Chapter 63: Flirting With Danger [2]
Outside, the night breeze flowed through the open window, making the curtains sway gently like ghostly dancers. The air was cool, just cold enough to make Kael pull his sleeves down a bit.
"Okay, I get it, darling," he said, leaning back with exaggerated flair, resting an arm along the chair. "But is there anything else I should know about her? You seem so eager to warn me, I figured why stop now?"
Seraphina brought her hands together in front of her, pale slim fingers laced delicately. She tilted her head, her expression unreadable.
"...You noticed that much?" she muttered, almost to herself. Then, with a small sigh, she raised a finger to her lips, as if debating whether to continue. "Fine. There is one more thing."
Kael leaned forward slightly, eyebrows lifted in mock anticipation. "Ooooh, another mystery about our Lieutenant. Lay it on me."
Seraphina cleared her throat, eyes narrowing as though the very act of saying it hurt her pride. "She's actually… well, she's kind of… truly stupid."
Kael blinked. His smirk faltered. "...Stupid?"
"Mm-hmm," she nodded, lips pursed.
"Wait, hold on." He raised a hand. "You're calling her stupid? Her? The Lieutenant?"
His voice cracked a bit at the end, half in disbelief, half in laughter. "You sure you're not making that up again, like that time you said she's actually a psycho girl who hits on every man."
Seraphina narrowed her eyes, her voice cool. "It's not a joke."
Kael tilted his head, watching her closely. "Then… what do you mean by stupid? Like, 'forgot-the-teapot-was-on-fire' stupid? Or the 'walked-into-a-door-thinking-it-was-a-portal' type?"
She let out a sharp breath and crossed her fingers through one another, forming tight holes between them as if trying to channel her annoyance through them. "She's... an overthinker. Not just an overthinker, an overly intense one. Always trying to solve everything by herself, even things she doesn't understand. She jumps to conclusions on her own, doesn't even bother to get any clarification, acts alone, and complicates simple matters."
Kael squinted, absorbing that. "So… emotionally stupid?"
"Socially stupid," she corrected flatly. "There's a difference."
He raised an eyebrow. "Wait, are you saying she's... impulsive?"
"She's clumsy with emotions," Seraphina muttered, almost biting the words. "Pretends to know more than she does. It's irritating."
Kael leaned forward, elbows on the table now, interested. "Wait, wait, wait. Is this also one of the reasons our precious lieutenant gets punished? Isn't she your friend? Shouldn't friends help each other? But you only punish her. You actually love her, don't you?"
"I don't. And who are you to judge our friendship? I just... don't hate her, that's all. She's my only friend," Seraphina cut in, her tone sharp. Her gaze dropped, fingers tightening. "You don't know anything. Because of her overthinking, she actually—"
She paused, her eyes fixed on the table in silence. After a moment, she reached for the teacup and brought it to her lips. As she took a slow sip, she suddenly realized it was empty. Her expression shifted, turning strangely blank. Then, almost absentmindedly, she set the cup down, just a little too firmly.
"...You were going to say something else, weren't you?" Kael asked, narrowing his eyes. "You stopped mid-sentence. Again. That's like... the fourth time today."
Seraphina looked away. "Should I really say it? That Arwyn suspects something between us..."
Her thoughts twisted in knots. "No. If I say that, I'll have to explain how she started suspecting... and that's because I was careless. Following him, watching over him too closely. I should've known someone would notice. Of course it was Arwyn. And I didn't even realize she was tailing me."
"But I can't say any of that to him. He'll tease me to death. It's not like I actually care about him or anything... I just needed to make sure he was safe. He's my father's... precious son, after all."
Kael waved a hand in front of her face. "Helloooo? Ice queen? You drifted off again. Is this about me or her? You must be thinking about how handsome I look right now. Either way, I feel flattered."
Seraphina snapped her eyes back to him. "It's not something that concerns you."
"Sure, sure. Not my business," Kael muttered, feigning disappointment. Then, after a beat, he leaned his chin on his hand and gave her a crooked grin. "But now I really want to know. Especially since it made you hesitate."
