Adrian pulled Lira close into his embrace, his arms wrapping firmly but gently around her trembling frame.
Her initial stiffness gave way as she relaxed, the warmth of his touch melting away some of the tension that had gripped her for so long. He spoke softly, his voice a low murmur in her ear.
"From today onwards, you are my woman, Lira," Adrian said with quiet resolve. "I will protect you, guide you, and ensure no one uses you ever again."
Lira's face flushed crimson, a warmth blooming in her chest as she buried her face into his shoulder.
This was the first time anyone had shown her this kind of care—not as a pawn to manipulate, but as someone worthy of being valued.
Her heart raced, caught between gratitude and a newfound feeling she couldn't quite name.
Inside his mind, Adrian's thoughts churned.
"Hmm, looks like I'll be able to obtain Lira's unique ability soon enough". While he didn't harbor deep feelings for her yet, he knew from experience that emotions could develop over time.
After all, that's what had happened with Eve, Chris, and even Rosalyn. Bonds were forged not just in passion but in trust and shared moments, and this was merely the beginning of his journey with Lira.
As Lira finally calmed down in his arms, Adrian gently loosened his embrace but placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Her gaze lifted to meet his, a hint of color still lingering on her cheeks.
"You're safe now," he reiterated, his voice steady. "No matter what happens, you'll never face it alone."
Lira nodded, wiping away the last traces of her tears. The raw vulnerability she'd displayed moments ago had given way to a tentative sense of security.
Adrian stepped back, offering her space to sit with the other women.
Isabella gestured for Lira to join them, her motherly demeanor putting Lira at ease. Slowly, Lira sat among them, the circle of women exuding warmth and acceptance.
As the conversation began, the topic naturally drifted to Adrian.
The women eagerly shared details of his likes and dislikes, their voices light with affection and amusement.
By the time the conversation lulled, Lira felt at ease, her initial apprehensions dissipating. She even found herself smiling at some of the quirks they described, imagining Adrian in those moments.
For the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of belonging—a connection she hadn't realized she'd craved so deeply.
Meanwhile, Adrian excused himself from the lively chatter, stepping out of the room to gather his thoughts.
He wanted Lira to get comfortable to his family as she would be joining them soon. Harmony amongst his family members was the thing Adrian wanted the most.
His footsteps echoed softly down the hallway as he made his way toward the balcony at the end of the corridor.
Unbeknownst to him, Rosalyn had been quietly observing everything from her seat. While the other women were engrossed in conversation, she had felt out of place.
Rosalyn, being the shyest among them as she had no contact with anyone else but her daughter for years due to her illness, was still adjusting to the presence of new people in her life.
Lira's sudden arrival had unsettled her slightly, and though she didn't resent the newcomer, it would take time for her to grow comfortable.
Her gaze had followed Adrian as he left the room, a flicker of longing in her eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she made a soft excuse and slipped out, trailing after him.
"Adrian," she called softly, her voice carrying down the hallway.
He paused, turning to see her approaching. A gentle smile graced his lips as he waited for her to catch up.
"Rosalyn," he said warmly. "What brings you out here? I thought you were with the others."
Rosalyn hesitated, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "
I... I'm not very good at chatting with strangers," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm only used to talking with you and the others for now. Lira's presence—it's just... unfamiliar."
Adrian's expression softened, understanding lighting his eyes. He stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with," he said firmly. "Take your time, Rosalyn. There's no rush."
Rosalyn's heart swelled at his words. Adrian always seemed to know exactly what to say to soothe her worries.
Without thinking, she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist in a tender embrace.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Adrian hugged her tightly in return, his hand running gently down her back. "You're part of my world, Rosalyn. You never need to force yourself to fit in. Just be yourself."
Rosalyn pulled back slightly, her face tilting up to meet his gaze. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips parted slightly as if to speak—but instead, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips, a tentative gesture of affection.
At first, the kiss was soft and tentative, with Rosalyn's delicate lips caressing Adrian's in a whispered promise of affection.
But as the seconds ticked by, Adrian's passion began to simmer, his reserve crumbling beneath the tender onslaught of Rosalyn's kiss.
Suddenly, he grasped the reins, his lips parting to claim hers in a deeper, more urgent kiss.
His tongue slipped past her lips, tracing the contours of her mouth with a bold, sweeping motion that left her breathless and wanting.
As their mouths entwined, Adrian's hands roamed freely, his fingers closing around the curves of Rosalyn's breasts like a vice, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her very being.
The kiss deepened, becoming a maelstrom of sensation that left them both gasping for air, their hearts pounding in tandem as they surrendered to the primal, all-consuming force of their attraction.
With each passing moment, the world around them melted away, leaving only the thrum of their racing pulses and the urgent, insistent pressure of their lips, tongues, and bodies, all straining to be closer, to be one.
When they finally broke apart, Rosalyn's cheeks were aflame, her eyes shining with emotion. Adrian smiled down at her, his thumb brushing against her cheek.
"Feel better now?" he teased lightly, his voice laced with warmth.
Rosalyn nodded, her shyness momentarily eclipsed by the depth of her feelings. "I do," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Adrian pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before stepping back. "Let's go to my room and continue" ,he suggested.
As Adrian and Rosalyn disappeared down the corridor, Mira emerged from the shadows, her spell of concealment unraveling like a veil lifting.
She had stepped out of her room for some fresh air, only to stumble upon the intimate moment between the two. Instinctively, she had cloaked herself.
She looked at the direction both left and decided to see what they end up doing next, so she used concealing spell on herself and followed after them.