CHAPTER 318: CH 318: A VISITOR - PART 4

Sasha dropped onto the plush sofa in Kyle’s office with a loud sigh, throwing herself into the cushions as if she’d been carrying the weight of the entire war on her shoulders.

Her coat slipped off her shoulder and her tunic shifted, revealing a generous expanse of thigh and the curve of her waist.

But Sasha didn’t bother fixing her clothes. She was too tired. Too annoyed. Too distracted.

Kyle didn’t look up at first, merely listening as she said.

"The seal isn’t working. His divine aura’s still clinging to him like tar. I couldn’t get a single rune to latch. It’s like trying to carve stone with breath."

He glanced over — and paused.

Sasha’s pose was shamelessly careless. Not intentional, he knew. But too casual.

Her long legs crossed over one another lazily, one boot halfway off.Her top had dipped low enough to be indecent, and the sharp curve of her hip was bare against the cushion.

Kyle frowned and grabbed the coat draped over his chair. Without a word, he approached and tossed it over her body, covering the exposed parts with practiced ease.

"You did a good job."

He said, ruffling her hair like she was a tired child who needed reassurance.

"Rest for now."

He turned, walking past her toward the door.

Sasha’s heart gave a painful lurch. She didn’t want him to leave — not right now. Not when she was still burning from the proximity, from the praise. Not when her chest felt so warm and tight that it ached.

But she crushed those feelings. She always did.

Still, Kyle paused and glanced back at her, noticing something unreadable in her eyes.

"Is there something you want?"

He asked, calm, casual, but not unkind.

Sasha’s fingers clenched. Her instincts screamed. Be brave.

She stood, walked toward him quickly, and tugged at his sleeve before she could talk herself out of it.

"I want to be kissed."

She said plainly.

Kyle blinked.

"By you."

She added, voice quieter now.

"There’s been too much going on. No affection. No fun. I’m going mad, Kyle."

He stared at her, and for a moment, she felt her courage falter under the weight of his gaze. Kyle’s eyes were unreadable, sharp, thoughtful — and intense.

Sasha’s heart pounded.

Finally, he sighed.

"You’re impossible."

Then, leaning forward, he gave her a light kiss — just a fleeting press of lips to her own.

It would have ended there. Should have ended there.

But Sasha moved.

She tilted her head, gripped his coat, and deepened it. Her lips were hungry, almost greedy. Not violent — but starved. She pressed closer, her hand going to the side of his face as she kissed him like she’d been waiting far too long.

Kyle didn’t pull back. Not immediately.

His hand caught her wrist, but his grip was gentle. When he did finally break the kiss, his breath was calm — too calm.

"Sasha. This isn’t the time."

He said quietly, voice unreadable.

Sasha lowered her eyes, exhaling shakily.

"Then when is it the time? After we’ve lost half our people? After I’ve watched you bleed again and again?"

He didn’t answer.

She looked up.

"I’m not asking for your heart, Kyle. Just... give me a reason to keep going."

He stepped back slightly, resting a hand on her shoulder. His gaze had softened — not quite fond, not quite pitying, but somewhere in between.

"You already have one."

He murmured.

"I want more than that, Kyle."

Sasha said suddenly, her voice low but firm as she stared at his back.

Kyle stopped but didn’t turn around.

Sasha stepped forward, hands clenched at her sides.

"That wasn’t just a kiss to me. I want... something real. A relationship. Not a moment of weakness or a pitying gesture. If we’re going to die in this war, I want to at least feel like I was wanted before I go."

Kyle turned slowly, his expression unreadable.

"You know I’m engaged."

Sasha rolled her eyes.

"To a noblewoman you’ve barely spent time with, in a political arrangement that’s more about power than affection. That kind of engagement doesn’t stop men from taking lovers, Kyle. You and I both know how the nobility work."

His jaw tensed.

Sasha took a breath and softened her tone.

"And as for time... we’re both running out of it. I can feel it. I don’t think I’ll survive this war. So I want to enjoy the days I have left. With someone I chose."

Kyle didn’t speak immediately. He studied her—really studied her, the fierce determination in her stance, the weariness behind her confident mask, and the genuine vulnerability she rarely let slip.

"I don’t have time to fall in love. I don’t have the luxury to think about anything but war. The divine threat. My people. You’ve seen what’s happening, Sasha. It won’t stop. It won’t slow. And I can’t afford to get distracted."

He said quietly, his voice measured.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she gave him a small smile.

"So, a no, then?"

He didn’t answer.

But his silence was clear enough.

Sasha chuckled faintly, turning away.

"Well... I did get some action. That’s more than what I can say for most people I’ve liked."

Kyle said nothing.

Sasha added, her voice tinged with humor but also a deep exhaustion.

"You should be careful though. If anyone sees the way you act around me, they might misunderstand. People love to twist things."

Kyle’s lips twitched in the barest hint of a smirk.

"I can handle my relationships."

"I bet you can. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck, my lord. Be careful with those noble feelings. They’re sharp."

She exhaled, waving a hand dismissively.

He gave her a slight nod before turning to leave. His steps were quiet, but each one felt heavier than the last.

As he opened the door and stepped through it, he paused for just the briefest moment—long enough to make Sasha’s heart skip—but he didn’t look back.

The door closed softly behind him.

Sasha sighed, standing still for a while before her gaze drifted toward the far wall adjacent to the doorway. Her eyes narrowed.

She had felt it—faint, but undeniable.

A presence.

Someone had been standing near the door just moments earlier. Listening.

Watching.

And then fleeing the moment the handle turned.

She didn’t know who it was, not exactly. But she knew that Kyle had sensed it too. He just hadn’t said anything.

Perhaps he was testing her. Or perhaps he was waiting to see how things unfolded.

Sasha didn’t follow. She didn’t call out or chase the shadow.

Instead, she turned to the window and leaned against the frame. The cool breeze kissed her face as she stared out toward the mountains in the distance, thinking of everything and nothing.

"This war is going to ruin us all."

She muttered to herself.

Then she closed her eyes and whispered.

"But I’m not going to die with regrets."

Sasha lingered by the window, her fingers idly brushing the edge of the curtain. She didn’t have proof, but she was sure someone had been at the door—watching, listening.

The presence had vanished the moment Kyle stepped away, but the air still felt heavy with it. She frowned, unable to place who it might have been.

"Curious little eavesdropper."

She muttered under her breath, a dry smile flickering across her lips.

Turning away, Sasha sighed and stretched, trying to shake off the unease. Whoever it was, they knew now. About her. About Kyle. And she had no idea what they might do with that knowledge.