The Crown's Fire - Chapter 290

Chapter 290: Engaged
Elijah was practically panting as he hurried to meet Greta, anticipation coursing through him at the thought of seeing her. He knocked on her bedroom door, but there was no answer. Frustrated, he turned to a passing servant and asked where she might be.

“She said she was going to Holmes Manor. She received a letter from her mother asking her to dine with them for dinner,” the servant explained before hurrying along her way. Elijah felt his shoulders drop at the news.

He was exhausted, his body begging him to crawl into bed, but the thought of not seeing Greta left him feeling hollow.

“This is not good. I feel like I’m going crazy,” Elijah muttered under his breath. For years, he had managed to hide his feelings for her, but now that he had finally let them out, he felt vulnerable—clingy, even.

“I’m dying to be with her at this point,” he mumbled as he made his way back to his quarters, hopelessness swirling within him. Yet, despite the frustration, he sensed that he was getting closer to winning Greta’s heart completely.

As Elijah climbed the stairs to his quarters, he caught a glimpse of movement outside the window. Curiosity piqued, he paused to look out. His heart sank when he saw Greta being escorted back by none other than Marquess Hebron Lambert.

The marquess walked confidently beside her, his demeanor charming as he engaged her in conversation. Greta, with her radiant smile, seemed to be enjoying their exchange, but Elijah’s stomach churned at the sight.

His fists clenched as he watched them approach the entrance. ‘What’s going on?’ he thought, fighting back a wave of jealousy. He felt like an intruder in their moment, as if he had just walked in on a scene that didn’t belong to him.

“Of course, she’s with him,” Elijah muttered bitterly to himself. “This is exactly what I was afraid of.” He turned away from the window, pacing his room as frustration bubbled inside him.

It was not a surprise to him that many men would try wooing Greta. He couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out for him. He had to move fast before someone else swept Greta off her feet. ‘But how?’ he wondered, feeling trapped in a whirlwind of anxiety and determination.

Suddenly, a plan began to form in his mind. If he couldn’t confront her directly, he could at least find a way to make his presence felt. He decided to head back downstairs. He would find a way to intercept her and speak with her before she got too close to the marquess, even if it meant risking an awkward encounter.

As Elijah made his way downstairs, he felt a sense of urgency coursing through him. The image of Greta laughing with Marquess Hebron was burned into his mind, and the thought of losing her to someone else ignited a fire within him. ‘No,’ he thought, ‘I won’t let that happen.’

The evening air was cool against his skin, but inside, his blood felt like molten lava. He scanned the surroundings, his gaze locking onto Greta as she walked toward the entrance, her laughter ringing like music to his ears.

Just as he was about to call out to her, Marquess Hebron bowed with an exaggerated flourish, taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on the back. Elijah’s chest tightened, and an involuntary growl escaped his lips. He was done standing on the sidelines.

“Lady Greta!” he called out, striding forward.

Both Greta and the marquess turned to him, surprise flickering across her face. The moment seemed to stretch, and the world around them faded into the background.

“Lord Elijah!” Greta exclaimed, her expression brightening. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” he replied, his voice steady but his heart racing. He directed a sharp glance at Hebron, who straightened, sensing the tension in the air.

“Ah, Lord Elijah,” the marquess said with a disarming smile, “I was just escorting Lady Greta back to the royal palace. We were discussing the upcoming Moon Cake Festival. Quite exciting, isn’t it?”

“Exciting,” Elijah replied, his tone clipped. “But I think I’ll handle the escorting from here.” He stepped closer to Greta, narrowing the space between them.

Hebron’s smile faltered slightly as he glanced between the two, sensing the unspoken challenge. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to impose. Lady Greta, I hope to see you at the festival.” With a polite nod, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Elijah and Greta alone in the dim light of the evening.

As soon as the marquess was out of earshot, Elijah turned to Greta, his expression fierce and earnest. “Are you alright? He seemed a bit too… friendly.”

Greta laughed lightly, her cheeks tinged with pink. “He was just being polite, Elijah. It’s not like that. I promise.”

Elijah stepped closer, his heart thundering in his chest. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” he said, his voice low and sultry. “But I can’t stand the thought of you being with him.”

“Why not?” she challenged, tilting her head, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “He’s a marquess. He’s charming and—”

“And he’s not me,” Elijah interrupted, his tone firm yet laced with heat. He reached for her hand, wrapping his fingers around her wrist gently, but the intensity of his grip spoke volumes.

He leaned in closer, their faces mere inches apart, his breath mingling with hers. “I’ve wanted you for so long, and seeing you with him just…”

“Just what?” she breathed, her pulse racing in anticipation.

“Just makes me want to claim you desperately,” Elijah murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I know I said I would wait, but…” He paused, reaching out to touch the ring she had given him, which she wore as a pendant on a long necklace.

“You still haven’t worn the ring…” he said, disappointment evident in his voice.

Greta parted her lips to respond, but Elijah couldn’t hold back any longer. He gently cupped her face in his hands and captured her lips with his.

The kiss ignited something deep within both of them. It was slow at first, a tentative exploration, but soon it morphed into something more urgent, more desperate. Greta melted against him, her fingers tangling in his hair as she responded with equal fervor.

Elijah deepened the kiss, pouring all his pent-up emotions into the embrace. He pressed her back against the stone wall, the chill of the evening air forgotten as warmth spread through them.

Their lips moved together, igniting sparks that traveled through their bodies, leaving them breathless and craving more. The world around them faded into insignificance. All that mattered was the two of them, entwined in this moment of passion and longing.

As they pulled away, both gasping for breath, Elijah gazed deeply into Greta’s eyes. “I love you so much, Greta.”

Greta’s heart raced at his words, and a soft smile broke across her face. “I think I’m falling in love with you too,” she said, bashfully.

Elijah blinked, his expression one of pure astonishment. “You mean… you’re falling in love with me?”

Greta pouted slightly and murmured, “That’s what I said, didn’t I?”

“I’m sorry,” Elijah stammered, his voice filled with excitement, “I just wanted to make sure I heard it right! Does that mean… we’re official now? Can I take this as us being engaged?”

Greta nodded, her voice barely above a whisper, “Yes.”

Without hesitation, Elijah kissed her again, overwhelmed with joy. As he pulled her into a tight embrace, he hummed happily, “Oh, thank you, Greta!” His heart swelled as he realized he was finally where he’d always wanted to be—with her, he was floating on cloud nine.