Chapter 436
Alex didn’t spare Heinrich a glance.
Instead, he swept Sofina into his arms-in a tender princess hold-lifting her effortlessly, as if she weighed nothing at all. He held her the way a man carries something sacred, something too precious to ever let touch the ground.
Gasps rippled through the hall as he held her close against his chest, her hair brushing his jaw, her heartbeat trembling against his own.
He looked down at her, eyes soft, voice low and certain.
“My wife,” he murmured, every word wrapped in warmth, “let’s leave this place. There’s nothing worth hearing here-only the noise of those who never knew what love feels like p>
Sofina’s face burned crimson. No one had ever held her like this-so fiercely, yet so gently. Her heart pounded against his chest, wild and trembling.
Her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck as he carried her through the stunned crowd, his strength steady, his presence unshakable.
She was drunk-intoxicated not by wine, but by the relief and warmth of his embrace. Every heartbeat, every breath against his chest made her feel more alive than she ever had before.
In that suspended moment, the world fell away. There was no hall, no voices, no stares-only them.
His heartbeat against hers, her breath trembling in his arms, and the feeling of being not owned, but found.
“Stop right there, Alex!” Katarina’s scream tore through the air. “Don’t you dare walk away from me, you pathetic dog p>
Alex kept moving.
The others laughed loudly. “Looks like Katarina’s dog finally took back his power the day he learned to say no p>
Katarina roared! “You bastard of the Saint-Claire line-how dare you divorce me! Want me to shoot you in both legs like the last time so you never try to leave again p>
He didn’t so much as glance back.
“Stop, you—” Katarina shrieked, voice cracking, but whatever hold and chains she’d built over him in those three years had snapped. It wouldn’t hold now.
The crowd laughed, sharp and hungry at her collapse. Some spoke with cruel pleasure.
“Look at her-so angry she’s lost all grace p>
“Feelings are weakness,” another sneered. “She’s ugly with rage p>
“Security!” Katarina roared, her fury echoing through the marble hall. “Take them
down! Kill that dog-no mutt that bites its master deserves to live p>
But by the time the securities reacted, Alex and Sofina had already slipped through the entrance and into the cold, open night.
The street was empty—no cars, no escorts-only silence and the silver glow of the moon. Sofina had arrived by flying taxi; now there was nothing waiting for them.
Alex glanced at her, a faint smile touching his lips. Then, without a word, he tightened his hold and launched into the sky.
The wind tore around them as he soared upward, his body cutting through the clouds like a streak of light.
The security team burst out the doors seconds later, scanning the skies in disbelief.
“Too late, ma’am,” one of the guards shouted. “He’s already airborne-looks like he’s using a high-speed flight unit p>
“Then use one to chase him!” Katarina snapped.
“We don’t have that model,” another guard admitted nervously. “They’re… extremely expensive p>
“Then use a flying car, damn it!” she screamed.
“Miss,” the head of security said carefully, “we’re assigned to this hall only. We can’t leave our post. I recommend contacting law enforcement immediately p>
Katarina’s fury echoed through the marble halls as Alex and Sofina vanished into the night.
High above the city, Sofina clung to Alex’s arm, the wind whipping her hair, the moon shining pale against their faces.
She looked at him with worry. “Does it hurt p>
“What?” he asked, glancing down at her.
“I heard Katarina tortured you,” she said quietly. “Are you okay p>
Alex smiled through the wind. “Physical pain heals. No matter how bad it gets, the body recovers p>
He looked at her, concern softening his eyes. “It’s you I’m worried about,” he said quietly. “Heinrich wounded more than your pride-he hurt your heart. And that kind of pain… it doesn’t fade easily. Are you truly okay p>
Sofina’s breath caught. The ache that had haunted her chest seemed to dissolve in that instant.
“With you here,” she said softly, tears slipping free, “I don’t feel any pain at all. But I’m scared, Alex… I have nothing. What if you leave me p>
“If you don’t leave me, then I’ll never leave you,” Alex whispered, his voice low and unwavering. “Even after death, as long as you love me, I’ll never stop loving you p>
Sofina closed her eyes, a calm smile softening her lips as peace settled over her heart.
Love, she realized, doesn’t need a reason-it simply exists, and with every breath, it grows deeper.
Alex slowed their descent and stopped-hovering above the glowing skyline- then landed gently on the rooftop of a towering glass building.
The sign below them read Eden Hotel-the most luxurious hotel in Winchester.
