Chapter 72 Confession troubles.

Chapter 72: Chapter 72 Confession troubles.

Killian’s expression shifted the moment Noah confessed. No matter how much he had prepared himself, he never expected this to happen.

He had never imagined that Noah would actually return his feelings, and the realization nearly made him stagger in surprise.

Damian, who had been watching from the side, looked around in complete shock as if trying to confirm whether it had truly been Noah who spoke those words. Yet there was no mistaking it.

"Noah... did you just say you like me?" Killian asked carefully. His voice was almost trembling because a part of him feared Noah would take those words back the next second.

He quickly turned to Damian.

"Damian, you heard that too, right? I’m not imagining things."

He looked back at Noah, waiting desperately for an answer, but Noah had already become flustered. His breathing turned uneven as he instinctively withdrew after realizing what had slipped out of his mouth.

"This was a mistake, Killian. I... I wasn’t thinking straight." Noah shook his head repeatedly. "We only became close not too long ago. We barely know each other, so this can’t be happening."

This time he almost succeeded in slipping past Killian, but the Alpha wasn’t willing to let him leave so easily.

"That’s exactly why I’m trying to know you," Killian answered immediately, refusing to loosen his grip. "People aren’t books that can be understood overnight. We’re all different, Noah. Just let me into your life. That’s all I’m asking."

Noah’s eyes trembled before he slowly shook his head again.

"You should be thinking about yourself... and the Gates that have started opening around the academy. That’s what should be on your mind." His voice became softer. "This... this can’t work. I’m sorry for wasting your time."

With a sudden tug, Noah finally freed himself from Killian’s grasp before running out of the lodge.

He never looked back.

He knew if he did, he might lose the resolve he had struggled so hard to build.

Silence settled over the lodge.

Killian remained standing exactly where Noah had left him, staring blankly at the empty doorway while replaying Noah’s confession over and over inside his mind.

Although Noah had insisted it was a mistake...

Killian didn’t believe that for even a second.

Nobody accidentally confessed their feelings like that.

Especially not with eyes that looked so painfully sincere.

"He feels the same way..." Killian muttered with a smile slowly spreading across his face. "Damian... I think he loves us."

Damian slowly shook his head.

"I think you’re misunderstanding something." His voice sounded unusually quiet. "You’re probably the only one he actually loves."

Killian frowned.

"I don’t think I’m even part of the equation." Damian forced out a bitter laugh. "Even if Noah ever told me he loved me, I’d probably think it was pity because of my curse."

His smile became more fragile.

"You’re the only person whose feelings are genuine to him."

His voice cracked at the end.

For someone who always appeared composed, Damian had longed for something painfully simple.

Someone...

Anyone...

To look directly into his eyes and tell him they loved him without hesitation.

Was that really such a difficult wish?

"That’s not true." Killian walked closer before stopping beside him. "As strange as this sounds, I think he cares about all of us."

Damian remained silent.

Killian leaned against the railing of the veranda before continuing.

"Remember everything Noah said."

Damian slowly nodded.

"He doesn’t want this relationship because he’s afraid."

"Afraid?"

"He’s afraid we’ll die." Killian sighed. "To Noah, being with us isn’t something romantic. It’s dangerous."

His eyes drifted toward the academy grounds in the distance.

"And I think..."

He paused.

"I think Sylvia is part of that fear too."

Damian groaned before rubbing his forehead.

"...I understand his point."

Killian looked at him.

"And honestly..." Damian continued. "He has every reason to be scared."

Rumors had already begun spreading throughout the academy.

The Emperor was supposedly coming to visit.

Knowing how the imperial family handled these matters, everyone already knew what would likely follow after that.

The official mating ceremony.

With Sylvia.

"This is a huge problem," Damian admitted. "Noah’s feelings are valid. We can’t tell him we love him while letting ourselves be tied to someone else."

Killian let out a frustrated sigh before roughly shuffling his own hair.

Why?

Why did the Emperor and Sylvia always have to stand between him and his happiness?

He had finally found someone who made his heart race.

Someone who accepted him despite everything.

Yet that future could disappear simply because he was expected to marry someone he had never loved.

