Chapter 27: Forbidden Feelings

Just as Alia's thoughts began to spiral, a figure at the entrance caught her attention, interrupting her musings. It was her younger brother, Adrian. He had donned a tailored blue suit, enhancing his tall and handsome appearance. Every movement exuded the grace of nobility, yet he carried himself with an understated elegance, never ostentatious. His gaze, however, occasionally drifted, as if searching for someone.

Alia observed him closely and felt a subtle shift in her thoughts—he was indeed looking for Elise.

This didn't surprise her. In her earlier conversations with Elise, Alia had taken the opportunity to ask about each family member's past and personality. Elise had spoken confidently about everyone else, but when Adrian was mentioned, she uncharacteristically blushed and stammered, offering only a brief "The young master is very kind" before quickly changing the subject.

As a seasoned thief with a keen sense for human interactions, Alia immediately sensed something unusual. Coupled with their daily interactions, it wasn't hard to detect the subtle feelings between them.

Though society emphasized strict hierarchies and the idea of love between nobles and servants was rife with obstacles, Alia couldn't care less about such outdated conventions. In her past life as a carefree thief, she had always scorned the shackles of social status. At this moment, she found herself hoping her gentle, dependable brother and the clever, capable Elise could be together.

Smiling to herself, Alia felt a sudden desire to play matchmaker for the pair. She chuckled inwardly, realizing how deeply she was beginning to embody her role as Livia.

As Adrian noticed her and approached with a warm smile, Alia hatched a plan.

Feigning clumsiness, she raised her glass of red wine and "accidentally" spilled a small splash onto Adrian's sleeve.

"Oh no! Adrian, I'm so sorry!" Alia apologized dramatically, pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing at the stain, only to give up with a helpless expression. "How about this? You should go to the cloakroom and change. There should be some spare suits and shirts from Marcellus in there."

Then, she turned toward Elise, who stood nearby. "Elise, quickly, take Adrian to the closet. It's just behind the main hall, and everyone's here right now, so it'll be empty. Hurry along now, don't take too long."

Elise's face flushed ever so slightly, but she nodded and replied softly, "Got it." She gently tugged Adrian's arm and led him toward the closet. Adrian, seemingly unaware of Alia's scheming, followed with a resigned smile.

Watching the two disappear into the distance, Alia smiled to herself, thinking, Hopefully, this gives them some alone time to bring them closer together. Sipping her wine, she turned back to the lively ballroom, her heart alight with anticipation.

In the quiet closet, the soft lighting cast a warm glow over Elise and Adrian's slightly flushed faces. Once the door clicked shut, the room became so still that only their faint breathing could be heard.

"Um… Wait here. I'll find something for you to wear," Elise said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She quickly turned to rummage through the clothing rack, trying to hide her nervousness.

Adrian stood to the side, glancing at his sleeve with a slight frown. "It's hardly noticeable. Do I really need to change?"

"Of course, you do!" Elise snapped, turning to glare at him before immediately averting her eyes. "You can't meet the guests like that."

"Fine, whatever you say." Adrian sighed, shrugging his shoulders before beginning to unbutton his jacket.

When he removed his jacket and shirt, Elise turned around and was met with the sight of Adrian's bare torso. His defined muscles and chiseled abs were accentuated by the soft light, making him appear even more striking. The sight sent a wave of heat rushing to her cheeks. She instinctively took a step back, lowering her gaze but unable to resist sneaking glances from the corner of her eye.

"Where's the shirt?" Adrian asked with a teasing smile.

"Oh… right here!" Elise stammered, hastily handing him a shirt. In her flustered state, her hand brushed against his arm, and the warmth of his skin made her freeze momentarily.

Adrian caught her hand, his grip gentle but firm. He looked down at her, his gaze soft yet intense. "Elise…"

Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her. The suddenness of it scattered Elise's thoughts entirely. She instinctively responded to his kiss, caught up in the rush of emotions. But after a brief moment of indulgence, she pushed him away, her eyes wide with panic.

"Adrian! This isn't right. We can't do this," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Adrian refused to back down, his voice calm but resolute. "Elise, I know you're upset with me. But please, believe me—I'll find a way for us to be together."

Tears welled up in Elise's eyes as she shook her head. "It's impossible… The difference in our status is too great. Your father would never allow it."

"I don't care about any of that," Adrian said firmly, his gaze unwavering. "I only care about you."

He kissed her again, this time more deeply, as if trying to erase all her doubts. For a fleeting moment, Elise allowed herself to surrender to his passion. But with a great effort, she pushed him away once more, gasping for breath.

"We can't keep doing this, Adrian. We just can't. We need to go back before anyone notices," she said, her voice tinged with desperation.

Adrian chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I wouldn't be surprised if my sister planned this so we'd have more time together."

Elise's face paled at his words. She shook her head vehemently, her voice trembling. "No… That wouldn't be fair to Livia. She's been so good to me. How could I betray her like this?"

Adrian's expression softened as he took in her distress. "Livia loves both of us, Elise. I'm sure she would want us to be happy."

Elise remained unconvinced, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. "I don't know… I really don't know." She bit her lip and whispered, "Let's just go back for now."

Adrian sighed but nodded, his gaze still filled with unspoken emotion. He quietly slipped on the shirt Elise had handed him, adjusting the cuffs before leading the way out of the closet.

Elise lingered for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself before following him. She deliberately maintained a slight distance, her steps heavy with hesitation as they returned to the bustling ballroom.