Garden Of Poison-Chapter 241: Stealing glances

News: Visa has been rejected and I need to reapply. Waiting for document from WN right now ><

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Music Recommendation: Calm Yourself - Azure

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Emily gazed into Raylen’s blue eyes, which resembled the ice she had attempted to slip away from earlier on the lake. However, with his words and actions, this ice was far more slippery, and her heart raced faster than it usually did. In her mind, she whispered, ’Idiot. Who does that?’

Her eyes lowered from his to look down at her cold chain, which was now less icy to the touch than when she had taken it from him.

"You should go change your clothes," Emily uttered, her eyes refusing to rise to meet his, as she could feel his intense gaze upon her. They were drawing the attention of the onlookers, and she wanted to escape, yet at the same time, she found herself unable to do so.

Raylen raised his hand, and with one snap of his fingers, steam emanated from around him, swiftly drying his clothes. He remarked, "Seems like your mind is preoccupied, making you forget that it was I who dried your clothes previously."

"I should go see where Mother is. In case she needs me," Emily stated, her gaze briefly meeting his before she turned away and quickly departed from the lakeside. She raised her hand to touch her warm cheek as she went.

And although Emily mentioned her mother as a reason to escape, she didn’t actually go to find her. Instead, she walked to a secluded area where the trees offered solitude, eventually coming to a stop to gather her thoughts.

The sight of her necklace slipping to the bottom of the lake had saddened her, but she hadn’t expected anyone to be crazy enough to jump into the freezing waters to retrieve it. Placing her hand on her chest, beneath which lay her erratically beating heart, she continued to take deep breaths when she suddenly heard,

"I don’t recall Lady Sophia turning into a tree."

Emily swiftly turned on her heels to lock eyes with the archdemon. She responded, "Earlier, when the lake’s surface broke, it caught me off guard—"

"It must have," Raylen replied in an empathetic tone, his gaze fixed on her against the beautiful backdrop of the snowy landscape. He said, "It must have rattled you, and you needed to compose your little heart that now sings like a sparrow. Am I right?" His eyes were full of mischief, though the mischievous words remained unspoken on his lips.

"Right..." Emily softly gulped. Her eyes briefly darted to look behind him, finding no one in sight, and she wondered how far she had walked from the gathering’s location. Making an effort to school her features, she asked, "What are you doing here? Your people are going to wonder where you are, especially since you arrived late."

"Hm?" Raylen hummed, taking a step towards her. He asked, "Who said I arrived late? I was very much on time, Princess. It’s just that you didn’t happen to see me."

Emily furrowed her brow slightly and replied, "I am sure you weren’t, because I—"

"Did your eyes diligently search for me, I wonder? Thoroughly?" Raylen inquired, observing the subtle narrowing of her eyes as she appeared to recognise the trap he had laid for her to confess. He said, "Though I must tell you that I am quite proud of you."

"For what?" Emily asked with curiosity.

"For rejecting Julius and being as straightforward as possible about how you felt while steadfastly maintaining your stance," Raylen replied, and Emily’s eyes widened in response.

So he wasn’t lying when he claimed he had been present the entire time, Emily thought to herself. However, the reality was that Raylen had arrived right in time to catch Emily explaining to the earthling why they shouldn’t pursue a relationship with each other. It elated his mood to the stars. The sentiment persisted, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

When Emily attempted to fasten the two ends of her chain together around her neck, she had trouble securing it. She struggled for a good one minute until the archdemon offered,

"Would you like me to help you with it?"

Instead of making a fool of herself by asserting she could do it herself, Emily softly murmured, "That is alright. I will put it on later." However, before she could slip the chain into her dress pocket, Raylen grasped her wrist.

A soft gasp escaped her lips, and Raylen said, "There’s no need to be stubborn about such a simple thing."

"I believe it is more of a choice than stubbornness," Emily replied, because she knew that if she were to put on the necklace, she would absentmindedly start playing with the pendant again, risking it falling off and getting lost. She could feel his firm grip on her wrist and added, "Someone will come."

"Let them," Raylen replied. "You should understand that it doesn’t matter to me what people say or think."

"It matters to me," Emily responded, and she observed him take a step closer to her.

"Are you telling me that just because it matters to you, it should matter to me?" Raylen inquired in a velvety voice, his tone steady and unwavering.

