Day 1 of being a valet(3)

Elias froze, his body stiffening as warm breath ghosted over his cheek.

Cassius didn't speak. He didn't tease.

He just… looked at him. It was suffocating.

The space between them was nonexistent now. If Elias shifted even slightly, their lips would brush.

His mind screamed at him to move, to step back, to breathe.

But then—Cassius closed the distance.

A slow, deliberate kiss.

Not forceful or demanding.

Just enough….just enough to send Elias's entire body into a spiral of heat and confusion.

His fingers curled into the fabric of Cassius's vest, his breath stolen and his mind blank.

And then, just as effortlessly, Cassius pulled back, his lips curling into a knowing smirk.

"What?" he murmured, voice deep, teasing. "Am I not allowed to do that?"

Elias's face burned.

He took a shaky step back, his fingers trembling as they clutched onto the half-finished tie. His lips tingled from the lingering sensation, his thoughts scrambled into incoherence.

"I—I am not the Master's partner," he finally managed, breathless. "Just a simple servant. The Master ought not to kiss me. It is beneath his standards."

Cassius chuckled, reaching up to grasp Elias's wrist lightly, stopping him from finishing the tie.

"Then why aren't you pulling away?"

Elias's entire body went rigid.

He had stepped back, hadn't he?

And yet, he was still standing there—still close, still feeling the warmth of Cassius's presence against his skin.

Cassius's fingers traced down the length of the silk tie, his touch slow, measured.

"Fix it, Elias," he murmured.

Elias didn't hesitate this time.

He quickly tightened the knot, his hands working with an efficiency fueled by sheer desperation to escape.

The moment he was done, he took two full steps back, bowing his head. "It is finished, Master."

Cassius said nothing for a moment.

Then—

"Good."

Elias didn't dare look up. He waited, still breathless, still shaken, until Cassius finally turned away, moving toward the door.

Only then did Elias allow himself to exhale, his fingers grazing over his lips as if to erase what had just happened.

But he knew.

No matter how much he tried, he wouldn't forget that kiss.

Elias forced himself to move, to shake off the lingering heat crawling up his spine. He had a job to do.

He quickly smoothed out his vest and straightened his cuffs, forcing his mind away from the kiss—that damned kiss. It meant nothing. It had to mean nothing.

Taking a steadying breath, he followed Cassius out of the chamber, keeping a respectful distance behind him as they descended the grand staircase. The household was already awake, servants moving efficiently through the halls, though more than a few pairs of eyes flickered toward them.

Elias ignored them. Or at least, he tried to.

It was impossible to pretend he didn't notice the way their gazes lingered a little too long, or how some of them whispered to one another behind their hands. He knew what they were thinking.

The omega who had spent more than a single night in his chamber.

The omega now serving as his personal valet.

Elias kept his expression impassive, focusing solely on his duties. It was only when they reached the main foyer, just before stepping outside, that he heard it.

A hushed voice, barely above a whisper.

"So he's really the master's favorite now?"

Elias's steps faltered for just a second.

Cassius, who had been walking ahead, came to a stop.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Then, in a single breath, Cassius turned his head slightly—just enough for those piercing blue eyes to flick toward the servants nearby.

Not a word was spoken.

And yet, the weight of that gaze alone was enough to send them scattering.

Elias swallowed, his hands clenching at his sides.

Cassius turned back toward the door, stepping out into the crisp morning air without another glance.

Elias followed, the words still ringing in his ears.

The master's favorite.

He refused to let them affect him.

But the worst part?

Even as he told himself he didn't care—that damned kiss still lingered on his lips.

But Cassius didn't let the matter drop so easily. His voice was smooth but carried an unmistakable edge as he walked forward.

"He's my favorite, so what?" He glanced briefly at the servant who had spoken out of turn, his blue eyes unreadable behind the mask. "It would be best not to offend him. Your days in this household will be blissful if you don't attract my wrath."

The subtle warning was enough to send a chill through the air. The other servants immediately averted their gazes, their postures straightening in silent submission. No one dared to breathe a word after that.

Elias, walking just a step behind Cassius, could feel the weight of every gaze burning into his back. It was different now. Before, he had been just another servant—looked down upon, ignored. Now, with just a few words, Cassius had placed him on a precarious pedestal, one that made him both untouchable and a target.

Still, he kept his expression neutral, his hands clasped tightly behind him as he followed Cassius down the hall. Whether this newfound status would make his life easier or harder remained to be seen.

As they approached the carriage, the morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and polished leather. Cassius walked ahead with his usual commanding presence, while Elias followed closely behind.

Near the horses, Alaric stood adjusting the harnesses. His hands moved with practiced ease, securing the straps and checking the bits. When he caught sight of them, his expression remained unreadable. Without a word, he bowed slightly and stepped away from the carriage, making room for them to pass.

Elias barely had time to process the encounter before Reginald emerged from the estate, his steps measured as he approached. In his hand was a small, well-worn leather book.

He extended it to Elias. "The master's itinerary for the day," Reginald said. "Keep track of everything. Be sure not to miss a single detail."

Elias nodded, gripping the book tightly.

Without acknowledging the exchange, Cassius stepped into the carriage. Reginald gave Elias a final scrutinizing glance before turning away. Taking a steadying breath, Elias followed Cassius inside, the door shutting behind him with a soft click.