The last thing she remembers before darkness consumed her was Zachary holding her tightly in his arms, his blue eyes filled with guilt, anger, and anxiety.