Aldric stepped into the mansion, loosening his tie as his eyes swept over the quiet living room. Dinner was set neatly on the table, but the seat sat empty.
He frowned. "Where's Amelia?"
Butler Noah, standing nearby, bowed respectfully. "Miss Amelia mentioned she'd already eaten,Master. She asked not to be called for dinner."
Aldric's gaze flicked toward the stairs. Skipping dinner, huh? What's she up to now?
Without another word, he turned and started upstairs, his steps steady, unhurried, but deliberate.
A faint rustle met his ears as he opened her door.
Amelia was sprawled across the bed, oblivious to his presence. Her glasses rested beside her pillow, and her hair, still slightly damp from a shower, framed her face in loose waves. She frowned slightly, eyes locked on whatever she was holding.
Curious, Aldric moved closer.
Then he saw it.
A magazine, open to a photo of a half-naked man.
His expression darkened. His voice, when he spoke, was calm but edged with danger.
"What" he said slowly, "are you looking at?"
Amelia jumped like she'd been struck by lightning. "Ah!" She flung the magazine across the room, her face flaming.
"A–Aldric! You scared me!"
He arched a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Seems I came back just in time."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned in, close enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath.
"So this is what you do when you skip dinner?"
"I—It's not mine!" she blurted out, flustered.
Before she could finish, he stretched out beside her, one arm resting under his head. His tone softened, though his gaze didn't waver.
"Put the book away."
Amelia hesitated, then placed the magazine as far from the bed as possible. "Um… are you going to ask—"
He gently pressed a finger to her lips.
"No questions" he murmured. "I'm tired. Not in the mood to argue."
Her heart stuttered. He was too close, his voice low and rough with fatigue.
"Can you sing?" he asked suddenly.
She blinked. "Sing? …Yes, I can."
"Then sing for me."
So she did.
Her voice was soft and warm like a lullaby that wrapped the room in calm. When she dared to glance at him, he wasn't asleep. His eyes were half-open, watching her quietly.
Her voice faltered.
"Why did you stop?" he asked.
"Because… you're staring."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "You're not used to attention, are you?"
Amelia turned away quickly, her cheeks glowing.
After a beat, he asked, "You went out today?"
"Yes" she said softly. "I went to the hospital, then met Emily."
His eyes opened slightly. "So she gave you those magazines?"
"…Yes."
He hummed, neither judgmental nor approving and let his eyes close again.
"Alright. Go to sleep."
Amelia studied him for a moment, his sharp features softened by fatigue, the faint shadows under his eyes betraying exhaustion.
He looked… human, for once.
She yawned, curling slightly toward him as sleep tugged her under.
Aldric opened his eyes once her breathing evened out.
He turned his head, watching her sleep, lashes trembling faintly, lips parted, a trace of a smile still on her face.
Why hasn't she ever dated anyone? he wondered.
Her blonde hair fanned across the pillow like silk. Without thinking, he reached out and pulled her gently against him, breathing in the faint floral scent of her hair.
His heartbeat slowed.
"Too innocent" he murmured against her crown, before letting his eyes close at last.
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, brushing across Amelia's face. She blinked awake and turned instinctively toward the other side of the bed.
Empty.
The pillow was cool and untouched as if Aldric had been gone for hours.
He must've left while I was asleep, she thought, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.
She dragged herself out of bed and into the bathroom. The splash of cold water on her face helped clear the last traces of warmth from her dreams, his voice, his gaze, the steady weight of his arm around her.
"Don't think about it, Amelia" she muttered, shaking her head. "It was just sleep."
After freshening up, she slipped into a simple white gown and tied her hair into a ponytail. She didn't want Butler Noah knocking again to remind her about breakfast, so she headed downstairs early.
The hallway was silent. No sight of Moon. She exhaled in relief.
But when she entered the dining room, she stopped short.
Aldric was already there, sitting with quiet composure, a cup of coffee in hand, breakfast untouched. His presence seemed to fill the entire room without effort.
"Good morning" she greeted softly, taking a seat across from him.
He looked up briefly, his face unreadable. "Morning."
Amelia picked up her fork and started eating, though she soon found herself watching him instead. The way he moved, precise, controlled, every motion deliberate made her feel oddly self-conscious.
He eats like he's in a commercial.
Aldric noticed her gaze and raised a brow. "Is there something on my face?"
She nearly dropped her fork. "N-no! You just… eat very neatly."
A faint smirk curved his lips. "And you eat like you're racing a clock."
Her cheeks flushed. "I'm just… efficient."
He hummed in amusement, sipping his coffee.
When they finished, the servants moved quietly to clear the table. Aldric leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady on her.
"Come with me" he said.
She followed him to the living room. He sat on the couch, gesturing for her to sit too.
"We'll be moving out today" he said matter of fact. "But first, we need to stop by somewhere."
Amelia blinked. "Moving out?"
He nodded. "Yes. When we return, pack your things and bring them downstairs."
"Oh… okay." She hesitated. "Will Feng be coming too?"
"Yes."
"Alright" she murmured, trying not to sound nervous.
Aldric stood and checked his watch. "Go change. We're leaving soon."
Amelia hurried upstairs, rifling through her closet. She settled on black shorts and an oversized white polo, simple, comfortable. After tying her hair into a bun, she looked at her reflection and nodded.
Good enough.
But when she came downstairs, ready to go, she froze.
Moon was there.
The tiger's white fur gleamed under the sunlight as his tail swished lazily. Aldric was crouched beside him, hand brushing through the animal's thick coat looking far too at ease beside something that could swallow her whole.
Amelia's pulse jumped.
Oh no. No no no. Why is he out?!
Before she could retreat, Moon's sharp amber eyes lifted and locked on her.
Her heart dropped.
"A-Aldric!" she squeaked. "He's—he's looking at me!"
Aldric turned slightly, his tone calm as ever. "Relax. He's just saying good morning."
"Good morning?" she hissed. "That's not good morning, that's a death stare!"
Moon stood and padded toward her, each step slow but heavy.
"Aldric!" she squealed again, frozen in place.