The wedding outfit had been embroidered by several craftsmen for nearly a month before it was completed, and the patterns on it looked vivid and lifelike. Gold thread was used to carefully outline the details, making it shine brightly and look extremely luxurious. Since the wedding outfit had been tailored according to Yaelle's measurements in advance, it fit perfectly when she tried it on again that day.
Every part sat just right, and the bright red fabric made her skin look fair and radiant, making her stunningly beautiful. The attendants helping her couldn't stop praising her, even though she wasn't wearing any makeup yet. They said once she put on makeup, she'd look like a fairy.
After everything had been arranged, Yaelle was ordered by her family to go to bed early. They told her that if she didn't sleep soon, she definitely wouldn't be able to get up in time the next day. She went upstairs obediently and returned to her room.
After undressing and getting under the covers, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. It felt like it was only around seven in the evening, and she hadn't gone to bed this early in a long time, so she wasn't used to it at all. Just as her mind was wandering, she suddenly heard a soft sound, like something lightly tapping against the window.
She found it odd but quickly thought she might have misheard, so she stayed lying down. But not long after, another soft tapping came again, as if someone was carefully knocking on the window, trying not to wake anyone else. Yaelle sat up, lifted her blanket, and walked to the window.
She didn't open it right away but pressed close to the glass and softly asked, "Who is it?" "Yaelle, it's me." A familiar voice came from outside, filled with tension and restraint. Xavier? What was he doing here so late at night?
Yaelle was full of doubt, but still gently pushed the window open. Xavier climbed in through the window and quietly closed it. The next moment, Yaelle was pulled into an embrace that smelled faintly of alcohol.
He had been drinking? Yaelle tried to break free, but Xavier held her tightly and wouldn't let go. As she struggled, she heard him whisper, "Yaelle, don't push me away, let me hold you for a little while."
Hearing the pleading tone in his voice, Yaelle stopped struggling. She allowed him to hold her tightly and slowly wrapped her arms around his waist. Since they had already made a promise and he was going to be her second husband, this kind of embrace didn't seem so wrong.
She just wasn't used to being this close with two men at the same time. Yaelle quieted down and focused on the moment, feeling that Xavier's arms were unusually warm. Her heartbeat quickened, and she could smell the faint scent of alcohol on his breath and feel his body trembling slightly.
Yaelle decided to set aside her worries and try to enjoy the peace of this moment. But what she didn't know was that Xavier wasn't actually drunk. He was just slightly tipsy and feeling emotionally overwhelmed, needing a way to release it.
When he felt her responding to him, he was surprised and hugged her even tighter. After a while, Yaelle gave him a gentle push. He let go of her, using her movement as an excuse, but the moment he released her, he felt a sudden emptiness in his heart.
"Xavier, sit over there." Yaelle motioned for Xavier to sit by the coffee table and casually poured him a cup of hot water. "Why are you here so late tonight, and why did you climb through the window? Did you jump over the wall to get in?"
"What if you fell?" she asked with a serious face on purpose. "I wouldn't fall. I've trained in martial arts with my master."
"It's mostly for fitness, but I can at least climb a wall." Xavier said humbly. He had learned a bit, mainly to stay healthy, and his skills weren't bad. Since he often went deep into the mountains to collect herbs, he needed some ability to protect himself.
"I just wasn't feeling well today and ended up at a tavern without thinking." He lowered his voice. "I had a couple of drinks, but don't worry, I'm not drunk."
"Why were you feeling bad? Did something happen?" Yaelle asked, concerned. Xavier looked up and stared directly at her. He didn't say anything.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Yaelle shifted uncomfortably. "Tell me, what's going on?" She felt uneasy under his gaze and gave him a gentle push.
"For you." Xavier finally spoke. His voice trembled slightly.
"Me? What about me?" Yaelle was confused. She didn't understand what he meant. "You're getting married tomorrow."
Xavier raised his head and tightly closed his eyes. It was as if that could hide his pain. Yaelle was stunned and didn't know how to respond.
She had never expected Xavier to have such deep feelings for her. Xavier took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.
He continued, "I thought I had prepared myself. I told myself this would happen sooner or later. But when the moment really came, I realized I couldn't accept it at all."
He shook his head helplessly and covered his face with both hands. "Yaelle, I'm so jealous of him." His voice was full of pain and frustration.
"I kept thinking, if I had met you earlier, how good that would've been." He clenched his hands. "These days I've heard people on the street say how much you like and care about him, and every time it felt like a needle stabbing my heart."
Ah... this...
Yaelle didn't know how to comfort him. But her heart was stirred, like a breeze brushing over still water. Small ripples appeared inside.
Seeing the pain on his face made her feel like a terrible person. At the same time, she couldn't bear it. So she leaned forward and hugged him.
Xavier felt much of the pain in his heart fade the moment she hugged him. It was like fireworks exploding in his mind.
Yaelle hugged him. Did that mean he had a place in her heart too? A man should be generous. He shouldn't be overly jealous.
Otherwise, his wife wouldn't like it. He looked down at the girl in his arms. Her cute and gentle face stirred deep affection in him.
He gently lifted her chin. With a hint of drunken boldness, he slowly pressed his lips to hers. Yaelle's eyes went blank.
She froze completely. When she finally came back to her senses, her first reaction was to push him away. But just as her hand touched his solid chest, his pained expression flashed in her mind.
Her heart suddenly clenched. A wave of unexplainable ache flooded her chest. So her hand stopped halfway.
She didn't move anymore. She told herself, it was just a kiss. And he was going to be her future husband.
If that was the case, then let them indulge a little. Let them enjoy this moment. Xavier's kiss was unskilled.
It was filled with raw passion. It moved clumsily. It made Yaelle's lips feel sore and tingly.