Bound to the vampire I must kill-Chapter 47: Love

Chapter 47

Seraphina had no idea what she was doing here.

She had told herself she was only exploring. Getting familiar with her new environment. It was the first time she had stepped foot inside Rhydian’s palace, after all. But deep down, she knew that was a lie.

She had come to check on him.

The realization hit her the moment she crossed the palace doors. It wasn’t just curiosity—it was something else. Something she refused to acknowledge. But now, standing here, frozen in place, she regretted stepping inside.

Her breath caught in her throat, her fingers curling slightly at her sides.

Rhydian was holding another woman.

A beautiful, golden-haired woman.

The sight shouldn’t have bothered her. It shouldn’t have. And yet, a foreign, uncomfortable feeling tightened in her chest, something sharp and unwelcome.

Why did it feel like she had just walked in on something she wasn’t supposed to see?

What exactly had she expected to find when she came here?

She forced herself to breathe, her nails pressing into her palms as she tried to make sense of it. It wasn’t like they were anything more than reluctant partners in this marriage arrangement. And yet—

Seraphina flinched when the woman suddenly turned, locking eyes with her.

For a brief second, the woman’s blue gaze flickered with realization. Then, just like that, her expression shifted, brightening into an excited smile.

Without hesitation, she pulled away from Rhydian and rushed toward her.

"Are you my sister-in-law?" the woman asked, her voice filled with warmth.

Seraphina blinked, still caught off guard. "I—"

"I knew it," the woman continued before Seraphina could even form a response. "Oh, I’ve been dying to meet you! I’m Ella, Rhydian’s sister." She beamed, practically bouncing on her heels. "You’re even prettier than I imagined."

Seraphina barely registered the words. The tension coiling inside her slowly unraveled, though it didn’t disappear entirely.

Sister.

She wasn’t some lover. She was his sister.

Seraphina exhaled, but she didn’t understand why relief flooded her so suddenly.

From the corner of her eye, she caught Rhydian’s gaze. He was watching, his expression unreadable. But something about the way he wasn’t looking directly at her—how he quickly averted his gaze the moment her eyes met his—made her tense again.

He was still avoiding her huh?

And for some reason, that irritated her more than it should have.

Ella didn’t seem to notice the tension hanging thick in the air. She reached for Seraphina’s hands, squeezing them with genuine excitement.

"I just got back, but I’ve already heard so much about you," Ella said, her bright eyes filled with curiosity. "I was so surprised when I found out my brother got married. I mean, him? Married? Unbelievable, right?" She let out a soft laugh.

Seraphina wasn’t sure how to respond. She could still feel Rhydian’s presence—just a few steps away, silent, distant. He hadn’t spoken a word to her since she arrived.

But she forced a polite smile. "It was... unexpected."

Ella grinned. "I bet. So, how are you finding the palace? I know it takes some getting used to, but I swear it’s not as cold as it looks."

Seraphina hesitated. She had been living here for a while now, yet this was her first time stepping foot inside this part of the palace—the grand hall where Rhydian handled most of his affairs. For some reason, she had avoided it. Maybe because it felt like his space. Maybe because it made her feel like more of an outsider than she already did.

"I’ve been around," she answered vaguely.

"Oh! Then I have to show you my favorite places! Have you been to the gardens? Or the library? Wait, have you even tried the palace chefs’ cooking?" Ella’s excitement was boundless.

Seraphina opened her mouth, but before she could respond, Rhydian finally cut in.

"She just got here, Ella." His tone was calm, but he still wasn’t looking at her. "Give her some time."

Ella rolled her eyes. "Always so serious," she muttered before turning back to Seraphina. "You will get that tour, no arguments."

Seraphina nodded, but her attention had already drifted back to Rhydian.

Ella suddenly clapped her hands together., snapping Seraphina out of her trance. "Oh! I almost forgot. I brought back a ton of gifts. I should give you yours first!" She tugged on Seraphina’s arm, forcing her to follow her, "come with me."

Rhydian watched as Ella dragged Seraphina out...an unknowing smile curled in his lips. But Ed’s voice quickly snapped him out of it.

"Did something happen between you two?" Edmund asked, moving closer to Rhydian. Rhydian frowned, feigning ignorance.."what do you mean?"

"You’re avoiding eye contact with her, and you just ignored her..tell me, what’s going on? What happened during the journey?" Edmund question, not relenting.

Rhydian’s jaw ticked as he turned away, refusing to meet Edmund’s gaze. "Nothing happened," he said flatly.

Edmund scoffed. "Right. So you’re telling me you suddenly can’t look at your own wife for no reason?"

"It’s nothing like that."

Edmund exhaled sharply, stepping closer. "Rhydian." His tone was firm. "You can fool everyone else, but not me. What the hell happened between you two?"

Rhydian’s grip tightened at his sides. Damn it, he couldn’t fool Edmund.

He had spent years in control, yet now, one woman had him unraveling like this?

"I just need space," he muttered, his voice lower this time. "I’ve refrained from... certain needs for too long. And she—" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "She’s affecting me. It’s nothing more than that."

Edmund scoffed. "Space? That’s a lie, and you know it." He paused, eyes narrowing. "Wait... is that why you summoned that maid earlier?"

Rhydian said nothing.

Edmund let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "So that’s how bad it’s gotten, huh?"

Rhydian turned to glare at him. "Enough."

But Edmund wasn’t done. "Let me guess. It didn’t work, did it?"

Rhydian’s jaw clenched.

A knowing smirk tugged at Edmund’s lips. "Thought so."

Rhydian exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair. He hated this. Hated that Edmund saw right through him. Hated that he was even in this mess in the first place.

"It doesn’t mean anything," he said, more to himself than to Edmund.

Edmund folded his arms, watching him for a long moment. Then, with a quiet sigh, he said, "You’re in trouble, Rhydian."

Rhydian frowned. "What?"

"You already know, don’t you?" Edmund tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "You can’t stop thinking about her. You’re avoiding her, but at the same time, you can’t ignore her. And now, even other women don’t—"

"Enough," Rhydian snapped, his voice sharp.

But Edmund only gave him a look. A look that made Rhydian’s stomach tighten.

"You’re already falling for her."

Rhydian’s breath stalled.

His pulse drummed in his ears.

No. That wasn’t... that couldn’t—

His fingers curled into fists at his sides. His heart was pounding.

"That’s not—"

But he couldn’t finish the sentence. How the hell did he just realize that possibility?

His breath hitched. His mind blanked for a second, his body going unnaturally still.

What?

No. That couldn’t be right.

Him? Falling in love?

The very idea was so absurd it almost made him laugh. But the longer he stood there, the harder it became to push the thought away. His mind raced through the past few days—her voice, her scent, her strength,her feistiness, the way she challenged him, the way he yearned for her, the way he wanted no one but her.

But this wasn’t just desire, was it?

That would’ve been easier to accept. He had dealt with attraction before, had controlled it, satisfied it when necessary. This was different. This was—

His fingers twitched at his sides.

Love?