As Aaron's lungs filled with air, his fear quietly dissipated. Accepting his circumstances, he chose courage over fear.
Kris, along with Aaron, entered the house. Soon, thunder roared, loud and heavy, startling him.
With the intensity of the rumbling thunder, the weather appeared ominous; it seemed that rain was imminent.
As anticipated, raindrops splashed against his body. The breeze blew forcefully, signaling an approaching storm.
This was not a favorable sign.
As the rain began to fall, the bodyguards prepared umbrellas to shield Kris and Aaron.
Although their efforts were a kind gesture, Aaron's body was already wet and stained. He shivered from the cold.
The umbrella offered little protection from the chill. Rubbing his sleeve, he became aware of the cold;
wearing a sleeveless dress left his arms exposed, with icy rain striking his skin.
A sudden warmth enveloped Aaron when something warm landed on his shoulder.
It was a jacket. The warmth radiated from it.
Looking up, he met the gaze of Kris, his husband. Kris's eyes remained cold as stone, contrasting sharply with the kind gesture he had just extended.
Upon entering the house, a middle-aged butler in a formal uniform greeted them.
"Welcome back, Master Kris, greetings, Master Senirips." The butler's voice conveyed professionalism, reminiscent of someone with decades of service, which was indeed the case.
"Thank you," Kris replied to the butler, his demeanor still icy. Aaron could scarcely believe this.
Even in the presence of the butler, who had presumably served Kris for many years, Kris's expression remained unchanged.
Aaron found this man incomprehensible. Upon entering the house, its beauty and elegance were immediately apparent.
It was not overly dramatic; the fusion of opulence and aesthetic allure defined the space. Expansive,
well-polished rooms featured a long green staircase, exemplifying wealth and grandeur. Crystal chandeliers further enhanced the beauty.
In the expansive parlor, more than fifty maids bustled about, but the vastness of the space made it difficult to count them accurately.
Although this new residence appeared splendid, a sense of discomfort lingered within Aaron. He simply wished to observe the environment he would inhabit.
While preoccupied with observing his surroundings, the butler approached once more. "Master Senirips, the staff has eagerly awaited your arrival."
After concluding his speech, numerous maids bowed to Aaron, demonstrating their respect.
He was relieved they did not treat him with disrespect, as he had feared. He hoped his stay in this home would not be unpleasant.
His attention shifted back to Kris, who had already begun ascending the stairs. The staircase seemed interminable, longer than Mount Tai.
It felt as if they were concealing something, like a dragon lurking within the house. As Aaron looked up,
he noted how far Kris had gone as he continued to ascend the stairs. While attempting to climb, he overheard the maids gossiping.
"He is the new Master Senirips. Does Master Kris have an affection for him?" one of the maids speculated.
"There will be consequences. Master Kris does not favor this kind of Senirips. This pretty face annoys him the most."
Their words stung Aaron. He was aware of his striking appearance,
but would his husband truly despise him for it? The maids' remarks enraged him, prompting him to disregard them and concentrate on the staircase instead.
Kris ascended effortlessly, his long legs moving with grace.
Looking down at his own legs, Aaron felt a pang of jealousy. He wished he could match Kris's pace.
He did not want to appear lazy or hear embarrassing comments regarding his lack of time spent with his husband due to his slow climbing.
With these distressing thoughts swirling in his mind, he began his ascent.
His feet started to ache, and his heart raced. He yearned to give up and sit down, nearly on the verge of tears.
As he wrestled with his emotions, he suddenly found himself lifted.
Looking up, he encountered Kris's cold gaze. A blush crept onto his cheeks; Kris was carrying him.
"Wow! Oh my goodness! Master Kris has picked him up. Does Master Kris have feelings for this Senirips?"
Aaron overheard the maids gossiping from various corners, their words flowing into his ears like musical notes.
Kris carried him effortlessly, as if he were weightless, ascending the tall staircase. Aaron felt overwhelmingly nervous,
his cheeks flushing under the weight of Kris's attention. The scent of cedar and lilies enveloped him,
leaving him embarrassed and wishing he could vanish.
He did not even realize when they reached the door.
Upon noticing their arrival, he blushed again and said, "Please put me down. We have arrived at the door."
Kris, maintaining his cold expression, did not even glance at him; he simply opened the door.
Since he did not respond, Aaron decided to ignore him, burying his face in Kris's chest, inhaling the scent of cedar and lilies.
Upon entering the room, Aaron remained in Kris's arms.
The space was exquisite, featuring a large green king-size bed, expansive windows, and beautiful tiles.
It looked almost like a replica of Aaron's room back in Rosewood City. What an astonishing coincidence!
Kris gently set him down on the bed as if he were a child. His handsome face was so close to Aaron's.
"My dear Senirips, welcome to our new home. This will be our room. I will be here for you," Kris said.
Hearing this filled Aaron with joy. It seemed Kris intended to spend time with him
. This statement suggested that he would not abandon Aaron in their marriage.
However, what transpired next felt like a bucket of cold water poured over him. Kris exited the room, leaving him alone.
It was a disheartening feeling. He began to hear murmurs from the maids once more.
"I told you! Did you see? I told you that Master Kris does not like him. I warned you there would be consequences."
Why was this happening to him? Aaron thought his husband would not embarrass him.
He wouldn't leave him alone on their first night, a crucial time for couples to connect.
But Kris had left Aaron. Was he truly that intolerable? He overheard the maids suggesting it was because the master detested pretty faces.
Was it because of his appearance? Did Kris genuinely despise him?
Aaron began to blame himself, feeling despondent on the first day of his marriage, abandoned by his husband while the maids ridiculed his relationship. He did not want to cry.