She scoffed and looked away.
Kael shrugged. "Anyway, I still don't get how her being 'stupid' is supposed to help me. The ghost thing? Fine. Her hatred for men? Also fine. But this? Doesn't exactly scream danger to me."
Seraphina gave a small smile, rare and cold. "Because you can use it to your advantage. She'll definitely act superior, like a princess, she always does. Even when she doesn't understand something, she pretends she does. Most people are too blinded by her beauty to see through it. They're too busy admiring her to notice the cracks. But in front of me? She can't get away with it."
"Like how you act like you hate me but get flustered when I breathe too close?"
She blinked once, her calm expression twitching. "Don't push it. I don't get flustered. I get irritated, and those are two completely different things. Understood?"
Kael chuckled. "Understood, what exactly? Look at yourself, just look." He pointed at her, clearly enjoying himself despite knowing he was picking a fight for no reason. "That right there? That's not irritation. That's called being flustered."
Seraphina stared at him with a look that practically screamed, "Is he for real?" Then, clenching one fist, she gave the table a light punch. She was trying her best not to react. "Is he really...?" she muttered, then caught sight of his crooked little chuckle, and realization hit her fast. "I see now. You're trying to make me angry, so I get flustered... and then you take advantage of it. If I do, you'll mock me. You've truly underestimated me."
"You know, Arwyn actually... has a good heart," Seraphina said, abruptly changing the subject. "Even if she acts cold toward you later. Even if she seems harsh or mean, don't worry…" She paused, eyes narrowing. "In the end, she's a fool, like a certain someone I know. But unlike him, she's a kind fool. Not a complete idiot."
Her gaze slid over to him, sharp as glass.
"She's lazy, sure. But at least she finishes what she starts. That's more than I can say for someone who needs a personal apocalypse just to roll out of bed."
"Wow. I feel so seen."
"But unlike him," she continued with a steely glare, "she hates laziness in others. Especially when it reflects her own."
Kael tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "Wait, what? She's lazy but hates lazy people?"
"You'll understand it eventually," she said coolly.
He stared at her for a second, then burst into a soft laugh. "Oh, I'm sure I will. Especially if you explain it to me. Slowly. Like I'm stupid too."
"You are," she replied flatly.
Kael gave her a crooked smile. "Damn… There's my beloved wife's 'training'—a.k.a. death penalty—and then there's that psycho girl. What is she even planning to do to me? I have no clue." He tilted his head slightly, calling out with mock dread, "Hey, honey?"
Seraphina's voice floated back, soft and distracted. "Hmm? What is it?"
He gave her a pitiful pout. "Do you think I'll survive all this pressure?"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, with her usual quiet grace, she rose to her feet and walked toward the stairs. Her silence was louder than words.
"Wait… why are you walking away without answering me?" Kael asked, rising slowly to his feet, confusion flickering across his face.
Seraphina didn't answer, but the moment she reached the stairs, she stopped. Without turning fully, she looked back at him over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing just slightly.
"Don't worry," she said coolly. "You'll survive. I know you can do it." She let out a long, slow sigh as if the weight of the day had finally worn her down. Her voice was quieter this time, almost tired, "Well… let's head to bed. I'm actually feeling really sleepy."
She turned away, clearly done for the night. But after a few steps, she stopped, some quiet urge made her glance back once more.
"And yes, I forgot to mention," she added casually, as if it wasn't a big deal, "Tonight… you can come to our room."
Her words hung in the air like bait. She turned again, as if to leave it at that.
Kael lay sprawled dramatically across the sofa, the apron already midair before it landed gently on the chair. He didn't even bother to lift his head, one arm draped over his face like a tragic figure from a play. "Go by yourself," he muttered, voice muffled. "You must've forgotten, but I haven't. This morning, you said you always keep your guard up. That wasn't exactly an invitation."
He shifted deeper into the cushions, letting out a groan. "Go, monster. I'm not going to sleep with you anymore."
