Chapter 359: Ch 358: Late Night Date - Part 3

Kael continued, and Lyra slowly became quiet again.

"I have spent a long time worrying about everyone else and trying to make sure they survive. Sometimes, I forget that I can also have people who simply want to be beside me."

His words were quieter this time, and Lyra could tell that he was not joking anymore.

"So when you confessed to me, I started thinking about it. Perhaps I was avoiding you because I was afraid of what would happen if I accepted your feelings."

Kael admitted, and Lyra stared at him in surprise.

"You were afraid?"

"Of course. I know what you are like."

Kael smiled helplessly, and his smile turned into one of amusement. Lyra had a feeling she should stop listening to him now...

But she still wanted to know more.

"You are not exactly someone I can take lightly."

Lyra’s lips twitched into a small smile.

"That is true."

"And I also know that once I accept your feelings, I cannot pretend that they do not matter anymore."

Kael looked directly into her eyes.

"So I decided to give you a chance."

Lyra felt her heart tremble at those words.

It was not a grand confession, nor was it the romantic answer she had imagined countless times.

But somehow, it felt more genuine than anything she could have hoped for.

She slowly reached out and grabbed the edge of Kael’s clothes.

"Then... I will make sure you never regret it."

Kael smiled.

They both knew it was the start of something new but tentative. There was no guarantee that it was going to last long either.

But for now, they were both willing to accept this new relationship and take things slowly.

...

"Kael and Lyra are late. Just what are they doing that is making them stay out this late?"

Seraphina looked at the door with a nervous look on her face. She did not know why, but she had a bad feeling about the two of them being out and together.

It was not a feeling she got when someone was in danger. But it was similar, and it made her feel like she was about to lose something important.

Leon watched her nervousness from the side, and he shook his head at her behaviour.

Unlike Seraphina, he had an idea about what Kael and Lyra were doing out so late. But he did not want to be the bearer of bad news.

Honestly, he was more surprised at the fact that Kael had not decided to date before this. It was not like he was not popular...

He was just distant from this kind of thing. His eyes looked at romance with envy, but he himself seemed to avoid it for the most part. So Leon had honestly thought he would never be with anyone...

But that seemed to have changed once they came here. And the one who took advantage of this was Lyra.

’Not that I have any intention of telling this to Seraphina. It is her own fault she decided not to make any move in so long.’

"Darn it! Maybe I should go and check on them. They might be stuck in a dungeon and—"

The door finally opened, and Kael’s familiar magic made itself known. It relaxed Leon instantly, and he let out a relief-filled sigh.

Lyra was not far behind, but her eyes were glazed over, almost as if she could not believe her luck and what had happened.

There was also an air around them that made it hard for others to approach.

Leon did not have to be a mind-reader to know that something had happened between them. And he was not the only one who noticed.

He could see Seraphina looking at the pair with intense eyes, and her smile seemed to be frozen on her face.

Things were getting dangerous, and it made Leon place a hand on her shoulder to calm her down and ground her.

"Seraphina, I know how you feel, but keep yourself in check. There is no point in causing a scene here."

Leon reminded her, and Seraphina nodded. But she still looked pissed off, which was a given.

After all, she had just lost her chance with Kael. He was a loyal man, so as long as he was in a relationship, he wouldn’t see someone else that way...

’Ah, but I have a feeling Seraphina won’t care about it. Should I ask Kael to be prepared for something...?’

Leon was a little worried. But in the end, he decided that it was better to let things happen as they were. That way, he would be able to say he was innocent when shit finally hit the roof.

’I feel sorry for these kids. But honestly, why do I have to put myself at risk for them? It’s better if I remain like an innocent bystander in all of this.’

Leon turned an ignorant eye to the atmosphere and approached Kael and Lyra.

"Welcome back. Did you both have fun? Ah, but I guess you were working, right? I am sure it must have been hard..."

Leon gave them an excuse, and Lyra decided to nod.

"Yeah, work was hard, and it kept us out late—"

But Kael decided to grab her hand and pull her forward.

"I don’t think I want to lie and pretend otherwise, so I will come out and say it."

Two panicked expressions looked at Kael, but he did not seem to care. He simply decided to speak the truth.

"We have begun dating, so I would like to ask for all of your understanding and blessing. I hope you will show us support."

The room fell into complete silence after Kael’s declaration, and Lyra’s face turned even redder as everyone stared at them.

Seraphina’s smile twitched, but she quickly composed herself.

"I... see. Congratulations to both of you."

Her voice was polite, but Leon could sense something dangerous hiding underneath it. Iris, meanwhile, quietly stepped away from Seraphina, deciding that distance was probably the safest option.