Chapter 363
ALEXANDER
I held her gaze for a moment after I smiled, letting everything she had said settle properly this time instead of reacting to it too quickly.
She meant it.
That was the part that stayed with me.
+25 Points
Not just the words–but the way she said them. The steadiness. The decision behind it. She wasn’t running from it. She wasn’t denying it either.
She was… choosing not to let it bother her.
And I wasn’t sure if that made me feel better or worse.
My hand moved from where it rested at her waist, sliding up slowly until my fingers brushed lightly against her arm–a small touch. I didn’t want to pull her out of whatever balance she had managed to find tonight.
But I also wasn’t going to pretend I was completely okay with it.
“Well, whatever the case may be… you don’t have to figure it out alone,” I said finally.
Her eyes stayed on mine, watching me, like she was trying to decide what I was going to say next before I said it.
I let out a quiet breath.
I’m not saying you should panic,” I added. “Or… go back to that place.”
Because I knew exactly what that place looked like.
had seen it.
Lived through it with her.
And I wouldn’t ask her to go through that again.
My thumb brushed absentmindedly against her arm, a slow, steady motion.
“But if it gets too much…” I continued, my voice lowering just slightly, “or if you feel like something’s off in
a way you can’t ignore-”
I paused, not because I didn’t know what to say, but because I wanted her to actually hear it.
Not just listen.
“Tell me.”
Simple.
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My hand shifted slightly, resting more firmly at her side now–not holding her in place, just there.
“I’m here,” I said. “For whatever you need.”
I didn’t dress it up.
Didn’t try to make it sound bigger than it was.
She already knew what I meant.
“If you want to talk, we’ll talk,” I went on. “If you don’t, that’s fine too. But don’t just… shut me out
completely and deal with anything on your own.”
I knew her.
+25 Points
I knew how easily she could slip into that space where she carried everything by herself and acted like it
didn’t touch her.
FAYE
The smell of food carried into the hallway before I even stepped into the dining room.
The quiet movement, the low clink of plates being arranged, the soft murmur of voices as the table was
being set–it was the kind of morning that usually passed without thought.
But today-
It didn’t sit right.
I stepped into the room, my gaze moving across the long table as it was being laid out. Plates were
already arranged in place, cutlery aligned neatly beside them. One of the younger staff members adjusted a glass slightly, making sure it matched the others.
At the center, Martha was setting down the main dish.
I slowed as I approached, my eyes settling on it.
Flatbread.
Stew.
Fruit arranged neatly to the side.
My brows pulled together slightly.
“What is this?” I asked.
Martha looked up at me, her hand still resting lightly on the tray. Surprise flickered across her face, brief
but noticeable.
“Luna?” she said, like she wasn’t sure she had heard me right.
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I didn’t look at her.
My gaze stayed on the food.
“What is this?” I repeated.
This time, clearer.
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Martha straightened a little, quickly recovering. “It’s breakfast, Luna,” she said respectfully. “Flatbread and
vegetable stew, with fruit on the side.”
She gestured lightly to the table as she spoke.
I nodded once.
Slow.
“And you just… made it?” I asked.
There was a small pause.
“Yes, Luna,” she replied carefully.
Something in my chest tightened.
“You didn’t think to ask me first?” I said.
Now I looked at her.
Martha blinked, clearly trying to follow. “Ask you… what, Luna?”
“What I wanted,” I said.
The words came out flat.
Simple.
But heavier than they should have been.
A few of the others slowed, their movements quieter now, their attention shifting without being obvious
about it.
Martha’s expression softened slightly, concern replacing the confusion. “I’m sorry, Luna,” she said. “I
thought, since it was what’s on the menu, I could prepare it as usual.”
As usual.
That settled wrong.
“You thought,” I repeated.
My fingers curled slightly at my side.
“You didn’t think to check?” I asked.
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+25 Points
Martha lowered her gaze briefly, then looked back up. “I didn’t realize I needed to, Luna,” she said. “But I
should have asked. I apologize.”
The apology was there.
Clear.
Respectful.
It should have ended it, but it didn’t.
Because something in me didn’t ease… didn’t settle.
If anything, it tightened.
“You should have,” I said.
My voice dropped slightly.
“I didn’t want this,” I added.
Martha nodded quickly. “I understand, Luna. I can prepare something else right away.”
“That’s not the point,” I said.
The words came out sharper.
I heard it.
But I didn’t stop.
“It’s not about fixing it now,” I continued. “It’s about the fact that you didn’t ask in the first place.”
“I’m sorry, Luna,” she said again.
“You’re just making excuses now,” I said.
Martha blinked, taken aback. “No, Luna, I-”
“Yes, you are,” I cut in.
The words landed harder this time.
“You’re explaining instead of just admitting it,” I added.
Her lips parted slightly, like she wanted to respond–wanted to clarify something.
“I’ve already-”
“Let me finish.” My voice rose.
Not loud enough to be a shout.
But sharp enough to cut through the room.
Everything stilled.
–
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Martha went quiet immediately, her posture straightening, her attention fully on me now.
My chest rose and fell slowly.
That pressure–it spiked again.
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“I gave you a position here,” I said, my voice steadier now but still carrying that edge. “That comes with responsibility. You don’t just follow routine without thinking. You check when it matters.”
“Yes, Luna,” she said softly.
“And this mattered,” I added.
“I understand.”
Something about the way she said it made that irritation twist again.
Like it wasn’t enough.
Like nothing she said was good enough.
She drew a breath, like she was about to speak again.
“I can-”
“I said let me finish.”
This time-
It came out louder.
And the moment the words left my mouth, both doors beside the dining hall slammed shut.
Hard.
It was so loud the sound cracked through the room, echoing against the walls.
古
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