"You have a point," Killian admitted. "But we can’t stay silent forever."

He began pacing around the room.

"We’re almost adults. Why should some old man decide who we spend the rest of our lives with?"

Damian clicked his tongue.

"The ’old man’ you’re talking about doesn’t even like either of us."

Killian stopped walking.

"We’re his least favorite grandchildren."

Damian folded his arms.

"The people he actually favors are Eugene... and after him, Marcus."

He gave Killian a meaningful look.

"If anyone expects us to receive his blessing, they’re dreaming."

Killian remained quiet.

"And don’t underestimate him simply because he’s old."

Damian’s expression turned serious.

"That man is one of the Five Heroes who saved the Quintorian Empire."

His voice carried both respect and caution.

"He’s a Dragon Lord."

"A Dragon Rider."

"And his Dragon affinity is among the strongest ever recorded."

"He isn’t just another royal."

"He’s a legend."

The room fell completely silent.

Killian slowly lowered his head.

Only then did the true weight of the battle before them finally sink in.

If he truly wanted to stay with Noah...

Then standing against the imperial family might become inevitable.

Unless...

Some impossible miracle happened.

A miracle capable of changing the betrothal overnight.

One where Noah somehow became the Emperor’s chosen partner instead of Sylvia.

"...Yeah." Killian laughed bitterly before collapsing onto the sofa. "Next time remind me never to fall for someone while being born into royalty."

He reached for the crystal glass resting on the table beside him.

"What the hell..."

He slowly sipped the red wine before glancing toward Damian, who still hadn’t moved from the staircase.

After several minutes of silence, Killian spoke again.

"Damian..."

"Hm?"

"Maybe getting Noah can wait."

Damian raised an eyebrow.

"I think our first priority should be getting our powers back."

Killian stared into the wine swirling inside his glass.

"How are we supposed to protect him when we can’t even use our affinities anymore?"

His jaw clenched.

"I still don’t understand how we lost our connection to our magic."

"It’s driving me insane."

Damian nodded in agreement before finally walking toward the dining table.

"Let’s eat first."

He pulled out one of the chairs and sat down.

"Then we’ll figure out our next move."

"If the Emperor is arriving sooner than expected, we don’t have much time."

His eyes hardened.

"And that mating ceremony..."

"It has to be stopped."

"One way or another."

Damian reached upward and rang the small silver bell hanging from the dining room ceiling.

Moments later, one of the lodge attendants quietly appeared from the hallway.

"Prepare breakfast," Damian instructed calmly. "Mine and Killian’s usual."

The woman bowed respectfully before disappearing into the kitchen.

Silence returned once more.

Neither Alpha spoke.

Each was completely occupied with thoughts about the mysterious disappearance of their magical powers.

After several minutes, Killian finally broke the silence.

"Maybe we should visit Harold again."

Damian looked up.

"He’s one of the oldest magic users in the academy. If anyone knows what’s happening, it should be him."

Damian immediately shook his head.

"I was thinking about Lamia and Rose instead."

Killian frowned.

"The two witches?"

Damian nodded.

"If anyone can restore our affinities, it’s them."

Killian frowned even deeper.

"But didn’t they lose their powers too?"

"They did."

Damian didn’t deny it.

"But losing their affinities doesn’t erase who they are."

He leaned back in his chair.

"They’re still witches."

"Moonlight affinity users."

"And among the few people who remain deeply connected to nature."

His fingers tapped lightly against the wooden table.

"Who understands magic better than witches?"

Killian considered those words carefully.

"...You actually have a point."

Damian gave a firm nod.

"I’m done depending on this academy."

His expression turned cold.

"They’ve done nothing."

"If we keep waiting for the school to solve this problem, we’ll probably lose everything before they even make a decision."

His eyes narrowed with determination.

"So we’ll handle it ourselves."

"We’ll go to Lamia."

"We’ll go to Rose."

"And we’ll get our powers back."

A grin slowly spread across Killian’s face.

He couldn’t help laughing.

"Dude..."

"I don’t know how you came up with that idea..."

"But keep thinking like this."

He stood from the sofa, feeling hopeful for the first time that morning.

"Because damn..."

"It’s a really good one."