The Extra's Rise - Chapter 368

Chapter 368: Winter Break (8)
The morning sun streamed through the penthouse windows, illuminating the breakfast table where six of us sat in tense silence. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken competition as Rachel methodically cut her pancakes into perfect triangles, Seraphina delicately sipped her tea, and Rose pretended to be engrossed in the morning news on her tablet.

Cecilia, however, was practically radiating triumph.

“I should be back around dinner time,” she announced to no one in particular, her crimson eyes gleaming with undisguised victory. “Don’t wait up if we’re late.”

The other three girls maintained admirable composure, though I caught the slight tightening of Rachel’s grip on her fork, the almost imperceptible narrowing of Seraphina’s eyes, and the way Rose’s tablet screen dimmed from her unconscious mana fluctuation.

“Have a lovely time,” Rose said with practiced politeness that couldn’t quite mask her disappointment.

My mother, oblivious to the subtle power play unfolding at her breakfast table, smiled warmly. “The weather is perfect for an outing. Do you two have plans?”

“Oh, a few,” Cecilia replied cryptically, flashing me a look that made me grateful my parents couldn’t read mana signatures—hers was practically pulsing with anticipation.

Aria, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly grinned. “I’m sure they’ll find ways to entertain themselves.”

I shot her a warning glance, which she ignored completely.

An hour later, I stood in the lobby waiting for Cecilia. When the elevator doors opened, I momentarily forgot how to breathe.

She’d transformed from her usual refined elegance into something far more dangerous. A crimson crop top hugged her curves, revealing a tantalizing strip of midriff above a white skirt that floated around her thighs. A light white jacket hung casually from her shoulders, and at her throat glimmered a ruby pendant that matched the stones in her ears. Her golden hair fell in loose waves, framing a face that knew exactly what effect it was having.

“See something you like, Art?” she teased, spinning slowly to give me the full effect.

I refused to be flustered. “Several things, actually,” I replied, deliberately taking my time as I looked her over. “You clean up nicely, Princess.”

A faint blush colored her cheeks—a small victory that I savored as I offered her my arm. “Shall we?”

Her fingers wrapped around my bicep with possessive pressure. “Lead the way.”

We stepped out into the crisp winter morning, the sun bright but offering little warmth. I’d arranged for a private car rather than using the family vehicle—some conversations weren’t meant for smart home systems that my sister could potentially hack.

“So,” I asked once we were settled in the backseat, “how exactly did you win this particular lottery?”

Cecilia’s smile was pure satisfaction. “Rock-paper-scissors.”

I blinked. “Seriously?”

“Best of seven,” she nodded, looking far too pleased with herself. “Rachel threw paper three times in a row. Rookie mistake.”

“And they agreed to this because…?”

“Because I suggested the alternative was four separate dates, which would eat into your training time with the Martial King,” she explained, shifting closer until our thighs pressed together. “This way, you only lose one day.”

“How considerate of you,” I said dryly.

“I’m nothing if not practical,” she replied, completely unrepentant. “Besides, they each get their turn later. I just get to set the bar impossibly high.”

The car glided through Avalon’s upscale shopping district, finally stopping before a building so exclusive it didn’t even have signage—just a discreet golden door and a uniformed attendant who straightened immediately upon seeing Cecilia.

“Your Highness,” he bowed deeply. “We’re honored by your presence.”

Cecilia acknowledged him with a regal nod, her royal upbringing impossible to disguise despite her casual attire. “Thank you, Gerard. Is everything prepared?”

“Just as you requested.”

I raised an eyebrow at her as we were escorted inside. “Should I be concerned?”

“Definitely,” she murmured, her eyes dancing with mischief.

The interior revealed a private atelier—a custom clothing designer whose work was typically reserved for royalty and the ultra-elite. Racks of fabric in every imaginable texture and color lined the walls, while artisans worked quietly at various stations.

“You’re getting me clothes?” I asked, genuinely surprised.

Cecilia reached up to straighten my collar, her touch lingering. “I’m investing in my future. The Martial King’s training is brutal on wardrobes, and you’ll need something suitably impressive for the ceremonies next month.”

“I have clothes,” I protested weakly.

“You have acceptable clothes,” she corrected. “But if you’re going to be seen with me publicly, you need exceptional ones.”

For the next hour, I stood patiently as fabrics were draped, measurements were taken, and Cecilia vetoed or approved various designs with imperial authority. It was oddly intimate—her eyes following every line of my body as tailors worked, her fingers occasionally brushing against me as she assessed materials.

“Having fun?” I asked as she dismissed a particular shade of blue with a decisive flick of her wrist.

“Immensely,” she admitted, circling me with critical appraisal. “You have no idea how satisfying it is to finally dress you properly.”

“I feel like a doll.”

Her eyes gleamed. “My doll.”

The possessiveness in her voice should have annoyed me. Instead, I found it strangely appealing. When the head designer stepped away to consult with his team, I caught her wrist, pulling her close.

“If I’m yours,” I murmured, letting my voice drop to a register that made her pupils dilate, “then you’re mine. That’s how this works.”

For once, Cecilia seemed at a loss for words, her usual confidence momentarily shaken by my directness.

I released her slowly, enjoying the way her breath had quickened. “Just so we’re clear.”

