True Alpha's Chosen Mate-Chapter 314: A question

Sven ruffled his hair as he strutted through the silent hallways of the castle. His hand was on his hip, thinking of Octavian’s words before he left the duke’s chancery.

"What a strange father," he mumbled, looking back only to an empty and dimly lit hallway. "Goodness... he keeps asking my hand in marriage. I might think he wants to marry me himself."

He shivered, shaking his head to get that thought out of his mind. Ever since Octavian welcomed him into his home, Sven had so much time to waste. He could write his journal leisurely, but it was boring if all he had to do was to write. He didn’t want to forget anything, so he was taking his precious time.

Still, he often finds himself bored with the lack of activity. Sven simply let his feet drag him to wherever it would take him, keeping his focus on his thoughts.

’Should I spar with that little brother?’ he wondered because Paris was entertaining as a company. ’Or should I ask her to sneak out with me again?’

Sven raised his head when he stood outside the balcony of Callie’s room. He didn’t know if he walked faster or he was simply deep in thought that only now did he realize he was standing in this place again.

’Is she sleeping?’ he wondered, fluttering his eyelashes ever so tenderly. ’She’s not.’

"Really... I should stop stalking her," he mumbled, closing one of his eyes to do the complete opposite of what he just said. Sven set his focus on the life inside the room, sensing her on the bed, reading a book with a lamp on the nightstand.

"I feel like a pervert." He sighed as he reopened his shut eye. "But at least, she not crying."

Sven stayed in the same spot for minutes, just staring at the balcony to let time pass. But this time, he wasn’t listening to her or trying to sense her presence. Although Callie never cried tears, her silence every single night almost sounded the same.

’I like her... but to an extent that I don’t want to marry her,’ he thought.

That was right. Sven was simply bothered by Callie because she didn’t fit this place. He hadn’t been in this place, but he wasn’t as stupid as he appeared to not know what sort of hell was this place. Octavian wasn’t a good person; there was always a reason behind his actions.

’But I was like that too, aren’t I?’ he continued his sentiments inside his head. ’The reason Octavian and I get along so well is because we’re the same one way or another.’ — because if Sven was truly a good person, he believed he wouldn’t turn his back on his people for his selfish reason.

A king would and was supposed to put his people first before himself. But Sven did just the opposite, and now he had fallen into ’stalking’ someone like a pervert. Despite the good intention of wanting to check on her welfare, it still wasn’t proper to frequent a lady’s quarters every night.

’I should go out and...’ his thoughts trailed off when a figure suddenly appeared on the balcony. ’Damn it... why does she always have that sort of look? I want to abduct her.’

********

Minutes before that...

When night fell, I read a book on the bed to kill time. With my back up against the headboard, knees bent, I held the book atop my knees. But instead of reading, my mind was drifting somewhere else.

’I hadn’t seen him today,’ I thought, thinking that I didn’t even see Sven’s shadow throughout the day. ’I expected he would... never mind.’

I shook my head to get him out of my mind but failed miserably. After sneaking out last night with him, I thought Sven would pester me more than ever. I was thankful he didn’t since dealing with Paris was already enough, but it was strange he didn’t even appear.

Now, I couldn’t help but think of what happened to him. Did he get in trouble? But I would hear about it if he did. I didn’t ask people as well, since I didn’t want them to think I was interested in him.

’I should’ve asked, anyway. Since there are many lies I can use as an excuse.’

A deep exhale slipped past my lips the more I thought about it. It was distressing in a way, and I didn’t want to think about him anymore. I blamed this on my conscience since there was this little possibility he got in trouble because of last night.

’Should I visit... no, Callie! Are you out of your mind?’ I snapped my eyes at the dreadful idea that suddenly crossed my head, however short-lived, as I furrowed my brows. I twisted my neck and set my eyes on the balcony.

I stared at it for a full minute, as if I was waiting for him to come. When I realized what I was doing, I sighed and set my book aside. I flung my legs out, and walked towards the armchair, picking up the shawl which I wrapped around me.

The second I opened the door of the terrace, my face met with the soft night breeze. As I inhaled the gust, I arched my brow as I got a waft of his scent. I almost rushed to the railing, but stopped myself and cleared my throat.

I kept my poise and approached the railing. When I bent my upper body over it, my eyes instantly met with those pair of russet eyes looking up in this direction.

’It seems he is alright.’ I heaved a sigh of relief after studying his face for just a few seconds. As usual, I watched him stretch his legs before he jumped to this height. The second his feet landed on the railing, I cocked my head at the question that came out of his mouth.

"Say, if I abduct you now, will you hate me?"