Chapter 98

Aiden had been right: Harbian was like a snake. It was impossible to guess what dark thoughts lurked behind his eyes. As Caverion led Harbian away, Aiden quietly returned to stand by Raylenne’s side. She quickly dismissed her thoughts about Harbian and focused on Aiden, worried that his recent conversation with the Duke of Bedeusian might have left him upset or confused.

She kept her gaze forward as she spoke softly, “Aiden, are you feeling alright? If it’s too much, we can leave the party. I’ll inform my brother.”

Though she was concerned about Aiden’s emotional state, she was even more worried about the potential consequences if he lost control of his powers in such a crowded place. The situation could turn disastrous if he had an outburst.

As Raylenne anxiously awaited his response, Aiden reassured her in his usual calm manner, “I’m fine.”

She sighed in relief, but then Aiden added in a quieter voice, “I saw you talking with Harbian earlier.”

Raylenne was a bit surprised. With the Duke keeping him occupied, she hadn’t expected Aiden to notice her exchange with the Crown Prince. “It was nothing important,” she responded, feeling Aiden’s gaze on her.

“I’m going to stay by your side from now on,” Aiden stated firmly.

Raylenne sighed and shook her head. Harbian might be a detestable person, but she couldn’t understand why both Caverion and Aiden were so on edge just because of a brief conversation.

* * *

Back in her room after the party, Raylenne felt an overwhelming fatigue wash over her. ‘Parties really are exhausting,’ she thought, barely able to stay on her feet as her maids helped her out of her jewelry and dress. She managed to wash up quickly before changing into a nightgown and collapsing into bed, closing her eyes.

But instead of falling asleep, she found herself thinking about Aiden’s last moments at the party. ‘His face must have been a little flushed,’ she recalled. Aiden had stayed close to her throughout the event, sipping wine from the catering table as the night wore on. Although she didn’t mind him drinking—after all, he was an adult—she worried about how alcohol might affect his control over his newly awakened powers.

She had considered stopping him, but since it seemed like it was his first drink in a long while and he appeared outwardly fine, she let it go. He had remained vigilant, like a loyal guard dog, barely engaging in conversation and staying near her side.

By the time they left the party, Aiden’s face was slightly flushed, but his behavior and speech seemed unaffected by the alcohol. ‘Still, just to be sure…’ Raylenne thought, deciding she would check on him before going to bed. She needed to confirm he was okay to ease her own mind.

The hallway lights were off, and Raylenne found herself walking quietly in the stillness. Aiden’s room was right next to hers, so it was just a short walk. His door was slightly ajar, and she slipped inside quietly. The faint moonlight streaming in through the window illuminated the room, casting a soft glow.

Aiden was sitting on his bed. ‘I thought he’d be asleep by now…’ she mused. Or maybe he was asleep, just sitting up? He had removed only his jacket and was slumped forward, looking like he might have dozed off sitting up.

As Raylenne approached, Aiden slowly raised his head. It seemed he hadn’t been asleep after all. Despite his slower reactions, indicating he might be a bit tipsy, his eyes still looked a little unfocused.

“Why are you sitting like this?” Raylenne asked.

Aiden blinked slowly, “I was thinking.”

“What were you thinking about?”

Aiden took her hand and gently pressed it against his cheek. “About you.”

His gray eyes, which usually held a calmness, now seemed to burn with a quiet intensity. Raylenne froze. ‘This is a warning sign,’ she realized. He wasn’t just a little drunk; he was fully intoxicated. He had seemed fine at the party, but maybe he had let his guard down once they returned to his room.

Ignoring her rapidly beating heart, Raylenne decided she needed to get Aiden to rest. “Aiden, you should go to sleep.”

She tried to gently pull her hand away, not wanting him to notice, but his grip was surprisingly strong. Instead of letting go, Aiden pulled her onto his lap.

“Aiden…!” she exclaimed, startled, trying to push off his shoulders. But the more she struggled, the tighter he held her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close against his chest. Raylenne found herself pressed against him, enveloped in his warmth.

Aiden spoke in a calm voice, “I’m having a hard time controlling my powers right now. So, please, let me stay like this.”

Although the timing seemed suspicious, Raylenne chose to believe him. After all, he was drunk, and questioning him now wouldn’t help. Sighing, she gave up and rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes. There was a comforting warmth in Aiden’s embrace, not the cold, dry smell of winter she had dreaded. It felt unexpectedly satisfying, and she realized she didn’t mind staying like this.

