Jealousy

The atmosphere inside the room went dead silent. No one was in to trade his or her head for whatever was boiling. Diago’s eyes dug deep into his very soul but Elisa wasn’t bothered or moved at all. He seemed ready to challenge him at any given time.

Krystal just stood there, trapped between the two most dangerous men in the empire. And for the first time since he transmigrated into the manhwa, he genuinely considered jumping out of the window.

Diago’s eyes turned blood red as it remained fixed on Elias’ hand which was still wrapped around Krystal’s waist. His gaze was cold, sharp and possessive but Elias had no intentions of moving. Krystal fidgeted, his hands trembled as he nervously tried to pull his hand away.

He smirked as his fingers tightened slightly against his waist as though challenging him. “How possessive,” Elias finally said with a faint smile. “I was merely congratulating your fiancé.”

The servants instantly lowered their heads in fear as Diago stepped further into the room. Even the air itself felt his presence weigh heavier in the air.

“You seem quite comfortable touching what belongs to me,” He calmly replied and that almost made Krystal choke. Belongs? he thought, that was absolutely not. He wanted to object but held back.

Elias only smiled wider, noticing the look on Krystal’s face. “Belongs to you?” His golden eyes briefly drifted toward Krystal. “Interesting choice of words.” He nodded.

“This is bad…I mean, very bad.” Krystal screamed internally. Because neither of them looked willing to back down at any moment. And unfortunately, he found himself standing directly in the middle of the disaster.

“Perhaps Young Master Diago is misunderstanding something,” Elias continued smoothly. “Young Master Caspian and I were simply having a conversation.”

His gaze darkened. “A conversation which requires touching his waist?”

Krystal nearly died on the spot. “Why did that sound so jealous?” He mumbled to himself, almost in a whisper. Elias smirked as he finally removed his hand slowly, but his smile never faded.

“My apologies,” he softly said. “I didn’t realize you’d become this attached already.” The word instantly sharpened the atmosphere and Krystal instinctively stepped backward.

To which Diago immediately noticed “Come here.” He called as his eyes shifted toward him.

The servants looked seconds away from collapsing and Krystal froze with confusion written all over his face. Even Elias slightly raised an eyebrow.

“Excuse him?” Krystal forced an awkward laugh. “I think I’m fine here—”

“Caspian.” His voice dropped lower this time. It wasn’t loud but it sounded quite dangerous and impossible to disobey.

Krystal swallowed hard, and slowly, he walked toward him like a man approaching his own execution. Just when he got close enough, Diago directly pulled him against his chest. Krystal’s eyes instantly widened, and his breath seized in his chest.

The room had collectively stopped breathing. And to prove his point, he possessively rested his arm firmly around his waist while his cedarwood scent completely surrounded him. It felt warm and dominating. Krystal’s heart began beating uncontrollably.

“T-This is unnecessary,” he whispered through clenched teeth.

“Is it?” Diago calmly replied, with his eyes never once leaving Elias. And that’s when Krystal finally realized the horrifying truth. He wasn’t doing it for affection but rather marking his territory.

Elias noticed it too and the faint amusement on his face slowly disappeared. “How cruel,” he softly murmured. “You’re making it difficult for others to approach him.”

“That’s the point.” His answer instantly filled the air and Krystal nearly malfunctioned.

“This man had truly lost his mind.” He concluded. Elias silently stared at the two for a few seconds before suddenly smiling again.

“You know,” He said thoughtfully, “I used to think the rumors about Young Master Caspian were exaggerated.” Krystal slightly stiffened as he listened on.

“But now,” he continued, staring directly into his eyes, “I understand why someone like you would become obsessed.”

Silence swallowed every bit of sound there was as Diago’s arm tightened around Krystal who had forgotten to breathe at this point. “Obsessed?” He gasped. “Did this psychopath just openly call Diago obsessed to his face?!” he mumbled to himself.

The servants looked ready to attend funerals. But Diago, however, simply smiled. “You speak boldly for someone standing inside another man’s engagement residence.”

Elias laughed. “And you act boldly for someone who only met his fiancé three days ago.” The tension worsened instantly. The two alphas stared at each other like predators’ who were seconds away from tearing the room apart.

Krystal was however still trapped in Diago’s arms against his will. It felt as if Elias would have him snatch away the moment, he let go of him. “You should leave now, Elias,” Diago calmly said.

“And if I don’t?” The room went completely silent and then Diago smiled again.

“Then I’ll remove you myself.” Krystal panicked, this no longer felt like a romantic tension rather, the beginning of a war. But before things could escalate further, he suddenly pushed himself out of his grip which immediately caught their attention.

“I’m tired,” He quickly interrupted. “Very tired.” He said, forcing an awkward smile despite the pressure suffocating the room. “So, both of you should leave.”

Neither moved which made him snap. “I mean it…just go away, I want to be left alone.”

 After a moment of silence with none ready to let down his cool, Elias unexpectedly stepped back. “Very well,” he said, his golden eyes still remained fixed on Krystal. “But this conversation isn’t over.” It sounded less like a promise but more like a warning.

As Elias passed Diago, the two briefly exchanged cold glances which was capable of freezing the entire estate. Soon, Elias disappeared behind the closing door.

Krystal sighed in relief, which was soon cut short as his eyes met Diago’s. The room immediately felt even more dangerous now that they were alone.