Chapter 6
1082 Words
Adele's POV
My cheeks still burned from stepping on Draven's feet. Twice.
The memory refused to leave my head no matter how hard I tried to focus on the ballroom around me.
Music continued to flow through the hall amd the air smelled of expensive perfume and wine.
It was suffocating.
I forced another smile at an elderly duchess speaking about summer estates, though I barely understood half the conversation.
Every second inside the ballroom felt like another chance to expose myself. I glanced toward the towering golden clock near the musicians.
Please end soon.
My cheeks ached from smiling, and my mind hurt from lying.
A servant approached carrying a silver tray filled with sparkling drinks.
"My Lady."
I grabbed one without hesitation and drank it down, letting it soothe my dry throat.
Then the room began to feel strange.
At first, I blamed exhaustion. Then voices started blending and laughter echoed strangely inside my ears.
Maybe I skipped too many meals today.
I quietly stepped away from the crowd before anyone noticed.
The farther I moved from the ballroom, the quieter the manor became.
Cool air brushed against my skin as I walked through dim hallways lined with portraits and candlelight.
I pressed a hand against the wall. My head felt heavy.
Something was wrong with me.
I pushed open the nearest door without thinking. It was a bedroom, but it didn't look like the one I was given.
A massive bed stood near the windows while low candlelight flickered across black marble walls.
"What a night," I muttered, dropping onto the bed.
Draven stood beside the table in nothing except dark trousers hanging low against his hips.
Water clung to his skin, still glistening under the light.
My breath caught in my throat. My eyes stayed on him longer than I meant to.
His cold eyes slowly lifted toward me. For one horrible second, neither of us moved.
Then his gaze narrowed.
"What makes you think you can enter my private room without permission?" he asked calmly.
"You look so gorgeous tonight."
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
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Draven's POV
My grip tightened around her before she could collapse completely.
For a moment, irritation came first. It was another carefully staged act from my mysterious little bride.
Her breathing brushed unevenly against my chest as she tried to steady herself.
"I did not realise noblewomen in Arkwell seduced men by wandering into their bedroom," I said coldly.
Adele blinked up at me slowly.
"I wasn't trying to seduce you," she mumbled weakly. "I can barely see straight."
I studied her face carefully.
Flushed skin, unfocused pupils.
My expression hardened instantly. She has been drugged.
"Who served you tonight?" I asked sharply.
Her brows pulled together weakly.
"What?"
"The drink," I said. "Who handed it to you?"
She pressed trembling fingers against her temple.
"A servant... maybe..." Her words slurred slightly. "There were too many people."
Damn it.
I laid her carefully against the bed before pouring a glass of water.
I was about to hand it to her when her fingers suddenly brushed against my bare chest.
"It feels unfair for someone so stern to look this good," she murmured.
I quickly stepped back and reached for the black jacket resting nearby, pulling it over my shoulders.
"You should not say things like that," I said calmly.
"Why?" she whispered.
Because men far kinder than I would misunderstand.
Instead, I remained silent.
Her gaze drifted lower, and tension coiled through me.
I walked back toward her and lifted the glass carefully toward her lips.
"Drink."
She obeyed without complaint, gulping down the water while staring up at me with unfocused eyes.
Dangerous little Demon.
Her grip on my sleeve slowly loosened afterward.
The fight inside her faded little by little as exhaustion finally dragged her under.
Within minutes, her breathing softened into a steady rhythm.
She looked strangely peaceful asleep.
The room stayed quiet long after the night had ended.
Adele lay on the bed where I left her, as the morning light slipped through the curtains, cutting across her face.
She stirred slowly. Her fingers moved first, then her lashes fluttered open.
She looked around the room, confused.
"Where am I?" she murmured, her voice rough from sleep.
She pushed herself up, eyes scanning the space again. Then her gaze landed on me.
Recognition hit late as her body stiffened.
"What…" She paused. "Why am I here?"
I stood near the window, arms folded.
"You entered my room last night," I said. "Uninvited."
There was silence and then her eyes widened slightly as fragments of last night returned.
"No," she whispered.
I watched her carefully. "Yes."
Her hand slowly lifted to her mouth.
"I… I didn't—" She stopped. Then buried her face in her hands. "I didn't mean to act like that."
I said nothing.
She stayed frozen for a long moment before pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
"Did you…," she hesitated, afraid to ask.
"The maids changed your clothes. I had no interest in doing it myself."
Relief washed across her face. I only rolled my eyes.
I stepped out of the room quietly, shutting the door behind me.
Three maids immediately dropped to their knees the moment they saw me.
"The maid in the middle spoke quickly, head lowered. 'My name is Elara, My Lord. Please forgive Lady Liora. We tried to warn her not to drink too much last night, but she refused.'"
"Another maid spoke, voice tight. 'I am Bella. It is true. She became intoxicated and wandered into your chambers.'"
"Please do not punish her for last night," the third maid said softly. "She meant no disrespect."
Silence followed.
I studied them carefully.
Their story had already been arranged before I stepped outside.
"However my wife chooses to spend her evening is none of your concern," I said coldly.
Their shoulders stiffened.
"And she is my wife," I continued. "Of course, our night was meant to be shared."
The maids quickly lowered their heads further.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"N-No, My Lord."
"Of course not, My Lord."
"We are happy for you both."
The maid standing in the middle smiled with the others, but her fingers curled tightly against her skirt.
Hatred flashed across her face for only a second before disappearing again.
'So I have found who drugged Liora. I will study them next. Same as the fake Liora on my bed.'
- Writer
