CHAPTER 98: UNDER THE GAZE OF ZEKEL

Stephanie’s voice trailed off as she lost her words. At this point, she had completely forgotten what she had originally wanted to say. Her last sentence—what was she about to say again? She had no idea. Not a single one.

He wasn’t even looking at her as he was busy with his meal—but that smirk on his lips was undeniable.

It told her that he was aware of her presence. Her face warmed as she realized he was here because of her brothers, not for any other reason. And for a moment, she had thought...

She quickly shifted her gaze away to avoid raising any suspicion. She needed to stop this. She couldn’t afford to make anything obvious. Lady Emberg, noticing her surprised expression, assumed it was because she had said something too personal in front of a stranger.

"Ah, Lady Stephanie, I failed to inform you that we were having Lord Zekel for breakfast," Lady Emberg said as Stephanie struggled to compose herself. She simply nodded. She didn’t want to make things obvious.

She knew her grandmama well how deeply observant she could be..and the last thing she needed was to hear her say something like, So you had a reason to call off the marriage with him after all.

’Act normal. Act fcking normal,’ she screamed inwardly as she took her seat. Lady Emberg’s eyes remained on her.

She knew exactly why her great-grandmother’s eyes were fixed on hers. Since Lady Emberg had spoken about him to her in his presence, Stephanie understood that she would need to welcome him properly. To acknowledge him respectfully and show that she had heard her grandmother’s words, she needed to speak to him—it was the proper thing to do.

"A pleasure to see you, Lord Z-Zekel," she managed to say without giving anything away.

That was when his gaze finally moved—and it landed right on hers.

As their eyes locked, her breath caught in her throat. She tried to hold his gaze, ignoring the way her heartbeat began to race wildly.

Stephanie did everything she could to maintain eye contact. Her heart hammered in her chest as he spoke calmly,

"The pleasure is all mine, Milady."

She gave a quiet nod. At this point, she didn’t even feel like eating. She had not expected him to be here. Now, her mind was spinning, trying to keep up and then Lady Emberg spoke.

"He’ll be staying with us for a few days as—"

PLANK.

The fork Stephanie had been holding dropped to her plate.

"My apologies, Mother," she said instantly, bowing her head slightly as Lady Emberg raised her hand.

"Riley, prepare the physician. It seems my great-granddaughter must be feeling under the weather," she said, concern lacing her tone. She knew this wasn’t like Stephanie at all—something had to be wrong.

Zekel, who had remained silent, slowly cut his meat. His lips lifted into a smirk—he was the only one who knew the real reason the fork had fallen.

Stephanie could not believe this man would be staying for a few days. Oh Lord.

’It’s going to be okay,’ she told herself. ’As long as I avoid him.’ Yes.

But why was she acting this way? Could it be because of the guilt over what she had said to him that day?

She pressed her lips together tightly, feeling bad for her great-grandmother who believed she was just sick. But that wasn’t it. It was far more than that. She forced herself to eat so as not to raise suspicion. Any strange behavior, and her grandmama might catch on—and once she did, she would dig to the root of the matter.

"Oh, where was I? Yes. Lord Zekel will stay here, and we are more than grateful, for he has agreed to teach Mark and Luke swordsmanship," Lady Emberg finished.

Stephanie gave a tight nod, pressing her lips together even more firmly.

This was harder than she thought.

Luke and Mark were seated at the table as well, and as usual, they were silent. She was grateful for the quiet—it was what she needed to think straight. The fact that she was the only one affected while he remained completely unbothered only made it worse.

"Lady Stephanie."

A deep voice called out—and she knew very well whose voice that was.

Her heart skipped as she lifted her head, putting on a well-taught smile.

"Yes, Lord Zekel," she replied. Her emerald eyes locked onto his brown ones, and as a slow smile curved his lips, she wished he hadn’t done that—because her stomach flipped dangerously.

She was glad neither her heartbeat nor her thoughts could be heard aloud.

"I hear you’re skilled with instruments. I must say, I’m quite impressed," he said with a side smirk.