She recovered quickly, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Crystal.”

After finalizing the orders—which I suspected would cost more than most people’s yearly income—we continued our day at an exclusive rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. The maître d’ escorted us to a private alcove with panoramic views, the kind of table that was perpetually reserved for royalty.

“Do you always get this treatment?” I asked as champagne appeared without being ordered.

Cecilia shrugged, the casual gesture at odds with her regal bearing. “I’m the Princess of the Slatemark Empire. This is actually them being restrained.”

I took a sip of the champagne—it was excellent, of course. “Does it ever get tiresome? Always being watched, always being Princess Cecilia instead of just Cecilia?”

Something vulnerable flickered across her face before she masked it. “Sometimes,” she admitted. “That’s part of why I like being with you. You see me, not just the title.”

“Hard not to see you,” I said softly. “You’re rather impossible to ignore.”

Her smile turned genuine. “Careful, Art. That almost sounded like a compliment.”

“Take it however you want,” I replied, though we both knew exactly what I meant.

After a quick lunch, Cecilia led me through a series of high-end boutiques, insisting on selecting accessories to complement my new wardrobe. I drew the line at letting her pay for everything, which resulted in a spirited negotiation that ended with us splitting the considerable bill.

“You’re infuriatingly stubborn,” she complained as we left the final shop.

“It’s part of my charm,” I replied, taking her hand in mine with deliberate confidence.

She looked down at our intertwined fingers with surprise that quickly melted into satisfaction. “At least you’re learning.”

The afternoon sun was beginning to wane as we strolled through Westhollow’s Central Park, our purchases sent ahead to the penthouse. The winter air had grown colder, giving Cecilia the perfect excuse to press herself against my side.

“Cold?” I asked, knowing full well she could regulate her body temperature with minimal effort—mages rarely suffered from the cold.

“Freezing,” she lied shamelessly, burrowing closer.

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her in. “Better?”

“Much,” she sighed, her arm sliding around my waist with proprietary satisfaction.

We found a secluded spot overlooking the park’s frozen lake, where skaters traced patterns across the ice below. In the fading light, with the city beginning to illuminate around us, Cecilia looked up at me with unusual seriousness.

“When do you think we’ll take the final step?” she asked, her voice softer than I’d ever heard it.

I didn’t pretend to misunderstand. The question hung between us, fraught with implications both personal and political. A princess’s virtue was theoretically a matter of state concern, though modern sensibilities had relaxed many of the ancient taboos.

“When we’re both eighteen,” I answered honestly. “Not because of tradition or expectations, but because there should be no question that we both know exactly what we want.”

She studied my face, searching for something. “And what if I already know what I want?”

I brushed a strand of golden hair from her face, letting my fingers trail along her jawline. “Then you’ll have the patience to wait until we can have it properly. No sneaking around, no secrets, no regrets.”

Instead of the protest I expected, she smiled—a genuine, unguarded expression that transformed her features from beautiful to breathtaking.

“I knew there was a reason I liked you, Arthur Nightingale.”

“Only liked?” I teased, pulling her closer.

Her eyes darkened as she rose on her tiptoes. “I think you know it’s considerably more than that.”

I closed the distance between us, capturing her lips in a kiss that started gentle but quickly became something else entirely. Her arms wound around my neck as she pressed herself against me, the winter chill forgotten as her natural heat enveloped us both.

When we finally broke apart, her eyes were slightly unfocused, her breath coming in small puffs of white in the cold air.

“Well,” she said, trying to regain her composure, “that was…”

“Just the beginning,” I finished for her, my voice rougher than I’d intended.

Her smile turned predatory. “Promise?”

The walk back to the car was considerably more hurried than our earlier stroll, Cecilia practically vibrating with triumphant energy beside me. As we settled into the backseat, she curled against me like a satisfied cat.

“The others are going to be unbearable after this,” I observed, stroking her hair absently.

“Let them,” she murmured against my shoulder. “I won this round fair and square.”

“And the next round?”

She looked up, crimson eyes gleaming with challenge and affection in equal measure. “That’s for them to win… if they can.”

As the car wound its way back toward the penthouse, I reflected on the day’s unexpected revelations. Beneath Cecilia’s imperial confidence and flirtatious exterior was a depth and vulnerability I hadn’t fully appreciated before. She wore her possessiveness openly, yes—but her attachment went far beyond mere conquest or competition.

And if I was being honest with myself, I felt the same.

The evening sky had darkened completely by the time we arrived home, the penthouse windows glowing with warm light against the city backdrop. Cecilia straightened her clothes and ran a hand through her slightly disheveled hair.

“Ready to face the inquisition?” I asked, knowing the others would be watching for every tell, every hint of what had transpired between us.

Cecilia’s smile was pure, unrepentant satisfaction. “Absolutely. Let them look all they want—you’re still wearing my lipstick on your collar.”

I glanced down and sure enough, there was a distinctive crimson smudge on my shirt. “You did that on purpose.”

“Of course I did,” she admitted cheerfully. “I play to win, Arthur.”

As we stepped into the elevator, I pulled her against me one last time before we would be under scrutiny again. “So do I, Princess,” I murmured against her ear. “So do I.”

The shiver that ran through her was all the victory I needed.