With Julius no longer in Emily’s sight, Raylen saw no reason why he shouldn’t openly court her now. He could tell that he was beginning to affect her in ways she wasn’t able to comprehend, stirring up unfamiliar emotions within her. He asked her again, "Is that what you are saying?"

Emily found herself momentarily rendered speechless by the tangled web of words and the sudden proximity. This was Raylen Storm! The archdemon who had once attacked her kingdom and had been nothing but annoying! How was it possible that he was the man her heart had finally moved for?! she questioned herself.

The man was relentless in his pursuit, refusing to give her the space she needed, as if the heart that had skipped a beat would revert to its former tune if he did.

She felt him gently turn her hand before carefully prying her fingers open to get the chain she was clutching.

"Ray—"

"Ray Ray," Raylen gently corrected her with a soft, admonishing look while a pleasant and kind smile adorned his lips.

More than anything, Emily was concerned about her mother suddenly appearing and finding them in this intimate state. Not to mention, she needed some personal space, which Raylen was unwilling to grant. She felt him tug on the chain, and as he pulled it, she caught the other end.

"Let it go," Emily urged him.

"You know I have no interest in women’s jewellery. You’re making it sound like I enjoy stealing your things," Raylen remarked, feigning a frown. They locked eyes for another couple of seconds before he added, "Unless, of course, you are saying I have stolen your heart."

Raylen’s comment was enough for Emily’s grip on the chain to loosen. A blush splattered her face as she replied, "You are getting way ahead of yourself to think like that."

"I do like to consider myself someone who can foresee the future," Raylen said as he held the two ends of the chain in each of his hands. He continued, "If you believe you are smart enough to think I didn’t notice that little skip in your heartbeat, then you’re wrong, darling." He lifted his hands near her neck and fastened the chain around it. "I heard it loud and clear, and this is just the first step. And there’s no going back from here." fгeewebnovёl.com

Emily bit the inside of her bottom lip, acutely aware of him in her breathing space, and she said, "I think any woman would have been startled by such a gesture."

"But you’re not any woman, are you? You are the princess who has never been swayed by mere words, let alone gestures," Raylen hummed. As he retracted his hands away from her, he couldn’t resist the urge to pick up a strand of her hair from the loose locks at the back and feel its length, allowing it to fall over her shoulder.

Emily, who had been holding her breath, finally released it as he let go of her dark blonde hair. When they heard the voices of a couple in the distance, too far to identify who it was, she saw him step back to create some distance between them. He softly said, "It does matter. Because you matter now."

She watched him as he took another step back and left her side. Once he was out of sight, she patted her cheeks to collect her scattered thoughts and bring her senses back in line.

"Emily!"

Her eyes widened upon hearing her mother’s voice, and she turned to see her mother walking with apparent discomfort due to the weather. Her mother asked, "What are you doing here all by yourself?"

"I was admiring the forest," Emily replied, but her mother frowned in response.

"It all looks the same to me. Anyway, I came here to tell you I will be heading back to the castle. I don’t think I can survive the remaining hours without my soul ascending to Heaven," Lady Sophia remarked, and she couldn’t help but notice that her daughter showed no signs of shivering. "You seem to have already adapted to the weather here. Also, what were you talking about with Julius? It appeared quite serious."

"It wasn’t anything important, Mother," Emily replied with a reassuring smile, hoping to discourage her mother’s curiosity, which was already piqued.

Before her mother could say another word, another chilling gust of wind swept over them, and Lady Sophia voiced her concern, "You will be safe here, won’t you? I could wait in the carriage for a little while—"

"I will be perfectly fine here, Mother. There are plenty of people around, and I have met many of them before," Emily stated, and her mother nodded in agreement. After planting a kiss on Emily’s cheek, Lady Sophia made her way back to the waiting carriage.

With a sigh, Emily returned to where the gathering was still in progress. As she walked back, she passed by Raylen, who was engaged in conversation with a couple not far from her previous location among the trees. Unable to resist the temptation, she cast a furtive glance in his direction, observing how his hair was combed back due to the earlier encounter with the water.

As if sensing her gaze, Raylen’s eyes suddenly shifted to where she was, and her eyes quickly looked ahead while her face flushed with embarrassment. She quickened her pace, her feet practically gliding over the snow-covered ground.

