203: [Bonus chapter]A chain of errors (part 1)

[Bonus chapter]A chain of errors (part 1)

Egon dismounted Xavier.1

"Get down. We're going to talk," 

Her gaze turned icy as she looked down at him. They had countless matters to address, yet the sight of another woman embracing the man she loved while he hadn't spared her a single moment in the past seven days wounded her deeply.

"What exactly do you want to talk about, Egon?" 

He maintained his gaze on her. "Step down," he repeated.

She scowled, her expression hardening. "I won't engage in conversation simply because you desire it. Both of us must be willing to participate. And at this moment, I have no intention of talking to you."

His arms folded firmly across his broad chest. "You won't be leaving until we have a conversation,"

Examining his earnest gaze, she discerned the sincerity behind his words. It became clear that he wouldn't let her leave without talking to her.

Reluctantly, she complied and dismounted, wincing from the lingering pain in her forehead as her feet met the ground. The sun's rays intensified her discomfort causing her to squint. That's when he subtly shifted his stance to shield her from the glaring sunlight.

Feeling a sense of gratitude for his considerate gesture, she gathered her composure and spoke up. "Let's begin with my initial question since you seem so eager to talk," she suggested, taking two steps closer to him. In the narrow space between them, their proximity compelled him to lower his chin to meet her eyes.

"Why did you attempt to steal my memories?"

His gaze shifted from the promise ring to Aldric's bracelet before returning to meet her eyes. "If this is about what you witnessed earlier, you should have informed me of your arrival," he retorted, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.

She was growing weary of their circular exchanges, in her mind, he enjoyed the chase but had little intention of engaging in genuine conversation.

"...Don't worry, I won't unexpectedly show up at your doorstep again," she stated, turning away and preparing to remount Emily. However, her breath caught in her throat as a pair of strong arms suddenly enveloped her from behind.

"Don't go,"

A brief, involuntary laugh escaped her lips, a product of the intense relief she felt being held in his arms. She didn't need Aldric's bracelet to know that her connection with Egon went beyond any mate bond — it was pure, genuine love. And her lover was having yet another episode of unpredictable mood swings.

"...If you're pursuing a relationship with Olga solely because of Aldric, then you're making a grave mistake," she warned.

He didn't let go, but his grip loosened. "We have a history together. She's been like a sister to me. Right now, she's facing difficulties and I'm doing everything in my power to assist her. That's all there is to it," he conveyed sincerely. "Do you truly believe I would engage in a romantic relationship with someone I have known as a sibling for my entire life just to make you jealous?"

Releasing his grip, he gently guided her to face him, his expression growing solemn as his gaze lingered on her forehead before meeting her eyes.

"I am unable to be in a relationship with Olga in the way that worries you. Nor can I be with someone new,"

Wanting to hear those words once more, her tongue moved of its own accord. "I find it hard to believe you,"

A scowl etched across his face as he responded, "I'm not surprised. Someone as obstinate and proud as you wouldn't easily admit when they're being unfair."

Unfair!"

"You've always been an enigma to me! I'm constantly left in the dark, discovering things about you long after everyone else. How can you expect me to readily believe you and accuse me of unfairness when I express my skepticism?"

"Fine, do as you wish... Wearing a gift from another man is sufficient to make me question your trustworthiness. Rather than accusing me, perhaps you should take a closer look at yourself if you have the courage to do so,"

A mournful moment hung between her olive-green eyes and his topaz ones. She summoned all her strength, harnessing her self-control to resist the irresistible urge of extending her hand towards him, then stood motionless, observing him as he turned away, his back facing her. However, instead of proceeding to mount Xavier, he paused to address her once more.

"I won't sever my partnership with the warlock, but I won't participate in any further meetings with him. Any communication from either you or him should be relayed through the Archduke directly to me," he asserted, creating more distance between them. "And for you to have worn an item of his throughout the entire week... How could you have undergone such a transformation?"

"...Perhaps due to constant tampering with my mind?" she responded bitterly, leaving it to him to draw his own conclusions about the bracelet's effect on her.

He swiftly pivoted, his voice taking on a defensive undertone, "I aided your sleep during our journey back. I never intended for anything to happen to your memories."

His accusatory tone left her astounded!

"And does that make it acceptable? If my memories were mistakenly suppressed, wouldn't it be even more important to communicate openly and inform me?" Her heartbeat pounded in her chest as she swallowed her emotions. "You might not have chosen to disclose it immediately, but you had ample time to do so over the past week. Or were you too preoccupied with Olga?"

A surge of anger twisted his features. "If I had the opportunity to be with Olga, I would have already taken it! She simplifies everything!"

Simplifies?

Adela realized her misjudgment, she made a mistake believing he couldn't hurt her any more than he already had. In that moment, all she desired was to retaliate and cause him pain in return.

"Speaking of simplicity," she said, straightening her posture and firming her expression, "There is a direct method to mitigate the Oracle's prophecy."

His face transformed into a mask devoid of emotions as he listened attentively. "Which one?" 

Uncertain if he referred to the prophecies or the Oracles, she lacked the luxury of pondering it now. Her intention was to strike back by revealing a secret she had withheld from him .

"Aldric of Varinthia asked me to become his queen."

His deep brown eyes, light under the radiant sun, widened and shimmered with hurt. A flutter of butterflies took flight in her stomach as he approached, their bodies generating a magnetic current that was not tied to any mate bond. The same carnal desire she felt within herself was evident in his dilated pupils.

He, too, hungered for her.

Egon firmly grasped her arm just below the promise ring he had given her. Bending down, he closed the distance between them, leaving only a breath's space.

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