Chapter 141: One Step Away

Adeline’s POV~

I finally spotted a pair of dark blue jeans, folded neatly beneath a heavy stack of scarves.

I let out a tiny, shaky breath of relief and pulled them out.

Finally. Something normal.

I slipped into them quickly. They fit reasonably well, just a little loose at the waist, but fine enough to move in. I searched every shelf twice for a hoodie or an oversized sweater, but there was nothing.

So I stayed in the plain black T-shirt I was already wearing. It was still way too big for me, the loose sleeves falling past my elbows. I still had no idea whose shirt it originally was.

I tucked the hem carefully into my jeans, rolled the long sleeves up past my forearms, and adjusted the pendant under my collar until it sat completely flat against my chest.

I turned and forced myself to look into the tall mirror resting against the wall.

Better. Not great, but it will have to do.

I snatched up my phone, swallowed down the lump in my throat, and walked toward the heavy bedroom door.

I turned the handle and stepped out into the hallway.

The corridor was long, wide, and deathly quiet, illuminated only by soft golden lamps mounted along the stone walls. Thick, plush carpet swallowed every single one of my footsteps.

Nobody is out here. Good.

Maybe I can just slip out quietly. Maybe I don’t even have to face anyone... but...

"Adeline?"

My entire body locked up instantly.

The voice came from directly behind me, warm, soft, and so deeply familiar that my heart almost stopped dead in my chest.

I turned around slowly.

The Dowager Luna stood just a few steps away from me, her long, elegant dress brushing gracefully against the carpet.. Her face had been completely calm when I first turned around, but the second our eyes locked, her features softened into a gentle, motherly smile.

That smile.

Is it real? It feels real.

She walked toward me with light, effortless steps, closing the distance between us.

"Gwen..." I said, the name coming out as a breathless, ragged whisper.

"Sweetie, what’s wrong?" She reached out softly, her fingers gently touching my arm. "Are you hungry? Did you finish the warm food I sent up? I can have the kitchen staff prepare something else for you right now. Something sweet, perhaps?"

I stared down at her small, manicured hand resting on my sleeve. It felt warm. It felt tender and gentle. It was the exact same hand that had held mine so lovingly just a few short hours ago when I was crying.

And it could be the exact same hand that planted a surveillance wire right beside my bed.

I forced my cold lips to curve upward into a smile.

"No, no... I’m fine, really. I ate everything you sent. It was really good, thank you." I dragged a breath into my lungs and forced the lie out of my mouth.

"I just... I really wanted to get some fresh air. I’ve been cooped up inside this room all day long. I thought I’d go for a quick walk with Sierra. I actually came out here to ask if I’m allowed to step out for a bit."

The second the word left my lips, I wanted to bite my own tongue clean off.

Allowed.

Why the hell did I say it like that? Why did I ask her for permission like a prisoner? I should have just told her I was stepping out! What if she says no? What if she looks at me and realizes I’m hiding something?

What if she says no, and I’m trapped in here?

The Dowager Luna tilted her head slightly. Her soft eyes moved slowly across my face, calculating, thoughtful, reading every micro-expression. For a few agonising seconds, seconds that felt like entire years dragging by, she said absolutely nothing.

Then, her smile expanded, turning even warmer and softer than before.

"Of course you can go, sweetie."

I let out a long, shuddering breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding in.

"You are going out to meet your best friend," she said smoothly, her voice filled with warmth.

"Why on earth would I ever stop you? You have been dragged through so much over these past few days, Adeline. You desperately need some time with someone who makes you smile. Go. Enjoy the cool night air."

"Thank you," I whispered, my throat feeling bone-dry.

"Be safe out there, sweetie. Take good care of yourself. And if you need anything at all, and I mean anything, call me immediately. I am here for you."

I nodded quickly, incapable of forming words past the tight knot in my throat.

She sounds so completely sincere. She sounds exactly like a grandmother who truly cares about me.

So why the hell is there a tapped wire hidden inside my lamp?

I turned around to walk toward the grand staircase.

"No. She isn’t going anywhere."

My entire body went completely rigid.

I recognized that voice instantly. Deep, low, and sharp, laced with a dark, suffocating intensity that made every nerve under my skin prickle with danger.

I turned back around.

Keiran stood at the far end of the long corridor.

He looked towering and broad, his broad shoulders. His dark hair was messy, as though he had been running his fingers through it over and over again in frustration.

His jaw was locked tight, his chest rising and falling heavily. His dark eyes were locked dead onto mine, burning with a fierce, dangerous light.

"Keiran?" I breathed, my heart dropping straight into my stomach.

He strode toward us slowly, every single step heavy, and deliberate.

He stopped just a few feet away from me. His intense gaze never left my face for a single second.

"Adeline," he said, his voice dropping into a low growl. "You’re not stepping outside this house alone. If you’re going out, I’m coming with you."

Panic hit me like a physical wave.

No. No, no, no! If he comes with me, everything is over! Adrian is waiting out there! He told me to come alone.

"No," I said quickly, way too quickly, my voice cracking with desperation. "I want to go alone!"

Keiran’s dark eyes narrowed instantly.

"Why?"