CHAPTER 56: _I DON’T NEED TO PAINT YOU BLACK

Elian’s POV

*****

"What are you even trying to prove here? Huh?" Estella snapped at him after spending seconds trying to find excuses. "Are you trying to paint me black?"

Elian’s lips curled into a smirk but it was devoid of warmth or amusement.

It was the kind of smirk that told Estella one thing:

"I’m on to you."

And from the way her eyes flickered with hesitation, it seemed she got that message loud and clear.

"Estella." Alpha King Arian cleared his throat just then, the tone of his voice clear enough to show his displeasure without saying anything else.

Estella flinched, her jaw tightening as she glared at Elian one last time before bowing her head apologetically at the Alpha king.

"Apologies, Alpha King."

Elian glanced at everyone at the table one by one.

Aurora had a calm expression on her face, but occasionally shot Elian an unreadable glance as well. Magnus sat beside her with an awkward look. The Luna Queen’s eyes were distant, like she was pondering something.

Estella looked like she was at war with the food on her plate, stabbing it with her knife and fork.

And as for Lucian and Axel?

They both had their eyes on Elian, both trying to pretend like they were busy eating or drinking.

Elian let out a sigh, taking one last bite from a roasted star hawk wing and then downing the rest of his glass of moon dew.

He smiled with satisfaction, rising to his feet and scraping his chair on the tiles involuntarily, attracting the gazes of everyone at the table.

"I’m full, Alpha King and Luna Queen." He bowed in front of his so-called ’future in-laws’, plastering a smile on his face.

But then he flicked his gaze to Estella, his expression turning cold. He remembered all the things she’s done to him in his past life and in this life.

She probably never registered his existence as nothing more than a pathetic omega, but he on the other hand... Noted every look of disdain she ever threw at him.

Every slap, pull of his ear and curse she sent his way whenever she was part of an event planning in the palace.

And then how she killed him with poison in his last life, making him die the most pathetic of deaths while Lucian watched.

He’ll be damned before letting her go scot-free after all that.

"And Estella..." He muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Darling, I don’t need to paint you black. You’ve been painting your own downfall since day one."

Her eyes darkened, her chest heaving with rage as she glared at him.

But he ignored that, stepping away from the table and walking out of the dining room, his boots echoing confidently.

[Get ready to dig up some hot dirt on Miss High and Mighty...]

.

.

Just when he got to one of the Ascension platforms that would lead him to his room upstairs, Elian felt an eerie shiver run down his spine.

His hair stood on end as he glanced around the empty hallway cautiously, his heart beat the only sound he could hear. The white lights coming from the crystal chandeliers seemed to flicker, sending more unease through him.

"It’s that weird feeling again..." He muttered, quickly turning his gaze back to the elevator door and clicking the button on the panel.

He stepped in, inputting the floor he was heading to and then breathing out with relief when the doors sealed in front of him, giving him some semblance of security.

’Can’t you scan what the fuck is going on?’ he asked the system with annoyance, brushing his right hand through his hair which was getting slick with sweat.

[Oh, I’m sorry. My scanners aren’t built to track possible feelings of delusion.]

Elian grunted with a sarcastic smile before his expression became serious. ’This ominous presence has followed me since I left Lucian’s room and prepared for dinner in mine. I know I’m not imagining things.’

[And if I’m being honest... I believe you.]

Ha!

[But, I swear on my non-existent motherboard... My scanners can’t pick up anything. If it was someone hiding with some sort of cloaking spell then I could’ve tracked them easily.]

Elian squinted his eyes as the Ascension platform finally came to a halt, the doors sliding open to the floor his room was on.

"Well, whatever it is... It’s creeping me the heck out." He said under his breath, stepping out of the Ascension platform and into the hallway.

He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes locking on the ceiling as if he were expecting to spot a device following his movements or something.

But there was no such thing...

[Let’s just focus on the mission with Estella for now. Whoever it is would make themselves known eventually... Friend or foe.]

Goddess have mercy...

Elian let out a sigh as he navigated through the hallway and past a few maids.

When he got to his room, he was about to place his right hand on the doorknob when he realised something that sent chills through his being.

It was open.

The door was open by a few inches, just enough to let him know that someone was either inside or had been inside.

Elian’s heart hammered like drums as he shakily touched the doorknob while trying his hardest to hear if there was anyone inside.

[I just checked. No one. But proceed with caution.]

Elian drew in a deep breath and opened the door slowly, peeking his head inside first before taking a single step in. Then another.

Indeed, there was no one inside but Elian knew he wasn’t imagining things. He had left that door closed before he left, although he didn’t lock it with a key.

He stepped in deeper, leaving the door open and looking around, the feeling of dread seeping in with each step he took.

Just when his shoulders relaxed, a familiar scent hit his nose. It was musky and like pine during spring, coiling around him like a chain and sending a tingling feeling through his skin, making his knees involuntarily wobble.

Gods, no!

[Gods, yes!]

Elian curled his fists, turning around to face the door. A few seconds later, Prince Douchebag stepped in, his silver eyes locking on him immediately before he closed the door behind him.

A small smirk settled on Lucian’s lips as he took a few steps forward, causing Elian’s muscles to tense with a weird mix of need and hesitation.

"I promised next time we wouldn’t be interrupted." The Alpha Prince rasped, tilting his head.