Chapter 51: Missing him.
Rosaline followed closely behind the butler through the long western corridor of the mansion while Lily walked beside her with obvious curiosity dancing across her face.
The polished black floors reflected the afternoon sunlight spilling through the tall windows while servants bowed quietly as they passed. Rosaline adjusted the sleeves of her dress absentmindedly, still thinking about the strange warmth that had settled inside her chest ever since Xandros left for the palace that morning.
Which was ridiculous because she absolutely did not miss him.....or did she?
Lily glanced sideways at her suspiciously.
"You’ve been smiling at nothing for the past two minutes."
Rosaline immediately frowned. "I have not."
"You just did it again."
"I am simply walking."
"With emotional damage."
Rosaline ignored her.
The butler hid what looked dangerously close to amusement before finally stopping in front of enormous double doors carved from dark oak.
Silver designs curled across the wood like vines beneath moonlight.
The older man pushed both doors open carefully.
And Rosaline stopped breathing for a second.
The library stretched endlessly before her.
Towering shelves climbed toward an impossibly high ceiling painted with ancient constellations while golden ladders rested against rows upon rows of books. Massive windows allowed pale afternoon light to spill across polished floors, illuminating thousands of leather-bound spines stacked across endless shelves.
The scent of old paper and cedarwood filled the air softly.
It felt ancient, quiet and sacred.
Rosaline stepped inside slowly.
"...This is a library?"
Lily looked equally horrified.
"This is a kingdom."
The butler smiled faintly.
"His Grace has collected books for many years."
Rosaline turned slowly in place, stunned by the sheer amount surrounding her.
"There are so many..."
"Mostly history, politics, warfare, and older records," the butler explained calmly. "I do not know whether Your Grace will find anything interesting among them."
Rosaline was already halfway toward the nearest shelf.
The older man paused knowingly.
Apparently he already had his answer.
"I’ll leave you both to your time here," he said with a polite bow.
Rosaline barely heard him.
Her fingers brushed reverently across rows of worn books while fascination brightened her face little by little.
Lily sighed dramatically behind her.
"I already miss outside."
Hours passed quietly afterward.
At some point Lily had sprawled dramatically across one of the couches near the windows while Rosaline sat near the center table surrounded by open books.
Completely absorbed.
One ancient text rested open in her lap while two others lay beside her untouched. Her pale brows furrowed softly as she read through old records about ancient kingdoms and forgotten ones.
The silence inside the library felt peaceful.
Safe.
Across the room, Lily immediately sat upright after spotting the Duke.
She opened her mouth to announce his arrival,
Only for Xandros to lift one finger silently toward her.
Lily blinked once.
Then grinned immediately like someone witnessing future chaos.
Without another word, she stood from the couch.
Rosaline turned another page slowly before pausing.
"...Interesting."
A quiet voice answered behind her.
"What is?"
Rosaline jolted so violently she nearly dropped the book.
She spun around instantly.
Xandros stood behind her.
Tall and calm.
And very clearly amused.
Rosaline pressed one hand dramatically against her chest.
"You frightened me!"she said to Xandros who was looking amused.
Lily saw this and said"I suddenly remembered I have absolutely nothing to do here."
Rosaline narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Lily..."
"I’ll leave you both to your emotionally complicated staring."
And before Rosaline could stop her, Lily disappeared through the doors entirely.
Traitor.
Rosaline slowly turned back toward Xandros afterward.
He still stood beside her chair watching quietly while afternoon light spilled across the dark fabric of his coat. Unlike last night, the exhaustion had faded from his face completely.
Rosaline noticed instantly.
"...You’re feeling better."
"I told you I would."
She closed the book slowly.
"You still looked terrible."
"I look handsome....lady."
"That is not the same thing."
A faint smirk touched his lips briefly before he stepped closer.
Rosaline suddenly became very aware they were alone.
Again.
Dangerous pattern.
Xandros glanced toward the books surrounding her afterward.
"I didn’t expect you to enjoy this room."
Rosaline looked around the library once more, awe still lingering faintly across her face.
"It’s beautiful."
His gaze shifted back toward her quietly.
Then without warning, he placed a letter gently into her hands.
Rosaline blinked.
"What is this?"
"Read it."
Curiosity immediately replaced confusion.
She carefully opened the letter before scanning the elegant handwriting inside.
Then her eyes widened.
"Everbloom?"
Excitement lit across her face instantly.
The Winter Ball.
An official invitation from the royal palace itself requesting the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Dagon.
Rosaline looked up quickly.
"We’re invited?"
"Mm."
Her expression brightened so suddenly the entire room seemed warmer.
"I haven’t attended the Winter Ball at all."
She stood quickly from the chair while rereading parts of the letter again, disbelief and excitement mixing together beautifully across her face.
Then suddenly...
"I finally have a reason to go back now."
