A Royal Scandal

4. Searching for Someone

~VALERIANA~

"Ah," I groaned, my head pounding as if it might split in two. A hangover. I should have drunk less last night.

I stumbled out of bed, disoriented, my hand brushing over the bedside table. The clock read 11. Seriously?

I slept through the entire morning. God.

"Duchess, the princess asked us to deliver this lemonade to you," a maid announced as she entered the room, her voice soft but efficient.

Eva knows me too well.

"Just leave it there," I muttered, still clutching my head. I made my way to the bathroom, brushing my teeth quickly before sipping the lemonade, feeling the cool liquid soothe my parched throat.

By the time Eva and I sat down for lunch, it was already past noon. I was starving.

"So, how was Elora?" Eva asked, nibbling at her food.

"Good," I replied absentmindedly, my thoughts wandering back to Tristan. He would have been a perfect distraction, but alas.

Still, I want to try my luck.

"I’m going to Red Affair tonight too, Eva," I said, keeping my focus on my meal.

"No!" Eva's voice was firm, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes. "We have to be at the palace tomorrow, Val."

"I’ll manage," I reassured her, not looking up.

"You’re a duchess. You can’t just waltz into clubs."

"Is there a law in Elora that forbids duchesses from going to clubs?" I challenged her.

"There is," she replied, her tone calm, as if delivering a fact I should have known.

"There is?" My stomach dropped, and a cold wave of panic washed over me. Had I really broken some kind of rule?

Eva shrugged, a small, teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Just teasing. But don’t forget about tomorrow’s meeting," she added, her voice turning serious again.

Thank Goodness.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. In a burgundy half-shoulder dress and a half-ponytail, I was finally ready to visit Red Affair again. As soon as I entered the club, the vibrant energy of the crowd hit me—alive, electric, just as I remembered from the night before. I made my way to the same spot I sat in yesterday, my eyes scanning the room.

I wasn’t expecting anyone, but if he was here…

"Searching for someone?" A familiar voice suddenly cut through the noise, sending a thrill of excitement down my spine.

I turned, a grin pulling at my lips. "Nope," I replied, though I knew damn well who I was hoping to find.

Tristan stood there, leaning casually against the bar, his presence as magnetic as ever. The black blazer he wore made him look even more dangerous, a sharp contrast to his stormy eyes that seemed to pierce through the dim lighting.

"Good," he said, his voice deep and smooth, before walking over and sitting beside me, his eyes never leaving mine.

I wanted to see if he would be here and it seems my luck worked.

"I heard you paid for my tab," I started, trying to sound casual.

"Yeah," he answered, his thick accent adding a layer of intensity to the word.

"So now I’m indebted to you," I said with a smirk, feeling the heat rise in my chest.

His gaze darkened, his lips curling into a slow smile. "We can settle this off the table too," he murmured, his voice a low growl.

That was all it took.

Without waiting for him to make a move, I grabbed him by the collar, pulling him toward me. My lips crashed against his, hunger and urgency overwhelming every rational thought. His hand found my waist instantly, pulling me flush against him, and I melted into the kiss.

His hands roamed my back, fingers grazing the exposed skin of my dress. I tugged at his hair, pulling him closer, feeling the sharp sting of his teeth on my bottom lip. The taste of him—dangerous, intoxicating—was all I could think about.

I moaned into the kiss, and he deepened it, his body pressing harder against mine. It felt like we were two forces colliding, unstoppable. Finally, he broke the kiss, his forehead resting against mine as we both gasped for breath.

“Let's go somewhere else,” I said, my voice breathless, desperate.

“Back door,” he suggested, his hand already tugging me towards the back of the club.

We slipped through the shadows, unnoticed, until we reached the rear exit. A car was already parked near the door, waiting for us.

He was prepared. I like that.

I expected him to take me to a nearby hotel, but instead, he took his time driving to a villa. I guess it's his. Why the secrecy, though? He’s keeping me away from prying eyes—but not that I mind.

All my thoughts froze as he locked the door behind us. Without a word, he closed the distance between us, his lips finding mine once more. This time, his kiss was fiercer, more urgent, as if he were claiming me all over again.

My body responded instantly, every nerve on edge. His hands roamed, pulling me closer, and I couldn’t tell where I ended and he began. There was no room for hesitation, no time for anything but the feeling of him—his warmth, his taste, his presence.