Chapter 246: A brilliant plan?

Yuki’s head swam at the dizzying speed of the conversation, her pulse thumping wildly against her ribs. She understood Alexander’s political motives, and she knew this was just an engagement, yet a sudden, icy wave of cold feet washed over her.

she was having cold feet at how fast things were going

She swallowed hard, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.

"I... I admit I’m a bit nervous with how fast everything is moving. But since it’s just to make the protection official... there’s no reason to delay it."

Under the table, Aevia reached over, squeezing Yuki’s cold hand with a reassuring touch. Alexander beamed proudly.

"Then it is settled. If the Velmore family needs assistance managing the logistics on short notice, my staff is at your disposal."

Lord Marcus politely raised his hand. "Thank you, Alpha, but custom dictates the groom’s family handles the arrangements. We will take care of everything."

Throughout the entire exchange, Killian sat in total silence, his sharp, analytical eyes absorbing every subtle detail in the room

. He noted Yuki’s suppressed anxiety which was completely natural for a girl being thrust into high-society politics at eighteen. He observed Xavier’s unwavering sincerity, recognizing that the young man genuinely cared for her. His eyes never left Yuki

He tracked Kaden’s quiet, bitter irritation, which his brother tried to mask by staring blankly at his plate—after all, no man truly enjoyed watching his best friend take the female he had once cast aside. Even if he was the ones who helped arranged it.

The sheer hypocrisy of it was astounding. And then there was Kieran. Killian watched as Kieran’s usually ironclad, calm demeanor fractured further with every passing second. Killian pushed his blonde hair back, inwardly shrugging. Perhaps he was overthinking things—maybe the lack of sleep was playing tricks on his mind.

Alexander set his linen napkin down, breaking the silence. "Xavier, why don’t you drive Yuki to her academy campus today? It will give the two of you a chance to become better acquainted." he suggested

Kieran objected instantly, his voice slicing through the room. "No. That is Maverick’s duty. He is still assigned as her shadow guard."

Alexander turned to Kieran with a calm nod. "Maverick will still follow her and maintain perimeter security, Kieran. But the two of them need space to build a bond." he said firmly.

Yuki looked up, offering a small, polite smile toward Xavier. "If it isn’t too much trouble for you, Xavier, I would appreciate the ride." he chimed

With Yuki’s explicit consent, Kieran’s jaw tightened, but he had no grounds left to object. The long, agonizing breakfast finally came to a close. Gamma Reed stood up, thanking Alexander for his hospitality as both parties waited for the temple’s response regarding the ceremony date. Xavier turned to Yuki, stepping around his chair.

"Are you heading straight to campus, Yuki, or do you need to change first?"

"I just need to grab my tote bag from my room," Yuki replied softly. "I’ll be down in a minute." She bowed politely to the table and excused herself.

The dining hall cleared out quickly. Gamma Reed and his wife walked out alongside Alexander and Aevia to continue their political discussions in the study, leaving the three brothers alone. Kieran remained seated, staring blankly at his plate, while Killian stood up and pulled on his dark windbreaker jacket.

Killian adjusted his collar, glancing down at Kieran. "Aren’t you heading to the medical research lab?"

Kieran didn’t budge. He lifted his wrist, checking his watch with a cold, hollow sneer. "I thought that circus would never end." He raised his head, glaring at Killian. "So this was your brilliant master plan?"

Kaden clicked his tongue, leaning back against the table with his hands shoved deep into his pockets. "Who knew Xavier would be so damn jolly about taking our scraps?" he muttered, his voice laced with venom.

Killian let out a long, quiet sigh, zipping up his jacket. "Don’t read too much into it, either of you. This is strictly about her survival. With the anti-royal resistance brewing outside our borders, Xavier is the safest person she can possibly be tied to."

Without waiting for their reply, Killian turned on his heel and walked out of the dining hall. His footsteps were measured and controlled as he traversed the long corridor toward the grand foyer. As he stepped into the marble entrance, the sound of hurried, rushing steps echoed behind him. He paused, turning his head slightly.

Yuki was sprinting down the hall, her heavy leather tote bag swinging wildly over her shoulder. She didn’t notice Killian standing near the archway; she darted straight past him, her blonde hair flying behind her as she pushed through the front doors. Killian’s gaze followed her as she ran down the exterior stone steps toward Xavier, who was waiting beside his sleek sports car.

"Come on, Xavier!" her bright voice rang out across the driveway. "I have an eight o’clock lecture, and traffic is going to be terrible!"

Xavier smiled warmly, opening the passenger door for her. "Right behind you, my lady."

As Yuki slid into the leather seat, Xavier’s eyes lingered on her face. It was a soft, unreserved tenderness shining in his honey-brown gaze that he made zero effort to hide. A cold morning breeze swept across the driveway, ruffling the collar of Killian’s jacket.

Killian stood silent at the top of the steps, his face an unreadable mask as he watched the sports car engine roar to life and speed down the winding estate driveway. But beneath the dark fabric of his jacket pocket, his right fist had secretly clenched until his knuckles turned bloodless white.

He had successfully neutralized Declan—a snake lurking in the grass, waiting to strike. But in doing so, he realized he might have just handed Yuki directly to a dragon. And dragons, once they laid claim to gold, never let it go. Xavier Velmore was not a man driven by politics or societal expectations. He was a man who fought savagely for whatever he desired, completely unbothered by rules, traditions, or morality.

The red bummer of the car vanished past the front gates.

’Lord Killian?’ his assistant’s voice resonated through his mindlink. ’The car is ready. Are we leaving?’

Killian closed his eyes for a brief second, taking a deep, steadying breath of the cold morning air.

’I needed a moment,’ Killian replied quietly through the link.

He unclasped his fist, smoothed down his jacket, and walked down the stone steps into the crisp morning light.