The return walk to the castle was quiet, but not awkward, as earlier. Elora followed Azazeal a few paces behind, her thoughts whirling.
She wanted to thank him the right way, to find the courage to talk without the normal amount of hesitation she
As they arrived at the doors to her chambers, Azazeal turned away from her, but she'd acted on impulse, her little hand catching his.
She let go of him just as soon, and her fingers curled involuntarily as if to keep the warmth from his hands.
"T-Thanks for the gift your highness " she stuttered, her voice so low it's almost a whisper .
His eyes narrowed
" I.. I mean, Azazeal."
Azazeal paused, his eyes drifting to her pink face.
For a second, he considered drawing her closer, just to find out just how much more he could make her soft voice could crack under his pressure.
The urge to make her stutter to something else, preferably on his bed, and in his arms became stronger than before.
The images on his head were surely going to make those pink cheeks even redder and a small smile quirked his lips at the thought of how appalled she would be
He almost gave in to his wolf whispering for them to tease her red, but he restrained himself , he bit his tongue, instead responding with a curt nod.
He spoke again before leaving, his words echoing in the quiet hallway.
Let me guess, you've heard about the Winter festival right?, he asks his voice low.
" Um, yes. " she tentatively spoke."
" The colorful festival of love, happens after three consecutive years, when the full moon comes out just before the new year "
" Hmm." he nodded
"As tradition dictates, we are to host the winter love Festival as queen and king of the crimson sky," he began, his deep voice resonating through the quiet chamber.
"And it would be rather pretty ironic, wouldn't it? For those tasked with celebrating the love festival to appear as estranged as strangers."
Elora almost choked on her spit at the slight accusation in his tone, her fingertips twitched as she swallowed the hiccup rising in her throat.
She gazed up at him, wide-eyed, feeling both annoyed and overwhelmed by the man before her.
On sensing her rising attitude, Azazeal's demeanor softened.
He took a step closer, his towering frame suddenly less imposing.
"This year," he continued, softly, "I've decided to hold the love festival in the Capital Ardennes"
Elora blinked, taken aback. "The Capital ?" she said again, her voice almost a whisper, as if they were sharing a secret
Azazeal nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"The castle there is way bigger, and more convenient to host all the Alphas in the world.
And also I heard about your overwhelming love for snowy landscapes and icy mountains," he said.
"And because this will be your first Winter Love Festival I want it to be as special as it can be for you."
Her breath hitched. For a second, she had no way of knowing whether it was the words themselves or the way he said them that made her heart tumble in her chest.
"I am to leave again in a week to see to preparations for the winter festival at Ardennes.
Usually, I'd go by myself, but… given that you might love the whole journey and preparation in the castle, I thought you might want to accompany me before the festivities begin."
Enid blinked, her big eyes flashing with excitement.
"I-I'd love to. Thank you."
She couldn't believe it, she was still plotting ways to ask him to involve her in the preparations even without knowing it wouldn't take place here, but now, she even had the chance to travel and explore, and visit the capital.
Her smile was so wide that she could feel her cheeks hurting.
Azazeal stared down at her, stunned.
He couldn't believe she willingly agreed to spend time with him and travel together, he was still thinking of things he could say to convince her to come with him, but to his shock, she agreed easily.
" T- that's good, tell your maids to prepare warm winter clothes for the travels, and select the maids you would want to come with you to the capital before it's time."
Elora nodded in agreement.
" W-would Winter and Midnight also come with?, I want to ride Winter with me and you can also ride Midnight. Can we? " she asked her doe eyes staring at him expectantly
In that moment Azazeal felt as if she had asked for the whole world, he would place it in her palm.
" Yes of course." he nodded.
"Any other thing you might want before we travel please feel free to relay the message through an attendant or ask for me if you want to speak to me personally."
Elora stood transfixed as he spoke, his voice in the quiet night doing something crazy to her insides.
" Sure."
" Good night Elora."
" Good night…Azazeal."
Azazeal nodded his head and he turned on his heels, footsteps fading into the dark hallway.
Elora's mind was racing as she stood at the door of her chambers.
She barely heard Irene's startled shriek as the maid opened the door and saw her standing idly at the other side.
For some reason, she was excited.
Very excited.
But the reason for her excitement worried her
Because she wasn't happy just because she had the opportunity to see the snowy mountains and experience a new adventure ahead.
No.
The reason for her racing heart was suspiciously because of the man who had just asked her to come with him on the journey.
You can't be like this Elora, like he said, it wouldn't make sense if the king and queen don't host the festival together and prepare for it most. It's only convenient that I come with him, he likely only asked out of a sense of duty.
Her thoughts did nothing to solve her current dilemma, and she pretended that the solution she gave herself didn't send her a pang of hurt through her.
She is excited for the trip but she knows that more than anything, she has to keep her heart safe from the man who already gave his heart to another.
All she needs to do is keep her space and enjoy her moment of freedom and fun.
She wouldn't act as his new wife nor would she put herself in a position to be the rebound lover, all she'll need to do is enjoy her stay at Ardennes and avoid Azazeal like she always does.
Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?