The hotel opening part 2

*Author pov*

As the butlers assisted the old man once more, moving him to a secluded corner. The tension in the air became palpable. Whispers spread like wildfire among the guests, and confusion hung thickly around the opulent room. 

Saerom exchanged a knowing glance with Eveline. They both sensed that something far more significant than a mere accident had occurred. 

Saerom approached a couple of elegantly dressed ladies. Her voice was hushed, but her curiosity was insatiable. 

"What happened?"

she inquired, her eyes darting toward the commotion.

The older lady pointed discreetly. 

"Over there," 

she whispered, her gloved hand trembling. 

"The West Dukes—apparently, knocked down an old man."

Eveline's heart raced as she followed the crowd's murmurs. Pushing through the throng, she and Saerom reached the epicenter of the chaos. There they stood: Duke Akai and Duke Zella, their faces marked by determination and defiance. Akai's hand was bleeding, and Zella's knuckles were bruised.

Eveline, her skirts swishing, rushed to Akai's side. Concern etched across her features, she asked, her voice trembling, 

"What happened? Is your hand-?"

But Akai remained silent, his jaw clenched. Eveline, undeterred, gently guided him away from the crowd. Her steps were swift, her eyes scanning for a secluded spot. And there it was—a weathered bench, perched in the middle of the moonlit lake. 

The water's surface shimmered, mirroring the stars above.

She eased Akai onto the bench, his wounded hand cradled in hers. Eveline knelt before him. Without hesitation, she tore a piece of her skirt, fashioning a makeshift bandage.

 Her touch was gentle, yet her muttered curses held a raw edge. Akai winced as she secured the cloth around his injured hand.

"Wow,"

he quipped, his voice laced with surprise.

 "For a lady, you have a very foul mouth."

Eveline didn't miss a beat.

"Why?"

she shot back, annoyance colouring her tone.

"Does it bother you that much?"

Akai's silence lingered for a heartbeat. Then, in a voice softer than the rustling willow leaves, he replied, "No."

Meanwhile Saerom's shock lingered as she watched Duke Zella and his blood dripping to the floor. Zella grabbed her hand, pulling her away from the curious onlookers, and retreated to his room. The heavy oak door closed behind them, muffling the distant sounds from downstairs. 

Zella perched on the edge of his bed, his silence echoing through the room. But Saerom couldn't ignore the blood staining his hand. She moved swiftly, grabbing a nearby napkin and pressing it against the wound. Her touch was firm and efficient, the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

"You're an idiot,"

she muttered, her frustration palpable.

"How the hell did you end up in a situation like this?"

Zella's gaze met hers, and for a moment, they communicated without words. His thoughts screamed: because of you. 

The tension between them was as thick as the velvet curtains that framed the window.

Saerom stood abruptly, her anger propelling her forward.

"If you find yourself in this situation again," she declared, her voice unwavering,

"I won't help you. You hear me?"

And then, unexpectedly, she took out a lollipop—the familiar treat that had always been her comfort during difficult times. She extended it toward him, the wrapper crinkling softly.

"Take it,"

she said, her tone softer now.

"You'll need something sweet to balance out the bitterness."

Zella accepted the lollipop, gratitude and defiance warring within him.

"Thank you,"

he murmured. And then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "My darling."

Eveline, her eyes wide with fear, clung to Akai as they stood on the bridge.

Her voice trembled.

"S-sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to."

Akai sensed Eveline's fear, he reached out to her hand to calm her down, when she seemed calmer, they walked towards the hotel. Akai's thoughts swirled, Was this the same girl who had unleashed curses just moments ago?

And when they reached the other side, Eveline exhaled—a silent release of tension.

As they walked toward the hotel, Eveline spoke up.

"I wasn't afraid to cross the bridge," she said, her voice carrying a hint of pride.

Akai, still holding his smile, nodded.

"I could tell,"

he replied. Her determination had been evident, even if unspoken.

