Chapter 166
Althea was grateful when Gavriel finally led her away from the banquet hall. Her heart had been pounding so hard she thought it might burst from all the attention she’d received that night.
She watched his hand firmly wrapped around hers as they walked toward the stairs, but soon she realized they had already passed the floor where their chamber was.
“Where are we going?” she asked curiously. She could sense his emotions—something about him felt a little nervous.
“Just up,” Gavriel said. “Let’s have dinner together, just the two of us. I know you felt awkward earlier, and I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like that p>
Althea swallowed hard. She still wasn’t used to hearing Gavriel apologize so easily. Lately, he had been saying sorry more often, even for small things like this, and it always caught her off guard.
Althea tilted her head, trying to catch a glimpse of his expression, but Gavriel kept his gaze straight ahead as they ascended the stairs. His grip on her hand was warm, steady, and somehow grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions still swirling from the banquet.
She smiled faintly. “You don’t need to apologize p>
He didn’t respond right away, his jaw tightening slightly as though he was thinking deeply about something. When they finally reached the topmost floor, Althea’s breath hitched in surprise.
A large terrace stretched out before them, framed with silver lanterns that softly glowed against the dark sky. Beyond the railing, the view of the entire kingdom bathed in moonlight was breathtaking.
“Oh she whispered, completely taken aback. “This place p>
“I used to come here when I was younger,” Gavriel explained quietly, his tone softer than she’d ever heard it. “It’s quiet here. I thought you’d like that p>
In the center of the terrace was a small table set for two, surrounded by flickering candles and covered with a spread of simple yet beautifully arranged food. It wasn’t grand or lavish—just enough for the two of them, intimate and serene.
“You did all this?” she asked, turning to him.
He gave a small shrug. “Not really. Simon and Melva took care of most of it. But I chose the spot p>
A soft laugh escaped her lips, easing the tightness in her chest. “It’s perfect p>
She couldn’t believe she was experiencing a night like this, something she had only ever dreamed of. Who would have thought that beneath the Alpha King’s ruthlessness, he had been hiding such sweetness all along?
Gavriel pulled out a chair for her, waiting until she sat down before taking his own seat across from her. The night breeze brushed against their faces, carrying the faint scent of the nearby gardens. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t heavy,
just comfortable.
Finally, Gavriel broke it. “You did well tonight p>
Althea looked up, blinking. “What do you mean p>
“Your performance,” he said, leaning back slightly, his eyes never leaving her face. “You made everyone forget who you were for a while. They didn’t see a breeder. They saw strength. Grace p>
Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked down at her plate. “You’re exaggerating p>
“I’m not,” he countered. “You were magnificent p>
The sincerity in his tone made her chest tighten. She didn’t know what to say to that.
Compliments were still foreign to her, especially from him p>
After a moment, she finally found her voice. “I only wanted to make you proud p>
He froze for a second, his fork halfway to his mouth. Then, slowly, he set it down and met her eyes again. “You already did, Althea. More than you know p>
Something in his voice made her heart flutter painfully. She smiled faintly, but it was small and trembling.
For a while, they ate in silence again, the sound of distant music and the whispering wind filling the air. Then Gavriel suddenly stood up, walked to her side, and offered his hand.
“Come,” he said.
She blinked in surprise. “Where p>
He smiled faintly, the kind of smile that reached his eyes. “Just dance with me p>
Her lips parted. “But there’s no music p>
“There doesn’t have to be p>
She hesitated, but his gaze was steady, waiting. Slowly, she took his hand, and he pulled her gently to her feet. The warmth of his touch traveled through her arm as he drew her closer, his other hand resting lightly at her waist.
Under the moonlight, with only the sound of the wind and their hearts beating in rhythm, they began to move. It wasn’t a proper dance—just slow steps, swaying together, her cheek resting against his chest.
She could hear his heartbeat. Steady. Strong. Real.
“You know,” Gavriel murmured after a long pause, “I never imagined myself dancing like this again p>
“Why not?” she asked softly. Althea felt like she was on cloud nine. Everything about the moment felt wonderful, almost unreal, but the warmth of Gavriel’s arms around her proved it was real. Her chest tightened, and she couldn’t stop her eyes from welling up.
“Because I never had anyone I wanted to dance with,” he said simply.
Her heart skipped a beat. The sincerity in his tone left her breathless.
And for the first time that night, Althea truly smiled, not out of obligation or relief, but because she felt something she hadn’t in years.
She felt peace and security in his arms.
“Gavriel she whispered when she felt his lips press softly against her head. She looked up, meeting his intense gaze. Her heart pounded, but she didn’t want to hold back anymore. Content orıginally comes from ⓝovelFind.net
She wanted to be honest with him to finally say what she truly felt.
“I love you,” she confessed bravely.
For a heartbeat, Gavriel didn’t move. His body went still, his hand that rested at her waist tightening slightly as if her words had caught him off guard. The silence stretched between them, the only sound the whisper of the wind and the faint flicker of the lantern flames around them.
Althea’s heart pounded painfully in her chest. She wasn’t sure what she expected—rejection, surprise, or perhaps nothing at all. But she knew she needed to say it. She had to let him know what was in her heart, no matter the outcome.
When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but rough, as though her words had struck something deep within him. “Say it again,” he murmured, his thumb brushing gently along her jaw.