Chapter 93. Adrian’s change
Adrian lay in bed, staring at the ornate ceiling of the room in Xelt Manor, the faint moonlight casting silver patterns through the large windows. His thoughts were heavy, tangled with the remnants of the dream he had shared with Ethan. Ethan’s presence had been so vivid, his touch so real, yet it was all just a dream—a dream that left Adrian with an unsettling feeling in his chest.
As he replayed the dream in his mind, Adrian sat up, rubbing his face with his hands. Ethan’s kisses... his warmth... it felt like he was calling out to me, Adrian thought, his silver eyes reflecting the moonlight. But something about the dream gnawed at him. It wasn’t just a longing to be with Ethan—it was a sense of urgency. A feeling that Ethan was stuck somewhere, unable to reach him.
Adrian swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet brushing against the cool wooden floor. He glanced around the dimly lit room, its grandeur and safety feeling almost suffocating now. Despite the luxurious surroundings of the Xelt Manor, he felt a pang of emptiness. If Ethan knew about everything Adrian had been through—the kidnapping, the threats, and now his strange, dream-induced state—he would have arrived here by now. He would have been by Adrian’s side, shielding him as always. But Ethan wasn’t here.
Adrian clutched his hands together, his nails digging into his palms as a wave of guilt washed over him. What if something has happened to him? he thought, his chest tightening. Ever since Adrian had met Ethan, it felt like he had done nothing but rely on him. Ethan had always been his protector, his strength. But what had Adrian done in return? He was always the one needing to be saved, the one creating problems for Ethan to solve.
His mind spiraled with self-doubt. I’m just a burden to him, aren’t I? Adrian thought, his heart sinking. He looked at his reflection in the tall mirror across the room, his delicate features marred by a furrowed brow. "Since we’ve been together, I’ve done nothing but depend on him," he muttered under his breath. "I can’t keep living like this. I’m a parent now. Seraphina and Aurelius deserve a strong mother, not someone who hides behind their father every time things go wrong."
Adrian stood up, determination hardening his resolve. He moved toward the wardrobe, quickly pulling out a simple outfit. The house was silent as he dressed, his movements quiet and deliberate. His mind raced with thoughts of Ethan. I can’t just sit here and wait for him to rescue me again. I need to find out what’s going on. I need to help him this time.
When he was ready, Adrian approached the door to the room, hesitating for a moment. He knew Augustin would be furious if he left without telling anyone, but he also couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the door open and stepped into the dimly lit hallway. The soft glow of wall sconces illuminated the grand interior of Xelt Manor as he made his way toward the main entrance.
However, as Adrian reached the grand staircase leading to the main hall, a figure stepped out of the shadows. It was the housekeeper of Xelt Manor, a kind yet vigilant man in his fifties. He bowed politely, his expression calm but firm. "Master Adrian, may I ask where you are heading at this hour?"
Adrian froze, caught off guard by the housekeeper’s presence. For a moment, he considered brushing him off, but the man’s concerned gaze stopped him. He sighed, realizing that sneaking out wasn’t an option. "I need to find Ethan," Adrian admitted quietly. "I have this feeling... something’s wrong."
The housekeeper’s brows furrowed in concern, but his tone remained gentle. "Master Augustin would be deeply worried if you left without informing him. Perhaps it would be best to wait until morning to discuss this with him. He cares for you and would surely want to help."