BLOOD OATH

CHAPTER TEN: THE WRONG DIRECTION

CHAPTER TEN

THE WRONG DIRECTION

Three days remained before the wedding.

The entire empire had transformed overnight.

Servants hurried through every corridor carrying expensive fabrics, flower arrangements, expensive fabrics, and boxes of decorations.

The kitchens had become even busier than before.

Olivia stood at the center of the chaos, directing everyone with her usual calm authority.

"Move those vegetables."

"The desserts go to the east wing."

"Someone prepare another pot of broth."

No one dared slow down.

I silently tied my apron and began preparing breakfast.

The more people rushed around...

The happier I became.

Busy people overlooked details.

Busy guards became careless.

Busy empires fell.

...

"Isabella!"

Maria hurried over with a bright smile.

"Lady Xena is coming today."

"So?"

Maria gasped.

"So?"

"She's Young Master Cassian's fiancée!"

"I know."

"You don't sound excited."

"I don't feel excited."

She sighed dramatically.

"I don't know how someone can be this calm."

"I've been asking myself the same thing."

She laughed before hurrying away again.

...

Almost an hour later, the kitchen doors opened.

A graceful young woman entered with two maids behind her.

She wore a cream-colored dress embroidered with silver flowers.

Her smile was warm.

Too warm.

Every cook bowed respectfully.

"Good morning, Lady Xena."

"Good morning."

She greeted everyone politely before stopping in front of me.

"You must be Isabella."

"I am."

"I've heard wonderful things about your cooking."

I raised an eyebrow.

"From Cassian."

Interesting.

That beetroot had actually spoken about me.

"I hope you continue taking good care of him."

"I'll do my job."

She smiled.

"I know you will."

She thanked everyone once again before leaving the kitchen.

Maria watched her go dreamily.

"She's so elegant."

"Hm."

"And beautiful."

"Hm."

"And gentle."

"Hm."

Maria sighed.

"You really only know one word."

"I know plenty."

"You just refuse to use them."

...

By noon, lunch was ready.

I balanced the tray carefully before making my way toward Cassian's quarters.

The guards immediately recognized me.

"The chef."

I nodded.

"You may enter."

I walked inside.

Cassian sat on one sofa while Xena occupied the one opposite him.

The atmosphere...

Was awkward.

"I brought your lunch."

Cassian looked up.

"Perfect timing."

I walked toward the small dining table.

Xena smiled warmly.

"I've been telling Cassian he works too much."

"I don't."

"You do."

"I don't."

She sighed.

"You see?"

She looked at me.

"He never listens."

I ignored the conversation and placed the tray on the table.

"I'll excuse myself."

"You don't have to."

Cassian's voice stopped me.

"Please pour the tea first."

I nodded.

As I finished pouring the tea, Xena moved a little closer to him.

"You don't really have to stay away from me until the wedding."

Cassian rubbed his forehead.

"We've talked about this."

"I simply missed you."

"I've been busy."

I picked up the empty serving tray.

Time to leave.

I walked toward the door.

Placed my hand on the knob.

Twisted it.

Nothing.

I frowned.

I twisted harder.

Still nothing.

What kind of useless door was this?

I looked down at the handle.

Then twisted it again.

Nothing.

Behind me...

Silence.

I could feel someone watching.

I refused to turn around.

Perhaps the door was stuck.

I used both hands this time.

Twist.

Twist.

Twist.

Still nothing.

What was wrong with this ridiculous thing?

A quiet chuckle sounded behind me.

I ignored it.

I twisted even harder.

Suddenly...

Footsteps approached.

Cassian stopped beside me.

"You've been fighting the door for almost a minute."

"I know."

"It's not opening."

"...Because you're turning it the wrong way."

I looked at him.

"...There's a wrong way?"

He looked strangely amused.

"Move."

I stepped aside.

He reached past me and turned the handle in the opposite direction.

Click.

The door immediately opened.

"..."

Who designed doors like this?

Just as I prepared to walk away—

Cassian pulled the door open completely.

The sudden movement threw my balance forward.

My foot slipped.

Before I could steady myself—

I stumbled straight into him.

My forehead landed firmly against his chest.

Everything went still.

His heartbeat.

Steady.

Warm.

Strong.

For a brief second...

Neither of us moved.

I could hear it.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Why was it so loud?

Or...

Was that mine?

Realizing what had happened, I immediately pushed myself away.

"I—"

The words refused to come out.

Cassian looked equally surprised.

"You alright?"

I quickly straightened my dress.

"I'm fine."

He nodded once.

"Good."

That was all?

No embarrassment?

No teasing?

Just...

Good?

I frowned inwardly.

What a strange man.

Behind him, Xena had witnessed everything.

Although the fall had clearly been an accident...

Her smile had disappeared.

Only for a second.

Then it returned.

"I guess doors can be dangerous," she joked lightly.

I offered a small, awkward smile.

"Apparently."

Without waiting another second, I hurried out of the room.

The moment the door closed behind me, I pressed a hand against my chest.

"...What was that?"

Why had his heartbeat been the first thing I noticed?

I shook my head.

It had to be because I almost fell.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Inside the room, Xena quietly stirred her tea.

She smiled at Cassian.

Yet her thoughts were elsewhere.

She had seen the way Isabella froze.

And she had seen the way Cassian looked at her afterward.

Neither of them seemed to understand what had just happened.

But Xena...

For the first time...

Began to wonder if she should be worried.