Chapter 95
“What is it…?”
“You need to hold hands with me.”
Aiden stated this matter-of-factly, but Raylenne felt embarrassed as if she had heard something indecent.
“Do we really have to…?”
“It’s necessary to control my powers effectively.”
Indeed, this was just a condition for controlling Aiden’s powers. Raylenne tried to ignore the rising heat in her cheeks and nodded.
“However, we can’t do it in public. If we walk around holding hands, it will attract too much attention.”
That meant the only place where they could hold hands would be inside the carriage. But if they held hands in front of others, rumors could spread. Her hair color already revealed her noble Ergen heritage.
“Alright then.”
Fortunately, Aiden agreed readily. Raylenne, trying to suppress her racing heart, returned to her room to get ready.
* * *
Raylenne borrowed an outer garment suitable for Aiden from the housekeeper. On the way out, Janie had offered to accompany them, but Raylenne had to think up a plausible excuse to avoid her. The carriage needed to be just for Aiden and her.
Aiden was waiting by the carriage door. Raylenne handed him the outer garment.
“Put this on.”
“Thank you.”
In truth, Aiden didn’t seem very cold. Perhaps it was because he had endured a long time in a cold cell wearing prison clothes. Or maybe, as awakened individuals are said to have highly developed physical abilities, it could be an influence of that.
Whatever the reason, Raylenne still wanted Aiden to wear the coat. Strictly speaking, it was more for her own satisfaction. Seeing Aiden cold in the cell was enough.
At that moment, the coachman opened the carriage door and said,
“Please get in, Miss, and you as well, Aiden…”
The coachman hesitated briefly as he looked at Aiden. The household staff were still confused to see Aiden moving freely around the estate. Just a few days ago, he was a prisoner, and now he was having a private meeting with the head of the house. Although Caverion had not officially announced it, it seemed everyone had sensed that Aiden was no longer a prisoner.
Clunk—!
As the carriage door closed, silence enveloped them. Aiden extended his hand towards Raylenne. Knowing what this gesture meant, Raylenne felt embarrassed once more.
‘But this is just to control Aiden’s powers…’
Raylenne placed her hand on Aiden’s palm. As he firmly took her hand, warmth spread through. Unlike in the cell, Aiden’s hand was warm.
This pleasant change made Raylenne’s heart feel warm too. She looked down at their joined hands.
“Aiden.”
“Yes?”
“Does holding hands really help calm your powers?”
Aiden gave a light smile.
‘Why is he smiling?’
Raylenne wondered, but before she could ask further, Aiden stopped smiling and said,
“Actually, this alone isn’t enough.”
Raylenne looked up, noticing the corners of Aiden’s mouth turning upwards. The sight of Aiden smiling at her made him appear even more charming, and she was momentarily at a loss for words.
“I’d like to ask for more, but…”
“More…?”
“I’m settling for this amount because otherwise, you might run away.”
Aiden said, pulling his hand away briefly, then reconnecting it with Raylenne’s fingers, intertwining them.
Raylenne stared at their clasped hands, intertwined securely. Realizing how closely their hands fit together made her heartbeat echo in her ears. She hoped Aiden wouldn’t notice her nervousness and tried to steer the conversation to something else.
“Aiden, are you planning to return to the Bedeusian family later?”
Although it was an abrupt question, Raylenne was genuinely curious. In the original story, Aiden does not return to his family. However, since Aiden had not darkened as in the original and seemed to leave open the possibility of returning to the Bedeusian family, it was worth asking.
“I do plan to return. I need to find my place.”
“Your place…?”
“The title of Duke; I will inherit it.”
Raylenne was somewhat surprised. She hadn’t expected Aiden to desire the title of Duke. Although it was technically his right, she hadn’t anticipated his ambition for power.
“I see…”
Aiden lifted their clasped hands and kissed the back of Raylenne’s hand.
“Yes, so I look forward to your assistance in the meantime.”
The soft touch of his lips made Raylenne blink in astonishment.
Squeak. The carriage stopped, and as the coachman opened the door, Raylenne and Aiden’s hands were separated, as if they had never been joined.
“Shall we get out now?”
