But she still wanted more.
"I told you," Elias broke the silence with a smug grin, "lots of women swoon. Including you."
Lyra turned to him with a raised brow, arms crossed. "And I told you… you're an asshole."
He shrugged, completely unfazed. "Still don't know what that means. But I'm guessing it's something flattering, judging by the way you kissed me."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Yes, Elias. Deep down, it's a term of endearment. It means 'beloved royal pain-in-the-butt.'"
He nodded seriously. "Ah. I thought so. I shall wear it as a badge of honor."
The carriage rumbled to a stop in front of the townhouse in the capital. Lantern light spilled over the cobblestone street, illuminating the guards and the familiar front doors that had become strangely comforting to Lyra.
"One question," she asked as he stepped down and offered her his hand. "Didn't Lirae have her own home?"
"She did," Elias replied smoothly as he helped her down, their hands brushing again. "But I'm keeping you close. For your safety."
She paused mid-step, one brow raised. "Or because you're possessive and enjoy ordering people around?"
"Can't it be both?"
Before Lyra could deliver a retort, they turned toward the steps—only to find Thaddeus standing there, practically bouncing. His eyes sparkled with anticipation, hands clasped.
"Well?" he asked, leaning forward dramatically.
Lyra blinked, then slipped into character with a dramatic gasp and the saddest pout she could manage. "It was... horrible, Thaddeus. Just terrible. I've never been so embarrassed in my whole life." She even added a fake sniffle and dabbed at an imaginary tear.
Thaddeus's face crumbled with empathy as he reached out. "Oh my world! I'm so sorry, Miss. I should've done more."
"You're so gullible, Thaddeus," Elias cut in.
Lyra's tragic sobs dissolved into giggles, and soon she was clutching her side laughing.
The poor man blinked in confusion, looking between the two of them. "Wait. What just happened?"
"She's fine," Elias said, patting the butler on the shoulder with mock sympathy. "You've been emotionally manipulated. Congratulations."
"Miss Lyra! That is completely not fair," Thaddeus chastised, arms flailing.
Lyra grinned wickedly, lifting her chin. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. Besides, I had to get you back for the absolute hell you put me."
"It went fine. Miss Lyra was outstanding in her impersonation tactics," Elias said, undoing the collar of his coat and giving Thaddeus a wink.
"You should have seen me, Thaddeus," Lyra added, leaping right into a spirited retelling as she made her way to the sitting room. "There was this one moment—I swear, my hands were sweating so bad…"
Elias chuckled as she reenacted her night. He walked past them, the amusement still tugging at his lips, and headed to the bar where a decanter of dark wine sat glistening under the candlelight. He poured himself a glass, the rich red liquid catching the flicker of flame.
Thaddeus bowed slightly. "I'll have one of the maids draw you a bath, Miss Lyra. Will you like some dinner as well?"
"Yes, Thaddeus," Lyra said sweetly, giving him a small wink before padding toward the bar to join Elias.
She leaned on the counter beside him, their shoulders brushing slightly.
"So," Elias said casually, swirling his glass, "what was your conversation with Matthew… I mean the king."
Lyra's smile dimmed just slightly. She hesitated, her fingers tracing invisible shapes on the polished wood of the bar.
Elias turned to look at her fully, the humor slowly draining from his eyes. "You look like you're about to give me bad news," he said.
Lyra bit her lip, thinking back to Matthew's words. Her stomach twisted into an anxious knot.
"That's because it is," Lyra finally said. "He mentioned that he and Lirae used to have… an intimate thing going on."
The room seemed to still. Elias raised an eyebrow slowly. "That is not true."
Lyra wasn't convinced. She nodded slowly, unsure herself. She didn't know enough to call Matthew a liar, but the look on Elias's face told her he was one hundred percent ready to do so.
"Yes," Elias continued, pacing a little, his hand flying through his hair. "He always cared a lot about Lirae—but she didn't share the same feelings for him. She wanted me. Always wanted me."
Lyra glanced away. "Sure," she muttered under her breath, hating how bitter it sounded. Hating even more that it was sincere. The green-eyed monster had officially arrived and was snacking on her self-esteem.
Elias stopped, narrowing his eyes at nothing in particular, clearly chewing on Matthew's claim. "Why would he say that?" he spat, his irritation growing.
A nagging thought surfaced.
Thaddeus had once mentioned that Lirae had been visiting the palace more often than usual before her death.
"No," he muttered, shaking his head. "There must be an explanation. Lirae loved me."
"Listen," Lyra said gently, stepping closer. "I'm sure she did. But maybe the king has a hidden agenda. Maybe he's trying to destabilize you, throw you off your game. There's no use dwelling on it."
He nodded, but the crease in his brow remained. The words had wormed their way into his mind, clinging to doubt.
"We hid our relationship, yes. But then the gossip sheets found out that I was seeing someone, news like that, it caught fire. I had no choice. I had to announce our engagement." He explained.
"Why did you hide it?"
"Because my cousin, the king always had a crush on her. I knew it but she didn't and she wasn't interested in anyone else but me."
He held his head in his hands, pacing a bit.
"You okay?" she asked, studying him with soft concern.
"I'm fine," Elias said.
"I'm going to have a bath," Lyra said, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "Will you be alright, Elias?"
"of course. Why wouldn't I be? Its just one of Matthew's lies as always." Elias gave a small smile.
Lyra left him but when she came back down for dinner, he was nowhere to be found.
(Will Be Continued On GoodNovel)