Chapter 19 Speaking with Damian

‘I hope I can break through the barrier in Damian’s mind this time.’

Scarlett clenched her hands tightly for a moment, steadying herself as she caught sight of Damian standing and waiting for her.

She had come accompanied by Mia, who stood a short distance away in the garden on the west side of the Shadowmoon clan castle gates. This spot was rarely used for meetings or walks, as it lay far from the castle’s main entrance.

She waved to Damian, who walked toward her with his usual upright, composed bearing.

"Why did you want to meet in a place like this, Scarlett?" Damian asked, going straight to the point.

"I am sorry to trouble you with coming here tonight. I could not speak openly after classes. You must know Grandfather has forbidden me from returning to the academy until the appointed day arrives," Scarlett replied, sounding awkward.

"It is no trouble. I was just..." Damian shifted his hands nervously and scratched his cheek, though there was no itch there. "I was surprised when I read your note."

"To be honest, I have never hated you, Damian. I only ever..."

Scarlett fidgeted restlessly and glanced all around them, prompting Damian to look out over the quiet garden as well.

"What is it? Is something troubling you?" Damian asked, following her gaze.

Scarlett shrugged awkwardly. Suddenly her mind flashed back to Damian finding her first, lying unclothed in the bathing pool. Instinctively, she covered her face, burning with embarrassment. Heat rose sharply to her cheeks.

"Really, I only wanted to confirm something, and I need your help," she said, keeping her head lowered, unable to meet his eyes.

"What is it? Has Levi bothered you again..."

"No! This has absolutely nothing to do with him!" Scarlett cut in sharply. Just hearing Levi’s name in their conversation was enough to make her forget all her earlier awkwardness and embarrassment.

"I have been thinking... lately, you know... in every test and every sparring match, you always let me win. Are you doing it on purpose?"

She lifted her head to look at him. For a split second, his sharp eyes widened in obvious surprise, before his expression settled back behind that familiar, unyielding mask.

‘I only just realized how skilled Damian is at hiding everything, even every emotion that crosses his face. Is that why I still cannot break through the walls around his mind, even now?’

Scarlett cleared her throat. "If that is what you are doing, why? Is it because I am just a weak woman, and I am not worthy enough to..."

"You do not need to prove anything, Scarlett," Damian interrupted quickly.

"What do you mean?" she pressed, frowning and fixing him with an intense look.

"That is not what I meant at all. What I mean is, you are already incredibly strong. You have defeated Lucius, Blake, and even Levi. I know you only held back against Levi because you loved him so deeply. I have never pretended to lose to you, Scarlett," Damian explained, sounding completely certain.

"But I am not convinced. I know you used to hate me. That is why whenever we fought, you never seemed to care enough to win, like it was a waste of effort. You even used to play tricks on me just because I was your opponent," Scarlett said, turning away in frustration.

Old memories flooded back, bringing with them recollections of how Damian had teased her constantly, even during her quietest moments. She remembered how mischievous he had been, secretly summoning small snakes into the garden just as she was enjoying the scent of the blooming flowers.

She also remembered chasing him all over the grounds, or swimming out into the deep lake just to catch him, all because he had stolen the ornamental hairpins she wore and hidden them at the bottom of the water.

Damian reached out a hand toward her, but hesitated and pulled it back halfway. Scarlett noticed the movement and decided to take the chance to feel his touch, real and unmistakeable. She reached out and grasped his hand as it hovered there.

"Still, thank you for today... Mia told me you brought the documents from Grandfather, and that you... that you helped me... that you gave me your fire energy..." Her voice trailed off as she felt his hand tremble. The handsome young man quickly pulled his hand free from hers.

He turned his face away fast. "It was nothing. Is there anything else you wished to say?"

"Actually, I want to ask you to spar with me one more time. I do not want you to pretend to lose like you have done before. I know you have been holding back because several other Alphas have lost to me already," Scarlett stated firmly.

Suddenly she felt the air around them grow tense. She recognized the power coming from two sources, Levi and Damian. But Damian’s energy surged stronger and heavier, overwhelming the other.

‘What is happening to Damian? His power feels stronger and heavier than usual. Even Levi’s presence over there feels like nothing compared to Damian’s right now. Yet I do not sense any anger in him. He is...’

She gathered her courage and reached out to touch his arm. The contact startled Damian completely. He spun around fast and pulled her tight against his chest. For a long moment, their eyes locked, their faces inches apart. She could feel the heat rising from his breath, and hers.

Without thinking, purely on instinct, Scarlett lifted her hand and touched his handsome face. The sensation of her skin against his shocked Damian. He pulled back sharply.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" Damian reacted instinctively, releasing her and gently pushing her away.

"My reflexes are not what they should be. You really must go now," he said, turning his face away to hide his turmoil.

"Very well. I will meet you in the arena at noon the day after tomorrow," Scarlett said firmly, making sure he understood, before hurrying away from the garden toward Mia, who waited anxiously nearby.

‘So even touching him directly was not enough to break through his defenses. But after this next fight, I am certain I will have mastered this new power fully. Then I will finally be able to break through the walls of Damian’s mind.’

‘And when that happens, I will know for sure whether he stands on my side, or if he is a hidden enemy I must always be wary of.’