Chapter 52: Kieran’s temper
Kieran slowly opened his eyes, his gaze settling on Yuki’s back as she stood a few steps away. Confusion flickered across his face. She was busy signalling Olivine to stay silent, her movements were careful and almost protective. For a moment he did not register their words.
His attention remained locked on her back. Sunlight streaming through the glass dome above caught in her blonde hair, turning the strands into living flames that glowed with warm golden light. The soft fabric of her clothes clung lightly to her frame after her earlier misadventure, outlining the gentle curve of her shoulders and the subtle sway of her hips as she shifted her weight. She looked delicate yet strangely captivating in the warm, humid air of the greenhouse.
Was she always like this? He wondered, he couldn’t blink for a moment as he just stared. He barely remembered Yuki from his time at Xyrus Academy. She had been one of the many quiet juniors he had assisted in passing classes, always keeping to herself in the background. Based on what he had heard about her recently, he had expected someone bold and scheming. Yet here she was, moving with quiet caution through his private space.
Honestly based on what he knew about her from Xyrus he doubted Yuki was as everyone depicted her. A seductress. He always remembered her to be a quiet someone he never glanced twice at.
Then he froze. Why was he even thinking about her? The question echoed at the back of his mind.
Olivine caught Yuki’s signal and went silent immediately. She had worked with Kieran long enough to know his habit of sneaking away to rest in the greenhouse when exhaustion hit. It was like his safe house. She was about to motion for Yuki to leave when the door was pushed open without warning.
Their heads snapped toward the entrance. Maverick stood there, looking slightly puzzled to see Yuki in the room. It did not stop him from delivering his message. "Is Lord Kieran here?" he asked, addressing Olivine who stood closest to the door.
Olivine nodded quickly. "Lord Kieran is asleep," she replied, keeping her tone respectful.
Maverick’s brows furrowed. He looked troubled. "His rest has to be cut short," he muttered.
Kieran’s authoritative voice boomed from behind Yuki, making her jolt in surprise. "I am awake. What is it?" He sat up, picking up his jacket that had been draped over the back of his chair.
Yuki was stunned to see him awake so suddenly. His tall frame immediately overshadowed her as he rose. Kieran’s gaze did not linger on her. He walked past her with steady steps, his presence commanding the room without effort.
"My lord, your presence is needed," Maverick said, addressing Kieran with proper honorifics since they were within the palace grounds and Kieran wasn’t officially the alpha they couldn’t call him that yet
Kieran nodded and glanced at Olivine. "Arrange what I told you earlier," he instructed, his voice calm but firm.
Olivine bowed slightly. "It is already arranged, my lord."
"Good. Then bring it along." Kieran said, walking toward the door. The entire time, Yuki’s gaze remained locked on him. At the doorway, before he stepped out, he paused for a moment. "There are a few fragile things. You can get Yuki to help, but do not let any other staff touch them. They are very valuable." He said before walking out.
Maverick’s gaze darted between them briefly before he followed. Olivine released a long breath, as if a heavy weight had lifted from her shoulders. "God, I was nervous," she gasped. "No matter how long I stay around him, his aura is terrifying."
Yuki arched her brows in surprise. "He is terrifying?" she repeated. Kieran had always seemed to have the most gentle presence among everyone in the Ravencourt family, yet Olivine looked genuinely pressured. It left her puzzled.
"Do you not feel that alpha presence once he wakes up?" Olivine asked, but Yuki looked completely lost. Olivine shook her head. "Just forget it. Please help me with these." She said, walking toward a box that had not been among the ones she had brought earlier.
Yuki followed and watched as Olivine carefully pulled out two elegant bottles. They were made of expensive, crystalline glass that shimmered under the greenhouse light. Inside swirled a vibrant purple bioluminescent liquid that glowed softly with its own inner magic, casting delicate patterns across the table like living stars. The bottles themselves were masterfully crafted, etched with intricate protective runes that pulsed faintly with power.
"What are those?" Yuki gasped, unable to hide her awe.
Olivine placed the bottles properly on the table. "I have no idea, but Kieran has been working on them since he returned. They look very important, and the bottles are specially crafted to preserve their potency." She explained. "It would have taken me two trips to move them safely since they are so precious, but I am glad you are here. As a medical student, you should know how to handle these."
Yuki’s eyes lit up with genuine excitement. These were high-grade magical potions. She had never seen one of this quality before. The glow came from the maker’s own magic channelled directly into the liquid. The fact that Kieran could create something like this left her deeply impressed. He was truly a remarkable healer. She wondered if he was also a skilled surgeon.
"Can I really hold them?" she asked cautiously.
"Sure," Olivine beamed. "Just be gentle. I am sure you do not want to offend Kieran. He already told you to help, and even if he is mild-tempered most of the time, his anger is the most explosive when he gets pissed. I heard these are for someone important."
Yuki reluctantly took one of the bottles. It felt warm to the touch, almost alive with contained energy. She held it carefully, making sure not to damage it. Olivine was already heading toward the door. Yuki followed behind.
"His anger is explosive?" Yuki blurted out as they walked. In the year and a half she had known Kieran at Xyrus Academy, she had never seen him lose control. In fact, the only time she had witnessed him visibly angry was upon her arrival at Ravencourt. That alone spoke volumes about how much he valued his mother.
Olivine stopped at the elevator and chose the floor. "It is rare, but it happens. When Kieran gets pissed, even both of his brothers cannot stop him." She explained. The elevator doors slid open, and Yuki grew even more curious.
"You are not kidding," she said with a soft chuckle.
"Nope. Haven’t you heard? The slow poison is the deadliest." Olivine replied, spacing out for a moment as old memories surfaced. She shrugged them off. "What really happened that day?"
Yuki could not stop herself from asking.
Olivine sighed. "It was a long story, but in summary, Eloise was in danger. And when I said he was pissed, I was not talking about Kaden’s mood swings. This was something else. It made every hair on my skin rise."
The look in Olivine’s eyes made Yuki subconsciously take a step back. She could see the lingering terror there. Yet it did not surprise her that Eloise had been the reason Kieran lost control. Her hand gripped the bottle tighter. She told herself not to care, but a bitter feeling settled in her chest. It made her feel like a horrible person for even thinking that way.
The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped out onto the second floor. The hallway was busy, but everyone avoided them respectfully. Olivine led the way in silence once they were around others. After a short walk, they stopped at a grand door.
The guards opened it for them. They stepped inside what looked like an elegant private lounge. Soft, luxurious carpets covered the floor in deep crimson and gold patterns. Large windows offered a stunning view of the estate grounds, framed by heavy velvet curtains. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting warm, golden light over plush seating arrangements and polished wooden tables adorned with fresh flowers. The air carried a faint scent of sandalwood and blooming roses, creating an atmosphere of refined comfort.
Soft sobs welcomed them as they entered. Yuki glanced over and spotted Eloise sitting on a plush chair, crying against Killian’s chest. Kaden stood nearby, watching with a tense expression, while Kieran held Eloise’s hand, assuring her in a gentle, soothing tone.
It felt so intimate and tender. A sharp pain crushed Yuki’s heart, one she had never felt before. She wanted to leave immediately.
"I’m scared. What if it hurts too much?" She cried looking really distressed. Eloise’s shoulders trembled as she cried on Killian, his hand was gently rubbing her back..
They were meant to be busy with the festival tonight but they literally stopped their words to soothe a crying Eloise.
