chapter 9

Kael stared at Elias for a moment.

Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.

It was a soft smile, almost as if Elias's decision hadn't frightened him at all.

Before Elias could say another word, Kael stepped closer.

He placed a gentle kiss on Elias's cheek and wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him closer.

"You are mine,” Kael whispered against his ear. “And only mine. You can't leave me.”

Elias's heart skipped.

Before he could say anything, Kael kissed his cheek again. Then he released him and walked out of the room.

Elias remained standing there in silence, He touched the place where Kael had kissed him.

He didn't know what to feel.

Should he be happy?

Or should he be angry?

Elias sighed and shook his head.

He didn't want to think about it anymore.

He returned home and went straight to his room.

After taking a shower, he dressed in clean clothes and headed toward his sister's room. He wanted to check on her and see how she was doing.

When he opened the door, he stopped.

His sister wasn't alone. Liana was sitting beside her.

Elias looked at the two of them, slightly surprised.

"Liana?”

She turned toward him.

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Elias.”

His sister looked between them and smiled.

"You're finally here.”

Elias stepped into the room.

"I came to see how you're doing.”

His sister smiled warmly.

"I'm fine. Liana has been keeping me company.”

Elias nodded and looked at Liana again.

"Are you still interested in the tour you asked about?”

Liana's face brightened.

"Yes. I would really love to see the place.”

"Then come with me.”

His sister smiled as they left together.

Elias took Liana through the palace grounds, showing her the beautiful gardens, the training grounds, the large courtyard, and the places visitors rarely got to see.

Liana listened excitedly, asking questions as they walked.

Elias answered her, but his mind wasn't completely there.

Then he saw him.

Kael.

He was standing across the courtyard with a few of his friends.

Elias stopped walking. His eyes immediately met Kael's.

And suddenly, the words from earlier came rushing back.

YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME.

Elias's heart began beating faster, Then his eyes moved toward Liana.

Something unreadable crossed his face.

Liana, completely unaware of what was happening, continued talking.

"And then I was thinking maybe—”

She didn't finish.

Elias suddenly reached for her.

Before Liana could understand what was happening, Elias pulled her closer and kissed her.

Her eyes widened in shock.

She hadn't expected it, Neither had anyone else.

Across the courtyard, Kael's friends went silent.

Kael didn't move.

He simply stared.

The smile that had been on his face disappeared.

Elias knew exactly where Kael was.

He knew Kael was watching.

And yet he didn't stop.

For a moment, the entire world seemed to disappear.

Then Elias slowly pulled away.

Liana stared at him, completely stunned.

"Elias…”

He didn't answer.

His eyes remained fixed on Kael.

Kael's expression was unreadable now.

But the tension in his jaw told Elias everything.

He had seen it.

Every second of it.

Kael took one slow step forward.

His friends exchanged nervous glances.

Elias's heart pounded.

He suddenly wondered if he had gone too far.

But he couldn't take it back.

Liana touched her lips, still trying to understand what had just happened.

"Why did you do that?”

Elias looked into her eyes.

His heart was beating wildly.

"Because…”

He paused.

"I've loved you for a long time.”

Liana's lips parted in surprise.

"I just didn't know how to tell you.”

She stared at him, unable to believe what she had just heard. A smile slowly appeared on Liana's face. She looked almost afraid to believe him.

"I thought you only saw me as your sister's friend.”

"I tried to hide how I felt.”

Liana lowered her eyes, unable to hide her happiness.

Elias forced a small smile.

But his eyes moved toward kael, who was still there.

Watching.

His expression had become frighteningly calm.

Elias's heart began to race.

Kael didn't say anything to his friends. He simply kept his eyes on Elias.

Then he turned and walked away.

Elias's smile disappeared.

He hadn't expected Kael to leave so easily.

For some reason, that hurt more than anger would have.

"Elias?”

Liana's voice brought him back.

He looked at her.

"Are you okay?”

"I'm fine.”

She smiled.

"I can't believe you finally told me.”

Elias looked away.

He had no idea what he had just started.

A few steps away, Alaric was still standing there.

Neither of them had noticed him.

Alaric watched his stepsister's happy expression and felt something twist painfully inside his chest.

He should have been happy for her.

She had just heard a confession from someone she cared about.

But instead, all he could think about was Elias's lips against hers.

His jaw tightened.

Why did it bother him this much?

Why couldn't he look away?

Alaric finally turned around and walked off, his expression dark.

Meanwhile, Liana reached for Elias's hand.

He looked down at their joined hands.

For the first time, guilt settled heavily in his chest, He had kissed her to make Kael jealous.

But Liana believed every word he had said. And now she was smiling at him as though she had finally gotten the answer she had been waiting for.