Chapter 49

Lucy paused, feeling her heart skip a beat. Did she believe it? Standing here with him now, feeling the warmth radiate from his presence. It was hard to reconcile the image of him she'd been given with the man before her. And yet, doubt lingered, like an old shadow that resisted the light.

“I… I don't know,” she finally whispered, her words honest and trembling. “But it's hard to imagine… it's hard to believe…” Her voice faded, unable to find the right words. Her hands fidgeted, her fingers twisting together as if they could somehow ground her.

He took a step closer, so close now that she could feel the warmth of him, his presence like a fire’s gentle heat in the coldness of the hall. Gently, his hands reached for her shoulder, his touch steady but was feather light.

“Lucy,” he said softly, his voice like a balm against the uncertainty swirling inside her. “What they say about me… I suppose there's truth to it… I haven't been… kind, not always. But it doesn't mean I am incapable of caring.” His stare softened, searching her eyes, as though he, too, was trying to make sense of this new reality, this inexplicable connection.

She felt her breath hitch, her chest tightening as he spoke. There was something in his voice, an honesty that stirred her, a vulnerability she hadn't expected. And the way he looked at her—as if she mattered, as if she weren't just another face amongst other maidservants—made her heart ache with something she couldn't quite name.

“Then why are you like this with me?” She managed, her voice barely above a whisper, her words trembled. “Why…?”

Aiden paused, his hands gentle yet firm on her shoulders. “Sometimes…,” he began, voice hesitant. “Sometimes we say things because we think it will protect us, even if it only makes things harder. I don't expect you to understand that. But I wanted to speak with you, Lucy, alone…. Reason everything turned out this way.” He took a deep breath. “It's not every day one learns their mate is someone… unexpected.”

The word “mate” hung in the air between them, and she stiffened, her eyes wide with surprise and something like disbelief. “You… you're saying that we're—”

Aiden nodded, the weight of the word settling over him as well. “Yes, you are my mate, Lucy.” he took a deep breath. “I know it sounds strange. Unbelievable, even to me. But I felt it the moment I saw you.” A smile curled around his lips. “And I know you felt it too… it was the reason you stained my slacks… you were lost because of me… I noticed it.” He nodded again, taking a look at his slacks.

His words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. She felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her feet, her heart pounding as the reality of his words settled over her. Her mind spun, struggling to process the truth of it.

He's my mate. The thought repeated in her mind, a mantra both foreign and familia, filling her with a strange coolness that curled around her heart. 

As Aiden's words settled over her—”You are my mate, Lucy”---her thoughts swirled deeper. The very idea of it seemed impossible.

How can it be… is it possible?

She'd always felt it, somewhere deep inside, a strange pull that she could never quite explain. Since she had set his eyes on him, she'd felt connected to him somehow. 

And now he's here? This is him?... He was right about it, I could not control the pull I felt towards him whenever I'm around him… he noticed, like he knew me already.

Her pulse thrummed with a nervous excitement, like the opening notes of a song she'd only ever dreamed of hearing. She had been wondering before… How could I feel so much for someone I don't even know? But now, she understood it all, yet, it was difficult to accept.

What am I supposed to feel? How am I supposed to trust this? He had spoken with such calm certainty, his eyes soft and unwavering. His words made her feel seen in a way no one else ever had, like he was reaching down to the center of her—beyond the things people said about her, beyond the labels, the judgements, the misunderstandings.

And yet, she couldn't shake the fear curling at the edges of her thoughts. She'd been let down before, by Leo, who once claimed to be her mate but eventually rejected her. Why can't my mate just be an ordinary person… Why a royal one? What if he's just another person who'll walk away? Her heart quaked at the thoughts.

Lucy shook her head, disbelief etched across her face. “I… I don't understand,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “How can this be? You're—you’re Aiden, and I… I'm nobody. A servant.”

He took another step closer, and this time, his voice was tender. “You are not ‘nobody,” Lucy. Not to me.” He searched her face, his own uncertainty mirrored in her expression. “Titles, roles—they’re constructs. They can't mean anything, can they?”

A surge of emotions rose up in her, a confusing whirlwind of disbelief and yearning, of a kind of warmth she hadn't expected. But she shook her head, turning her gaze away. “Aiden… I mean—”

“Don't worry… You can call me Aiden, okay,”

She nodded her head with a slight smile on her face. “Aiden, even if that's true… Do you know what this would mean for me? For us?”

He swallowed, his gaze dropping. “I know it's not simple… this is not my pack, it will be a little difficult for me but I'll sort it out… I'll make sure of that but I don't want you to be wary. You've heard things about me and I've done nothing to earn your trust,” His voice softened, almost a whisper. “But Lucy… I don't want you to be afraid of me. I don't want you to feel as if I'd ever harm you.”

She looked up, meeting his gaze, her expression softened by something close to vulnerability. “I… I… I'm—”

“You don't have to say anything else, okay… because I'm here, standing before you, not as the man people see me to be but as someone who wants to be worthy of you. Whatever that means, whatever it takes. I'm willing to earn it.”

Her gaze lingered on him. She opened her mouth to speak but she couldn't find the words. It was like they got lost as they were about to be uttered. 

Before she could say another word, he stepped in and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into his embrace. Her body melted against him, the warmth of his chest a comfort she hadn't realized she'd been yearning for. 

She felt her heart race, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear grounding her, calming her. Despite the tumult of emotions surging through her, a quiet reassurance began to settle over her—something she hadn't felt before.

There was a strength about him, something in the way he held her gaze, steady and unwavering. She'd always braced herself, ever since she had the situation with Leo, expecting her next mate to leave her or turn on her but with Aiden… there was a stillness, an unspoken vow in his eyes. It was a look that made her want to believe —despite everything— that would be the one to stay.

Now, here in Aiden's presence, a strange, gentle strength washed over her, filling the quiet spaces inside her that were usually reserved for fear and worry.

Aiden, I trust you… I don't know how, I just know I do… She smiled and pressed her head against his chest with her eyes closed. “I don't want to leave anymore… I don't want you to leave me Aiden.” She whispered, so low that Aiden could not hear her. 

“Yeah, it's just a matter of time… I won't have to leave your side again,” 

She raised her head immediately, and swallowed hard. “How did you… I mean—”

“I know, I heard you… that's why I'm Aiden… I could almost hear your thoughts… Now come here.” He placed his hands around her chin and rubbed gently his thumb on her lips. Their gaze unyielding as they stared at each other.

Just kiss me already, Aiden… 

Aiden propelled his head forward but at that moment, he stopped and turned his head to notice the door of the hall. 

“Lucy, you have to act like I insulted you… like I punished you already.” he held her by the shoulder.

“Why is that?”

“You have to see me as the Aiden you've heard about and not the Aiden you just knew, okay.”

“But why?… you haven't answered that.” she said, calmly

Aiden sighed, “ You have to… they are coming… they're almost upon us.”