The morning air was crisp and cool, a gentle, refreshing breeze sweeping through the halls of the Rosenberg estate.
It was a time of absolute serenity; the mansion was quiet, wrapped in the stillness of the early light.
Inside the grand quarters of the head butler, the atmosphere was soft, illuminated by the pale rays of the sunrise.
Sebastian lay pale and motionless upon his bed, his breathing finally stabilized.
Killian sat on a wooden chair near the bed’s edge, his midnight-blue eyes fixed on his trusted servant.
Beside him, Evelyn was perched on a smaller chair, her brow furrowed in concentration as her hands hovered over Sebastian’s chest, the soft emerald glow of her healing power slowly working its magic.
Killian watched her for a long moment, his gaze softening before he finally broke the silence.
“Evelyn…
you have been healing Sebastian for the entire night.
Please, stop and take some rest.”
Evelyn didn’t even turn her head, her focus remaining absolute.
“No, it is entirely fine.
You were also awake for the entire night, consumed by worry for his life.
If you remained awake and I chose to sleep, it would not sit well with my conscience.”
Sebastian’s eyelids fluttered open, his deadpan expression showing a rare trace of fatigue.
He looked up at the couple and whispered weakly, “My Lord…
please, both of you should go and take some rest.
I am completely fine now.”
Killian leaned forward, his voice firm.
“It matters not, Sebastian.
But from this moment forward, you must be exceptionally cautious.”
Sebastian let out a faint, dry cough, a small smirk playing on his lips.
“My Lord…
from now on, you must ensure you rescue me before I am slaughtered.”
Evelyn burst into a sudden, joyful laugh, the sound filling the room with warmth.
Killian’s lips curved into a rare smile.
“Yes, Sebastian.
I shall ensure I rescue you.”
Killian turned back toward Evelyn, his tone becoming serious.
“Evelyn, if you feel you have recovered enough, come along.
We must examine the books and discover the method to properly control and utilize your powers.”
Evelyn’s face fell instantly, her shoulders slumping.
“No, no!
I shall remain here until Mr.
Sebastian is fully restored!
I shall read the books at a later hour.”
Sebastian, seeing her reluctance, shook his head.
“My Lady, I am completely fine.
You must go and focus on your practice.”
Evelyn groaned quietly, dropping her hands.
‘They are completely relentless!
If they are going to force me, I suppose I have no choice but to read those massive, heavy books,’ she thought to herself.
Killian stood up from the chair and extended his hand toward her.
“Come.
Let us proceed to the library.”
Evelyn took his hand, her voice soft.
“Very well, Killian.
Let us go.”
Killian opened the bedroom door, waiting for her to step out.
As he closed the door behind them, he glanced back at his butler one last time.
“Sebastian, ensure you take your rest.”
They arrived at the library, where the massive pile of ancient grimoires still rested on the center table.
”Let us continue exactly where we left off last night,” Killian commanded, walking toward the shelves.
”As you wish,” Evelyn replied, following him.
”Evelyn, go toward the shelf and retrieve the next volume,” Killian instructed.
Evelyn moved toward the towering shelf, reaching upward, but the book was placed on the very top, well beyond her reach.
She stood on her tiptoes, straining her fingers, but it was useless.
A long, gloved hand reached past her shoulder, grasping the heavy spine of the book with effortless ease.
Evelyn spun around in surprise, only to find Killian standing mere inches away.
His midnight-blue eyes were fixed on her face, and the closeness was so absolute that she could hear the steady rhythm of his breathing.
The silence in the room became heavy, filled with a sudden, charged tension.
Neither of them spoke; the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them.
Finally, a flush of deep red heat crept up Evelyn’s neck.
She felt the urge to hide her face and quickly turned away, her heart racing.
Killian handed her the book, his fingers brushing against hers, and walked toward the table without a word.
Evelyn took her seat at the small table by the window, while Killian sat directly across from her.
They both opened their respective books, the silence broken only by the sound of turning pages.
The window was left slightly ajar, and a gentle breeze swept in, catching Evelyn’s golden hair and causing it to dance around her face.
Killian watched her for a moment, his own book forgotten.
He reached out, his hand moving with a slow, deliberate grace to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
His fingers lingered for a fleeting second against her warm skin, and Evelyn’s face went crimson.
’I have finally touched her hair,’ Killian thought, his chest tightening with an overwhelming, newfound emotion.
‘I have truly fallen in love with this girl.
Her smile, her care…
everything about her pulls me toward her like a magnet.
I will slaughter anyone who tries to steal her smile or take her away from me.’