Watching this, Raylenne thought that sometimes wild dogs can turn into foxes.
* * *
That day, Raylenne bought ready-made shirts and trousers at a boutique and had a coat or jacket for formal events tailored for Aiden at a tailor’s.
Her hair could use some trimming too, but since the day was already quite late, it seemed better to call a stylist to the estate next time.
As she boarded the carriage to return to the estate, the sky was painted with a red sunset.
Before getting into the carriage, Raylenne looked at Aiden.
“Aiden.”
Aiden’s gaze turned to Raylenne.
“How did I look under the sunlight?”
The purpose of coming out was to fulfill Aiden’s small wish of seeing her under the sunlight. Although their time in the sunlight had been brief due to riding in the carriage, Aiden’s wish should have been sufficiently fulfilled.
Aiden gazed steadily at Raylenne. Though it was a casual question, Aiden’s serious expression made Raylenne feel slightly tense.
Aiden slowly opened his mouth.
“I wished this moment would never end.”
Aiden’s eyes, which held Raylenne completely, showed no hint of wavering.
“It was wonderful.”
* * *
Upon returning to her room, Raylenne lay on her bed, reflecting on what Aiden had said earlier.
[I wished this moment would never end. It was wonderful.]
Her heart had felt like it had dropped at that moment.
‘I didn’t expect him to answer so seriously.’
With those eyes of his. As if the only one who existed in the world was him.
Just thinking about that gaze made her heart flutter.
Raylenne pulled the blanket up to her face, trying to push the thoughts away.
‘Let’s stop thinking about it and get some sleep tonight.’
However, even though she squeezed her eyes shut, Aiden’s eyes, which had sparkled like the stars in the night sky, stayed vividly in her mind. Raylenne had to lie awake for a while longer.
The night felt unusually long.
* * *
Before long, the day of the party arrived.
The staff at the estate were bustling about, preparing for the event. They had been very busy not just today but for several days leading up to the party. This was because the attendees were important figures of the Empire, and there could be no mistakes.
The Grand Hall, which had been closed for a long time, needed to be thoroughly cleaned and made to shine. They also had to prepare the food to serve the guests and decorate the hall with flowers. Although it had been a long time since a party had been held at the estate, everyone did their best, despite not being very skilled.
Janie, having consistently worked as a maid, knew a lot about parties and was a great help. As a result, the Grand Hall was in quite a respectable condition.
Raylenne felt satisfied and expressed her gratitude to the staff.
‘I should give them a bonus later.’
At that moment, Janie finished decorating Raylenne’s hair with a white rose-shaped pin and stood in front of her with a look of admiration.
“Wow, Miss! You look truly beautiful.”
“Thank you, it’s all thanks to you.”
Raylenne no longer held back on complimenting the staff. She felt she could now completely shed the image of her original self. Although the staff had been initially surprised by her change, they gradually began to accept it with pleasure.
“No need to mention it. You will be the most beautiful person here today, I dare say!”
Janie’s praise made Raylenne smile lightly.
“Has Aiden finished preparing?”
“Yes, he must have been ready for a while. I saw him earlier when I went to get your dress.”
Janie whispered into Raylenne’s ear,
“Aiden also looked radiant when dressed up. I was quite surprised.”
Raylenne was intrigued. Even in a prison uniform, he looked impressive; it was no wonder he would look dazzling when dressed up properly.
“I should go down and greet the guests.”
Raylenne stood up, eager to see Aiden’s appearance.
As she stepped into the corridor, she saw Aiden leaning casually against the wall.
Wow…
Raylenne barely managed to keep her mouth from falling open. As Janie had said, Aiden truly seemed to be glowing. His silver hair was neatly styled, revealing a smooth forehead and well-defined features.
Although his formal attire was a simple black suit, it seemed the color was secondary. His broad shoulders and well-built physique made any outfit look great on him.
Raylenne, unaware of her own shyness, stared at him in awe when Aiden approached her quietly. His head slowly descended, and his soft lips brushed against Raylenne’s ear.
“Receiving your attention, Raylenne, is a delightful experience.”
There was a hint of laughter in his voice.
