Beneath the Study’s Quiet Lamps
Before long, they stepped together into a quiet room ant for reading. A hush followed the gentle tap of the latch falling into place.
The mont the door clicked closed, the feast’s laughter faded, trailing off into hushed rumbles through empty corridors. Golden light pooled inside, soft and dim, draping across heavy shelves where old books leaned together, their backs cracked, alongside odd little objects left behind. Dried ink hung in the air, drifting like dust, patient and deep, as if mory had taken root here - alongside decisions carved out in silence when no one was watching.
Frozen midair, the talk had begun - elders from D’Aurelius and Aurevale planted on opposite sides, voices low but steady. Not long ago, they’d taken their seats without a word between them. Now, the union looms large, stitched into every pause and glance across stone-carved chairs.
Forward moved Julian D’Aurelius, then Selene Aurevale, offering greetings to each elder in turn. Polite gestures, careful steps - but under the surface, a quiet tightness built. Not spoken, yet felt.
Right on schedule, Julian," ca the calm but firm voice of a man nearing fifty. His jawline squared, cheekbones sharp, gaze heavy with duty and quiet demand. That was Gary D’Aurelius - Julian’s father. A talk waited ahead. Not long ago, he’d finished speaking with Uncle Shan. Their words had led here. Maybe it’s ti we talked about you and Selene. The idea of joining your lives feels right to us. How does that sit with you?
Sound stopped. A pause grew where words had been.
Julian didn’t hesitate.
"I don’t think it’s appropriate."
A weight settled where the sentence ended. Silence followed like an echo.
A hush fell. Each older person stood motionless.
Not appropriate?
Folks in Valemont could hardly miss how he’d followed Selene Aurevale, year after long year - three of them, one dragging into the next. Pride ant little once it was set aside, step by slow step. Money vanished, quietly drained away on her na alone. Yet through every frosty silence, not a word rose in protest.
From sowhere near his chest ca a small noise as Julian breathed in. Quiet as it was, the space around him caught the echo like a whisper. Not a flicker moved through his gold-colored gaze. Yet down by his waist, tension tugged one hand into a loose fist.
"Dear elders," he said evenly, "there’s a saying - a forced lon is not sweet. I’ve reflected on this for so ti and realized that Selene and I aren’t truly compatible. Marriage is a lifelong matter. It’s better if we decide these things for ourselves. Thank you for your concern."
When Julian stopped talking, sothing tight in his ribs began to ease.
Suddenly, a quiet relief. No more fear of being attacked like before
Stunned silence fell as the older mbers of each family fixed their eyes on him.
A look passed between them, heavy with confusion. Surprise flickered next, sudden and sharp. Suspicion settled after, quiet but clear.
Out of nowhere ca Shan Aurevale, father to Selene, breaking the silence. Black strands marked by silver streaks frad his face, while piercing blue eyes held steady. Authority lived in his voice - earned through long seasons spent ruling.
"Julian," he said slowly, "Uncle understands what you’re thinking. Did Selene force you to say this?"
He leaned forward slightly, expression firm. "Don’t worry. Uncle will handle this today."
"???"
Julian nearly choked.
Look here, old man, is that your plan - end before my ti?
"It’s not like that, Uncle Shan, I really - " Julian began, his voice tightening.
Yet Shan Aurevale swept a hand through the air, sharp enough to silence him mid-sentence.
"No need to say more. Uncle understands you."
Quick as a snap, he faced his daughter, rage sparking in his gaze.
"Selene, tell - how has Julian treated you these past few years? He’s been deeply devoted, caring for you in every possible way. When you were sick and hospitalized, he stayed by your side the entire ti. In terms of family background, ability, and appearance, where does Julian fall short compared to you?"
Out of nowhere, his voice climbed louder, sharp with irritation. Then ca the spill - frustration breaking through like a crack in glass.
"And yet you forced him to say such things? Are you trying to drive mad?"
Suddenly still, Selene froze in place. A quiet shock settled over her without warning.
Hold on - how did it seem like I made him do anything?
Her eyes flicked toward Julian. His expression stayed smooth, mannerly even, a quiet respect hanging around him like cologne. Yet sohow, under that surface stillness, amusent crackled - wild, muffled, barely held back.
Wait - fight . Why stand silent? Break this bond with , walk separate paths. Then I might chase a dozen faces, taste freedom. Maybe. Without a fight from you, things will spiral fast. Still chasing that runaway dream with your Obsidian King Evan?
