Chapter 70: Unintentional or Not

Chapter 70: Unintentional or Not
Azarius
"Azarius, quit rolling around on my bed like a child," Alucard snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Macedonia's only been gone two days. It's been a day and you're acting like the world is ending." His scoff echoed through the room.
I ignored him, continuing to toss and turn, letting my frustration manifest in the restless movement.
Alucard groaned in exasperation, grabbing a pillow and launching it at me. "Get him out of here!" he barked, his voice laced with irritation. "Alistair, Alejandro, drag this overgrown toddler out of my chamber! And you two can leave as well!"
His glare could have pierced through stone as he muttered under his breath, looking every bit the irritable older brother.
Across the room, Atticus was absorbed in a chess game with his retainer, Caspian, completely unfazed by the commotion. Alucard rounded on him, clearly hoping for some backup. "Atticus!" he barked.
Without even glancing up from the board, Atticus grinned slyly. "Can't help you, brother. I'm a bit preoccupied." He moved his knight with deliberate precision, leaning back with satisfaction. "Checkmate, Caspian."
Caspian inclined his head with a small smirk. "Well played, Your Highness."
Alucard threw his hands in the air, clearly realizing he was fighting a losing battle on all fronts.
I flopped onto the bed again, groaning loudly. "I miss Macedonia!" I whined, my voice echoing off the walls. "I miss her! I miss annoying her! Why does two days feel like forever?"
The ache of her absence gnawed at me. She had gone to the Stallone estate to handle some matters, leaving me to fend for myself. It had only been a day, but the void left by her absence was unbearable. Her presence, her sharp retorts, her steady guidance—I found myself constantly searching for traces of her around the palace.
"I miss Macedonia!" I repeated, my voice more desperate this time.
"Azarius!" Alucard groaned, his tone dripping with exasperation. He threw his hands up in surrender. "You're insufferable! You know what? I'll just tell Macedonia how utterly unbearable you've been while she's gone. Let her know what a whiny, annoying piece of work you are."
The words hit me like a splash of cold water, and I froze mid-roll. My gaze snapped to Alucard, narrowing into a glare.
"What did you just say?"
A smirk curled at the corner of his lips as he leaned back smugly. "Ah, now you're paying attention, aren't you, dear brother?"
"Take it back," I demanded, my voice low with warning as I squinted at him.
Alucard arched a brow, clearly enjoying himself. "Or what? Are you going to whine me to death?"
His smirk deepened, and I clenched my fists.
If Alucard dared to tell Macedonia I was misbehaving, her promise of rewarding me with a kiss when she returned could be jeopardized. Even if it was just a kiss on the cheek, it was something I had been eagerly anticipating. I couldn't let him ruin this for me.
"Fine," I muttered through gritted teeth, finally sitting up. "Alright, brothers, let's go find something else to do."
A triumphant grin spread across Alucard's face, but I ignored him. I'd let him have this small victory. For now.
Like shadows clinging to their source, my younger brothers trailed after me. I caught sight of one of the twins launching a pillow straight at Alucard.
"Who did that?!" Alucard roared, spinning around, his face a mixture of fury and disbelief. "Alejandro!"
The culprit smirked. "I'm Alistair, you idiot!"
With that, Alistair bolted, laughter trailing behind him as Alucard charged after him like a storm brewing on the horizon.
"I'm joining this!" Alejandro declared gleefully, his grin widening as he grabbed a pillow and dove into the fray, chasing after Alucard and his twin with unbridled enthusiasm.
It was pure chaos, but typical of my brothers.
Atticus chuckled, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "They're so dead when Mother sees this mess. Absolutely doomed."
I nodded, a smirk tugging at my lips as I watched the chaos unfold. "I couldn't agree more."
The two days without Macedonia felt endless. I focused on my responsibilities as Crown Prince, diligently completing every task, yet everything seemed to drag without her presence. The absence of her lively energy left my days feeling colorless, like I was going through the motions of a monotonous routine.
When she finally returned to the palace, I caught myself struggling to keep my excitement in check. My composure was a mask, hiding how much I'd missed her. But the moment she stepped into my chamber, I couldn't hold back any longer.
The second she approached to assist me with dressing, I wrapped her in a tight hug, a grin spreading across my face. "I behaved, just like I promised, darling," I said, feigning a dramatic sob.
Her response was swift. It was a sharp pinch to my side that made me wince and step back.
"Ouch! Is this how you welcome me after two days?" I protested, rubbing the sore spot. My eyes caught the bracelet on her wrist, my early gift to her when she turned 18, and a warm flutter stirred in my chest.
Macedonia rolled her eyes, a playful smirk curving her lips. "Two days away, and you're still up to your antics, Azarius," she said, shaking her head with a soft laugh.
I pouted at her teasing, earning a light chuckle. "Fine," she relented with a sigh. "I missed you, too."
