chapter 11

Later that evening, Elias finally returned home. he had barely stepped inside when he heard laughter coming from the sitting room. Selene was waiting for him.

The moment she saw him, a mischievous smile appeared on her face..

“So, you're finally home.”

Elias turned and found her standing there with a knowing smile.

He immediately became suspicious. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Selene folded her arms. “Shouldn't I be asking you that?”

“I don't understand.”

“Oh, please.” She laughed. “You really thought you could kiss Liana in front of everyone and come home pretending nothing happened?”

Elias sighed and looked away.

Selene walked closer, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "So it's true?”

"People have already told you?”

"I didn't need anyone to tell me. The entire place is talking about it.”

Elias rubbed the back of his neck. “It wasn't a big deal.”

"Not a big deal?” Selene laughed. “You kissed your sister's friend and confessed that you've loved her for a long time. How is that not a big deal?”

Elias said nothing.

Selene looked at his face for a moment before grinning again. “Well, the Flower Festival is tomorrow. Since you're already this far, you should propose to her after the festival.”

Elias stared at her. “What?”

"You heard me. Propose.”

"Selene, stop.”

She laughed. “I'm serious. Imagine how beautiful it would be. Flowers everywhere, music playing, everyone watching, and then you get down on one knee.”

"I'm going upstairs.”

"Don't forget my advice!” Selene called after him. “Tomorrow after the festival!”

Elias shook his head as he climbed the stairs, but the smile disappeared from his face once he reached the upper floor.

He opened the door to his room and stopped. Kael was inside.

Elias's heart skipped.

Kael stood near the window, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Kael turned toward him.

“i saw you two.”

Elias closed the door slowly. “What?”

“You kissed Liana.”

Elias's expression hardened. “Does it matter?”

Kael walked toward him. “Everyone knows now.”

Elias looked away. “Good.”

Kael stopped.

"Good?” he repeated.

“Yes.” Elias met his eyes. “Maybe now you understand how it feels to have something everyone can see while I'm forced to hide what we have.”

Kael's jaw tightened. “You did that just to hurt me.”

"You made me feel like I was something you had to hide.”

“I told you why.”

"And I'm tired of hearing why, you can't have both things"

Kael stepped closer. “You couldn't have kissed her.”

Elias frowned. “What gives you the right to tell me that?”

"Because I love you.”

"That doesn't give you ownership over me.”

Kael's expression changed.

Elias's voice became sharper. “You don't get to hide me from everyone and then decide who I'm allowed to kiss. I can kiss whoever I want.”

"You wouldn't.”

“Don't challenge me.”

Before Kael could respond, the door suddenly opened.

Alaric stepped inside. Both men turned toward him.

Alaric looked from Kael to Elias, clearly surprised to find them together. He had never expected to walk into such tension.

He paused before speaking.

"Elias, Father wants to see you.”

Elias looked at him. “Now?”

Alaric nodded. “He said it's important.”

Elias glanced at Kael, then back at Alaric.

"Alright.”

But instead of leaving immediately, Elias walked toward Alaric.

Alaric barely had time to react before Elias grabbed him by the waist and pulled him closer.

Then he kissed him.

Alaric froze.

Kael's entire body went still.

For a moment, Elias seemed to forget everything except the anger burning inside him. He wanted Kael to understand that he couldn't control him.

When he finally pulled away, Alaric remained silent, staring at him in shock.

Elias looked directly at Kael.

Then, without saying another word, he turned and walked out of the room.

His footsteps echoed down the stairs.

Kael remained frozen for several seconds before his anger finally exploded.

He turned toward Alaric. "Why would you allow him to kiss you?”

Alaric looked at him, still processing what had just happened.

He hadn't expected Elias to do that.

"He didn't give me a chance to react,” he finally said.

Kael clenched his fists.

"You should have pushed him away.”

Alaric's expression hardened slightly. “I was surprised.”

Kael looked toward the door.

His anger wasn't only because Elias had kissed someone else.

It was because Elias had chosen Alaric.

And what made it worse was the fact that Alaric was his first crush

Kael turned back to him. " I heard Liana is your stepsister.”

"yes, she is.”

"Then you understand how complicated this is.”

Alaric said nothing.