Chapter 244: Bickering pair

The maids looked up, their pale faces turning even ghostlier when they realized both Kaden and Yuki had been standing there, listening to every single word. Knowing there was no defending themselves, they scrambled to their feet, bowed frantically, and practically sprinted down the service corridor. Kieran watched them vanish before slowly raising his eyes to the top of the staircase, his gaze landing on Yuki.

Kaden stepped down onto the first stair, shooting a sideways glance at her. "Why didn’t you put them in their place? You just stood there like a ghost." he asked.

Yuki crossed her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow at him. "Why did *you* step in? I thought you agreed with them." she retorted.

Kaden let out a short, mocking smirk, adjusting the silver cufflinks at his wrists. "What I personally think doesn’t mean a damn thing. But the fact that two servants dared to show disrespect under this roof is something I won’t ignore." He leaned down slightly, lowering his voice into a dangerous murmur. "You might just be the Luna’s sister to the rest of the world, but as far as the Court is concerned, you carry the Ravencourt name now. And I don’t tolerate incompetence or disrespect from the staff."

Yuki’s eyes strayed over his figure, taking in the flawless cut of his bespoke black suit. The crisp lines framed his broad shoulders and athletic build with alarming precision—looking far too refined for a man who spent ninety percent of his time looking like a frontline combatant or looking for a fight.

"I guess I wasn’t the only one forced to dress up today," Yuki murmured, a small, teasing smirk tugging at her lips.

Kaden snickered, tossing his head back. "Don’t remind me. I’m wearing this suffocating suit entirely because of you. Your supposed fiancé is out of his mind. Who schedules an official engagement introduction at seven in the morning?" He shot her a taunting look. "Then again, what else should I expect from someone who actually takes an interest in you?"

Yuki scoffed, rolling her eyes playfully. "Oh, please. With your remarkably low emotional intelligence, you wouldn’t recognize someone with good taste if they bit you on the nose."

Kaden let out a dry, amused laugh, stepping closer until he was blocking her path down the stairs. "Watch it, Snow. I’m actively trying to be on my best behavior today. Don’t take advantage of it."

Standing at the bottom of the grand staircase, Kieran’s eyes flickered as he watched them. A strange, bitter knot tightened deep in his chest—a sudden, uninvited pang of jealousy as he took in their effortless back-and-forth.

They looked like two people who couldn’t stand the sight of each other, but Kieran knew his brother far too well. Kaden never wasted his words on people he truly didn’t care about. Kieran clicked his tongue softly, shoving down the dark, irrational feeling rising in his throat. It was ridiculous—he had no business feeling envious of two people bickering on a staircase.

"Stop having a domestic quarrel, you look like a bickering couple," Kieran called out, his voice sharp and laced with irritation. "They’re almost at the gate."

Both Yuki and Kaden froze, their playful expressions instantly turning sour as their heads snapped toward him.

"Domestic? Bickering Couple," Yuki grimaced violently, her nose crinkling in absolute disgust. "Please, don’t ever say that word around me again. I still have severe trauma from your girlfriend’s previous antics."

Kaden sneered down at her. "Stop making her out to be some kind of heinous villain every time."

Yuki let out a mockingly sweet laugh. "Isn’t that exactly what she is?" she retorted.

"If she is a villain, then what the hell does that make me?" Kaden retorted, stepping into her space.

Yuki didn’t even blink. "her brainless lackey, obviously. You practically kiss the floor she walks on." she answered with a straight face.

Kaden’s expression instantly locked up, his jaw dropping in stunned silence. At the bottom of the stairs, a small, dark smile crossed Kieran’s lips.

Satisfied with her direct hit, Yuki flashed Kaden a triumphant, radiant grin.

"You..."Kaden hissed under his breath, taking a threatening step forward that backed Yuki right up against the wooden handrail. But before he could open his mouth to fire back, Kieran’s icy voice cut through the air once more.

"If you two aren’t going to kiss, get your asses down here right now," Kieran sneered, his tone unusually harsh. "I don’t have all day, and the Gamma’s car is pulling into the driveway."

Both Yuki and Kaden stared at him in utter disbelief. Yuki rolled her eyes, pushing past Kaden and rushing down the remaining steps. She shot Kieran a thoroughly bewildered look as she passed him.

Kieran merely arched a dark eyebrow, his tone dry as bone. "Stop throwing lovers’ spats with Kaden and go meet your actual fiancé, Miss Ravencourt."

Yuki’s cheeks flushed a bright, burning crimson. "Just stop talking! God, you are so annoying today!" She huffed, turning on her heel and storming down the corridor toward the dining hall.

Once she was out of earshot, Kaden stalked down the last few steps, glaring at Kieran with intense irritation. "What the hell is wrong with you today?" Kaden hissed. "When did you turn into a stand-up comedian?"

"I should be asking you the exact same thing," Kieran retorted smoothly, meeting his brother’s glare without flinching. "When did you turn into such a chatty arguer? I thought you were far too lazy to waste your breath on normal people."

Kaden sneered, pulling at his stiff collar. "I’d prefer not to speak to her at all, but she knows exactly how to get under my skin. And stop making those stupid jokes. What if Eloise or someone else hears you throwing around words like that?"

Kieran’s lips curved into a quiet, unreadable smile. "Then stop arguing with her every time you share a room." he replied.

Without waiting for a response, Kieran turned and walked away toward the dining hall, leaving Kaden standing near the floral arrangements. Kaden clicked his tongue in frustration, muttering a curse under his breath before stomping after him.

Why the hell was Kieran acting so damn bitter?

Inside the grand dining room, the heavy atmosphere was already set. Yuki had just taken her designated seat when the heavy double doors creaked open. The entire Ravencourt family was aligned on one side of the massive table. Kieran quietly slipped into the leather chair directly to Yuki’s left, while Kaden took the seat right beside him also next to Killian, his expression back to its usual stormy indifference.

Aevia offered Yuki a bright, cheerful smile from across the table.

"Good morning, Yuki! Did you sleep well?" She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping into a soft, apologetic tone. "I’m so sorry about the sudden change in schedule this morning. I hope it didn’t disrupt your rest too much?"

"It’s completely fine, Aevia," Yuki replied politely, offering a small nod.

Before another word could be spoken, the grand steward stepped to the front of the room, his staff striking the marble floor with a firm thud

"My lords and ladies, your guests have arrived," the steward proclaimed in a booming voice.

Yuki’s chest tightened as her eyes locked onto the towering mahogany doors. The heavy wood swung slowly inward, and the distinct, synchronized sound of polished boots echoed against the stone floor as their guests stepped into the hall.