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Xandros watched her carefully.
And strangely...
he liked seeing her look this happy.
More than expected.
Rosaline looked back toward him again afterward, still clutching the letter tightly.
"You knew about this already?"
"The Emperor received it this morning."
"And he agreed?"
"He told me to decide."
Rosaline stared at him hopefully now.
Not even trying to hide it.
Xandros almost laughed.
"You really want to go."
"Of course I do."
A small pause followed.
Then more quietly...
"...I miss it sometimes."
Something in her expression softened at the admission.
Not the palace.
Not the people.
But pieces of her mother.
Xandros studied her silently before asking,
"How did you even find this place?"
Rosaline blinked once before answering automatically.
"The butler told me about it because I was bored while you weren’t around..."
She stopped.
Immediately but it was already too late.
Xandros raised one brow slowly.
Rosaline felt disaster approaching.
"...Continue."
"I misspoke."
"You were bored because I wasn’t here?"
"No."
"You said that very confidently."
"I meant generally bored."
"Interesting."
Rosaline pointed accusingly at him.
"Do not start."
A dangerous glint entered his eyes.
"So you missed me."
"I did not."
"You did."
"It was one sentence!"
"An honest one."
Rosaline could feel heat rising rapidly into her face now.
Which only made him look more pleased.
Absolutely unbearable man.
"It was a mistake," she muttered stubbornly.
Xandros stepped closer then.
Slowly.
Rosaline’s heartbeat betrayed her instantly.
"A mistake?" he repeated quietly.
"Yes."
"I don’t accept it."
Her breath caught slightly.
The space between them narrowed little by little until she could smell the faint scent of cedarwood and cold air lingering against him.
Rosaline swallowed softly.
"You are standing too close."
"And you’re not moving away."
That was unfortunately true.
Xandros’ gaze dropped briefly toward her lips before returning to her eyes again.
The atmosphere inside the library shifted completely.
Heavy and warmer.
Rosaline tightened her hold unconsciously around the letter still resting in her hands.
Xandros noticed immediately.
Then gently took it from her fingers before placing it onto the nearby table.
His attention returned entirely to her afterward.
"You said you were bored because I wasn’t here," he murmured softly.
Rosaline looked away first.
Bad decision.
Because his fingers lifted immediately afterward, brushing lightly beneath her chin until he guided her gaze back toward him.
Her entire body stilled.
"I should compensate you properly then."
Her pulse stumbled violently.
"W-What does that even mean?"
Instead of answering...
Xandros touched her.
Slowly.
One hand settled carefully against her waist while the other brushed through the pale strands of hair near her face. The gesture felt almost unfairly gentle coming from someone like him.
Rosaline’s breath became uneven instantly.
His thumb traced lightly across her cheek.
Then lower.
Toward her throat.
The touch alone sent heat spiraling down her spine.
Xandros watched every reaction carefully.
The widening of her eyes.
The trembling breath.
The way her fingers instinctively curled lightly against the front of his coat.
Beautiful.
Rosaline tried to speak again.
Failed completely.
Xandros leaned down slightly afterward, his forehead nearly brushing hers now.
"You’ve become quiet."
"You make talking difficult."she replied him with a very low voice.
A low chuckle escaped him softly.
The sound alone weakened her further.
His hand slid slowly against the small of her back then, pulling her closer until barely any space remained between them.
Rosaline’s heartbeat turned disastrous.
She could feel it.
Surely he could too.
Xandros’ gaze darkened slightly at the realization.
His fingers tilted her chin upward carefully.
Then finally...
he kissed her.
Slowly at first.
Deliberately.
Rosaline melted instantly.
The kiss carried none of the urgency from the night before. This time it felt deeper.
Intentional.
Like he was savoring her.
Her hands gripped lightly against his chest while warmth spread violently through every part of her body. Xandros kissed her like he had already decided she belonged beneath his hands.
And somehow...
Rosaline wasn’t resisting at all.
His hand pressed more firmly against her waist while the other slid into her pale hair carefully, tilting her head just enough to deepen the kiss further.
Rosaline gasped softly against his lips.
That tiny sound nearly unraveled the last thread of restraint inside him.
The library suddenly felt too warm.
Far too quiet.
Xandros pulled back only slightly, just enough for their breaths to mix between them while his forehead rested lightly against hers.
Rosaline looked completely dazed.
He liked it immensely.
"You still plan on claiming you didn’t miss me?" he asked quietly.
Rosaline tried very hard to glare at him.
The effect failed terribly while flushed and breathless.
"I didn’t miss you."
"Liar."
His thumb brushed softly across her lower lip.
Rosaline’s knees nearly betrayed her instantly.
This man was dangerous.
Not because he was powerful.
But because lately...
he looked at her like she mattered.
And Rosaline was beginning to realize she might already be too lost to escape it.