I grinned wider. "Darling," I added, my tone dripping with teasing affection.
She shot me a sharp glare, her cheeks faintly tinged with color, before turning toward the bathroom. "Your bath is ready," she called over her shoulder, her tone regaining its usual professionalism. "And don't forget, you have training to get to today."
As she disappeared into the other room, I found myself smiling again, the weight of the past two days lifting. Macedonia was back, and for now, that was enough.
However, my reward lingered in the back of my mind like a tantalizing secret. That kiss she had promised—it wasn't just a token of affection; it was a small, precious moment I had been yearning for. The thought of it brought a faint warmth to my cheeks, though I tried to shake it off, unwilling to let my brothers—or worse, Macedonia—notice.
I busied myself with preparations for the day, letting her presence restore a sense of normalcy. Yet, as I stepped into the warm bath she had prepared, my thoughts drifted back to her.
Would she remember the promise? Would she fulfill it? Or had she said it in passing, never intending to make good on it?
The water rippled as I leaned back, closing my eyes. For now, I could only wait.
Later that evening, as the palace settled into its usual rhythm, I found myself seated in my study, sifting through documents that required my attention. A soft knock on the door broke my focus.
"Come in," I called, glancing up to see Macedonia step inside, a tray in her hands.
"I thought you might like some tea," she said, setting the tray down on the desk. Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of something in her gaze... warmth, perhaps?
Or maybe I was imagining it.
I leaned back in my chair, watching her carefully as she poured the tea. "You've been awfully kind today," I said with a faint smirk. "Is it because you missed me too, darling?"
Her hand paused briefly, and she met my gaze with a raised brow. "Perhaps I did," she said, her tone nonchalant. "But don't let it go to your head, Azarius."
I chuckled softly, the sound light and genuine. "Too late for that, I'm afraid."
She placed the teacup in front of me and hesitated, her fingers brushing the rim of the porcelain. "Azarius," she began, her voice softer now. "About the promise I made..."
My heart leapt, anticipation tightening in my chest as I straightened slightly. "Yes?" I prompted, unable to hide the eagerness in my tone.
She glanced away, a faint flush coloring her cheeks. "Close your eyes," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
For a moment, I froze, stunned by the request.
This was it. This was really it. The promise she said that if I behaved...
"Do I have to?" I asked, teasing.
Macedonia sighed, her fingers tapping lightly against the tray she had brought. "Azarius," she said firmly, though her voice still carried a soft warmth. "If you don't, I might just change my mind."
That was enough to wipe the teasing smirk off my face. This girl... really knew how to make me obey her.
Reluctantly, I closed my eyes, though a part of me still wanted to test her patience. "Fine," I muttered, "but this better not be some elaborate trick."
The room fell quiet, the air heavy with anticipation. I could hear the faint rustle of her dress as she shifted closer, the scent of lavender lingering between us. My heartbeat quickened, the moments dragging as I waited.
And then it happened.
Her lips brushed my cheek, warm and fleeting, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. It was soft, tender. It was everything I had hoped for, and yet far too brief. Before I could even open my eyes, she was already pulling away.
"There," she said, her voice steady but with an undeniable hint of amusement. "Satisfied?"
I opened my eyes, my lips curving into a grin. "Not quite," I teased, leaning forward as if to close the distance again.
Macedonia raised a hand, her palm flat against my chest to stop me. "Behave, Azarius," she warned, though her expression betrayed her amusement. "Remember that you're 16, and I'm 18."
I frowned, not liking the gap we had. But I could understand what she meant as I sighed and agreed with her.
As we locked eyes, a sudden commotion outside the chamber caught both of our attention. It was loud—a sharp thud followed by hurried footsteps and muffled voices.
"What in the world...?" I murmured, instinctively turning my head toward the door to investigate.
But the movement caught me off guard, and before I realized it, my face was closer to hers than intended.
Macedonia turned at the exact same moment, our gazes colliding. And then it happened.
My lips brushed against hers, the contact unintended but unmistakable.
Time seemed to stop.
The warmth of her lips against mine sent a jolt through my entire being, a mix of surprise and something deeper flooding my senses. Her breath hitched, her amber eyes widening slightly as she pulled back, her cheeks flushed.
"I-I..." she stammered, her composure momentarily shattered.
I blinked, just as stunned. "That... that wasn’t on purpose," I said quickly, though my voice betrayed the slightest hint of a tremor.
The tension hung between us, thick and undeniable.
Macedonia averted her gaze, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her sleeve as she took a step back.
The noise outside grew louder, shattering the fragile moment.
Without a word, Macedonia turned toward the door, her back to me. "I-I’ll check what’s going on," she said hurriedly, her voice quieter than usual.
Before I could respond, she was gone, leaving me alone in the room, my thoughts racing.
My hand brushed my lips, still tingling from the accidental kiss.
Unintentional or not, it had happened. And it changed everything.