Suddenly, a rhythmic knock echoed on the library door.
”Come in,” Killian said, his voice instantly returning to its stoic tone.
The library door opened, and Maria the maid stood there, looking nervous.
“My Lord…
your friend, Lord Leonard, has arrived to see you.
He is waiting in the meeting hall.”
Killian nodded.
“I see.
You may leave; I shall come shortly.”
He turned his gaze to Evelyn.
“Evelyn, will you accompany me?”
Evelyn smiled softly.
“Yes, Killian.
Of course.”
They walked out of the library and made their way to the grand meeting hall.
Sitting on the sofa was Lord Leonard, a man of refined attire and polished manners.
The moment he spotted Evelyn walking in beside Killian, he scrambled to his feet, his eyes widening as he stared at her.
Killian’s demeanor instantly shifted.
He watched Leonard’s reaction with a sharp, possessive glare.
“What is it, Leonard?
This is my fiancée.”
Evelyn offered a graceful curtsy.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Leonard.”
Leonard seemed spellbound, unable to tear his gaze away from her.
“The—the pleasure is entirely mine.”
Killian cleared his throat, his tone dropping into a cold, sharp register.
“Yes, it is a pleasure for me as well.
Now, sit down.”
Evelyn and Killian sat together on one side, while Leonard sat on the opposite sofa.
The conversation turned toward business, but Leonard’s eyes kept darting back to Evelyn, his gaze lingering far longer than was considered polite.
Killian’s patience, which had been razor-thin since he saw Leonard’s eyes on his fiancée, finally snapped.
“What is wrong with you, Leonard?”
Leonard jumped in his seat, stammering, “I…
I just came to the city for my trade, Killian, and thought I would pay you a visit.”
”Very well,” Killian replied, his voice devoid of warmth.
“And when are you planning to depart?”
”I arrived today, I shall leave tomorrow morning,” Leonard said.
Killian looked at Evelyn.
“Evelyn, please go to your room and rest.
I shall join you shortly.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Evelyn obeyed, leaving the two men alone.
Once the door clicked shut, Killian walked over to the side table, poured two glasses of wine, and set them down.
He sank into the sofa and watched Leonard.
Leonard took a glass, his eyes shimmering with a dangerous, newfound ambition.
“Killian, may I ask you a question?”
”Proceed,” Killian said, his eyes darkening.
”How did this fiancée of yours suddenly appear out of nowhere?”
Killian took a slow sip.
“It was quite unexpected.
She is the Princess of Eldoria, and for certain reasons, she is in a contracted marriage with me.”
Leonard’s eyes narrowed.
“And how long does this contract last?”
”Until everything is resolved,” Killian said calmly.
Leonard took a deep breath, his voice dropping into a tone of chilling, blatant arrogance.
“Excellent.
When this contract ends and you are finished with her, let me know.
Because I have fallen for her at first sight.
I have never seen a woman as beautiful as her, and I intend to marry her.”
The room went completely silent.
Killian’s hand froze mid-air, the wine glass in his grip shattering into a million shards.
Blood began to drip from his hand, but he didn’t blink.
He slammed his foot onto the table, leaning forward until his face was inches away from Leonard’s terrified eyes.
”What did you just say?” Killian growled.
”W-What are you doing?” Leonard panicked, trying to pull back.
Killian’s eyes began to glow with a brilliant, hellish blue light.
“If you cast even one more glance in her direction, I will personally gouge your eyes out.
The right to marry her, the right to love her, belongs solely and exclusively to me.”
He lunged forward, grabbing Leonard by the collar and hoisting him up.
“If you want to remain alive, you will leave this city before dawn tomorrow.
Do you understand me?”
Suddenly, the door burst open.
Evelyn rushed in, her face pale.
“Killian!
What is going on?!”
Killian instantly dropped Leonard, his expression melting into a gentle, fake smile.
“It is nothing, Evelyn.
I was merely…
giving him some advice.”
Leonard, shaking with fear, stuttered, “Y-Yes, sister…
he was just…
explaining things to me.”
’Sister?’ Evelyn thought, her confusion mounting.
‘Since when did they become that close?’
”What happened?” Killian asked, turning to her.
Evelyn looked at him, her heart thumping.
“Maria just came to my room.
She says Sebastian has collapsed again.
Come quickly!”
”What?” Killian’s face went deadly serious.
“Let’s go!”
He rushed past them, leaving Leonard paralyzed in terror, the air in the room heavy with the coming storm.
The final countdown was no longer just a figure of speech—it had begun.
Thank you for reading!
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