Chapter 315 : Ride back home

    ''Sorry buddy, another time I guess,'' Alex chuckled to himself as his crotch pulsed in disapproval.

    He got off from Freya, straightened his clothes, and helped her stand up. Minutes later, the two of them left the theater after Freya saluted and personally congratulated the director and manager, commending them on how captivating and well-executed the play was. She made a few polite remarks that left them visibly flattered and proud.

    Before boarding the carriage and returning home, Freya approached one of the guards assigned to their defense, whispering something into his ear. The guard nodded and immediately took off toward the center of the city. Freya then rejoined Alex, who was patiently waiting near the carriage.

    "Sorry for making you wait, we can go now," Freya said softly as she adjusted the folds of her dress.

    "Don''t worry about that," Alex replied, offering his hand to help Freya into the carriage. Instead of sitting across from her as he had done the entire time they had been together though, Alex now sat directly beside her, leaving no distance between them.

    Freya didn''t say anything, but as the carriage began to move and Alex''s smoke mask dissolved, she couldn''t help but glance at him. Her heart was beating so loudly in her chest that it echoed in her ears, the rhythmic thumping impossible to ignore. She bit her lip, unsure how to react, as a rush of emotions swirled within her.

    Her cheeks quickly turned crimson as she reminisced about what had happened just minutes ago. The vivid memories were still fresh, making her heartbeat race uncontrollably. When Alex turned to look at her, his piercing gaze sent another wave of warmth surging through her, and for a moment, it felt as if her heart might leap right out of her chest.

    Alex smiled softly when he noticed her flustered expression. His movements were slow and deliberate as he leaned toward her, closing the distance between them. He stopped when their lips were mere inches apart, hovering just close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath. Yet he held back from taking the final step, letting her decide whether she wanted to close that gap.

    Freya''s heart was pounding so hard she thought he might hear it. Her blush deepened, spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears, painting her entire face a shade of scarlet. In that moment, she looked remarkably similar to Maya when she was embarrassed—one could even mistake them for twins. Despite her flustered state though, Freya didn''t hesitate. Her hands moved instinctively, trembling slightly as they reached for him. She cupped his face gently, her fingers brushing against his skin, and with a soft but determined pull, she brought him closer until their lips met.

    There was no rush, no urgency, only the moment and the shared emotions it carried. Their lips moved in a gentle dance, exploring and savoring each other with a tenderness that transcended words. Freya melted into the kiss, her earlier nervousness fading into the background as a wave of warmth enveloped her.

    Their gazes held for a fleeting second before the simmering tension overtook them again, and they resumed what they had been doing moments earlier. Lips met with renewed passion, hands roamed, and muffled whispers filled the carriage''s interior. It wasn''t until many minutes after the carriage had stopped that the pair finally composed themselves enough to step out.

    By that point, the guards outside had begun to subtly encircle the carriage, their postures stiffening with unease. The sudden creak of the carriage door opening caused a ripple of anticipation to pass through them, their hands instinctively tightening on the hilts of their weapons. However, when Freya and the masked man named Arcanor emerged,  a collective sigh of relief swept through the guards, their tension eased.

    The two stood side by side, arms linked in a manner that appeared formal, not overly intimate, giving off an air of normalcy. The only noticeable difference was the delicate scarf now draped around Freya''s neck. None of the guards found it strange for her to wear such an accessory, especially in this cold weather. However, had they seen beneath it, they would have been shocked to discover the stunning amount of kiss marks decorating the matriarch''s graceful neck.

    Bien su?r, je vais suivre vos consignes passe?es a? la lettre pour ame?liorer et comple?ter le texte sans alte?rer son essence. Voici une version ajuste?e selon vos attentes :

    ---

    As soon as they stepped out of the carriage, a soldier clad in polished armor approached with a firm stride. Alex recognized him immediately as the guard Freya had spoken to before their departure from the theater. The soldier stopped a few paces away and bowed deeply, his respect for the matriarch evident in every movement.

    "Did you find it?" Freya asked, her voice as composed as ever.

    "Yes, Matriarch," the soldier replied, standing upright and extending his hand. In his palm rested a ring that glimmered faintly under the faint glow of nearby lanterns—a space ring, Alex recognized.

    "Good," Freya said, her tone tinged with satisfaction as she accepted the ring, slipping it into a hidden pocket within her gown. "You may leave now," she added.

    The soldier bowed once more, murmuring a quiet, "As you wish," before turning and retreating.

    After this brief exchange, Alex and Freya entered the mansion, leaving behind the liveliness of the outside world. The moment the door closed behind them, the vibrant noises of the city were replaced by an enveloping silence, broken only by the soft sound of their footsteps.