The Triplet Alpha Kings’ Plaything

Chapter 7: Unexpected Connections and Offered Hands

Zora’POV

Lilith's hurried footsteps resonated like a drumbeat in my ears, a sound that signaled her approach to the man with whom I had collided. Her concern was etched across her features, a mixture of genuine worry and a touch of panic. "Lord Aiden, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Her words tumbled out in a rush, the urgency of her tone underscoring her genuine concern, her eyes wide and unfeigned and definitely not for me.

It was the name that made me freeze though and not Lilith and my gaze quickly lifted from the ground, guided by an invisible force that compelled me to look upon the person that I had crashed—the very man Lilith had addressed as Aiden. A sense of recognition prickled at my senses, mingling with the curiosity that had haunted me since our encounter in the woods. My heart thrummed in my chest as I beheld him, his presence both captivating and disorienting.

He was a living embodiment of the stranger from the forest—the tousled light brown hair that caught the sun's embrace, the captivating eyes that held a blend of green and brown hues, much like the foliage around us. Each feature was a mirror image, a replication of the enigmatic man who had held me against the tree.

But within that moment of connection, the subtle threads of difference emerged, tugging at my understanding. His eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, unveiled a hue of hazel—a harmonious blend of brown and green. Unlike the deep, contemplative gaze of the man within the woods, these eyes sparkled with an essence of mischief, a playful glint that danced within their depths. His hair was not wild and untamed on his head, but a buzz cut very low that somehow managed to make him look more manly and intimidating. And as his lips curled into a knowing smirk, I was certain of two things.

1. He was one of the triplets who had saved me.

2. The person I had encountered in the words yesterday is definitely one of the triplets, this is proof enough and all the confirmation I needed.

He was dressed to the nines though, like a Lord should be, his outfit consisting of a meticulously tailored morning coat, woven from rich, navy-blue fabric that contrasted brilliantly with his striking dark hair and piercing hazel eyes. The coat was adorned with intricate gold embroidery along the lapels and cuffs, a subtle yet opulent touch that hinted at his elevated position in society.

Beneath the coat, a crisp white linen shirt lay hidden, its collar elegantly folded over the edges of his vest. The vest, fashioned from a deep shade of maroon silk, added a luxurious layer to his ensemble while further accentuating his sculpted frame. A gold pocket watch chain dangled gracefully from his waistcoat, a testament to his attention to detail and punctuality.

His trousers, crafted from fine wool, hugged his form with precision, tapering down to perfectly polished black leather boots that exuded both refinement and confidence. These boots bore subtle designs along the sides, showcasing his personal taste while maintaining an air of subtlety.

Completing the look was a silk cravat, expertly tied in an intricate knot that effortlessly balanced between fashionable and effortless. It added a dash of flair to his appearance, capturing the very essence of his character—sophistication, charm, and an undeniable magnetism that I was sure would make him a standout figure wherever he went.

Before I could let my thoughts go any further, Lilith's commanding voice sliced through the air, pulling me back to the present with a jolt. Her words carried both authority and a hint of irritation, demanding my attention. "Get up, brat! Apologize!"

I would have done that but I was done with Lilith bossing me around. Choose your battles, Ethan used to say. Well I was tired of pretending I was meek just because.

In response, a soft mutter slipped past my lips, a whispered protest against the abruptness of the situation. "Shouldn't have told me to run then..."

The corridor seemed to hold its collective breath for a suspended moment, a pregnant pause that hung in the air, bridging the chasm between Lilith's exasperation and my muttered retort. My gaze remained steadfastly directed at the ground, a mix of embarrassment and defiance warring within me. Why had I let those unfiltered words escape my lips? Perhaps it was the lingering sting of my encounter with Aiden, one of the people whose mercy I was under or maybe it was the weight of the unfamiliarity of this place with Lilith always breathing down my neck like I was a criminal.

