Ophelia's chest swelled with a lightness that made her dizzy. No one had ever told her such a thing. Killorn's behavior went against everything that she knew—everything that was natural.
Ophelia was touched, her heart bursting against her ribcage. She tried to contain her mouth that wriggled into a smile before a nervous grin. Her face burned, for she didn't know how to react.
"I…uhm…" Ophelia wanted to observe the floor just to avoid further discussions.
Ophelia remembered he didn't enjoy the sight of her bent head. So, Ophelia shakily grabbed his hands. Then, Ophelia shook his hands as if she made a business deal.
"I-I will remember that," Ophelia managed to tell him.
Killorn quietly chuckled. She tensed, her head bouncing up in disbelief.
Ophelia was enchanted by the marvelous sound. She wanted to hear more. His joy was rare and she wanted to gather it like jewels in a treasure chest. She'd hoard it—hiding the box in a place no one could find.
"Will that be the only thing you remember of me?" Killorn remarked, quirking a sharp brow. The color of her flushed cheeks made him pause.
"No," Ophelia quietly admitted. "I remembered you many years ago…"
Killorn blinked. He didn't believe his own ears. What could she possibly—he thought… no. Impossible.
For the longest time, Killorn always believed she was relieved he went off for battle. Whereas Killorn would look up at the stars and think of her face, she'd be at some party dancing until the moon was high in the sky, laughing with her friends.
Killorn didn't know the two had once looked up at the night in the same exact moment, reminiscing about one other.
"What did you think of?" Killorn asked.
Ophelia was astonished by the sudden politeness of his voice. He eagerly waited to hear her answer. She gawked. Did he really think he'd slip from her memories?
"You're an u-unforgettable man." Cracking a smile that made her brows etch in concern, Ophelia hoped he understood her.
Killorn raised a brow at her words. He tried to think clearly, but it was impossible. Her smile was blinding and distracting. He approached her and she quickly stepped back. He continued advancing, until her knees hit the bed. She froze. He stared.
"Will it hurt like last time?" Ophelia dared to ask, for he had given her permission earlier to speak freely about what was on her mind.
Ophelia knew what was going to happen. Killorn Mavez was a man of his word. If they were going to consummate the marriage tonight, it was definitely happening.
"Were you in pain last time?" Killorn inquired in a low and collected voice.
"Y-yes," Ophelia faintly admitted, her face going red.
Killorn gazed deeply into her eyes. Her lips quivered in response. He took her hands gently, surprising her. His voice was always rough and his body was strong, but she never expected how tender his caress was. He treated her as if she was made of crystal.
"It didn't sound like it. You clung onto me so hard, I could barely pull out." Killorn tilted his head, daring her to reject his words.
Ophelia's face burned at his shameless words. She couldn't even refute him. There was pain, but she felt more pleasure, if anything.
"Too brazen for your ears?" Killorn inquired, earning a timid nod from her. He breathed out in amusement, his lips curled.
Out of fear of her new emotions, Ophelia had held onto him tightly. Killorn had cursed when she hugged his shoulders, which made him thrust into her deeper. Ophelia had cried out, but he only grabbed her hips and brought her closer to him whilst mercilessly railing her.
"I rushed back the second I secured my spot as Alpha." Killorn brushed his fingers upon the lace hem near her chest. Her breath hitched, her lashes fluttering in obedience. Her ladylike gesture was more heartbreaking than it was beautiful, for he could tell it was unnaturally trained into her.
"W-where did you go?" Ophelia naively questioned, peering up at him helplessly. He was large and towered over her. His shadow was triple her size.
Ophelia realized he was urging her to undress. She shakily reached for the ribbons holding her gown in place. She undid it as he continued to speak.
"Where else?" Killorn threw her a pointed look, wondering if he should hire her some tutors.
Killorn heard Ophelia loved to read. Anything she could get her hands on, she was reading. As a child, he would find her asleep by the corner of a library, with tear-stained eyes and hugging a book the late Patriarch gifted her.
"Make a guess, Ophelia."
"T-to inform the empire?" Ophelia responded with uncertainty, feeling like a fool for not knowing where he lived. How far did he travel from his place? Did it take him a while? How come no one saw him?
Ophelia let the ribbons fall to the ground, swirling like leaves. She slid the dress off her shoulders, trembling. He held her gaze, never once glancing down.
"No, not the empire."
Ophelia blinked whilst undoing the corset and letting it plop to the ground. She was left in nothing, but her chemise, underwear, and stockings. Even so, he was respectful and didn't look.
"T-to church?" Ophelia attempted whilst sliding her chemise off. Finally, his eyes twitched.
"Ophelia."
Ophelia shakily peeled off her stockings whilst holding his darkening gaze. He was watching her. Hunger dripped from his black pupils, for he was a beast ready to devour his sweet prey.
"Y-yes?"
"I went home to my wife."
Ophelia's chest swelled.
"Ophelia, you were my only destination from the battle. You were the sole reason I fought valiantly. You were my reason for rushing back without rest."
Ophelia's heart skipped. She was fumbled by his sweet words that made her eyes water. Her mouth vibrated as she tried to hold back her emotions. Was she going to cry for the third time since meeting him?
My god, he must think horribly of her. He married her as just a Duke's son and now, he had returned as one of the most feared Alphas across the entire nation. She hadn't even given him a warm welcome. She had cried two times in his presence.
Ophelia stared. With his thumb, he brushed her tears away. Even his skin was firm. Everything about him was built of muscles. His gaze was earnest, but his expression aloof. What was running through his mind? He only spoke kindly to her, but his heart remained cold.
"Thank you." Ophelia touched the hand cupping her face and offered him an intimate smile. "Truly."
"T-thank you Killorn," Ophelia repeated.
Although they had gotten off on the wrong foot, Ophelia was still grateful for him. Had he not persisted to see her, had he not come in time, she would've been with another man. By now, she'd be a corpse on the bed, blood drained, and her life ended.
"Of course." Killorn rubbed the back of his neck, his ears a bit hot. He was caught off guard by her appreciation.
Killorn blinked like a fool whilst staring down at her. He was breathless and mesmerized by her beauty. There was something scorching about her innocent smile, her shy posture, and the deftness of her lips.
Seeing Ophelia smile was enough to crack his stone heart. In his entire lifetime, Killorn had never seen something as endearing as her.
Killorn advanced towards her, for it was time to uphold his promise.