CHAPTER 124: NO MORE HIDING

Stephanie stared at Zekel, her breath ragged, shock flooding her face at what he had just done. Zekel pulled away gently, his gaze fixed on her flushed face. It seemed he had finally silenced her.

"You don’t know the fucking things I want to do to you, sugar... and I plan to do them after marriage. I wouldn’t want to do it now." His hand moved to her neck while his other cupped her breast gently.

A soft moan escaped Stephanie’s lips, and disbelief rose in her chest. She hated that she was actually moaning—her body was betraying her. Zekel slowly removed his hand from her breast, instead holding her back and pressing her body to his as he rested his face to her shoulders. Leaning in, his voice came low and smooth.

"You act like you don’t want me, yet your body is responding loudly to my touch..." His tongue brushed the top of her ear, licking softly.

Stephanie froze at the wet heat of his tongue and the way his breath fanned over her skin. She couldn’t stop her body from weakening, and Zekel, as if expecting it, held her firmly.

Stephanie stayed silent..loss of word, which surprised Zekel. She hadn’t expected this—especially not the rush of feelings overwhelming her now.

Zekel pulled away gently, his face so close to hers she could feel his breath fanning her face making her body shudder with desire and she knew that she was expecting a pH she was expecting a..kiss.

"I will leave... but on one condition." He tilted his head and lightly bit her chin. An electrifyingly sweet shock ran through her body. She could already smell his scent, feel the heat radiating off him—it was too much for her to process.

"You will come for breakfast with me tomorrow morning. No more hiding." His deeply calm tone filled the space, his eyes locked on hers. She nodded slowly as if lost in his gaze as if she had just been casted a spell on, his darkish-brown eyes glinted with dangerous satisfaction.

"Good."

He pulled away, walking toward the window with a smirk on his lips. Turning slightly to look at her one last time, he leapt.

Moments passed before Stephanie finally moved. She turned, feeling the wind blow harder, sending her hair flying to the side. She cursed herself inwardly—she could already guess how she must have looked just then.

Why hadn’t she moved sooner?

She could still feel his earlier touch on her body, and butterflies danced through her once again. She bit her lip.

"Oh no..." She couldn’t believe how long she had stood frozen before he left—and now she had to have breakfast with him tomorrow morning.

♢♢

"I have to say, congratulations on your safe delivery," Lady Emberg spoke calmly, a smile resting on her lips as she sat on the sofa in the large room. Zavren and Ariana sat on the other side; Ariana was in her wheelchair, Zavren beside her on a sofa. Zavren gently caressed her hand as they sat together. The little one was already fast asleep where she lay, Lady Emberg sipped her tea.

"I had no idea about your legs. I have lots of black tea in my room storage," she said softly. Ariana nodded with a smile, and Zavren gave a curt nod before speaking.

"You never told me about the black water," he said.

Lady Emberg shrugged. "You just never asked."

Ariana’s smile widened as she looked at Zavren, whose eyes finally turned to her. Lady Emberg calmly raised her teacup again, sipping slowly, her eyes lingering on the two of them. She set her cup down before asking,

"May I know the little girl’s name?" Her tone was gentle, her face curious.

"Anavren," Zavren replied evenly.

Lady Emberg nodded thoughtfully. The name sounded unique, and she knew where it came from. But what struck her even more was that Zavren’s usual stern and stoic expressionthe one she knew and thought would never leave was gone.

The space felt warmer than usual—was it the calming aura of his wife? The peaceful atmosphere brought a smile to Lady Emberg’s face.

"I must say, Your Highness, your wife looks like a friend of mine from the past. She bears a great resemblance," Lady Emberg said, shaking her head as if to brush away the thought.

Zavren shrugged. "What if she is related to that old friend? It’s a small world, anyway." His tone was calm, his voice matter-of-fact.

Ariana glanced at him curiously but soon realized he was only guessing. Lady Emberg’s eyes widened slightly as her expression turned thoughtful—why hadn’t she considered that possibility before? Still, now wasn’t the time. It was better not to spoil the queen’s mood with stories from her past.

"I brought some gifts for you they will sent you tomorrow, Luna Ariana. I feel very grateful knowing you allowed me to see you after your delivery," Lady Emberg said.

Ariana nodded calmly, and Lady Emberg decided it was time to take her leave as it was late the king and queen would need their time. Standing gracefully, she said, "I will be taking my leave now, Your Highness. I hope you enjoy your night and sleep well."

Ariana smiled in return as Zavren rose from his seat.

"I will be back, wife," he said. Ariana smiled as Zavren walked to the door. Lady Emberg stepped out, and just before the door closed, she turned back.

"Your Highness, thank you again for allowing me to see her. It was my greatest pleasure."

Zavren gave a slight nod.

"I will go now. Take good care of her," she added.

"I know that," Zavren replied coolly.

Lady Emberg smiled, satisfied, and disappeared from sight. Just as Zavren was about to turn back inside, he noticed a figure approaching.

Raven had intended to tell the king this news tomorrow, as it was serious, but upon seeing Lady Emberg leave, he realized this was his chance.

Thankfully, Zavren had not yet gone inside. Raven’s mind raced as he thought of how to deliver the message; his face was pale, and he wondered why the seer had given it to him instead of directly to the king.

When he finally reached him, Zavren’s cold eyes fixed on him.

Raven bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, I am sorry to interrupt, but I have news—the seer has just passed it to me."

His face paled further as he continued, "There is a cure to wake up your m... mother." His shoulders trembled as he added his head bowed deeply low, "The seer says the senerp could cure..." His words trailed off as his body shivered.

Zavren’s face darkened.

His wife’s blood was the senerp.