“Why you little brat? What the f**k did you say? In front of the Lord at that!” Lilith screeched and I heard her close in on me but just then, as if on cue, the air around us shifted, punctuated by the unexpected sound of Aiden’s laughter. The melodic notes rippled through the atmosphere like a delicate breeze, infusing the corridor with an unexpected warmth. My eyes widened in surprise at the enchanting sound that washed over us, carrying with it a sense of enchantment that defied explanation. His laughter forced me to look up at him and I saw that Lilith was shocked.

Caught between the lingering irritation stemming from Lilith's authoritative commands and the unexpected magic of his laughter, I knelt there momentarily stunned. The echo of his laughter lingered in the air, a haunting melody that whispered of hidden mysteries and uncharted territories yet to be explored.

In a heartbeat , he crouched to his knees and his fingers brushed against my chin with a tenderness that belied the chaos around us. The touch was a gentle guidance, an invitation to lift my gaze and when our eyes met, I hated that a whirlwind of emotions surged inside me.

His beauty was undeniable, an intricate mosaic of angles and allure that rendered me momentarily breathless and his gaze held a quiet intensity, drawing me in like a moth to a flame, and for a fleeting moment, the world around us faded into insignificance. The touch felt so different from how I remembered it being firm and domineering on my chin, right there at the sacrificial arena. That thought was enough to make fear brew in my chest.

"Are you alright?" he inquired, his voice a soothing river that washed over the turbulence within me. It was a voice that carried a warmth that reached beyond mere words, a comfort that whispered of understanding and solace.

My heart raced in response, its rhythm echoing the rapid tempo of my thoughts. His proximity had a magnetic pull, an ability to conjure a delicate vulnerability within me that I hadn't anticipated. His question hung in the air, a lifeline that offered me a momentary respite from the whirlwind of unfamiliarity and questions that surrounded me. "Not in the slightest. I... I think I sprained my ankle," I managed to respond, my voice carrying a mix of discomfort and surprise, as if the admission itself had unveiled a fragment of my vulnerability that had been tucked away.

His laughter flowed forth once again, a melody that enveloped me in a comforting embrace. The sound itself held an unspoken promise of solace, a reassurance that my moment of clumsiness wasn't met with judgment but rather shared amusement. "You've got quite the strong personality," he noted with a chuckle, his words carrying a subtle undercurrent that hinted at something more than amusement.

His observation was like a thread that tugged at the fabric of my thoughts, unraveling a trail of questions in its wake. What lay beneath those words? Was there a hidden meaning or an invitation to delve into a conversation?

Lilith's apology reverberated through the air, her contrition palpable in her voice. "I'm so sorry about this, Lord Aiden."

However, Aiden's casual response to Lilith's apology caught me off guard. His gaze held a quiet assurance as he addressed her, his words carrying an air of nonchalance. "Don't worry about it, Lilith. It's not a big deal."

As Lilith and Aiden's conversation continued, it felt as if time had momentarily suspended itself, their words becoming distant echoes as I grappled with the implications of Aiden's unexpected gesture. In the space between heartbeats, the boundaries that separated servant from lord seemed to blur and meld, leaving me in a state of uncertain astonishment.

With a series of nods that seemed to seal their exchange, Aiden's attention shifted, his gaze settling on me. The warmth in his eyes was genuine, a spark of compassion that felt both foreign and strangely comforting. "Are you up for a visit to the infirmary? I can walk you there."

His words hung in the air, an offer that felt both surreal and kind. My heart fluttered in response, caught between the currents of surprise and curiosity. As I blinked up at him, his features softened, his gaze unwavering yet inviting, as if he held a secret key to the enigmatic world we both inhabited.

Caught in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, I managed to stammer out a response, my words tinged with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. "I... I appreciate the offer but I can go by myself."

He shook his head and extended his hand toward me, a gesture that spoke volumes in its simplicity. The tips of his fingers brushed against mine, creating a connection that felt inexplicably profound. In that touch, beyond my wariness of him. there was an unspoken understanding—a recognition that told me he didn’t mind the mouth I had on me. Whether he would soon come to regret it, I didn’t know yet, but for now, I would accept his help.