Chapter 29

Chapter 29
|| CEDRIC'S POV ||
As I stepped through the grand doors of the castle, the heavy silence of the hall greeted me. I could still feel the tension of the cursed dragon encounter lingering in my bones, but there was a calm, steady resolve within me now. I was alive. Vanessa was safe. And I was back where I belonged.

“Cedric!” Tiara’s voice echoed through the hall, shrill and over-dramatic, like a performer in a play. She came rushing down the grand staircase, her delicate hands reaching out, her eyes wide with an exaggerated worry that I knew was nothing more than a show.

“Oh, Cedric,” she gasped as she came close, placing her hands lightly on my arm. “I was so worried! When I heard about the attack, I thought… I thought—” She bit her lip, glancing up at me with a sad, pleading look as if it would make her words more convincing. But I could see right through her.

I offered her a curt nod, unwilling to play along with her theatrics. “I appreciate the concern,” I said, keeping my voice as neutral as possible, though I was sure the iciness was unmistakable.

Tiara didn’t seem to notice—or care. Her fingers tightened on my arm, her tone softening to something almost saccharine. “Let me tend to you, my love. You must be exhausted. You’re so strong, but even the bravest need care sometimes.”

A flash of irritation sparked in me. Tiara’s idea of “tending” to me always meant serving her own interests. She wanted to be seen at my side, the doting, concerned partner. But I was done letting her use me as a prop for her ambitions. Tonight, I wanted authenticity—someone who genuinely cared. My thoughts drifted to Vanessa,the one who’d thrown herself into harm’s way without a second thought, the one who had challenged the cursed dragon herself to protect me.

“No, Tiara,” I replied firmly, gently pulling my arm from her grasp. “I have someone else in mind.”

She looked at me, her face falling for a moment, but she recovered quickly, offering a small, forced smile. “Oh, of course,” she murmured, trying to hide the flash of anger that I caught in her eyes. “If… if that’s what you prefer.”

“Vanessa!” I called, turning my back on Tiara without another word. My voice echoed in the corridor, strong and clear.

There was a pause, a soft rustling from the shadows of the hall, and then Vanessa emerged, her expression calm and collected, though her eyes held a trace of surprise. She glanced briefly at Tiara, a look of unreadable emotion crossing her face before her gaze settled on me.

“You called for me, Cedric?” Her tone was steady, her posture respectful but unafraid. There was no forced sweetness, no pretense—just the genuine strength and warmth that I had come to appreciate so deeply in her.

“Yes,” I said, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. “Will you walk with me to my quarters?”

Vanessa nodded, her eyes flickering with curiosity and a hint of concern. “Of course.”

Tiara’s face tightened, her lips pressing into a thin line. She was trying to mask her fury, but her jealousy was obvious. I could almost see the gears turning in her head, her mind scrambling for a way to claw back her position. She forced a smile, strained and sharp. “Well, I’m sure Vanessa will take good care of you, Gideon,” she said, each word dripping with false sweetness. “But if you need anything—anything at all—I’m just a call away.”

Without waiting for my response, Tiara turned and walked away, her back stiff, her anger barely contained. I watched her retreat, feeling nothing but a cold indifference. Whatever had once been between us, if anything, was gone now. It had been replaced by a profound understanding of her selfishness, her ambition. Tiara was nothing more than a facade, a polished mask with hollow intentions behind it.

Vanessa waited patiently beside me, her expression calm, though I could sense her unease at the interaction. I turned to her, gesturing for us to continue. “Shall we?”

She fell into step beside me, her presence a comforting contrast to the emptiness that Tiara’s manipulations left behind. The hallways were quiet as we walked, the candlelight casting soft shadows around us.

After a few moments of silence, Vanessa spoke. “Is everything alright, Cedric?”

I looked at her, surprised by the genuine concern in her voice. She wasn’t asking out of duty or because it was expected. She truly wanted to know. Her sincerity touched something deep within me.

“I’m fine, Vanessa,” I replied, my voice softening. “It’s… it’s been a long night.”

She nodded, her gaze steady, understanding without needing any further explanation. “I can imagine. You were brave, facing that cursed dragon like you did.”

I shook my head, feeling a strange, almost embarrassed smile tug at the corners of my mouth. “I don’t know if bravery had much to do with it. Foolishness, perhaps.”

She laughed softly, the sound warm and genuine. “Maybe. But sometimes, bravery and foolishness go hand in hand.” There was a hint of humor in her voice, a lightness that eased the tension in my chest.

When we reached my quarters, I opened the door, gesturing for her to enter. She stepped inside, and I followed, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. This was where I wanted to be—in the presence of someone who saw me, who understood me.

Vanessa looked around, taking in the room with a calm, steady gaze before settling her attention back on me. “Would you like anything, Cedric? Water? Or perhaps a healing salve for any injuries?”

I shook my head, smiling at her concern. “No, thank you. Just your company is enough.”

She seemed taken aback by my words, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, though she quickly regained her composure. “Well… then, I’ll stay as long as you need.”

For a moment, we stood in silence, a strange warmth filling the room. I found myself studying her face, the quiet strength in her eyes, the way she held herself with such grace. She’d gone through so much, yet here she was, unwavering, unafraid.

“I never got the chance to thank you,” I said finally, my voice low, “for what you did today. Facing that dragon… it was an act of courage few would dare. You saved my life.”

She looked down, a small, self-conscious smile tugging at her lips. “I was only doing what I thought was right,” she replied softly. “You didn’t deserve to face that alone.”

The simplicity of her words, the way she spoke without pretense, stirred something within me. I realized then how rare it was to find someone who cared so deeply, so selflessly. Tiara had never offered anything without a hidden motive. But Vanessa—her kindness was genuine, her strength unwavering.

“Vanessa” I began, my voice rougher than I intended, “you have shown more loyalty and courage than anyone I’ve known. I’m… I’m honored to have you by my side.”

She met my gaze, her eyes softening. “The honor is mine, Cedric.”

We stood there, the unspoken words hanging between us, the silence filling with a sense of understanding, of something I couldn’t quite put into words. In that moment, I knew I could trust her, that she was someone I could count on, someone who would stand beside me even in the darkest of times.

Finally, she broke the silence, her voice gentle. “If you’re tired, you should rest. I can stay here a while longer if it helps.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me now that the adrenaline of the night had faded. “Thank you, Vanessa. I would appreciate that.”

I moved to the bed, sitting down and allowing myself to relax for the first time in what felt like hours. She settled in a chair nearby, her presence a comforting remind
er that I was not alone, that I had someone by my side who truly cared.