Chapter 201: I have nothing to fear
Yuki’s open provocation was getting exactly under Eloise’s skin. Yuki’s gaze swept over them, and she took a long, slow sip, savouring the taste of the wine. She almost forgot about the other ’Yuki’.
"You shouldn’t act so smug," he said, his voice low. "You’re on your fifth glass, Yuki. Tonight is also your official recognition. Do you plan on making a joke of the Ravencourt name?"
Yuki merely shrugged. "Come on. I know my limit. I wouldn’t get drunk before the announcement." She lifted her glass again. "And if I get drunk later tonight, I have nothing to worry about. Declan is here." Her gaze wandered towards the bar positioned at the far end of the dome. "I don’t need permission to drink. I might even hit the open bar."
For a moment, Eloise became nothing more than background noise. Everyone at the table could tell Yuki was provoking them. The problem was that none of them could completely ignore her.
Kaden’s fingers dug into the fabric of his trousers under the table. Killian’s gaze remained fixed on his glass, but the slight flare of his nostrils betrayed the effort it took to stay silent. Kieran’s shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Kaden let out a quiet chuckle that held no humour. "You seem awfully trusting of a man you just met," he snickered.
Yuki smiled. "Well, at least he’s more of a gentleman than you are," she smoothly said.
Declan coughed into his glass, clearly trying to hide his amusement. Yuki continued without hesitation. "Besides, what do I have to fear? No one would dare touch Alexander’s daughter at his wedding."
The word "daughter" seemed to leave a bitter taste behind. Killian’s eyes narrowed slightly. The muscle along his jaw jumped once before he forced it still.
"You can’t always be sure," he said with a faint snicker, his gaze moving deliberately towards Declan.
Some people might have missed the implication. Declan didn’t. He met Killian’s stare without flinching, a small smile forming on his lips.
"I can see my future brothers-in-law are worried," he chirped in with that grin that was an eyesore. The three brothers nearly laughed at the absurdity of the words. Brother-in-law.
The title sounded almost ridiculous coming from a man who had just gone on one date with their rejected mate. Kaden’s grip on his glass tightened until the crystal threatened to creak. Kieran’s fingers pressed hard against the table before he deliberately relaxed them. Killian’s expression remained smooth, but the faint pulse at his temple betrayed the control it required.
Declan glanced down at Yuki, his expression softening. "Don’t worry. I know how to take care of my woman."
Yuki’s eyes widened slightly. Declan continued, his voice calm and confident. "She can get as wild as she wants. I’ll handle everything else."
The tension around the table thickened. Killian gave a low snicker that sounded forced even to his own ears. "Don’t be in a hurry, Mr Silverthorne. It’s just the first date."
Declan’s smile remained in place. "I know," he hummed.
Their eyes remained locked for several seconds. Kaden looked away first, his jaw working once. Kieran’s gaze dropped to his wine glass, the liquid trembling slightly from the pressure of his fingers. Eloise finally couldn’t take it anymore. She pushed her chair backwards. The legs screeched sharply against the polished marble floor, drawing several curious glances from nearby tables.
"I’m going for the bouquet," she announced, trying to sound casual as she stood.
It was an obvious attempt to change the subject. Almost as if on cue, the MC’s voice rang through the dome. "Ladies, are you ready?"
The music rose. Aevia turned her back to the crowd, gripping the bouquet firmly.
"On three!" the MC shouted. "One! Two! Three!"
Aevia tossed the bouquet over her shoulder. The noble ladies roared. They surged forward, hands reaching into the air as the bouquet sailed over them. Several women stumbled into one another, laughing and squealing as they fought to catch it.
In the process, the bouquet came flying towards their table. Eloise instinctively reached up. For a split second, her fingers seemed close enough to brush the flowers. Then the bouquet sailed just beyond her fingertips.
It flew towards the table. Straight towards the table behind her. Eloise’s smile disappeared. The bouquet dropped neatly onto the table. Silence lasted for barely a heartbeat before Declan’s lips curved.
"Well," he said, glancing from the bouquet to Yuki, "seems like the wedding might be happening soon."
Yuki stared at the flowers. Her eyes sparkled. Then she looked at Declan. For the first time since the reception began, she found herself genuinely enjoying his company for one very particular reason. He knew exactly how to get on those three jerks’ nerves.
The bouquet sitting on the table suddenly felt like an unwanted spotlight. Eloise turned around and stared at it. She honestly admired the flowers, but she wasn’t sure whether she should take them. In the background, the MC’s voice rang out, congratulating them. "Seems like we have a winner. Someone from that table is getting married soon."
Kaden smiled at Declan’s open provocation. Then he picked the bouquet from the table. "How sure are you that you might be next?" he asked, his smile widening with a challenging look. "After all, you aren’t the only one at the table," he added, then gave Eloise the bouquet.
A round of applause rang out as everyone clapped, understanding the symbolism of the gesture, but only those at the table could hear Kaden’s words. "Don’t run faster than your shadow, Alpha Declan."
Declan didn’t say anything and simply smiled. Eloise clutched the flowers with a smile and took her seat at the table. The dome lights faded as the disappointed girls went back to their tables, all of them giving Eloise envious looks. To be given a caught bouquet by one of the heirs was a big gesture.
As everyone settled, Aevia was left in the middle of the hall, the spotlights shining on her. The music changed to an intimate tone, and the MC’s voice rang out. "It is time for the first dance," he announced as another spotlight caught Alexander, who stood up to approach his bride.