CHAPTER 106: HOW CONSIDERATE!

Violet woke up, startled, feeling a firm pressure around her waist that left no doubt who it belonged to. She raised her head hesitantly, her eyes locking onto Cain’s face, only to notice the state of the room. The walls bore familiar claw marks, a chaotic tapestry of destruction. Yet, what unnerved her most was how silently the damage had been inflicted—so quiet that it hadn’t even disturbed her sleep.

Honestly, he can be pretty considerate when he wants to be, she thought, the observation as unsettling as it was true. Turning her gaze back to him, she was surprised to see Cain fast asleep. His chest rose and fell steadily, and the firm grip he had on her had slackened ever so slightly.

Curiosity got the better of her as she leaned in closer, suspicious that he might only be feigning sleep. The moment her face drew near, his eyes snapped open, golden-brown irises gleaming with sharp awareness. Before she could react, Cain leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, a gesture so gentle it left her utterly stunned.

A boyish, almost innocent smile graced his lips. For a moment, Violet found herself caught in the contrast of his expression—a face so capable of cruelty now radiating tenderness. It disarmed her completely.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, his voice gentle and sincere. Violet, too shocked to respond properly, nodded without thinking. Scrambling off the bed, she blurted the first excuse that came to mind.

"I need to use the bathroom," she whispered hurriedly, darting away before he could say anything else. Her hands clutched her chest as she tried to calm the wild racing of her heart. The image of Cain, his robe slightly undone to reveal the defined lines of his broad chest, combined with that innocent smile, was too much to handle.

Why is he being so gentle all of a sudden? she wondered, her mind circling back to when Cain had mentioned they were lovers and needed to act accordingly. Was this what he meant? Did he genuinely think of her as his lover? The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

Violet gritted her teeth, forcing herself to remember the man Cain truly was—the man who had almost killed her without hesitation. Shit. I can’t even talk to him without wondering if he’s going to snap and growl at me.

The memory of him tearing the doctor apart in a blood-soaked frenzy made her stomach churn. She ran to the bathroom, expecting to vomit, but nothing came.

He’s not a good person, Violet, she reminded herself harshly. No matter how gentle he acted now, she couldn’t forget the monster lurking beneath. She had to stay—if only to protect her family—but the moment an opportunity to escape presented itself, she vowed she would take it.

Steeling her resolve, Violet quickly bathed, dressed, and secured the band around her neck. Its effect altered her voice, maintaining the illusion that she was a male servant. Pinning the emblem that signified that she was a Worker instead of a servant onto her pocket, prepared to face the day as both a worker and his supposed lover.

But as she stepped out of her room, her resolve nearly crumbled. Cain stood waiting just outside her door, fully dressed and wearing a smile so warm it made her breath hitch.

"We’re moving to the next room," he said smoothly, gesturing toward the hallway. "Ravon already sent the servants to clean up." He offered his arm with a courtly elegance that felt entirely at odds with the wild destruction he had caused only hours earlier.

Violet wanted to refuse, but the servants nearby had paused their work, their curious gazes flitting in her direction. Her stomach tightened. She couldn’t risk causing a scene.

"Of course, Lord Cain," she replied, linking her arm with his. They began walking, but they had only just stepped into the hall when Violet felt him lean closer. His breath brushed her ear as he whispered, "One kiss should be good enough."

She turned to him in shock, but before she could protest, Cain wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. The touch was brief yet electrifying, leaving Violet stunned and breathless.

He stepped back, his expression calm and charming. Her face flushed as she struggled to suppress the warmth spreading through her body. Her gaze flickered to his lips, lingering there for a moment too long, a needy pull tugging at her resolve. But Cain was already walking ahead, moving toward the next room as if nothing had happened.

"I’ll be leaving the mansion immediately after breakfast," he said casually, his tone more informative than dismissive. "Lord Eldric has summoned me."

The declaration caught her off guard. Cain rarely shared details about his plans, let alone in such a straightforward manner. For a moment, Violet followed him in silence, her mind spinning. Then, against her better judgment, curiosity got the better of her.

"...Your uncle, Lord Eldric?" she asked cautiously, unsure of how he would react. To her surprise, Cain turned to her with an expression of delight, his eyes alight with genuine excitement.

"Yes," he said, his voice carrying a note of pride. He entered the room and beckoned her to follow. Once inside, he shut the door and continued. "He’s the only one who knows the witch able to produce the red medicine. Without it, I’d lose control of my beast completely—lose what little humanity I have left."

Violet’s eyes widened at the revelation. She hadn’t expected him to share something so personal, and the vulnerability in his words touched her more than she cared to admit. If he’s willing to open up like this... maybe, just maybe, we can communicate more, she thought, her hope flickering faintly.

But Cain’s thoughts were far from genuine vulnerability. As he reached out to entwine his fingers with hers, leading her toward the breakfast table already set by the servants, his mind worked in cold calculation.

The more I tell her, the more invested she’ll become, he thought, his resolve firm. He had already decided to allow her to accompany him to council meetings and other significant events. Keeping her hidden would only attract more attention, after all. And with the band disguising her voice, no one would suspect anything.

It was better to hide in plain sight.

Cain’s gaze softened as he looked at Violet, feeling his heart genuinely soften as they sat at the table for breakfast unable to remember the last time he ate with anyone but by himself.

His focus on on the food even as he beamed while thinking of her and more ways to make her become completely besotted with him.

Violet on the other hand, was grappling with her own conflicted feelings. Somewhere between fear and fascination, she wondered if there was more to Cain than the monster she had come to know.

He’s not always violent. He can be gentle, like he is now. The thought was dangerous, but it lingered all the same, filling her with a sliver of hope she couldn’t quite squash.

For now, she resolved to play along. But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking a tightrope over a pit of shadows, where even the smallest misstep would lead to her undoing.