Chapter 288: One day left

Xavier completely ignored Kaden’s biting jabs, his honey-brown eyes remaining locked on Yuki as he cupped her face gently, his warm thumbs brushing across her high cheekbones. "Are you truly alright?" he asked, his voice thick with an uncharacteristic tremble as a barrage of anxious questions spilled from his lips. "Where did you go? Do you have any idea how terrified I was when I found out you vanished from the hospital? I couldn’t sleep a wink—I thought someone had taken you!"

Watching every second of the theatrical display was thoroughly jarring to Kaden, who leaned against the doorframe with a disgusted sneer.

Yuki felt instantly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of his frantic inquiry, her breathing hitching as she tried to process his words. Before she could answer, Kieran stepped forward; his expression was cold and unreadable. He placed a firm, decisive hand on Xavier’s shoulder, forcibly pulling the younger man back a step to create distance between them..

"She is completely exhausted," Kieran stated, his low voice carrying a quiet, lethal hiss that cut through the room. "One question at a time."

Mrs Velmore immediately stepped forward, her silk dress rustling as she smoothed her hands over her lap, offering an apologetic smile. "Please forgive him, Kieran," she said, her sweet, measured tone laced with motherly worry. "Xavier was so frantic with worry that he insisted we come at the absolute break of dawn. We were utterly terrified after hearing about the chaotic incident at the hospital."

The Gamma, Reed Velmore, cleared his throat and stepped up beside his wife. His broad chest expanded as he fixed Yuki with a sharp, cautious stare. "How are you doing, Yuki?" he asked directly, his deep, resonant voice ringing with quiet authority. "We need to hear it from you."

Yuki forced a soft, reassuring smile onto her face. Rolling up her lace sleeves to expose her completely unblemished wrists, she effortlessly offered the lie they had agreed upon. "I am perfectly fine, Gamma Reed. I... I was overwhelmed by all the blood spilled during the attack, and my body developed a sudden fever from the stress. But as you can see, I am entirely recovered now.".

Seeing that her skin was completely smooth and her complexion healthy, Reed’s tense posture visibly relaxed, his severe brow unknotting.

Beside the Alpha, Aevia—who had been standing frozen by Alexander’s side, barely holding herself together—could no longer contain her emotions. She darted forward, gasping softly as she threw her arms around her younger sister, pulling Yuki into a crushing embrace. "Don’t you ever scare me like that again," Aevia sobbed into her neck, her hands trembling against Yuki’s back.

The hug was so intense it squeezed the air from Yuki’s lungs. She froze for a brief moment, her mind unexpectedly flashing back to the mysterious Yuki she had encountered in her fever-dream. Should I tell Aevia? she wondered silently, her heart hammering against her ribs. Would she even believe me?

"I’m fine, Aevia... I promise," Yuki assured her sister softly, gently patting her back.

Aevia broke the hug, wiping a tear from her cheek with a delicate silk handkerchief. "I am so glad," she murmured, letting out a lingering sigh of relief.

Seated on the plush cushion, Alexander finally spoke up, his deep, commanding baritone instantly silencing the room. "Since that matter is settled, we should move on to the pressing issue at hand," he declared, adjusting the cufflinks of his crisp suit. "The engagement ceremony is tomorrow."

Mrs Velmore’s eyes lit up instantly. She rushed forward and took Yuki’s hands into her own, her face beaming with excitement. "The venue has already been fully secured! We booked the grand ballroom at the Imperial Bay Hotel—one of the top luxury establishments in the territory. If not for the short notice, we would have picked it together, but I truly hope you will love it, my dear."

"I trust your taste completely, Mrs Velmore," Yuki replied politely, inclining her head.

Xavier stepped forward then, slipping his hand into his coat pocket and bringing out a sleek, black velvet box. Yuki’s breath caught in her throat as he snapped the lid open with a soft click. Resting inside on white satin was a stunning engagement ring—a flawless, emerald-cut diamond bordered by intricate platinum filigree that sparkled under the chandelier light.

"It was delivered late yesterday evening," Xavier said softly, his voice dropping into an intimate, tender murmur as he gazed into her eyes.

"It’s... it’s breathtaking," Yuki gasped softly, mesmerised by the stone.

"I will be placing it on your finger tomorrow," Xavier said with a playful, teasing smile, his eyes shining with devotion.

Mrs Velmore clapped her hands together in delight. "Now, that aside, we brought several designer dresses for you to select from today! Xavier will be wearing a tailored suit with matching accents."

She raised two fingers and clapped sharply. The double doors of the drawing room swung open wide, and several uniformed guards from the Gamma household filed in, carrying stack after heavy stack of ornate wooden and velvet boxes. They lined them up along the long mahogany table—the lavish betrothal gifts.

Yuki’s breath hitched again as she took in the sheer quantity of treasure spilling onto the furniture. "This... this is far too much," she murmured involuntarily.

Xavier let out a light, rich laugh, brushing off her protest with a wave of his hand. "Nonsense. It is the absolute bare minimum for a princess," he teased, his tone warm. "You are a Ravencourt, Yuki. That practically makes you royalty in our territory." He leaned in slightly, adding, "Since the engagement was rushed, this is merely a token. More gifts will be presented when the final wedding date is set."

Killian stood quietly near the back wall, watching the boxes pile up high with an entirely unreadable expression on his angular face. He shifted his stance, turning his head slightly, and purely by coincidence, his blue eyes locked straight into Yuki’s. He held her eyes for a long, quiet second, a silent question passing between them: Why are you staring at me?

Beside him, Kieran remained entirely silent, his eyes fixed on the grand spectacle. This is really happening, he reminded himself bitterly, his jaw tightening just a fraction. It’s just an engagement. It has nothing to do with me.

Xavier then reached into his jacket, pulled out an official envelope stamped with the Gamma family crest, and walked straight toward Killian. He stopped two paces away, offering a crisp, polite bow as he presented the document.

"I present the formal betrothal list according to tradition," Xavier said in a formal, respectful voice, looking directly at Killian. "As the eldest heir, I ask that you formally accept it."

The tradition was absolute: the eldest heir accepting the betrothal list signified the ruling family’s complete approval of the union. Killian raised his hand, his fingers extending to take the envelope, but before his fingertips could even touch the paper, Kaden snatched it out of Xavier’s hand.