Aaron's heart pounded as he descended the grand staircase. The courage he had mustered felt like a thin veil that could be torn at any moment.
He entered the dining room, where the table was set with a lavish feast, but the sight of Kris's family seated around it made his stomach churn.
He took his place beside Kris, trying to ignore the unfamiliar and scrutinizing faces that greeted him.
The room was filled with the low hum of conversation and the clinking of silverware, yet to Aaron,
it felt as if all eyes were on him. The atmosphere was suffocating. His body, once so full of resolve, became timid and uneasy.
He picked at his food, trying to appear calm, but his hand trembled slightly as he lifted his fork to his mouth.
Just then, he felt a piece of food lodge in his throat. Panic seized him as he choked, the world narrowing to the struggle of trying to breathe.
Kris was at his side in an instant, gently patting his back to help dislodge the food.
It worked, but the relief was fleeting; Aaron felt more tense than ever,
his body stiffening as the memories of their last encounter in the bathtub flooded his mind.
How could I let this happen again? he thought. I feel so unprepared for this dinner.
That moment had been their first real contact, and now this...he felt like he was constantly being caught off guard by Kris.
He could feel Kris's presence beside him, calm and composed, which only heightened his own anxiety.
Why can't I just be at ease? Aaron silently prayed that the dinner would pass without any incident that might draw unwanted attention to him.
But his hopes were dashed when a blonde-haired man seated across from him, his expression unreadable, leaned forward slightly and asked, "So, how's the marriage night going, Senirips?"
The question was like a slap, causing Aaron to choke on his food once again. His face flushed with embarrassment as he struggled for air.
Once more, Kris's hand was on his back, offering some form of comfort, but this time it felt hollow. The man's words had been laced with something that felt far from friendly.
The blonde-haired man smirked slightly, his eyes glinting with a hint of malice. "You seem to choke a lot, Senirips," he remarked, his tone far from kind.
Aaron's heart sank. Why is he being so cruel? The man's words were sharp, and the underlying hostility was clear.
Just as Aaron was about to speak, Kris intervened,
his gaze hardening as he turned to the man. "Wattson," Kris said, his voice carrying a warning, "that's enough."
Wattson's smirk faded, and he backed down, the sharpness in his gaze softening as he muttered something under his breath before returning to his meal.
Aaron blinked, trying to suppress the growing unease within him. I can't believe this is my life now.
He was already in a fragile relationship with Kris, and the last thing he needed was more tension or any form of bullying from his family.
After all, he was of royal blood too, a Senirips, and that title carried weight..even if it was often met with disdain.
As Aaron was lost in his thoughts, Annabella, seated a few seats away, began chattering away, her voice cutting through his silence.
"You're so beautiful, Aaron," she said, her tone deceptively sweet. "I can't help but notice how flawless your skin is.
It's almost too perfect, don't you think? What do you use? Is there some secret regimen you follow?"
Aaron forced a polite smile, feeling the weight of her words. This is too much. Why can't they just leave me alone?
He could sense the attention of others at the table shifting toward him, making the situation even more uncomfortable.
"And those lips," Annabella continued, not giving him a chance to respond. "So soft-looking,
with that natural color...most women would kill for that. You must tell me, how do you keep them so... appealing?"
She leaned in a little closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she scrutinized him further. Why is she being so invasive?
"And your eyes, Aaron, they're almost ethereal, like they're painted on porcelain
. It's no wonder people can't take their eyes off you. But, really, how do you manage to outshine the rest of us? What's your secret?"
Her words, though delivered with a smile, carried an undercurrent of something darker,
a probing that made Aaron's discomfort grow. She's treating me like I'm an object to be examined. It was as if she was dissecting him piece by piece, trying to uncover some hidden flaw.
The sensation of being out of place and unwelcome sank deeper into his bones,
making him feel like a specimen under a microscope. I just want to fit in, not stand out.
He could feel his pulse quickening,
the polite facade he was struggling to maintain starting to crack under the pressure of Annabella's relentless questioning. Just let me breathe!
He felt the urge to respond, to say something that would stop this barrage of seemingly innocent, yet pointed inquiries.
But his throat felt tight, and his mind scrambled for the right words, knowing that anything he said would only be met with further scrutiny.
But before Aaron could formulate a response, Kris spoke up once again, his tone firmer than before.
"It's because he's a Senirips," Kris said, his voice cool and authoritative. "And that's enough reason for his beauty. Now, Annabella, I suggest you stop."
Annabella's smile faltered for a moment before she plastered it back on,
though her eyes flashed with something that Aaron recognized as annoyance. Did I just become a pawn in their family drama?
She bit back whatever retort she had, choosing instead to fall silent, her gaze dropping to her plate.
Aaron's heart raced as he observed their interaction,
his mind swirling with thoughts. Annabella must be Kris's sister, he realized, which made the dynamic even more complicated. This family is going to be harder to navigate than I thought.
Being part of this family, even by marriage, was proving to be more challenging than he had anticipated.
He longed for the dinner to end, for the scrutiny to stop, and for the tension to dissipate.
But deep down, he knew that this was only the beginning of the challenges he would face as a Senirips in this household.
Just as Aaron thought he might finally be able to relax,
Wattson, who had been silently observing him with a curious expression, suddenly leaned forward.
"You should be careful, Senirips," he said, his voice low and almost too casual. "Sometimes, beauty like yours attracts... unexpected attention."
Aaron frowned, not entirely sure what Wattson meant, but the cryptic tone sent a shiver down his spine. What does he know that I don't?
He opened his mouth to ask for clarification, but before he could speak, Annabella chimed in, her voice laced with amusement. "Oh, Aaron," she said, leaning closer, her smile unsettling.
"You really don't know what you've gotten yourself into, do you?"
Aaron's heart skipped a beat, his confusion deepening. What is going on?The way they spoke, as if he was missing some vital piece of information, left him feeling even more isolated.
He glanced at Kris, but his husband's expression was unreadable, offering no comfort..