Just then, a sound came from the inside—footsteps. Ellie's eyes snapped wide, and panic surged through her body. She pushed harder against him, trying to break free, but Kael didn't let her go.
Instead, he tightened his hold, pressing his body even closer to hers.
"Young master—Mistress Lyra is coming! She'll catch us!" Ellie gasped.
Kael didn't seem to care. He just chuckled as he continued his kisses down her neck,
"Oh, let her be, Aunty," he whispered.
Ellie's heart sank. No... this can't happen. Her mind raced. If Lyra caught them... no, it would be a betrayal. A deep one. She could feel it—the weight of her loyalty, her years of service.
Her voice was barely more than a broken whisper. "She will feel betrayed..."
Kael didn't stop. His lips found her jaw, trailing kisses with maddening slowness.
"No," he murmured, his hands still exploring the curves of her waist. "She won't."
Ellie gasped, her breathing shallow, the tension rising to unbearable heights. She could feel herself giving in, her body doing its best to battle the undeniable attraction of his touch.
The footsteps grew louder, closer, but Kael didn't care. His hand slid upward, brushing the curve of her breast through the fabric of her gown.
Ellie gasped, her breath catching as her chest heaved under his touch.
"I've wanted this for so long, Aunty," Kael murmured. "And I won't let anyone stop me. Not even her."
Ellie's heart hammered in her chest, torn between the world she had known and this dangerous new one Kael had dragged her into.
The footsteps were close now—so close that she could feel her heartbeat pulsing in rhythm with it.
But Kael... Kael had other plans.
He pulled back just a little, his hands still resting on her waist. His gaze darkened, and a sly smile crept across his lips.
"If you agree to give me one favor," he murmured, "I'll pull back."
Ellie's heart skipped a beat at his words. She knew exactly what he meant. This wasn't just any favor—it was something far more dangerous, far more personal.
The idea of agreeing to him, of giving him what he wanted, felt like stepping into a trap.
"No," she said weakly, but the words were already meaningless. The door creaked open, and her eyes widened in panic.
She had no choice.
"Okay... okay, I agree," she blurted out.
The moment the words left her mouth, Kael's demeanor shifted. His smirk deepened, and without another word, he immediately pulled back.
His hands slid away from her waist, and he took a step back, distancing himself as if nothing had just happened.
Ellie stood there, breathless, trying to collect herself. Her heart hammered in her chest, her mind racing with the implications of her words.
Kael's expression softened, just for a moment, before he gave her a small nod.
"Good," he said. "You won't regret it."
Ellie's chest tightened. She wanted to say something—anything—but no words came out. She glanced toward the door, hearing Lyra's voice getting closer, and with it, a fresh wave of panic.
The door finally creaked open, and Lyra stepped out. Her gaze flicked to Ellie, then to the garden, and her voice rang out with concern.
"Ellie, what is Lisa doing?" she asked.
Ellie took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her racing heart. She needed to regain her composure—needed to act like everything was normal.
She looked at Lyra, a practiced smile on her face, and answered with forced calm.
"Mistress Lyra, she's doing just fine," Ellie said, trying her best to sound natural. "She's playing."
The words felt awkward on her tongue, but thankfully, Lyra didn't seem to pick up on her unease. She nodded approvingly, her smile wide and genuine.
"That's good," Lyra replied, her voice warm. "She sure is energetic."
Ellie exhaled quietly, feeling a slight sense of relief. But just as she thought she might regain control, Lyra's eyes suddenly shifted, falling onto Kael.
Her smile softened with affection. "Kael, dear," she said. "What are you doing?"
Kael straightened, giving Lyra a respectful smile as he stood a little taller.
"I was just getting refreshed, Mother," he answered smoothly, his voice polite and carefree.
The response seemed to satisfy Lyra, her smile widening even further. She didn't seem to notice the way Kael's gaze lingered just a little too long on Ellie, or the slight tension that still hung in the air.
"Well, don't overexert yourself, dear," she said. "You've been working so hard lately."
Kael nodded, still smiling, but his eyes flicked back to Ellie for just a moment—a quiet, dangerous look that made Ellie's heart skip a beat.