Chapter 103: We need to talk.

The instant Killian entered the dining hall, he immediately knew that something was wrong.

He glanced at Cullen, who was sitting calmly at the end of the table and wearing his usual expressionless visage.

But Killian had known him long enough to know that something was wrong even if Damien refuses to say anything.

Damien did not speak immediately, he just sat still and allowed the maids to serve his breakfast. Only after a few seconds did he speak.

“Send a few guards to Hazel's wing. Let them keep an eye on her secretly without attracting any attention.” Damien said.

Killian blinked, “More guards? Is something wrong?”

“Someone might be fishing for her false information. It’s a hunch and I’m not completely certain, but to be sure, the guards should report whatever they see every day.” Damien replied, staring at his food without really eating.

Killian’s expression turned slightly solemn and he asked after a while, “And Hazel?”

“Keep her under watch.”

Killian studied Damien for a second, then asked, “Keep her under watch or protect her?”

To that, Damien said nothing and Killian let out a sigh.

“I will take that as both.”

He was completely sure now that something had happened between Damien and Hazel, but he wasn’t one to pry into other people’s personal matters, especially Damien’s, so he kept quiet.

That was when Killian noticed something and his eyes narrowed. He stared at the untouched food in front of Damien and said, “Is something wrong? You haven’t touched your food.”

Damien didn’t look up and frowned.

From the beginning, he never liked eating processed foods. He preferred hunting his food by himself and eating it on the spot. For months, he never visited the dining hall and only did so when there was an important gathering that required the use of the dining hall.

But when Hazel arrived and he noticed her usual visit to the dining hall, it became a habit to do it again especially seeing how much she always enjoyed her food. It always gave him the appetite to continue eating while watching her.

But today, that particular chair was empty. The person who would eat carelessly without caring about her image and would make loud chewing sounds was not here.

The dining hall felt too silent and the food in front of him seemed very unappetizing. He could not even bring himself to take a spoonful of the soup, because he could not mutter his appetite.

“I just realized that I am not so hungry.” Damien replied, unwilling to admit that he lost his appetite because Hazel wasn’t here.

She had almost killed him, so why can’t he just think about her for once? He should have killed or imprisoned her in the dungeons, but he could not bring himself to.

Now, he decided to place her under house arrest, yet he couldn’t get his mind off her. Could he have been fed some sort of black magic?

Damien did not think that it was The mating bond again this time, the answer was something he was afraid to find out. A part of him already knew why he was acting in such a manner, but he refused to admit it, he refused to even think about it.

Killian snorted, “That’s strange. You used to eat with Hazel almost everyday, but where is she this morning? Still sleeping or what?”

Damien’s eyes flashed for a second, but he still replied, “That arrangement is over.”

“Over? Why?”

“It is my decision.” Damien replied with a furrow to his brows and Killian shook his head.

“The both of you are miserable. Stubborn people shouldn’t fall in love at all.”

Damien raised his head and gave Killian a look, “Be mindful of what you say.”

What love?

All he and Hazel had for each other was hatred and nothing else. Sure there might be something else involved, but it is a mutual benefit.

Nothing else and nothing more.

“If it’s not love, what can it be? Which kind of Alpha takes his sex slave out and gets things for her just to make her happy? Which kind of slave dines with her master? Which kind of slaves has the privilege to do almost anything in her master’s mansion. The preferential treatment is too obvious, you can not lie to yourself, Damien.” Killian said with a sigh and Damien’s jaw tightened.

The answer he had been trying to avoid was thrown right into his face making him feel somehow disoriented.

“Killian.” He called out coldly and Killian instantly raised his hands in surrender.

“Alright, Alright. I will stop talking.”

But that trace of confusion in Damien’s eyes did not escape Killian’s eyes. He did not know whether to be happy or scared for his friend who finally had a first taste in love.

The dynamic between Damien and Hazel was too complicated, Killian couldn’t help but worry for the both of them.

He let out a sigh and began eating calmly.

Damien did not say anything more, but for the first time that morning, his gaze drifted towards the corridor that led to the dining hall and it remained there for a while.

Is it really love?

Could it be that he is really in love with Hazel?

But…

Damien was still thinking about this when he saw Hazel rushing towards the dining hall from the corridors. The sound of her rushed footsteps quickly broke the silence and Killian turned around.

When he saw her, he blinked, then smiled meaningfully.

“Since you refused to see the mountain, it came to you by itself. Interesting.” Killian said and Damien furrowed his brows.

Behind Hazel, two guards followed with dark expressions.

“Miss Hazel, we already told you that you are not allowed here.”

“Miss Hazel, please go back.”

“Miss Hazel…”

Hazel ignored them and only came to a halt before Damien.

They stared at each other for a second until he opened his mouth.

“What are you doing here?”

Hasel spoke almost at the same time.

“We need to talk.”