Chapter 179: You’re unbelievable
"C-Cyrus?" Isabella’s brows drew together as she spotted the tall figure standing just off to the side. His red hair moved gently in the night breeze, catching the dim moonlight like flame, but his body was perfectly still—unnaturally so. Her voice cracked with disbelief as she slowly straightened up, the nausea from the teleport already fading beneath confusion.
What was he doing standing here... waiting?
Cyrus didn’t respond at first. His eyes—those soft pink orbs—were locked on Kian, unwavering, unreadable. But the moment he heard her voice, that stare shattered. He turned.
His gaze found hers instantly. That blank mask he wore melted, giving way to the gentle warmth he always carried—except this time, it was weighed down with something else. Worry. Deep, tender worry.
Before Isabella could ask anything more, he started walking—straight toward her. He moved with calm purpose, passing Kian without a glance. Kian, in return, offered only a sideways look, sharp and unreadable, before vanishing into the palace without a word.
Isabella blinked as Cyrus neared, her lips parting to speak, but her breath caught when his arms opened naturally—as if it was only natural that she would fit there.
And she did. She stepped into them without thinking.
The moment he held her, his arms tightened around her waist with firm gentleness. Not possessive. Not demanding. Just... anchoring. Solid. Safe. She tilted her head slightly to look up at him, confusion still flickering in her eyes, her breath uneven from all the recent chaos.
"What are you doing here?" she asked softly.
Cyrus didn’t answer right away. He simply stared at her, as if searching her face for bruises, for pain, for anything he could fix. His lips curved into a soft smile that tried its best to be reassuring—but his eyes were still worried.
"Ophelia told me I should wait for you here," he said finally, his voice calm, gentle as ever. His sole purpose in that moment was to make her feel better, like always.