My Fiance In Disguise

Chapter 13

The grand hall of the Duke and Duchess’s estate echoed with the lingering silence after the departure of their guests.

Only Devin and Camellia remained, the opulent living room a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within them both.

The Duke and Duchess, summoned urgently by the Empress to the Celestial Palace, had left in a flurry of whispered anxieties, their departure leaving a vacuum of unease.

Kael, burdened by the weight of the upcoming announcement at the Celestial Academy – a year-long suspension of classes due to the still-unrepaired barrier – had already departed, his footsteps echoing the growing sense of uncertainty that permeated the air.

Even Zephyr, usually a constant presence, had slipped away unnoticed, his mission shrouded in secrecy: the search for a crucial witness to know why did Camellia parents abandoned her for what reason?.

The air crackled with unspoken tension, the silence heavy with the weight of unsaid words and unresolved feelings.

Camellia, perched on a plush velvet chaise lounge, nervously adjusted the delicate lace at her collar, her gaze fixed on the intricate Persian rug beneath her feet.

The silence stretched, thick and heavy with unspoken tension, a stark contrast to the boisterous gathering that had just concluded.

Devin, usually a whirlwind of playful taunts and irritating charm, stood awkwardly before her, his usual swagger replaced by an almost hesitant stillness.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his gaze darting around the room, avoiding her eyes.

The silence stretched, punctuated only by the rhythmic ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner, each tick a hammer blow against the fragile peace of the moment.

Finally, he cleared his throat, the sound surprisingly soft. "Hey... I... I just want to say... Sorry," he mumbled, the words barely audible above the tick-tock of the clock. The unexpected apology hung in the air, fragile and tentative, a stark contrast to his usual confident bravado.

Camellia, mid-protest, was taken aback. "I said stop calling me a…" she began, her voice sharp with indignation, the unfinished insult hanging in the air like a half-formed threat. The unexpected apology, so unlike Devin’s usual behavior, left her momentarily speechless.

She stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief, a mixture of confusion and cautious hope swirling within her.

He continued, his voice gaining a little strength, "I know I've been a… a jerk. A complete and utter…" he searched for the right word, settling on, "...imbecile. I haven't treated you with the respect you deserve," he admitted, his voice laced with genuine remorse.

He paused, taking a deep breath, the silence stretching between them, thick with unspoken emotions. "And for that, I am truly sorry." The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his past actions, a sincere attempt at atonement.

Camellia stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Wait… Did I hear that right… You just… apologized…?" She couldn't quite believe it. This was the Devin who constantly teased her, who called her names, who seemed to revel in her frustration.

This was a completely different person, a stranger in familiar clothing. The transformation was so complete, so unexpected, that it left her momentarily speechless.

Devin nodded, his gaze finally meeting hers. "Yes… I did… Jasmine… From now on, I'll be a good fiancé to you… And I swear not to tease you when you’re in a bad mood. I promise to protect you, okay…" He looked genuinely contrite, a stark contrast to his usual playful demeanor.

The sincerity in his voice, so unlike his usual flippant tone, left Camillia speechless. A wave of confusion washed over her, leaving her utterly disoriented. He stood up, approaching her with a hesitant grace she'd never witnessed before.

He gently patted her head, the gesture surprisingly tender, a stark contrast to his usual boisterous behavior. She looked up at him, her expression a mixture of bewilderment and cautious hope.

"Are you possessed by a ghost or something…?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, still struggling to process this unexpected turn of events. The question, though laced with humor, betrayed her underlying uncertainty.

A soft chuckle escaped Devin's lips. "No, I'm not… But I'm possessed by a beautiful grandma…" he said, a hint of his usual teasing slipping back into his voice, but this time, it felt different, lighter, less malicious. The playful jab was tempered by a genuine warmth that reached her heart.

Camellia's mind raced. Did this chicken just call me beautiful? Did he eat something unusual that made him change his attitude towards me…?The thought amused her, a flicker of light in the darkness of her uncertainty.

The absurdity of the situation, the unexpected tenderness, the sheer unexpectedness of it all, began to chip away at her defenses.

He knelt before her, taking her hands in his. The unexpected intimacy sent a blush creeping up her neck. He's kinda cute when he's not being a total jerk… Wait, what am I thinking? Wake up, Camellia! she chided herself internally, trying to regain her composure.

The internal conflict raged, a battle between her ingrained skepticism and a hesitant flicker of something new.

"I just realized…" Devin began, his voice low and earnest,

"that I should be the one protecting you, not Zephyr. I feel guilty… So I decided to stay here and protect you until the barrier is fixed… Okay… So don't be stubborn… Tomorrow we will start your sword training, archery, combat and many more…"

He looked at her intently, waiting for her response, his gaze filled with a sincerity she couldn't quite deny.

Camellia pouted, crossing her arms defensively. "What do you think of me…? A soldier…? Hey… Wake up! I'm a young lady… And I can use water and Ice magic…"

she retorted, a touch of her usual spirit returning, a defiant shield against the unexpected vulnerability she felt.

Devin smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that melted away the last vestiges of her skepticism.

"Yes, but magic isn't limited… Also, I trust you can learn all this. I'll guide you all the way… Okay, grandma…"

He leaned in, his breath ghosting against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Then, unexpectedly, he kissed her cheek before rising to his feet.

The teasing returned, but it felt different now, lighter, less malicious. "I'll move in tomorrow. I just have some unfinished business… Don't miss me too much,"

he said, a playful glint in his eyes. The words, though laced with his usual playful banter, held a different undercurrent, a genuine warmth that reached her heart.

Camellia, still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions, snapped out of her reverie. "As if… Don't worry, you would never even come to my mind…"

she retorted, her voice a little sharper than she intended, a defensive mechanism against the unexpected vulnerability she felt.

He looked back, a playful wink in his eyes as he walked away. "Okay, if you say so…"

Alone once more, Camellia touched her cheek, the lingering warmth of his kiss a tangible reminder of the unexpected turn of events. She unconsciously smiled, then quickly wiped her cheek, a blush blooming anew.

"Why am I even smiling? Nonsense… That chicken is just messing around…" she muttered, but the smile remained, a stubborn, happy defiance against her own denial.

The seeds of something new, something unexpected, had been sown, and even Camellia couldn't entirely ignore their burgeoning growth.

The future remained uncertain, but for the first time, the uncertainty felt less frightening, more… exciting.