Seraphina stopped in her tracks. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, her jaw tightened. She glanced at her side from her shoulder. Those sharp blue eyes blazed with fury.
"What did I just say?" she said slowly, icily. "You. Can. Come."
He snorted, rolling over to face the back of the sofa. "And I said I'm not coming. You can sleep perfectly fine without me, can't you? Go ahead. I'm great here. Hmph." He casually tried to folded the sofa like it might the only thing he can hold to, "This sofa is just so fine."
She exhaled again, this one heavier, sharper. "Kael, you're being way too stubborn, don't you think? Everything has it limits and you're out of it. I am really feeling sleepy and tired to so please come with me."
"Whatever," he said lazily, waving a hand at her without looking. "Just go. I'm perfectly fine here, for your information. Good night."
Seraphina's brow furrowed in silent frustration. "Why, this guy? He's acting just fine a moment ago but now." She stood frozen for a second, clearly debating with herself, then turned back around and stepped toward the higher side of the sofa, her presence looming over him.
She crossed her arms and looked down at him like he were some unfortunate insect she might crush at any moment. "Idiot." Then, firmly, she said, "I said stand up and come with me."
He peeked out from under his arm with one eye, exaggerated disbelief on his face. "Why would I, huh? Tell me... why on earth do you even want me there? You sleep just fine without me, don't you? Peacefully, even! Like a baby wrapped in clouds! Without me, you get your precious, undisturbed beauty rest! So what's the big deal now, huh? Suddenly can't sleep alone?"
Seraphina's expression didn't shift. She stood taller, the chill in her voice like frost. "Kael. I won't say it twice. Just go up."
"And I won't go unless you give me a real reason," he said, jabbing his nose further into the cushion like a child. "Why do you even need me there? Not that I mind, but it's kinda weird hearing that from someone who usually calls me a loser."
Her arms, once crossed tightly over her chest, now hung at her sides, fists clenched. She was silent for a beat. Then, with a sigh, she muttered, "…If you sleep here, you'll catch a cold. The wind's turned colder in the night."
There it was, a flicker of concern, barely visible. Then she moved, almost vanishing, gone to the opposite side in an instant. It was fast, too fast.
Kael's ears perked at her words, and a sly grin stretched across his lips. "Aww~ Are you worried about me?" he teased, turning just enough to glance up at her from where he lay sprawled on the sofa. "No, of course not. You're just saying that so I'll get up. Admit it, you think you can order me around. Well, not today."
Seraphina, standing before him with her arms crossed, narrowed her gaze and looked down even colder than before. "Kael," she said, voice flat and low, "don't make me do something you'll regret later. Just stand up."
He smirked, shifting slightly so that one ear pressed into the cushion. His eyes, half-lidded, drifted downward, catching sight of the hem of her gown and the shape of her legs just feets away. Still, he didn't lift his head. "What can you even do?" he muttered, almost to himself. "You're not scaring me tonight. I'm fine. Just let me be, and go sleep by yourself."
"Kael..." she called his name, sharp and clipped.
"I said," he snapped back, voice muffled into the fabric of the sofa, "give me a reason. A real one. Then maybe I'll go. Otherwise, forget it."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, he felt it, the air shifted, chilled. A strange pressure pressed down on him like something dangerous had just woken up. Slowly, he tilted his eyes upward.
Seraphina exhaled deeply through her nose, the sound more warning than sigh. Her voice came low, tight, and lethal.
"A reason?" she repeated, almost mocking. "You bastard should be grateful I even allow you to sleep beside me. And now you want a reason?" Her eyes glinted like ice. "If the wind hadn't turned colder, I wouldn't have wasted a second of my time on you. I wouldn't have spared even a look."
He smiled against the cushion, lazy and unbothered. "You know I've got no shame," he whispered, "so that kind of talk doesn't work on me. Lucky me."
Seraphina's jaw tensed. Her voice cracked like frost. "Yes. I can see that now. You're utterly shameless. But why?" She leaned forward slightly, expression unreadable. "Why are you doing this?"