Emily entered the heart of the gathering, and when she spotted one of the designated servants carrying a tray of juice, she picked up a tumbler and downed its contents in a single gulp.

"Lily, there you are!" Janelle approached and grabbed a tumbler of juice for herself. "Where did you wander off to?"

"I went for a stroll. Did something happen? Did you need me?" Emily inquired, noticing Janelle’s knowing glance.

"Even King Raylen was missing from here. Is something going on between the two of you?" Janelle inquired curiously. Because her friend had rejected Julius, and the King had jumped into the lake to retrieve her chain.

"Nothing is going on," Emily replied with a stoic expression. "He just knew how much the chain meant to me..." As the thought settled deeper into her mind, the princess couldn’t resist stealing another glance in the direction where she had last seen Raylen before rejoining the gathering.

"There is something going on!" Janelle exclaimed. "I recognise that expression of yours!"

"Shh!" Emily hushed her friend. "It’s not what you’re thinking, Jane."

"Princess Emily, it is exactly as I suspect you think I think it is. Just look at the men," Janelle whispered, and Emily’s eyes followed her gaze to see a few individuals looking in her direction, quickly averting their eyes as if they didn’t want to be caught staring. "The smart ones can sense that the King has his sights set on you, and if it’s true, no one else will stand a chance. That explains why Mr. Ardolf has been walking on the sidelines, looking even more dejected than before."

Raylen had not only moved Emily’s heart for him, but he had also made sure to make it clear to every breathing person around that he held a strong interest in the princess.

When Raylen eventually joined the rest of the guests, some of the women found it impossible to tear their eyes away from him and couldn’t resist whispering about him. Emily overheard snippets of their conversation, with some of them saying,

"King Raylen looks more dashing than ever today. Did you catch a glimpse of him emerging from the lake?"

"He is undoubtedly handsome," another woman agreed. "It’s a shame that he has never seemed inclined to settle down with any woman. He’s been with plenty of beautiful women but hasn’t chosen any. Speaking of beautiful women, I haven’t seen Lady Beatrice around lately."

The woman was right, Emily thought to herself. She tried to remember when she had last seen Beatrice and Gloria in the castle. As the slow realisation dawned on her, her gaze drifted towards where Raylen was now, surrounded by people conversing with him.

"Do you think he’s grown tired of their blood and company? Maybe he’s looking for someone new?"

"Hush, he’s looking this way!" whispered the woman beside the one who had just spoken when Raylen’s gaze shifted in their direction. "He heard you! He looks even more handsome when he’s looking at me."

"I think he’s looking at me!" The women whispered with excitement, feeling more than happy to have caught his attention as he continued to stare.

However, Raylen was gazing at the princess, who stood behind the gossiping women, locking eyes with her.

"You are finally looking my way," he murmured with a hint of a smile.

As Raylen and Emily continued to steal occasional glimpses at each other from afar, with the princess often looking away swiftly, there were a handful of observant individuals who took note of these interactions. Meanwhile, the rest remained oblivious to the new development that would soon take the kingdom by storm.

One of those who noticed was Julius, who appeared visibly distressed by the unspoken revelation. Despite his desire to woo and win Emily’s affections, he knew his chances weren’t merely slim but virtually nonexistent with the king in the picture.

And as the gathering continued, with everyone seemingly enjoying themselves despite the cold weather, far away from the Forest of Red, in an almost deserted corner of the kingdom, two individuals stood in a dimly lit alley. Shadows concealed their faces, thanks to the hoods pulled over their heads.

"Her heart isn’t corrupting, which isn’t good. Her grandmother was strong enough to resist it. She might be too," the tall hooded figure stated with disappointment. "I need her heart to ripen."

"I have been keeping a close eye, but—"

"We haven’t waited this long for a ’but’," the first person retorted sharply before their voice turned calm. "You were given one job, and you couldn’t even do that? How is her heart healing?"

"It might be because her mother has arrived at the castle," said the shorter hooded figure. "Also, the king has been accompanying her outside the castle."

"King Raylen?"

"Yes."

The tall hooded figure gritted their teeth before flashing a sinister smile. "Looks like we can hit two birds with one stone. Emily Blackthorn’s heart is mine. I know exactly what will speed things up."

At the Storm Castle, Lady Sophia’s carriage finally arrived after an hour of travel. She was more than happy to exit the vehicle and step inside the castle, where it was considerably warmer.