Eveline walked lightly behind him. He turned and his gaze fell upon her. In that fleeting moment, he saw her happiness and chose to remain silent.

Saerom left Zella's room with him following close behind. Upon entering the hotel, Eveline and Akai ran into Saerom and Zella. Eveline waved at them, and Saerom smiled back. The four of them paused there together.

And then, like a shadow emerging from the past, the old man appeared once again. His steps faltered as he caught sight of Akai and Zella. His glare bore into them, a silent promise of retaliation. As he walked past, he muttered,

"I'm not gonna let this slide." 

The girls exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and wariness. Eveline leaned closer to Saerom, her voice hushed.

"His scent,"

 she whispered,

 "It's oddly familiar."

Zella sensed the tension between Akai and the old man. He voiced concern as he said:

"What if this shitty old man tries something?"

Akai's gaze flickered back to the girls, and Zella followed suit. Zella's question hung heavy in the air. But Akai's response was unwavering:

"He doesn't have the courage."

As they stood in front of the receptionist, Saerom requested the keys to their room. Zella interrupted before the receptionist could respond, asking,

"Where do you think you're going?" Saerom replied,

"Where else? My room. I'm tired and want to sleep."

Zella chimed in,

"Well, I'm joining too."

 Saerom grabbed Eveline and positioned her in front of her, tilting her head to the side. And said

"It's not enough for three people," 

Zella continued,

"Saerom, you can sleep in my big, cozy bed with those soft pillows."

Saerom's mind immediately conjured images of the comfortable bed—it was certainly better than the one in her own room. Zella's smile worked its magic, and Saerom found herself tempted by the offer.

Meanwhile, Akai walked toward and engaged in conversation with the receptionist without the other noticing him. 

Finally, Saerom mustered the courage to decline Zella's wonderful offer and Eveline turned to the receptionist and requested the room that had been signed in their names—Saerom and Eveline.

The receptionist looked confused as she examined the papers.

"I apologize," the receptionist said.

"It appears something urgent came up. Your room has already been occupied—it seems to have been double-booked. Unfortunately, there are no available rooms at the moment."

The girls exchanged bewildered glances. Eveline voiced their collective concern.

"What are we going to do now? Floral's Room is only for one person. We can't stay there."

Eveline turned to Akai, seeking a solution.

"Are there any other hotels nearby? Maybe we can check in somewhere else for the night."

Akai and Zella responded in unison, their voices echoing determination.

"NO,"

Akai's tone was stern, while Zella's carried a touch of drama.

The girls exchanged glances, their unspoken agreement echoing through the air. Akai stepped toward Eveline, positioning himself right behind her. His voice was decisive: 

"Eveline, you're staying with me tonight."

Zella's tone carried a touch of delight as he chimed in,

"And my love can stay with me for tonight." 

Saerom's annoyance flickered across her face, but she attempted to conceal it. Her mind raced, imagining the cozy bed where she would soon rest.

They walked toward the rooms, elegant structures perched on the lakes and connected by an Outerbridge. Zella led the way, Saerom following closely. As he opened the door, the room revealed itself—a sanctuary of comfort. Saerom couldn't contain her excitement. She nudged Zella aside and practically leaped onto the bed. Her body sank into the softness of the bed.

As Eveline led the way, Akai followed closely. She tried her best not to look at the lake, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. Akai stepped toward her, and as he opened the door, the room revealed itself—a sanctuary of comfort and elegance.

Akai walked calmly toward the chair placed near the bed, while Eveline's eyes roamed the room. 

She admired the intricate details— she walked towards the big window framing a view of the lake, a second later she was studying the statues and paintings that adorned the walls. The sudden urge overtook her, and she rolled back and forth on the bed, reveling in its softness.

Eventually, she stood up and made her way to the clothing room. Akai watched her, admiring the way she moved.