Her voice had softened just enough to be taken seriously. It wasn't anger anymore. It was exhaustion. "I'm tired," she muttered, "and I just want to sleep."
"So sleep," he murmured. "Who's stopping you?"
Seraphina closed her eyes for a moment, gathering herself. When she opened them again, her voice dropped to a whisper that carried more weight than a shout.
"Oh, gods," she muttered under her breath, "please stop me before I kill this insect beneath me." then looking at him, "You've got quite the nerve, don't you?"
He chuckled into the cushion. "Leave."
But she didn't leave. She stood there, silent, her shadow draped over him like a warning.
He waited, then tilted his head up just enough to peek. "Still here?" he asked quietly.
She didn't answer. After a long breath, her voice returned, low and reluctant. "So…" she began, drawing out the word. "What kind of reason do you want?"
He didn't move.
"I don't have one," she continued. "Not a proper one. The only thing I can say is that you're my…" She stopped. The words hovered, incomplete.
His eyes widened slightly. "Your husband?" he asked, his tone gentler now, curious.
Seraphina turned her face away, her silver hair catching the faintest glint of moonlight from the open window. Her lips twitched, subtle but noticeable, like she was restraining something deep and venomous, whether an emotion or a curse was unclear. She didn't reply, not at first. For a few seconds, the silence stood between them like a drawn sword.
Then, in a low voice that tried too hard to be indifferent, she muttered, "No." She took a single step back. "Forget it." And just like that, she turned away from him, the folds of her pale gown trailing after her like a whisper of wind.
Kael, still lying carelessly on the sofa as if the world didn't weigh on him the same way it did on others, watched her with half-lidded eyes. She didn't pause. Not this time. She kept walking, slow and deliberate, not once glancing over her shoulder.
But Kael wasn't done. His lips curled into a crooked smirk, a mischievous gleam in his eye as if something wicked had just crossed his mind. He cleared his throat with exaggerated effort, letting it echo in the room deliberately.
"Ahem..."
Still, she didn't stop.
Then, his voice called out, not pleading, not commanding, but dancing somewhere in between, irritatingly teasing: "Honey, if you fulfill just one of my wishes tonight, there's a chance I might come with you. But then again…" he trailed off dramatically, "I suppose you're fine by yourself. Good night, darling."
She stopped mid-step. The silence snapped. Her shoulders stiffened as if something invisible gripped her spine. Slowly, she turned her head back just enough to throw him a glare from the corner of her eye. Her voice was low and biting, yet curious, like a wolf circling prey. "Fulfill your wish?" she asked. "What kind of wish?"
Kael sat upright in one fluid motion, brushing imaginary dust from his shirt like he was preparing for a stage play. His grin widened, his entire face glowing with boyish excitement, though there was a glint of calculation behind his eyes.
As her eyes met his, she involuntarily remembered the morning, that moment, when he'd moaned in sleep. Her gaze flickered, the image rushing to her before she could stop it. "No. He wouldn't dare ask something like that. Not him. He doesn't have the guts. Or the decency." But then a shiver crept in. "But... what if he actually did? If he did, he's dying right here, by my hands."
He cleared his throat again, theatrically, raising a hand to his lips as if to amplify the tension. "Well, you see…" he began slowly, dramatically pausing again like he was reading lines from a play, "I'm not quite sure you're capable. It's... delicate. Embarrassing, even." Another pause. This one stretched.
Then, with a mock-serious expression, he dropped the line: "I'll definitely go. I swear I will, if you just… call me 'honey.' Just once." He lifted a hand like he was offering the world. "Like, maybe say something soft. Something sweet. Something like, 'Honey... come with me. I hate admitting it, but I can't sleep unless you're beside me."'
His voice cracked just a little on the last line, not out of fear, but from how hard he was trying not to burst into laughter.
Seraphina froze. Completely. Her lips parted, her expression unreadable for a heartbeat, then her mouth shut again, tight. Her fists clenched by her side as if holding back the urge to strike him.
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(Chapter Ended)