Chapter 70 Our Little Secret
Ophelia was played like a fool. With her parted lips of shock, her blank features, she could do nothing, but awkwardly shake her head. She glanced to the floor, almost ashamed that she didn't know this well-reputable fact about her husband. Ophelia realized she knew nothing about him, except for his Duke background and supposedly cruel late father. She could only reel in the thought that he told her nothing except what she found out herself. The realization was startling, her chest tightening, and she let out a soft breath.
"Well, it might catch some by surprise," Everest stated. "But the royal family has a complicated bloodline, starting with his deceased mother. That poor woman, may her soul rest in peace from the heinous crimes of her husband."
"W-what do you mean...?" Ophelia whispered. Ophelia tucked her fingers together and tried to remember anything about Killorn's mother. She seldom saw her make an appearance in society. In fact, the only time Ophelia had met the late Duchess, the woman had been in tears with bruises on her neck, and her hair disheveled. A bad fight, the Duchess had said before fleeing out of House Eves, with her sons quickly running after her.
"Well, didn't you know why Killorn was so despised?" Everest asked, stepping closer, waiting, watching, for her to react. She didn't.
Beetle did. He approached Luna with the same amount of tenacity. "Luna," he sharply said. "If you wish to know anything about the Alpha, ask him, and he will tell you."
Ophelia's head snapped up to Beetle, then, towards Everest. Everest simply let out a burst of fond laughter, his eyes crinkling, but she saw the slight hint of irritation.
"It's a known fact, little lady. I can call you that right?" Everest smoothly asked, tilting his head innocently.
Ophelia was mesmerized. His golden hair fell over his red eyes, but his expression was friendly, and made him harmless. She felt at ease around him, despite how shifty he seemed.
"N-n—"
"The late Duchess used to be mistreated by her husband, it was horrific. He'd bed the servants in front of her and when further pissed, would do so before Killorn. I can't imagine how that affected his upbringing," Everest softly sighed. "That poor—"
"I-I don't need you to j-judge my husband when you weren't there," Ophelia suddenly bit out.
Everest paused, almost recoiling at her interruption. Now, this was not what he expected.
"Y-Your Highness," Ophelia concluded, realizing she left out the address. When Ophelia saw his taken aback expression, she tightened her grip on her fingers and pressed her lips together. She refused to let him speak ill of Killorn's background when he was not in the young boy's shoes. She couldn't imagine how he must've felt watching such a thing, witnessing the pain on his mother's face, and the disgust of watching his own father's infidelity before his eyes.
"You are a good wife, little lady."
Ophelia's brows tugged together in confusion. "I-if there is nothing else, Your HIghness, p-please excuse me."
Ophelia lowered into a curtsy, but didn't look back. Her heart was racing in her chest, for his sudden outburst of arrogance might've cost her. Not to mention, this man was a vampire—a royal at that too. Ophelia might've been Duchess Mavez by name, but she was still a human girl. In the eyes of the supernatural, she was good as a plotter of food. Her disobedience today was going to cost her. Her stomach tightened in uneasiness, wondering what the punishment would be.
"B-Beetle, to the l-library," Ophelia mumbled.
Beetle didn't miss a beat. He tried to wipe the smirk off his face, but it was practically impossible to do so.
"This way, Luna!" Beetle gleefully told her whilst escorting her down the hallways. He glanced over his shoulders to see a stunned Everest still standing there in disbelief, and then confusion.
Without warning, Everest showed up to confront them. Ophelia screamed in disbelief, stumbling over her feet to back up, causing her to fall backward. Everest caught her within seconds, his face coming incredibly close to hers. Ophelia's breath died in her throat, his velvet gaze wandering across her shocked features. Then, he lowered his eyes, almost ashamed. He resembled a tragic and beautiful stature on his knees waiting for his lover to show her face. She didn't even know how to react to that.
"I was an impudent, little lady. Won't you forgive me?" Everest uttered with earnestly, his grip loosening immediately on her when he settled her onto her feet. "You see, I meant no harm and only wished to educate you."
Ophelia stepped back to create distance between them. She was knocked off her feet by him—literally. The last thing she needed was to be standing close enough to count his long lashes.
"Are you alright, Luna?" Beetle worriedly asked, stepping closer to her side. He reached a hand out to grab her wrist, but paused, knowing Killorn would be furious. If there was one thing Beetle learned recently, it was of their Alpha's incredible possessiveness. Even the slightest shift in her scent, Killorn would demand answers for.
"H-how did he?" Ophelia's voice died in her throat.
"Pure-Bloods such as myself can move at an incredible pace. What'd take you a minute to walk would take me a second," Everest explained in a smooth and low voice, his lips twisted into a smile. "You needn't ask anyone else, but me. I will always have the answers for you, little lady—no matter your questions."
No matter the question? Ophelia tried to hide the inquisitiveness on her face, but he noticed it anyway. He widened his mouth into a friendly grin, coming off as approachable as the boy next door. When she peered at him through her lashes, he simply dipped his head in greeting.
Then, Everest stepped close enough for her to feel his breath tickle her ears. She froze in fear, but he lowered his voice in a whisper that only they could hear.
Everest confessed, "Whenever you wish to speak to me, little lady. Whenever you'd like a chat, all you need to do is walk through the Helios Palace doors, and I will always be there for you."
"Your HIghness!" Beetle sharply barked, coming closer, but Everest immediately backtracked. He held up his hands in amusement and showed he was harmless.
Ophelia was stunned by his action, her hand reaching her ears. Even now, she could feel the iciness of his lips that brushed tenderly upon her skin. She shivered, for his deep and soft voice rang in her ears.
"Alright?" Everest insisted. Everest watched as she breathed in slightly, almost famished by what he just said. No one had ever told her that, did they? She was a curious little cat, with large eyes that reminded him of a field of lavenders. If he looked closely, he could've seen each individual petal. When Ophelia glanced at her feet, lost in thought, he was amazed by the lightness of her hair, cascading around her like white snow. She was as beautiful as she was heartbreaking, like a shy deer peeking her head from behind a winter wonderland.
"I-I am a married woman," Ophelia suddenly told him. "It would be i-improper, Your Highness."
"Think of it as a normal gesture of kindness, sister-in-law. Nothing more. Nothing less." Everest innocently tilted his head, watching her head snap up. He could practically see the gears churning in that adorable brain of hers. She reacted as a child would, with her eyes hesitatingly lighting up with excitement.
"Once again, Luna—"
"Good day, little lady." Everest took her hand in his, causing her to tense. She tried to pull away, but he already bent over it.
Ophelia's complaint died in her throat. She was frightened, thinking he was going to kiss her knuckles. Instead, he showed her the utmost respect by bowing over her hand. She felt her heart flutter for a brief second, for not many had shown her this sincerity before.
"I mean no harm, little lady. Please, always remember that." noVe)lb/1n
Then, without another word, Everest departed with his entourage. Ophelia spun on her feet, watching him leave. His red cape flustered majestically against the wind, the white fur sweeping across the floor momentarily. "Luna, what did he tell you?" Beetle asked, his tone rising towards the end in shock. He couldn't believe such a thing happened right under his nose!
Ophelia opened her mouth, but suddenly, she paused. When Everest turned the corner, she swore she saw him look at her. It was only for a second, but his ruby ones met her violet eyes. He held her gaze whilst sensually sliding a finger upon his mouth.
Shhh... it is our secret, little lady.