What is this man up to? she wondered. She knew this man did not just say things without reason.

"Thank you so much. I had no idea you liked instruments. I always thought the only things you were good at—and interested in—were swords," she said, shooting him a quick glare.

Lady Emberg’s hand paused mid-motion. Even the twins looked surprised by their sister’s words...Stephanie was usually quiet. Something was definitely off.

"Lady Stephanie," Lady Emberg called her name, displeasure ringing through it. Stephanie pressed her lips tightly, her gaze flicking to Zekel, who seemed to be enjoying her discomfort.

"Yes, Mother," she answered, bowing her head.

"You didn’t just disrespect Lord Zekel—you disrespected your brothers as well. How rude. Do you want me to take your instrument away?"

The moment those words left Lady Emberg’s lips, Stephanie’s face paled.

"I apologize for my rudeness, Mother," she said quietly. All she wanted now was to leave—but leaving too early would only raise more suspicion. She forced herself to swallow the lump rising in her throat.

"Don’t apologize to me. I’m not the one you offended."

Stephanie’s eyes widened.

No... No... No...

Her thoughts were swept away as Lady Emberg spoke again.

"You must apologize to Lord Zekel."

Stephanie’s face twitched into a frown but she quickly masked it. Turning to Zekel, she forced a tight smile. It was better to apologize to this already proud man than to lose her instrument.

"My deep apologies... Lord Z-Zekel," she said hiding any hint of emotion.

Zekel, who had been enjoying this far more than he should, let his lips curl gently. Anyone watching would never guess what had passed between them that night.

"I understand. Your points are very much valid. It’s quite normal to feel that way," he said calmly .

Lady Emberg nodded. "Oh, Lord Zekel, you are such a kind man."

’Kind, my ass. Such a pretender,’ Stephanie thought bitterly. He had been distracting her head these past few days. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, and it annoyed her more than she wanted to admit. He knew exactly what he was doing—getting under her skin—and it was working. That irritated her even more.

Lady Emberg’s eyes moved back to Stephanie, noting the frown on her lips. She raised a brow, surprised...it was unexpected from the quiet one.

Shifting her gaze to Lord Zekel, Lady Emberg spoke again, still oblivious to the tension.

"Lord Zekel, I heard your mate will be chosen soon?"

Stephanie’s body tightened. She kept eating, pretending nothing was wrong, trying to act as normal as possible while she waited for his response.

"Very true. And I trust that the Moon Goddess has chosen wisely," he replied his gaze flickering to Stephanie before it rested on his plate.

Stephanie’s hand trembled. Why had she been hoping he wouldn’t say anything? Why hadn’t he denied it? So, he knew about it... and still, he—

Her throat tightened. She reached for her glass of water, head low. Zekel’s eyes moved to her briefly, and his body stiffened when he saw the way her lips trembled slightly downward.

"I fear you may have caught a cold. The physician will be here shortly," Lady Emberg said, and Stephanie gave a silent nod, her neutral expression returning.

Zekel’s eyes flashed with displeasure at the change.

"Mark and Luke, I trust you both will learn well from Lord Zekel. Who knows...you might be next best."

Luke smiled, replying calmly with a hint of surprise, "Oh, Mother, you flatter us—but I must say, your optimism is admirable."

Mark nodded in agreement.

"Lord Zekel, I apologize once again for my granddaughter’s behavior. She doesn’t normally act this way. She is very kind and sweet—and her words are usually demure," Lady Emberg added.

Stephanie’s eyes almost bulged. She refused to look up. If only her grandmother knew the harsh words she had spoken to him that day not to mention those mature words. And now she was being praised?

As if that wasn’t enough, her grandmother went on.

"She is very calm and polite in her ways."

Zekel took his napkin, lips curling.

"Ah, I see."

He turned to Stephanie. Her body stilled as she felt his gaze.

She tried to act normal. She had no idea what this man was planning.

Zekel finally spoke, his tone calm, deep, and resolute,

"Lady Stephanie, is that true?"

Her entire body went rigid.