Sofina’s eyes widened. “Alex, we can’t stop here!” she gasped. “This is Eden Hotel! It’s the most expensive place in the city. Even Heinrich wouldn’t dare walk through that door p>
Alex’s lips curved into a calm smile. “Then where should we go p>
She bit her lip, embarrassed. “I… I got evicted from my apartment. I couldn’t pay the rent. I don’t have anywhere too p>
Alex stepped toward the penthouse entrance. The glass doors shimmered as scanners swept over them in soft blue light.
“Welcome home, Master Alexander and Miss Sofina,” said the building’s Al system.
Sofina froze, eyes wide in disbelief. “Alex… you-how is this your home p>
He turned to her with a quiet grin, the city lights reflecting in his eyes. “You’ll see soon enough p>
As they stepped into the penthouse, Sofina froze. The place was enormous- glass walls, sleek furniture, and equipment so advanced it looked more like a private lab than a home.
Alex walked straight to the kitchen, loosening his suit jacket as he went.
The movement was effortless, natural-his white shirt clung just enough to reveal the lean, sculpted lines of his body.
Sofina’s breath caught, and she quickly turned her gaze away, her cheeks flushing a deep red.
“You must be starving,” Alex said, his tone warm, almost teasing. “Let me make you something p>
Sofina blinked, still trying to steady her pulse. The kitchen looked like something out of the future—rows of sleek, automated machines humming quietly, ready to
serve.
“Wait,” she said, confused. “You don’t need to cook. These machines can make anything you want p>
Alex smiled faintly, pulling open a cabinet.
“Maybe,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at her, “but food made by machines
has no love in it. No warmth. Too cold for humans to eat p>
Sofina’s cheeks flushed. “That’s the most cliché thing I’ve ever heard p>
He chuckled softly. “Maybe. But I don’t care. Some people survive without love. I don’t. I live for it for the feeling the care, the joy It brings. If it makes me happy, I’ll take it, no matter what anyone says.” s
He moved with quiet confidence, pulling ingredients, melting chocolate, whisking
with practiced hands.
The scent filled the room-rich, dark, intoxicating. Finally, he turned and placed a small plate before her.
“What is it?” Sofina asked, staring at the warm, delicate dessert.
“Chocolate lava cake,” Alex said, smiling.
In Prussia, meals were all about efficiency-nutrients, vitamins, and fuel. Pleasure
was considered unnecessary, even wasteful.
But Alex believed differently. Sometimes a little sugar was worth it—if it made the heart remember it was alive.
Sofina hesitated, mesmerized, as Alex sliced through the soft cake with a spoon. The molten chocolate spilled out slowly, rich and glossy like liquid velvet.
He scooped up a piece and lifted it toward her lips.
She took it—then froze, her eyes going wide. “Oh my god… it’s sweet, warm… it
just melts in my mouth. This is incredible! What is this? I’ve never tasted anything like it p>
Alex grinned, a glint of pride in his eyes. “Told you,” he said, leaning back slightly.
“No woman can resist sweetness.” He placed another warm lava cake in front of
her.
Sofina laughed softly, the sound light and genuine, her earlier tension melting away just like the chocolate.
For a moment, silence filled the room-comfortable, peaceful. Then Alex sat beside her, his expression shifting to something more serious.
“Since you’re my wife now,” he said quietly, “you deserve to know the truth about
the Saint-Claire family p>
Sofina looked up, her gaze steady, waiting.
whe
“We were once one of the wealthiest families in Prussia,” he began. “We had land, power, allies… everything But when our enemies struck they killed nearly everyone-my father was the only one who escaped.” s
“He fled to Xia to survive. The Rosenheims took advantage of the chaos. They
stole from us, betrayed us, and claimed what was never theirs. Most of our empire
was seized overnight p>
He paused, his eyes softening. “But
not everything was lost. Some people still remembered my family still cared. This penthouse
was a gift from one of my father’s closest friends. So, at least for now… we have a home.” s
Sofina’s lips curved into a tender smile. “You’re amazing, Alex p>
“I’m not,” Alex said with a soft smile. “I can’t do great things-only small ones, done with great love p>
Just then, Sofina’s bracelet flickered-subtle, but unmistakable. A hidden code glowed across the band, one only she could read. Her heart jumped. She stood abruptly, trying to mask her reaction.
“Excuse me,” she said quickly, her voice tight. “Where’s the bathroom p>
Alex looked up from his plate and pointed toward the far corner. “Right there.” She nodded and hurried away, her steps light but hurried.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Sofina locked it and sank down against
the wall, her pulse racing. She tapped her bracelet, and a faint hum filled the air before a blue hologram shimmered to life.
A woman’s face appeared-beautiful but severe, her expression composed and commanding. “Princess,” the woman said, her tone clipped and formal. “His Majesty-your father-requests an immediate audience p>