Chapter 193: Xavier’s gesture

"Are you upset?" he asked softly. "Did someone offend you?"

Yuki blinked again before gently shrugging his hands from her shoulders.

"I’m fine," she assured him, forcing her voice to sound lighter than she felt.

Declan straightened, still studying her.

"Are you sure?" he asked, concern lingering in his tone. "You weren’t in the reception hall, and I was worried. The reception is about to start."

Yuki stared at him for a moment. So he had finally noticed. After they had reached the dome. A small, bitter feeling twisted inside her chest, but she quickly pushed it down.

"You didn’t have to worry," she said with a smile. "I only stepped out to use the restroom."

"Okay," Declan replied immediately, visibly relieved. "I’m glad you’re alright." He offered her his arm. "We should head back now."

Yuki’s smile stiffened for half a second. He hadn’t asked why she had been gone so long. He hadn’t asked whether her hands were hurting. He hadn’t even noticed the burns. Her gaze dropped unconsciously to her palms. Perfectly healed. Not a single red mark remained. Killian had taken care of them. A strange bitterness gathered at the back of her throat. She swallowed it before it could show on her face and slipped her hand around Declan’s arm.

"Sure," she said softly. "Let’s head in."

Declan nodded and led her towards the palace dome. They stepped outside into the cool midnight air. The temperature kissed Yuki’s skin as they followed a stone garden path illuminated by small golden lanterns. The scent of roses and damp earth drifted through the air, mixing with the distant sound of music coming from the reception hall. They had only walked a short distance when Yuki noticed a dark figure farther along the path. He was standing beneath one of the garden lamps, looking from side to side. Yuki recognised him almost immediately.

"Xavier?" she gasped, startled to see him.

The figure turned. The moment Xavier’s eyes landed on her, relief flashed across his face. He hurried towards them, barely sparing Declan a glance.

"I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Yuki," he said, his voice carrying genuine concern.

Yuki blinked. "I was just..."

"Olivine told me you forgot to prepare something for the silver burns," Xavier interrupted gently, reaching into his jacket. "So I brought this for you."

He pulled out an expensive silver-poisoning ointment and held it towards her. Yuki stared at the tube. Her surprise deepened. There was no way Xavier could have gone home, found the ointment, and returned in such a short time. Which meant he had already had it. Olivine was simply an excuse.

"Xavier," Yuki breathed, her expression softening with genuine surprise.

Declan’s attention finally shifted to the ointment.

"You didn’t have anything prepared for the burns?" he asked, horror creeping into his voice. "I thought you had it covered." His gaze dropped to her hands. "Is that why you disappeared? Are the burns alright?"

Yuki hesitated. She opened her palms.

"It’s fine," she said gently. "You don’t have to worry. They’ve already been taken care of."

Declan stared at her hands. His brows drew together.

"They’re completely healed," he gasped.

"I told you I was fine."

Xavier said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on Yuki’s palms. For the briefest moment, his expression changed. He knew enough about silver poisoning to understand that ordinary treatment could not make burns disappear this quickly. Even the best ointments needed time to work. His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. There was only one explanation. A powerful healing ability had been used. Xavier’s smile remained on his face, but it stiffened at the edges. Someone had treated Yuki. And judging by the speed of the healing, whoever it was possessed considerably stronger healing magic than an ordinary Alpha. His fingers tightened slightly around the ointment tube.

"I’m glad you’re alright," he finally said, forcing the warmth back into his voice. But his eyes lingered on Yuki’s flawless palms for one second longer. He wanted to know who had healed her but was scared of the answer. Xavier’s gaze remained on Yuki’s retreating figure until the trees swallowed her and Declan from sight. Only then did he release a slow breath and lower the ointment tube to his side.

"I’ll keep this, then," he said, forcing a light tone. "The reception should be starting any moment."

Yuki nodded. "Yeah. I have to give my speech too," she replied, deliberately hinting that they should leave.

Only then did Xavier’s attention shift towards Declan. A flicker of recognition crossed his face.

"Sorry, I didn’t notice you earlier, Alpha Declan," Xavier apologised, inclining his head.

Declan’s expression changed slightly as recognition dawned in his silver eyes. "It’s fine. I’m also at fault for not noticing the burns," he admitted, his voice carrying a trace of guilt. "We should all head inside."

Yuki’s gaze moved between them, her brows drawing together. They knew each other? She had assumed Xavier was simply the son of one of the nobles attending the wedding. Why did Declan know him well enough to recognise him immediately?

"Sure," Xavier replied, his usual warmth returning to his voice.

Declan walked past him and continued along the garden path with Yuki beside him. Xavier remained where he was for a few seconds, watching them disappear between the trees. His smile faded. He already knew who had healed Yuki. Only one of the triplets was missing from their table. Killian. Xavier’s fingers tightened around the ointment tube. A muscle jumped in his jaw as he stared towards the path Yuki and Declan had taken. Of course. He had noticed the burns during the ceremony. He had seen the way Killian’s attention had followed Yuki. And now Yuki’s hands were completely healed. The pieces fit too neatly. Xavier slipped the ointment back into his jacket.

A faint rustle came from behind him. He didn’t turn.

"I never expected you to be the first one to go soft," Xavier remarked, his voice carrying a teasing edge. Cold mist curled from his lips as he tilted his face towards the full moon.

A low snicker answered him.

"Soft?" Killian repeated, the word dripping with disbelief.

Leaves shifted beneath approaching footsteps before Killian came to a stop beside him. His sapphire eyes remained calm, his hands tucked casually into his pockets as though the conversation meant nothing. Xavier finally turned towards him.

"You’re smart, Xavier," Killian said quietly. "You know what I care about most."

"The Ravencourt name and the throne," Xavier replied without hesitation.

Killian’s expression remained unchanged. Xavier studied him for a moment before turning fully towards him.

"Then if you care that much about the throne, why didn’t you accept her?" he asked. "You could have disregarded your brothers and accepted the bond."

Killian’s gaze hardened slightly. Xavier continued before he could answer.

"Compared to Kieran and Kaden, you were never really head over heels for Eloise." His voice became more serious. "You loved her, yes. But you were never the type to let feelings dictate your choices."