NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36: COZY
By this time... The night air outside the dome felt cooler, brushing against their skin as they walked. Selene slowed when they spotted Evelis waiting near the outer path.
"Selene," he greeted with a nod, then his sharp eyes swept over the group.
"You did great out there," Evelis said casually, his gaze landing squarely on Miyu.
Her head dipped almost immediately, cheeks flushing again. She didn't know how much longer she could take hearing that praise, not when she knew the truth. Her fingers tightened at her robe as her eyes darted sideways.
For a fleeting second, her gaze met Eran's. That quiet smirk was still there, curling like a secret only they shared. The moment lasted no longer than a breath before she snapped her head forward, as though nothing had happened.
Selene's voice broke the silence. Soft but unyielding. "You wouldn't wait for me here if this wasn't urgent."
The golden light on His palm pulsed once, then shrank into a thin, ember-like glow before fading. His jaw tightened as he spoke. "The parchment arrived early," his tone roughened, as though the words scraped his throat. "But that isn't why I remained."
"You won't see me in the hall tomorrow," he said simply, voice steady. "I'll be away for the day. The parchment will still need signatures, so keep record."
Selene raised a brow at him, curious. "Already handled?"
"I told Nyssa earlier," he replied, brushing faint dust from his sleeve with that practiced, careless gesture of his. "This is just me letting you know before I leave. I'd rather not have the record speak for me when I'm not there to do it myself."
Selene's lips curved faintly at the corner, not quite a smile, but close. "Dire's noted. I'll make sure the others know."
Evelis gave a small nod, his golden eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "Good. There's no need to delay tomorrow's schedule on my account."
Then, without another word, he stepped aside, letting them pass toward the chambers.
Eran's gaze followed, calm, unreadable. The exchange barely stirred his expression, though something sharper flickered in the depths of his eyes. He could tell Selene was holding something back, a conversation meant for later, meant for him.
Selene's glance shifted his way, just for an instant, as though to confirm what he already knew.
He didn't speak, only let a faint smirk tug at the corner of his lips before looking ahead again, his stride unbroken.
Miyu walked just behind him, her head slightly bowed. The praise from earlier still burned against her pride, each step making it harder to breathe evenly. And when Eran's gaze brushed hers again — fleeting, wordless, her chest tightened, heat rising until she had to look away.
He said nothing. He didn't need to.
When they finally reached the chamber hall, Selene slowed her pace, letting her gaze sweep over the corridor with the unhurried confidence of someone who knew she was being watched. The marble floor gleamed under the soft lamplight, throwing pale gold reflections across her robe with each step.
She stopped just short of the first door and turned... first to Miyu, then to Eran, her expression unreadable save for the faintest ghost of a smile tugging at her lips.
"This," she said, gesturing gracefully toward the polished door, "will be your room for the night."
Her words drifted into the quiet hum of the hall, where faint voices of other nobles murmured beyond the curve of the corridor. talking, laughing, and bickering about the day's events. It was all so casual, so noisy, like the buzzing of flies that didn't know they were one swat away from silence.
Eran glanced down the hallway, calm and unbothered. "Cozy," he murmured under his breath, just loud enough.
Miyu heard it. Of course she did. Her head snapped toward him, her glare sharp, pride prickling like a live current under her skin.
He didn't flinch. Didn't even blink, just held her stare with that same infuriatingly calm, unreadable expression.
Her chest tightened. Heat prickled up her throat until she broke eye contact, then turned sharply, and disappeared into her chamber. The door clicked shut, not slammed, but firm enough to betray the tension she tried to hide.
Eran's mouth twitched, just enough to betray the smirk he didn't bother to show.
Now it was just him and Selene.
The hallway seemed to quiet, as if sensing something about to shift. Selene's gaze lingered on the closed door for a beat before sliding back to Eran.
This time, neither of them looked away.
Selene's lips curved, slow and deliberate, not just knowing, but daring. "Come with me," she said at last, her tone light but with a thread of something that almost teased.
Eran arched a brow, head tilting slightly. "That an order?"
Her smile deepened, soft and dangerous at once. "Would you prefer it to be?"
He huffed a low laugh, sharp and quiet, and let his weight shift lazily onto one leg. "Lead the way, Commander."
She turned without another word, her robe whispering against the floor as she moved, and he followed... until the door closed behind them with a soft, final click.
The chamber was warm, lit softly by the golden lantern above. Eran shut the door behind them, and the faint click echoed like the room itself acknowledged they were alone.
Selene didn't bother with formality, she slipped off her outer robe and tossed it lazily over the nearest chair before turning to him with that familiar, faintly amused look.
"You really like walking behind me like you don't have a care in the world," she teased, brushing a stray lock of hair back.
Eran leaned casually against the wall, arms folded, smirk tugging at his lips. "Maybe I just like the view."
Selene stepped closer until her warmth brushed against him, her faint smile curving softer.
"It's all yours, Eran," she said lightly, voice smooth, almost like a whisper meant just for him.
Eran didn't move from where he leaned, just let that amused smirk settle on his face as his eyes stayed on her.
Selene chuckled low, stepping closer, her fingers brushing lightly against the edge of the table as she passed it. "I know I put you in quite the danger today," she murmured, her gaze flicking up to meet his, "out there in training…"
He chuckled, finally pushing off the wall and closing the space between them. His hand lifted, fingers brushing lightly against her cheek. "You were watching?"
Selene's breath caught, her lashes lowering just slightly before she let a faint smile curve her lips. She closed the distance herself, leaning into him until her body brushed his, her voice soft and teasing.
"I only tried to make sure you build that mana core," she said, words carrying that light, playful edge.
He tilted his head at her, calm as ever. "I know, and i did miss you."
The words made her pause just long enough for her smile to soften before she let out a quiet laugh. "Good. Then don't keep me waiting next time."
Their closeness lingered in the quiet, playful but warm, a natural ease that felt like the world outside the room didn't exist.