NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: He Was So Handsome
As the king concluded his announcement, a wave of applause swept through the grand hall. The grandeur of the moment seemed to fill everyone with excitement—everyone except Aria.
She stood quietly at a corner in the hall, her hands folded tightly in front of her to steady her trembling fingers. The talk of Kalden Veyl, the mysterious guest, and the return of her eldest Adopted brother had ignited an unease in her that she couldn't quite shake.
She turned and slipped out of the hall before anyone noticed her departure. Her footsteps echoed faintly down the empty corridor, and the further she went, the heavier her heart felt.
All the whispers and conversations swirling around her in the hall, the praise for her brothers, the excitement for the upcoming ceremonies, were stark reminders of her own invisibility.
No one would ever celebrate me like that, she thought bitterly. She quickened her pace, wanting nothing more than to retreat to the quiet solitude of her room. But as she rounded the corner, she nearly collided with one of the maids carrying a tray of wine.
"Oh, excuse me," Aria said automatically, stepping aside.
The maid, however, sneered. "You should watch where you're going, Lady Aria. Or should I say maid Aria? Your clumsiness knows no bounds, does it?"
Aria's jaw tightened. She wanted to retort, but years of being put down had taught her to pick her battles. "I'll be more careful next time," she said evenly, brushing past the maid.
The maid's voice followed her down the hall. "Careful? What a joke. If only you had been born with even a shred of grace, perhaps you wouldn't be such a disgrace to the royal family."
Aria's steps faltered, the words striking a nerve. Disgrace. The insult hung in the air, heavier than she wanted to admit. Her throat tightened, but she refused to let the maid see her cry.
She forced herself to keep walking, her head held high, but by the time she reached her room, the weight of the day had become unbearable. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it and exhaled shakily. Why is it always like this? she wondered. No matter how hard she tried, she would always be the family's punching bag.
The stifling atmosphere of her room only amplified her sorrow. Desperate for air, for some kind of solace, she decided to head to the garden. The cool night breeze might help calm her troubled heart. She slipped out of her room, her footsteps silent on the marble floors, and made her way toward the garden.
The moon hung high in the sky, its silver light spilling over the castle grounds. The garden was serene, the gentle rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of crickets creating a peaceful symphony. Aria inhaled deeply, the crisp night air soothing her frayed nerves.
She made her way toward the stone bench near the fountain, but as she approached, she froze. A figure was standing there, half-shrouded in the shadows.
It was a man.
Aria's heart leapt into her throat. The man was tall, his broad shoulders draped in a long black coat that swayed slightly in the breeze. The faint moonlight illuminated his features, and Aria found herself momentarily breathless. His chiseled jaw, high cheekbones, and piercing crimson red eyes made him look almost Godworthy.
His red waist length hair fluttered in the wind, and his expression was cold, as if he were carved from stone.
Who was he? she thought, panic bubbling in her chest. A thief? An assassin?
Steeling herself, she stepped forward. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice firmer than she felt. "What are you doing here? This is private property!"
The man turned to face her fully, his crimson eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, he said nothing, merely regarding her with a calm indifference that made her skin prickle.
"Are you deaf?" she snapped, taking a step closer. "I asked who you are!" She didn't know where this new found confidence came from, but at this moment she didn't care.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "And who are you to question me?" he asked, his voice low and smooth, yet chillingly detached.
Aria's temper flared. "Who am I? I'm the one who caught you sneaking around where you don't belong! Now answer the question before I call the guards."
The man chuckled softly, the sound both amused and condescending. "Call the guards?" He took a deliberate step toward her, the movement unhurried yet commanding. "Are you sure that's wise, little lady?"
His tone sent a shiver down her spine, but she forced herself to stand her ground. "Are you threatening me?" she asked, her voice rising slightly.
"Threats?" he said with a faint tilt of his head. "I don't need to resort to such things. You should think carefully before accusing someone you can't afford to offend."
The weight of his words sank into her chest like a stone. She faltered for a moment, the realization dawning on her that this man might not be an ordinary intruder. But her little shred of pride wouldn't let her back down.
"Someone I can't afford to offend?" she repeated mockingly, even as her pulse quickened. "Then perhaps you should explain why you're trespassing before I assume the worst."
The man's smile widened, as he walked closer to her making Aria step back continuously, but before he could respond, Aria stumbled backward, her heel catching on the edge of the fountain. She let out a small gasp, bracing herself for the fall, but it never came.
A strong hand gripped her wrist, pulling her upright with surprising ease. For a brief moment, they were close—too close. His cool breath brushed against her skin, and she was acutely aware of his piercing gaze, the faint scent of something dark and intoxicating lingering around him.
"You're more stupid than I expected," he murmured, in a velvety voice, his tone neutral but his words biting. "Are all the royal brats this uncoordinated?"
Aria jerked her arm free, her cheeks burning with humiliation and anger. "You—!"
"Careful," he said smoothly, cutting her off. "It would be a shame if you fell again."
Her anger flared, but before she could retort, he stepped back and raised a hand. A faint shimmer of light surrounded him, and her eyes widened as his form began to dissolve into the air like mist.
And then he was gone.
Aria stared at the empty space where he had stood, her heart racing. Her mind struggled to process what had just happened. He used magic. High-level magic. He had disappeared!!!
Her knees felt weak, and she sank onto the stone bench, her thoughts spiraling. Who was he? And how could someone so powerful be here, unnoticed? Besides what was he even doing here!?
Her cheeks flushed as another thought crossed her mind: He's… the most handsome man I've ever seen. Ten times more striking than Eric, whom she had once thought was the epitome of beauty.
She shook her head vigorously. "What am I even thinking?" she muttered. "Dreaming about some… thief—or whatever he was. Ridiculous."
With a deep sigh, she leaned back against the bench. Despite the chaos of the encounter, she realized her heart felt lighter. The sadness that had weighed on her earlier had somehow faded, replaced by a strange sense of calm. Without her even knowing
The garden seemed quieter now, the night air cooler. Gathering herself, Aria rose and made her way back to her room.