Chapter 181: About time
"Yes." That single word stayed with him.
Yuki didn’t notice the change in Terry’s expression. She only looked embarrassed, almost shy, her cheeks still warm from admitting that she liked someone. To her, Terry was still the boy who had grown up beside her, her little shadow, the person she could trust with almost anything. She had no idea that, standing in front of her, he had just realised something he could no longer deny. She liked someone else.
It shouldn’t have mattered this much. A normal brother would have teased her, stolen a bite of her pastry and moved on. Terry tried to convince himself that was what he should do, but his throat had gone painfully dry. He opened his mouth, yet no words came.
What hurt most was the way she had looked when she spoke about the man. Her cheeks had flushed, and her eyes had softened with a warmth Terry had never seen directed at him. He had spent months thinking about her, finding excuses to stay close to her and memorising every little detail about her, while she had apparently been thinking about someone else.
He forced a laugh and reached over to flick her forehead. "So you’ve been busy drawing your crush that you didn’t even hear me calling you?"
Yuki rubbed her forehead and frowned at him. "I was concentrating."
"That’s what I said." Terry picked up the sketchbook before she could reach for it and closed it. He placed the bag of pastries on her desk. "At least I know what’s been keeping you occupied."
"Terry." Her cheeks reddened again. "It’s not like that."
"Sure," he teased, forcing the familiar grin onto his face. "Whatever you say, little artist."
Before Yuki could defend herself, Lydia’s voice floated up from downstairs. "Yuki! Dinner is almost ready!"
Yuki glanced towards the door. "Coming!"
She turned back to Terry, but he was already stepping aside. "Go before she comes up here herself," he said lightly.
Yuki hesitated, then smiled. "Thanks for the pastries," she chimed.
"Anything for you," he replied automatically.
The words slipped out before he could stop them. Yuki didn’t seem to notice their weight. She gave him another smile and hurried from the room, leaving the sketchbook behind. Terry remained where he was. His eyes settled on the closed book. He knew he should leave. He knew he had no right to look through it. Yet something inside him refused to let him walk away. His fingers curled into a fist at his side before slowly relaxing. He took one step towards the desk. Then another. His hand reached for the sketchbook, his fingers hovering just above the cover.
The door suddenly swung open...
"We’re here." Maverick’s voice snapped him back to the present.
Terry blinked and looked around. The limousine door was already open, and Olivine was helping Yuki out on the other side. Through the open door, he caught sight of the Obsidian Palace glowing beneath the moonlight, its grounds covered in flowers and lights. The memory faded, but the ache remained. Terry stepped out of the limousine, his gaze following Yuki as she disappeared towards the entrance. He swallowed, trying to push down the familiar knot in his throat before following the others inside.
---
Minutes later, Yuki reached the bridal suite. The room was already bustling with activity. Stylists moved around Aevia, adjusting the folds of her dress, fixing the intricate pieces in her hair and checking the veil that rested across the back of the chair. Trays of jewellery sat open on a nearby table, catching the warm light from the chandeliers.
Then Yuki saw her sister. She stopped near the doorway. Aevia sat on a long upholstered stool while a stylist worked on her hair. Her wedding gown flowed around her like liquid, the train spilling across the floor. Tiny diamonds were sewn into the fabric alongside delicate sapphire stones that matched the blue stone set into the Ravencourt heirloom. For a moment, Yuki simply stared. Aevia looked breathtaking.
Olivine, who had followed behind her, let out a quiet breath. "She looks incredible."
Yuki smiled faintly. "She does." She even felt like she was a cheap imitation of Aevia.
Aevia caught their reflections in the mirror and turned towards them. Her face immediately softened. "You’re finally here," she said warmly.
Yuki walked closer. Aevia lifted one hand and gestured for the stylists to leave them alone for a moment. One by one, they gathered their things and stepped out, leaving the sisters together. Aevia looked Yuki over from head to toe, her smile widening.
"You look beautiful," Aevia chimed.
Yuki glanced down at her dress. "You’re only saying that because you’re my sister," Yuki sneered.
"I’m saying it because it’s true." Aevia tilted her head. "Declan might forget there’s a wedding happening when he sees you."
Yuki blinked. "Declan?" She didn’t recognise the name.
Aevia’s smile faltered for a moment. "The Alpha I told you about."
Yuki stared at her. "That is the man you wanted me to meet?" Yuki replied.
"Yes." Aevia gave a small nod. "Declan is the son of one of Alexander’s oldest allies. He inherited his territory a few years ago after his parents died unexpectedly."
Yuki took that in, her fingers brushing over the fabric of her dress.
"He’s thirty," Aevia continued, watching her carefully. "Twelve years older than you, but he looks younger than he is. His fated mate died almost a decade ago. It was an accident."
Yuki’s brows lifted slightly.
"And," Aevia added, almost as though she were listing advantages on a shopping receipt, "there are no troublesome in-laws and no old flame waiting around to complicate things."
Yuki couldn’t help staring at her. "You really thought this through."
"I did." Aevia chuckled. Yuki wasn’t sure whether to laugh. She still had complicated feelings about being introduced to a stranger, especially after everything that had happened, but she had already agreed to meet him.
"I’ll try," she said quietly. A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Lady Aevia?" the stylist called from outside. "We’re running out of time."
Aevia sighed and stood. She reached for Yuki’s arms, holding them gently as she looked into her eyes. For a moment, the teasing expression disappeared. She looked as though there was something much heavier she wanted to say. Instead, she smiled.
"I’m happy you’re by my side tonight, Yuki," she said softly.
Yuki’s chest tightened. "Me too."
The stylist knocked again. Aevia laughed under her breath. "Apparently, my wedding waits for no one."
Yuki smiled and stepped backwards. "I’ll be waiting outside."
She turned towards the door, leaving Aevia to finish getting ready.
********
The wedding ceremony wasn’t being held inside the main banquet hall. Instead, the guests would gather beneath a massive glass dome built into the open grounds behind the palace. When Yuki stepped inside, she stopped. Her breath caught. The entire dome looked as though someone had taken a piece of the night sky and turned it into a wedding venue. Crystal moon lilies surrounded the aisle, their pale petals glowing beneath the moonlight.
Tiny lights hung from the glass ceiling, reflecting against the transparent walls and making the entire space shimmer. The moon was high above them, unobstructed by clouds. The venue was still mostly empty. The guests had yet to be ushered inside, leaving Yuki with a rare moment of quiet.
She took another step. Then the scent of cigarette smoke reached her. Yuki froze. Her gaze shifted towards the far side of the dome. Kaden stood near one of the glass panels, a cigarette between his fingers. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his sapphire eyes were fixed directly on her. Her stomach tightened. Of all people. Kaden. Yuki instinctively took a step backwards. Before she could turn around, another voice came from behind her.
"You must be Yuki."
She spun around. A man stood a few feet away, dressed in a perfectly fitted black tuxedo. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his expression was calm as he regarded her. Yuki frowned. "How did you know my name?"
The man smiled faintly.
"I’m Declan," he said, extending his hand towards her. "Your date for tonight."