Flooded ca the complaints, crashing against her hearing.
Selene’s eyes darkened.
Bastard.
He switches fast. Just now it was your Evan, then suddenly a crowd shows up - ten, maybe eight girls. Does he really think I won’t notice that?
She ran off with soone ant to protect her. Who was Evan really, anyway?
Funny how just hearing Julian ntion another woman could spark such heat behind her ribs, him who’d spent three long years chasing after her.
Anger. Pride. Stubbornness.
Out ca the words before she had ti to think.
"Dad," Selene said suddenly, her voice clear, "I didn’t make him say that. I support the marriage."
A hush settled once more. Silence returned like a held breath.
For a heartbeat, Shan Aurevale did not move. His gaze snapped to her, eyes wide with sothing close to shock. The air between them tightened as he pivoted slowly, face caught mid-reaction - surprise flickering like light on water.
"You’re not lying to ?"
Silence settled over her lips as she tilted her head sideways just a little.
A soft pink crept across her cheeks while her teeth pressed gently on the edge of her bottom lip, gaze slipping downward almost without notice.
"He’s been very good to . I was... moved by his sincerity." She paused, then added softly, "But I want to start with dating first. Is that okay?"
A quiet stretch of silence passed before Shan Aurevale’s face eased, tension giving way to sothing calr. His shoulders dropped, the tightness around his eyes unwinding like thread pulled loose.
"Of course, that’s fine. Take it slow. One step at a ti."
Shyness explained her silence, nothing more. Julian feared harming her, so he almost walked away instead.
A daughter’s partner who thinks ahead. Truly rare these days.
Smiles spread across the older faces nearby, each one lit by the very sa quiet idea.
Frowning replaced his grin so fast it seed the smile had never happened. Julian stood there, stomach turning as if he’d gulped down spoiled at.
Close to Selene, he moved in with a grin that hurt more than it welcod.
"Selene," he said gently, "you don’t have to force yourself. I understand your thoughts."
She bit her lip again and whispered, "But my thought is to start with dating first."
"Julian," Shan Aurevale said warmly, patting him on the shoulder, "Selene is just a bit cold and not good at expressing herself. Don’t misunderstand her. Girls are thin-skinned."
Julian’s face twitched.
At the sa ti, Selene’s ears filled with a stream of furious inner shouting.
[You’ve lost your mind!!! We agreed to break the engagent!!! Who wants to date you?! Follow the feel-good novel plot! Becoming the Obsidian King’s harem mber is your destiny! Wake up and stop acting crazy!]
Selene’s lips curved slightly.
A faint amusent flickered in her blue eyes.
Seeing him this frustrated... was strangely entertaining.
He was far more interesting now than when he had been a simple, obedient pursuer.
"Alright," the D’Aurelius patriarch finally said, his aged yet steady voice carrying authority. "Since they like each other, there’s nothing more for us to worry about. Let’s go out and announce it."
With that, everyone rose, smiles on their faces, and left the study together.
Julian and Selene walked at the back.
Catching the faint smile on her lips, Julian felt the urge to punch sothing.
"Didn’t we agree not to get married?" he whispered through clenched teeth.
"But I was moved by your sincerity," Selene replied, her smile widening.
It was the first ti Julian had ever seen her smile at him like that.
He froze—montarily dazed.
Then he reached out and pressed his hand against her forehead, frowning slightly.
"If you’re not feeling well, we should go to the hospital. Marriage isn’t a joke. Think it through."
His tone was earnest—almost pleading.
[Sis, if you’re sick, get treated. If you don’t see a doctor, I’ll be seeing a coroner soon.]
"I’m fine," Selene said calmly. "I’ve thought it through. Besides, we’re not married yet."
"But I don’t want to. A forced lon isn’t sweet."
"That’s fine," she replied lightly. "As long as it quenches thirst."
Her smile grew brighter, almost mischievous.
She looked at him seriously. "You’ve changed so suddenly. Could it be that you have a terminal illness and you’re afraid of dragging down?"
Julian stared at her, utterly speechless.
Why isn’t she following the plot?
[She must have water in her brain. Now I’m really dood because of her. Evan will definitely show up and cause trouble later. I finally beca a rich, handso villain—am I about to lose it all? Damn feel-good novel plot.]
As Julian’s complaints echoed again in her ears, Selene’s curiosity deepened.
Will things really go as this guy’s inner voice says later?
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