Aiden’s hold was firm, as if he wanted to shield her from everything outside. “I wanted to hold you like this the whole time at the party,” he murmured. “There were too many eyes watching you, and I wanted to hide you away like this.”

Raylenne felt her neck flush at his quiet, confession-like words. “But all I could do was drink and try to calm myself down,” Aiden added.

So that’s why he had been drinking so much…

Aiden gently lifted Raylenne’s face. His usually neatly combed silver hair was now disheveled, giving him a strangely sensual look. Raylenne swallowed discreetly, her heart racing.

“Hey, Raylenne,” he said, using her name casually for the first time. The familiarity in his voice made her feel as though they were on equal footing, a sensation she didn’t dislike. In fact, her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest.

“I plan to find a way to control my powers within the next two months,” Aiden continued. “Then I’ll return to the Bedeusian estate with pride, take on the title, and become someone worthy of you.”

“So that’s why you…”

“Even though, as Caverion said, I shouldn’t dare to reach for you right now…”

Aiden had not responded when Caverion had warned him a few days earlier: [You’d better not get any ideas about Raylenne, beyond your station.]

Now Raylenne understood why Aiden had stayed silent then. “Did you know? Now that I’ve made up my mind, I’m no longer anxious about losing you to someone else,” he said softly.

The reason Aiden hadn’t been rattled when Caverion mentioned finding her a husband at her birthday party was because he had already resolved to pursue her. As Raylenne realized the depth of Aiden’s feelings, she felt a pang of emotion. He had moved closer without her noticing, and gently cupped her chin, his silver eyes like a beautiful galaxy.

“I’m going to be the one by your side,” he murmured, their lips almost touching. “So, please, wait for me.”

With that, Aiden pressed a light kiss to her lips, as if asking for permission. In response, Raylenne wrapped her arms around his neck. Surprised by her bold move, Aiden’s eyes widened, which Raylenne found endearing. She let out a small laugh, but it quickly vanished as Aiden’s lips captured hers again, more intensely this time.

In the silence, only their breaths filled the space, as if they were the only two people left in the world. Their kiss was desperate, filled with a longing that neither had fully expressed before. Eventually, they pulled apart, Aiden closing his eyes and exhaling rapidly.

“My heart feels like it’s going to burst…” Aiden admitted, slowly opening his eyes to look at Raylenne. “Just knowing you accepted my kiss.”

Aiden’s straightforwardness left Raylenne feeling shy and exposed, overwhelmed by his honesty. As she tried to calm her racing heart, Aiden suddenly swayed.

“Are you okay?” Raylenne asked, concerned, but Aiden quickly regained his balance and straightened up.

His gaze met hers slowly, “If I said I wasn’t okay, would you stay with me tonight?” His voice had returned to its formal tone, setting a clear boundary.

Raylenne’s neck grew hot as she realized what he was implying. Before she could say anything, Aiden shook his head, “Just kidding. I don’t want to end up fighting your overprotective brother in the middle of the night.”

Right… Caverion was in the room next door. Realizing this, Raylenne felt a chill down her spine. She stepped away from Aiden and stood up, feeling increasingly embarrassed. While Aiden might have been tipsy, she had been completely sober when she accepted his kiss. If she had been intoxicated by anything, it was his alluring voice and the way he looked at her so intensely.

Aiden, unaware of Raylenne’s internal turmoil, simply smiled, looking pleased. “Goodnight, my lady,” he said, his eyes, usually so serious, softening into a gentle smile. Drunk Aiden was much more expressive.

For a moment, Raylenne couldn’t take her eyes off him.

* * *

Raylenne couldn’t sleep after returning to her room. Her heart continued to race, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw Aiden’s smiling face. It wasn’t just that; her whole body felt tingly, her hands and feet buzzing with a strange sensation.

She hoped that Aiden wouldn’t remember the events of that night, as it would be less awkward if he forgot. But they were supposed to start training together to control his powers the next day, which meant facing him again. Raylenne wished fervently that Aiden wouldn’t recall the kiss.

Then, a sudden thought made her eyes narrow. “Wait… After sharing such a passionate kiss, he better remember!”

The idea that he might not recall the kiss was equally upsetting. Ignoring her chaotic thoughts, Raylenne buried her face in her pillow.

It had been a confusing and tumultuous night.