A knock interrupted. Akai answered the door, revealing a butler with a bag—it was Eveline's. He handed it to Duke Akai, he closed the door behind him and headed toward the clothing room. As he passed by, Eveline was still exploring the room, her curiosity evident. 

He gently placed her bag on the glass table in the middle of the room before settling back into the chair, Eveline's exploration had come to an end.

As Saerom laid on the bed, gazing out the window, raindrops danced against the glass, she mummered, "I hope Eveline is fine"

Just then, Zella approached.

"Did my beautiful darling say something?" he inquired.

Saerom answered,

"Yes, I said that I am gonna sleep on the bed and you on the floor tonight."

But Zella, with a hint of annoyance, declared,

"No, dear wife. We both will share the bed."

Saerom in disbelief. Walked over the two chairs by the window. She gathered the pillows from them and placed them in the middle of the bed, creating a makeshift boundary between her and Zella.

With a pointed finger, Saerom declared,

"This is MY side."

Her voice turned serious, eyes narrowing, as she issued a warning:

"If you dare encroach upon my domain, you are dead."

Zella, perhaps wisely, replied,

"Yes, ma'am."

Saerom settled onto the bed's edge, her satisfaction evident.

Zella, freshly changed, stood outside the clothing room. His voice floated in, teasingly suggesting he might join Saerom inside. But Saerom's response was swift and fierce:

 "Zella, you are dead if you step inside." Zella chuckled, undeterred.

"Whatever you, my love," he conceded.

Saerom settled onto the bed with Zella beside her. Pillows formed a zone between them. Soon, sleep claimed her, and Zella observed her peaceful face. He couldn't help but admire her beauty. As if drawn by an invisible force, Saerom's hand reached out, pulling him into a tight embrace. Zella, taken aback, remained calm. She nestled closer, and he whispered,

"Looks like someone can't sleep without hugging me."

As Eveline emerged from the clothing room, Akai remained perched on the chair. His voice cut through the room,

"Do you want me to turn the lights off"

Eveline shook her head, her gaze shifting to the curtains. Rain pounded against the windowpane. Akai nodded to show his agreement. She closed the curtains with a swift motion. This to shut out the storm.

Seated on the bed, Eveline crossed her feet, her eyes fixed on the closed drapes. Akai, observing her wakefulness, inquired,

"Why are you not sleeping?"

Eveline hesitated, crafting excuses—fatigue eluding her. Then, a lightning flash lit the room. A thunderclap jolted her. Her grip tightened on the blanket, her emerald eyes welling up.

Akai's heart skipped a beat as he saw Eveline's eyes tearing. He moved quickly, covering her with the blanket. Seconds later, another thunderous boom echoed. This time, Eveline clung to Akai's arm, her nails digging into his flesh . He held her close, a silent anchor against the tempest. Searching for solace, he murmured,

"I remembered the tale of the Rabbit and the carrots." 

Eveline's tension eased; it was her childhood story. Tear-filled eyes met his, and he wiped them gently.

"I still wonder," he whispered,

"Did the rabbit ever discover who stole the carrots?"

Eveline's tearful confession spilled forth.

"It was the fox," she murmured, her voice filled with tears.

"He was the one stealing the carrots." Akai's brow furrowed in surprise.

"A fox?" he echoed, as if piecing together a forgotten puzzle. Eveline nodded, her gaze unwavering.

Akai's memory stirred, and he confessed,

"I don't remember you telling me this part."

His hand found its place on her head, a comforting anchor in the storm. Her heart raced, a symphony of anticipation and vulnerability.

With a gentle murmur, Akai reassured her,

"It's going to be alright." 

His fingers continued their soothing dance through her hair. The room held its breath as Eveline surrendered to the night's embrace. Between Akai's protective arms, she slipped into slumber, her dreams woven with echoes of childhood tales.

And there, in the quiet darkness, he whispered,

"Those eyes in tears… Are truly becoming my weakness."