Chapter 32: A Smile That Freezes

Chapter 32 – A Smile That Freezes

Kaden stopped in front of his carriage, ready to return to the Warborn household.

But before he could open the door, someone was already standing there—unexpected, but at the same time… not surprising.

Meris Elamin.

Kaden tilted his head slightly, his voice calm, "Do you need something?"

Meris smiled brightly, almost too brightly. "We didn't get the time to really talk because of that dickhead Nuke. That's why I came—to propose something."

And without waiting for a response, she vanished from her spot in a blur of speed and reappeared in front of him, softly grabbing his hand.

"I want to invite you to my house for a small tea session. We'll have all the time to talk and… bond," she added, the last word slipping out with a blush blooming across her pale cheeks.

It would've looked cute—to anyone else watching.

But for Kaden?

'Fucking eerie. What's wrong with this girl? ' he thought as he took a step back instinctively, putting distance between them.

But Meris didn't let up.

She followed with the same bright, innocent smile.

"Do you agree? I'll even show you our family household—you'll love it, I swear!"

She was being persistent. Pushy, even.

Kaden shook his head. "I'm sorry. I don't have the time."

And just like her, he didn't wait for her reply.

"I have to prepare for Fokay. I can't afford distractions. But if we meet there… I'll gladly accept your invitation."

He said it all in one breath, then stayed quiet.

Meris stood there for a moment before smiling again. "I have your word then, Child of Blood?"

Kaden nodded once.

"You do."

She grinned, turned back to her carriage, and walked away. As she stepped up, her voice drifted behind her like perfume.

"Let's make it unforgettable then."

She entered the carriage. Moments later, it vanished into the night.

Leaving Kaden alone.

He sighed quietly, finally climbing into his own carriage and slumping lazily into the seat. And just as he was about to begin processing everything that had happened tonight—

DING.

[You have completed the quest.]

[You chose to walk away and not fight when your fiancée was being humiliated.]

[It was… disappointing, to say the least.]

[You did not act like a true Warborn. Not like your title, the Child of Blood.]

[You have gained nothing.]

[And you will not receive any penalties either.]

Kaden stared at the system prompts silently.

He knew he could've acted differently—like his father would have. Stepped in and made a scene.

But he didn't.

And he didn't regret it.

"Father and Mother were right," he murmured, voice soft, unfazed that the quest had given him nothing.

Instead, he leaned back, expression thoughtful.

"So that guy was trying to read us. Trying to see what triggers us…"

He smirked faintly.

"Didn't he realize that when you try to read someone, you have to be ready to be read in return?"

It was almost funny. But still… exhausting.

Having to play a part. Having to measure your responses.

His smile faded. His expression cooled into something flat and empty.

"He must want something—or wants to do something to us, if he's willing to go that far."

It wasn't surprising that Kaden saw through Nuke's little game.

He had lived two lives. And in the first one, he'd been a bullied kid.

And what does a bullied kid learn best?

Observation.

He had to, if he wanted to survive. He had to learn when the bullies were angry. When they were relaxed. When they were hungry for cruelty. When to speak and when to vanish.

He had to read people. Every twitch. Every shift in tone. Every hunger in their eyes.

Nuke was more subtle, more refined in his acting.

But in the end?

He was young. Inexperienced.

And—

"He slipped."

Kaden muttered the words to himself.

"And that's enough."

Because now he understood—Nuke wanted something. Either to harm his family, or to use them for something bigger.

Either way—

"He's an enemy."

And that was all Kaden needed to know.

He would act accordingly.

He finally closed his eyes, deciding to rest his mind.

Soon, he would leave for Fokay.

And he couldn't wait.

…

Inside Meris's carriage, she wasn't alone.

Seated across from her was a woman in a maid uniform—beautiful green eyes, brown hair tied neatly.

Lari. Meris's personal maid.

And right now, she was staring at her young mistress with confused, almost concerned eyes.

Meris tilted her head slightly. "Why are you looking at me like that, Lari?" she asked, her voice laced with playful mischief.

Lari hesitated. Then found the courage to speak.

"I just don't understand why… why you acted like that with the Warborn's youngest," Lari said carefully.

Meris smiled, then shrugged her shoulders.

"I just like him."

That was it.

That was all she could say.

Because even she didn't know why she was so drawn to him. Why she wanted so badly to know him. Why she felt that strange pull toward him.

Lari's voice came again, this time gentler—concern in every word.

"My lady… he already has a fiancée. Rea Thornspire. And you know the Warborn—once they choose, they don't stray. Their men only have one woman. It's always been like that. One bond. One mate. From childhood."

It was meant as a warning. A soft nudge to stop.

But the moment Rea's name left Lari's mouth—everything changed.

Meris's face darkened in an instant.

The temperature in the carriage dropped sharply. Frost appeared on the windows. The air turned biting.

"Don't say her name again, Lari."

Her voice was low. Flat. Dangerous.

Her silver eyes were no longer playful. They were deadly.

Lari's heart skipped a beat.

She hadn't expected such a violent reaction.

"I don't care if he has a fiancée," Meris continued, her tone cold as steel. "If I, Meris Elamin, set my eyes on someone—"

Her eyes glowed faintly, light bending oddly around them.

"Then I'll have them. No matter what. And Kaden Warborn… I want him."

Simple.

Direct.

Obsessive.

Why? She didn't know.

But she had made up her mind.

She'd have him.

With sweetness if needed.

Or—

"With force."

Then came the smile.

Wide. Distorted. Unhinged.

A smile that could make a grown man flinch.

"Do you understand me, Lari?"

A long pause.

"…Yes, my lady," Lari said, her voice trembling slightly.

That day, Lari saw a side of Meris she'd never seen before.

A face that was… frightening.

And in that moment, she found herself—against her will—pitying Kaden.

End of Chapter 32