Chapter 165:Invitation.

Lilith’s eyes met his immediately before they moved to the table. She picked up her half-drunk tea and took a sip before placing it back down.

"What were you reading?" He asked her.

She dismissively shook her head.

"Nothing, I was just staring at the pages."

He let out a soft breath, close to a chuckle, and placed his tea next to hers. She immediately picked his, holding it between her hands for the warmth and occasional passing sips.

"You can come sit with me at the library, " he said, his fingers lightly grazing her skin "It’s quite comfortable... or you can call for me when you need me instead of waiting."

She looked at him from the rim of the cup before lowering it down.

"I don’t wish to disturb you but since you’ve said it’s okay, I will be doing just that."

Atheline chuckled at her arrogant tone. Ever since she took him to the library she has never come to disturb him or even visit him as she wanted him not distracted.

And Klaith wouldn’t like her intrusion all the time.

He reached for one of the beautifully organised snacks picking one.

"You had quite a day," he asked.

She leaned back slightly, watching him softly run his hands on her leg.

"No."

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

"The meetings were loud," she added, as if that explained everything.

And to Atheline, it did. He understood what she meant perfectly.

"That sounds tiring. "

"It is," she said plainly.

He nodded once, picking up the cup for another sip then settling it down.

"And you?" She asked, then continued before he could respond," What did you find in the library?"

He thought about it for a minute, trying to shape a reasonable answer.

"Nothing much. History, old decisions," he said," different people arguing over the same thing. "

She hummed softly.

"Predictable."

"Very."

There was a small pause between them, then he placed her leg back where it was and stood up. This startled her slightly.

She watched him move but didn’t ask what he was doing. He moved behind her chair, hand coming to rest lightly on her shoulders.

She didn’t question him, just allowed him to do whatever he wanted.

He pressed gently at first, testing the tension there. It didn’t take much to find where she was tense.

"You said it was tiring," he murmured.

"It was."

Her voice slightly softened.

He adjusted his hands, working more deliberately now, easing the tightness that had built up during the day.

She exhaled lightly, a small moan leaving her as the tension eased. Atheline’s hands knew exactly where to press to make her feel good.

"You should rest more," he said.

"I don’t need to."

"You do, since coming from the islands you haven’t been able to let your mind rest. You’ve just been on the move all the time."

She was quiet for a moment then responded quietly.

"Maybe."

Atheline smiled when he got her answer rejuvenating his efforts. She rarely admitted any form of weakness.

He continued massaging her, slow and steady, not rushing it.

The room fell into a comfortable silence as they enjoyed each other’s company his hands working their way to her neck.

Her head tilted slightly forward after a while, giving him better access without being asked.

They had tea cooled down on the table beside them, forgotten.

"You always come back smelling like old books," she murmured.

He huffed softly. " I’ll take that as a compliment."

"It’s not."

Short silence settled over them before she broke them.

"... But I don’t mind."

He didn’t respond to that. His hands slowed slightly, more deliberate now.

Her shoulder relaxed further into his touch.

"Go lower," she said softly.

"I was planning to," he replied softly.

Her lips curved faintly.

Then she leaned back just slightly, enough that her head brushed against him.

The knock came softly, breaking the hypnotic atmosphere. His hands paused on her shoulders.

She also didn’t move. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The second knock followed, harder this time.

Her expression didn’t change but the pressure in the room shifted.

"Ignore it," she murmured.

He almost did but the knock came a third time, hesitant this time like the knocker was beginning to regret their decision.

He exhaled slightly.

"I’ll see who it is."

Her shoulders shifted under his arms, enough to show that she didn’t like the answer.

Still, she didn’t stop him.

He stepped away, the warmth of the moment lingering faintly as he crossed the room and opened the door.

A servant stood outside, head lowered.

"My apologies your highness," he said quickly," I was instructed to deliver this at once."

A sealed envelope rested on the silver tray in his hands.

He studied the intact wax seal carefully. He didn’t recognise the crest at first glance but on the second did.

’

Why on earth would they choose to deliver the letter at this hour’

He smiled at the servant and took it.

"Thank you... You can go."

The servant bowed and left without another word, relief evident in the quickness of his steps.

Atheline closed the door behind him softly.

His eyes met hers as he moved towards her. She hadn’t moved from her seat, but he had felt her gaze every step of the way.

"What is it?"

He turned the envelope over once before breaking the seal.

"A letter. "

"Obviously," she impatiently replied.

He unfolded it, scanning it.

"A hunt," he said, almost to himself.

He almost sighed.

"When."

Her voice cut in before he could finish reading.

"In three days," he said," a formal hunt. Nobles, officials..." he skimmed the rest," ...and invited guests."

Her gaze narrowed slightly.

"Who sent it?"

Her voice cut in before he could finish reading.

He glanced at the seal again, then back at the letter.

"The Noble elder’s house."

Heavy silence be fell the room, enough that he could feel it.

’

They’re really moving fast’

He lowered the letter slightly, already understanding what it meant, but that wasn’t what was disturbing him. He glanced at Lilith to find her staring at the letter.

’I wonder what her reaction would be?’