Chapter 232: v2 - 51: lunch

Chapter 232: v2 Chapter 51: lunch

As Marian walked toward Adrian’s office, she found herself smiling.

For a moment, she wondered whether she should have sent word first.

Perhaps she should have waited until he finished his work.

Perhaps she should have asked whether he was free.

Then she stopped herself.

Why?

She had spent enough time doing that.

Ever since returning to the capital, she had been careful around Adrian.

Careful with her words.

Careful with her affection.

Careful not to appear too eager.

As though she were still the woman who had once broken their engagement and therefore had to approach him cautiously, waiting for permission to come close again.

But that was no longer where they stood.

Adrian had told her he loved her.

He had asked her to marry him.

He had told her he wanted her to stay.

He had chosen her.

And she had chosen him.

Whatever hurt remained between them, she could no longer keep behaving as though she were still waiting to be forgiven for loving Cassian.

She wasn’t sorry that she had loved Cassian.

She would never lie about that.

But Adrian knew.

He had heard her tell him the truth.

And after hearing it, he had still asked her to marry him.

That had to mean something.

Marian’s smile softened.

Perhaps she could finally stop being so careful.

She wanted Adrian to know that she loved him.

Not only through words.

She wanted to show him.

She wanted to be attentive to him again.

To bring him lunch.

To remember how he liked his tea.

To fuss over him when he worked too long.

Those things had once come naturally to her.

There was no reason they shouldn’t now.

She was going to marry him.

She was no longer trying to convince Adrian to want her.

He already did.

The realization made something inside her feel lighter.

--

The corridor outside Adrian’s office was quiet.

Two imperial guards stood before the doors. When they saw Marian approaching, they immediately straightened.

"Lady Marian."

"Good morning."

Both bowed.

Marian smiled and continued toward the doors, the servant carrying the luncheon tray following behind her.

Before they could enter, an imperial security official stepped forward. The meal was inspected as a matter of routine, each dish checked before the tray was permitted into the Emperor’s presence.

Once the inspection was complete, the official stepped aside.

The servant approached the door and gave a discreet knock.

"Your Majesty. Luncheon."

There was a brief pause.

Marian’s steps slowed slightly.

She had been so certain of herself only moments ago.

She had told herself that she no longer needed to be careful around Adrian.

He loved her.

He had asked her to marry him.

He had told her to stay.

She was going to be his wife.

There was no reason for her to hesitate simply because she wanted to see him.

And yet, standing outside his office, Marian felt a small flutter of nerves.

It was ridiculous.

She had known Adrian for eighteen years.

She had walked beside him through these very corridors countless times.

She had sat with him during endless court functions, accompanied him to dinners, spoken with him when they were still children.

But that had been before.

Before he became Emperor.

Before every word he spoke became an order the entire palace was expected to obey.

The man behind those doors was still Adrian.

Her Adrian.

But he was also the Emperor.

And somehow, that distinction made her heart beat a little faster.

She took a quiet breath.

Then smiled to herself.

She had come this far.

She wasn’t going to turn around now.

"Enter."

Adrian’s voice came from within.

The door opened.

Marian stepped inside alongside the servant.

Adrian was seated behind his desk, surrounded by papers.

He was reading one document while writing notes onto another, his brows drawn together in deep concentration.

He did not look up.

Marian paused just inside the room.

For a moment, she simply watched him.

There he was.

The same Adrian she had known all her life.

And yet not quite.

The formal black coat.

The imperial seal resting among the papers.

The absolute stillness of his expression as he worked.

He looked every inch the Emperor.

Marian’s heart gave another little flutter.

The servant approached the small table near the windows and began arranging the luncheon.

Adrian continued reading.

"Leave it."

The servant immediately bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He turned toward the door.

Marian remained where she was.

The servant passed her.

Marian watched him leave.

The doors closed.

For a moment, there was silence.

Adrian continued working.

Marian stood there, suddenly a little uncertain.

She had imagined this so easily while walking here.

Now that she was actually in his office, she found herself hesitating.

Adrian looked so serious behind his desk, completely absorbed in his work. The man before her was still the Adrian she had known for eighteen years, but there was no denying the difference now.

He was Emperor.

And somehow, standing in his private office while he worked made that fact feel more tangible than it had in the corridors.

Marian took another quiet step toward him.

Adrian’s pen continued moving.

Then, without looking up, he said,

"Leave."

Marian blinked.

She glanced toward the closed doors.

Then back at him.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"But I don’t want to leave."

Adrian’s pen stopped.

His gaze lifted immediately.

He knew that voice.

His eyes found her.

For a brief moment, surprise crossed his face—not because he didn’t know who she was, but because he hadn’t expected her to be standing in his office.

"Marian."

His voice softened around her name.

Her smile widened.

"Hi."

Adrian leaned back slightly in his chair, studying her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to surprise you."

She glanced toward the luncheon table.

"And I brought you lunch."

His gaze followed hers.

Then returned to her.

"You came here yourself?"

Marian nodded.

"I thought you might forget to eat."

The faintest amusement touched his expression.

"I wouldn’t."

"You would."

He didn’t bother arguing.

Marian took another step toward him.

"I also wanted to see you."

That caught him.

Something in Adrian’s expression softened.

Marian reached his desk.

"I missed you."

"You saw me this morning."

"I know."

She smiled.

"It still feels like a long time."

Adrian looked at her for a moment.

Then he reached for her hand.

His fingers closed around hers.

The small gesture immediately eased the last of her nervousness.

She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.

"You should have lunch."

Adrian’s mouth curved.

"You came all this way to make certain I eat?"

Marian smiled.

"Yes, and because I wanted to see you."

His expression softened further.

She gave his hand a gentle tug.

"Come."

Adrian glanced toward the papers waiting on his desk.

Then back at her.

"All right."

Marian’s smile brightened.

"Good."

He rose.

And just like that, the Emperor left his work behind for the woman standing before him.

--

Tbc