CHAPTER 250: 250: PRETTY GRAND

And as Adrian watched Eden, he couldn’t help the smile that lingered on his lips.

A smile that warmed him as he watched him. A smile that made him realize that something about Eden had changed in his view forever.

Leo had a stoic expression on, but he clearly couldn’t take his eyes off Eden.

His attire, his face, his eyes, his smiles. He couldn’t help but stare as memories took over his brain.

He should be thinking about books he had read. Books he wanted to analyze. He knew he should be thinking about new knowledge he wanted to explore and write about. But right now, his mind only thought about the person in his view; Eden.

The memories of their interaction last time filled his mind. The thought of how Eden had pestered around him with his bubbly nature, the way he had smiled at him amidst his cold threats. The warm words Eden had shared with him regarding his insomnia situation even though he had acted cold to pretend as if he didn’t care. The way Eden had put him to sleep. The warm feeling he got when he woke up. The warm laughter on Eden’s face when he showed him the explicit pictures.

All these thoughts came crashing down into his mind. And suddenly he felt something in his heart flutter as he watched Eden smile.

He placed a hand over his chest as he cleared his throat, his expression still cold. He stared at Eden again and his heart fluttered.

He didn’t understand what was wrong with him, but he was scared to even acknowledge whatever it was. Because whatever this feeling was was dangerous to him. He knew it.

Whatever it was was something that was going to pin him down to the Wizard of EL. And that was the last thing he wanted.

But as he stared at Eden, watched him smile, he couldn’t help whatever the heart was telling him at that moment.

And he hated that feeling, coupled with the memories that came with it. Memories he didn’t know he was holding onto dearly.

****

Eden and Lysander made their way to Queen Lea and King Edward, who didn’t seem so pleased to see the two of them together. But Eden had drifted away, taking another route as Lysander went to meet his parents.

"Sorry we’re late," Lysander said with a smile, staring at his father who had a cold expression on.

Everyone still had eyes on them, muttering. So the King knew he had to keep his cool.

Queen Lea smiled. "Don’t mention it. As long as you’re here, that’s what matters after all."

Eden stood alone, pouring himself a drink at a corner while ignoring the endless eyes on him and the nobles that were already drifting further away.

He stood there, poured himself a drink, and was about to sip it down when someone took the glass away from him.

"It’s improper to start drinking when the event hasn’t started," Adrian sipped on the wine. "The couples aren’t even engaged yet."

Eden stared at him and then looked at where Elvis and Cordelia were standing with the priest, getting ready for the ceremony.

Eden and Elvis’s eyes met as Eden looked around and met Adrian’s cocky smile. "I’m not here for any engagement, so it doesn’t matter. I’m here for the drinks," he smiled as he took back the glass and drank from it.

Adrian smiled, staring at him. "It feels like it’s been ages since we met. And you become even prettier. What now? Are you using some magic spells for your skin now?"

"It’s skincare," Eden said.

"Skin..? What?" Adrian raised an eyebrow. "And the paint on the face... are you secretly a lady or something?"

Eden cast him a cold glare. "Not only ladies wear make-up. What do you know?" He muttered as he drank another glass.

Eden looked up and caught sight of Leo standing alone a distance away, drinking. He didn’t seem to be staring at him. He looked like one who was occupied with thoughts.

Eden was pretty surprised Adrian and Leo even came. They didn’t seem like they would. But then again, he felt they came for him. Strangely.

With a smile, Eden left to meet Leo, who was standing alone.

"A toast?" He raised his glass to Leo.

Leo paused and stared down at Eden, his glass of wine in hand.

Leo’s eyes subconsciously fell on Eden’s face as he stood before him. His smile, still beaming. For a while, Leo couldn’t take his eyes away. And he couldn’t stop his mind from "admiring" Eden and finding him pretty.

Strangely. It was as though he had no control of his mind anymore. For now.

"Hey?" Eden waved a hand over his face. "Are you okay?"

Leo closed his eyes, inhaled, and then exhaled. He then opened his eyes and drank the glass of wine empty.

Eden scoffed. "Still so cold. You’re glad I’m a good person and not holding a grudge against you. You almost killed me after helping you the last time, remember? How ungrateful." He muttered as he drank from his glass.

"Go ahead and hold a grudge then," Leo said, looking around without staring at Eden.

Eden sighed. "I didn’t know you were this childish though. Thought you were the most sensible amongst the male leads. Guess I judged too soon," he shrugged.

Leo stared at him. "What is it?"

Eden smiled. "Nothing. I just came to check up on you. And see if you slept well. And if you still need the information I told you I got..."

Leo was silent as he stared at him. He cleared his throat and then said, "Nevermind. I can just kill you and get what I want in the end. The crown prince is getting married and will leave for the Empire soon; you won’t have anyone to protect you. So that’d be my chance to strike," He said.

"Are you sure about that, Grand Duke?" Adrian asked as he walked up to them, placing a hand over Eden’s waist.