"Welcome back, Lady Sophia." Westley quickly arrived to assist her at the entrance, taking her coat from her.

When Lady Sophia began to walk, the servant was right on her heels. Sensing his presence, she paused, and he did the same. She turned around and demanded, "Did you need something from me? If not, stop following me and bring me a cup of warm tea to my room."

Westley bowed and made his way to the kitchen, where Lauren was. Upon seeing him, the demoness inquired,

"Has Master Raylen returned with the princess?"

"No. Just Lady Sophia. Warm tea for her," Westley informed the kitchen staff in his usual dull manner.

"She left the princess unchaperoned?" Lauren asked in a surprised tone. "How unlike the lady." Considering that Lady Sophia requested tea, it was probably the weather that had prompted her early return to the castle.

Away from the kitchen, Lady Sophia was about to climb the stairs when she heard a faint voice emanating from the end of one of the corridors. Frowning, she glanced around to ensure no one was nearby before deciding to follow in the direction from which the voice had come, and her footsteps led her to the floor below.

Upon walking further down the corridor, she eventually ended up where the cells were located and noticed two women confined inside.

"Help me, please!" Celeste pleaded, sitting on the ground, while Amara concealed her face between her knees.

Lady Sophia regarded the women with suspicion and stated, "You must have done something to end up in there."

"I just need some water... Nothing more," Celeste pleaded in a feeble voice. "I am a princess who has been forced into captivity. I haven’t had any food... please. If it were your child going through this, you would want someone to help them," the demoness appealed to the woman’s compassion.

Lady Sophia pursed her lips. Unaware that she was speaking to an archdemoness and not an earthling, she wondered whether giving her water would bring any harm and ultimately decided to pour a cup, harrumphing as she did so. She then pushed it through the gap in the iron bars.

"I should ask about what he’s doing with two confined women," Lady Sophia mused, wondering if he was planning to use them, and her eyes narrowed as she considered the possibilities. "All men!" she cursed under her breath.

Lady Sophia felt a sudden swell of pride in her own kindness towards the unfortunate, and her chin lifted with a sense of satisfaction. Should anyone dare suggest otherwise, she would glare at them. She noted that the temperature in this area was noticeably colder and decided to return to her room to put her feet up and enjoy the warm tea.

However, Celeste, who had picked up the tumbler of water, didn’t drink it. Instead, she threw it to the ground, leaving Lady Sophia startled and giving her a questioning look. The water trailed from inside the cell and reached the woman standing outside it.

"Don’t think I will pour you another cup of water," Lady Sophia said, not pleased that the woman had wasted the entire tumbler.

Celeste stared at the spilled water and heard hurried footsteps approaching the cells. She then said, "Thanks for the water."

At the same time, the approaching footsteps grew louder, and Westley and Lauren arrived at the entrance. The demoness warned, "Step away from the water!"

However, Lady Sophia was too slow to react. In an instant, Celeste placed her hand on the water, which acted as a medium, drawing the woman’s energy. The archdemoness whispered an incantation in the dark language. The next second, Lady Sophia dropped unconscious to the ground, while Celeste vanished from the cell where she had been held.

"...!" Lauren remarked with dread, "This is not going to end well."

Seizing the opportunity she had long awaited, Celeste promptly returned to Hell, and once she arrived, she went straight to the Devil’s tower to report to him. Upon seeing her, Viktor stared at her and stated,

"Took you long enough, Celeste."

The woman bowed respectfully. "Forgive me, My King. I came here as quickly as I could."

"But you return empty-handed," Viktor remarked in disappointment. He noticed something amiss and questioned, "And where is that lowly demoness you went with?"

Celeste kept her gaze fixed on the ground, her head still bowed. After a brief pause, she replied, "He must have decided to keep her." She purposefully omitted any mention of the princess.

Viktor was annoyed with everyone’s incompetence. He demanded, "And where is Nathaniel? He hasn’t reported for duty. It appears that everyone who goes to the living realm fails to return. Except you, Celeste. Your loyalty, or fear, has been noted. What is keeping him so busy?"

Celeste had no answer, but another demon in the hall replied, "My King, word is that he’s been preoccupied with his wife, who has fallen sick. He should return here soon." He added, "The woman’s condition is deteriorating rapidly, and she won’t survive for long."