AllFreeNovel
Share Us
If I did, my family would fall apart…and I couldn’t handle that again.
CHAPTER 20—CONSEQUENCES
“Never forget the magic of everyday life, Esmeralda…it’s the weapon we use against everyday darkness.”
I watched the moon reflect in the water as the salty summer wind bit my nose, my mother’s words echoing in my mind.
Magic.
In the past, I believed in it. I believed in fairy tales about princes, dragons, and happy endings. I considered myself a member of the royal family; my father and mother the king and queen of the city, their parties and socials our grand masquerades.
But in the end, no prince could save the princess from an incurable disease.
We never even learned the name of the disease either. The doctors did all they could—as did my father’s finances—but neither could save my mother. My father lost the childhood sweetheart he had loved since he was ten years old, left with a single daughter too unskilled to help him.
The moon hovered next to the red glow of the Eros star, taunting me. Here, I could see magic. I knew it existed. I knew the fairy tales were true. And yet…at the same time, it was like the sky was saying,“Yes, magic does exist, but it doesn’t want to save you.”
Was there a way to save my family? Was there a way my weak hands could put everything back together?
If that kind of magic existed, I would do anything.
The sea air suddenly felt cold and unwelcoming. With one last wish, I went back to my room, forgetting that it was, in fact, Adrian’s room.
Why did I keep forgetting that?
Adrian was at his desk, scribbling in his notebook. He closed it as soon as I walked in, then peered over his glasses at me.
“You were out late,” he said.
With his scowl and disapproving look through his glasses, I couldn’t hold back my laughter.
“You look just like my father when you say it like that,” I said.
He smirked, putting his journal in his desk drawer. “Considering how much you admire your father, I’ll take it as a compliment.”
“It was.”
We shared a small smile, the tension in my shoulders ebbing. He took off his glasses, leaning back in his chair.
“Were you with Henrik?” he asked.
The tension in my shoulders returned. Feeling the blood rushing to my cheeks, I gave a small nod. He took a long breath. Nodding to himself, he stood from his desk and put his hands in his pockets and wandered around the room, stopping at his mirror. He straightened his outer shirt.
“Henrik’s…Henrik’s a good man,” he said. “You don’t have to hide your meetings from me. You have my approval.”
I put my hands up in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s obvious considering how much time you spend together.”
“That’s not—”
“I have to say, I’m impressed.” He turned from the mirror and faced me, taking one slow step after the other to meet me in the middle of the room. “You can choose between an honorable naval officer or a rich, civilized aristocrat. It must be exhausting to have so many good options.”
I gritted my teeth. “You’ve made too many assumptions, Adrian.”
He pinched my chin between his fingers, bringing it up as he stepped in closer, his eyes hard and intense.
“Oh?” he asked, his breath fanning over my face. “Should I steal you away then?”
