Chapter 11: The Invitation

  Adrian stepped forward.

  This time his voice came out sharper:

  You… it would be better for you to stay away from her from now on.

  A cold smile appeared on his lips.

  It would be wise to use your mind… before I have to break your teeth and your handsome face.

  Aldric inhaled slowly.

  Then wiped his forehead with an exaggerated motion and spoke.

  Lily… is this really the type you prefer?

  A bully… without manners or morals.

  Lily cut him off immediately:

  Do not twist things however you like.

  She gestured with her hand toward Adrian without looking at him.

  I do not know this person. This is the first time I have met him.

  She paused for a moment.

  Then added with clear coldness:

  And before anything else… I do not like bullies.

  She paused once again.

  And also… I no longer love you.

  Her voice lowered slightly.

  But the clarity of her words remained sharp in the air between them.

  Aldric’s expression did not change.

  He remained as steady as he was, then slowly turned his gaze toward Adrian.

  His eyes stopped on him for a second longer than they should have.

  A cold calm came before the words:

  You… do you think yourself strong? Being a bully does not give you the right to threaten others.

  His voice did not rise.

  But the accusation was clear.

  After that he turned his gaze back to Lily.

  His features softened slightly.

  And the sharpness in his voice faded.

  Especially Lily… mine.

  The harshness gradually disappeared from his tone, becoming calmer:

  Lily… I am not here to argue with you. But if you are in trouble, say it clearly.

  He paused for a brief moment.

  As if waiting for a confession that would not come.

  Then he continued:

  I will not allow anyone to force anything on you. Just remember that my arms are open to you at any time. You can come… and I will embrace you. Alright?

  Lily inhaled deeply.

  Her chest rose, then slowly fell, as if she were steadying her nerves.

  She looked at him directly.

  He did not threaten me. Do not interpret things as you wish.

  Her voice was steady.

  Free of hesitation.

  I do not need your help. All I want… is for you to stay away from me.

  She raised her hand slightly.

  A brief gesture toward Adrian.

  This… is Adrian. My friend’s brother. There is no need to worry.

  Then her eyes returned to Aldric.

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  And the coldness in her voice became clearer:

  Live your life…

  And forget that I was ever a part of it.

  Aldric’s expression froze for a moment.

  Only a brief moment.

  But it was enough to reveal that her words struck him more than he wanted to show.

  Lily raised her gaze to him once more.

  A steady look.

  With no retreat in it.

  Then she confirmed clearly:

  But this does not change anything between us.

  Her voice lowered slightly.

  Yet the impact of the final word was stronger than any raised tone:

  It is over.

  Aldric nodded slowly.

  Once.

  Without protest.

  Without attempting to return to the discussion.

  As if something within him understood that insisting now would change nothing.

  His voice came out calm:

  Alright.

  His eyes remained on her for another second.

  Then he added, in the same tone:

  But if you need anything… at any time, I will not ignore you.

  Silence followed.

  Complete silence.

  But this time it was not the silence of display.

  Nor the silence of an obvious threat.

  It was the heavier kind—

  The silence of two men measuring each other… without needing to raise their voices.

  At that moment Adrian let out a soft laugh.

  A short laugh.

  Deliberately provoking.

  Heh… hehehe.

  Then he leaned slightly and said in a tone that sounded playful on the outside… but concealed something sharper within:

  I am serious, boy. Stay away from my brother’s wife.

  He tilted his head slightly.

  And his eyes moved over Aldric from head to toe.

  A slow glance.

  Examining.

  Empty of any respect.

  You might be athletic, and your build is good… not bad.

  Then a cold smile appeared on his lips.

  A smile that carried nothing but contempt.

  But in my eyes… you are worth nothing.

  You would not last even one slap from me.

  Then he took a light step forward.

  A small step.

  But it was enough to change the air between them.

  So… simply step aside.

  Aldric froze for a fraction of a second.

  It was not a complete pause.

  But his shoulders tightened slightly.

  As if a muscle in his jaw contracted before returning to its place.

  He tilted his head slowly.

  And his eyes moved over Adrian with a cold look.

  His voice came out calm:

  My brother’s wife?

  A faint smile appeared on his lips.

  A smile that carried no amusement.

  But something closer to challenge.

  Then he added calmly:

  I did not know things had developed to that extent.

  Aldric inhaled slowly.

  His chest rose slightly… then fell.

  He did not rush forward.

  He did not raise his voice.

  He did not allow anger to appear on his face.

  And when he spoke, his voice was calm… carefully controlled:

  I do not know who you are… but you truly anger me.

  He shifted his gaze to Lily for a brief moment.

  A moment enough to show that her presence was what prevented him from taking another step forward.

  Then he returned his eyes to Adrian.

  And for her… I will not lower myself to your level and fight you.

  He paused slightly.

  As if giving himself one last chance to say something else.

  Then he said:

  I will forget what was said today.

  A brief silence followed.

  But before he moved—

  He added in a low voice.

  More solid than it had been a moment ago:

  But if the day comes when I have the chance to slap you… I will not hesitate.

  He turned away.

  His steps were steady.

  He did not look back.

  He did not give anyone behind him a final glance.

  And after a few seconds—

  His presence disappeared into the corridor.

  At that moment, Lily raised her gaze to Adrian.

  The anger in her eyes was clear.

  She did not try to hide it.

  Why are you treating him with such rudeness and cruelty?

  A faint smile appeared on Adrian’s lips.

  A smile that seemed to say the matter did not even deserve that question.

  Because he does not deserve you.

  He said it simply.

  Then added, as if it were a fact that needed no explanation:

  Anyway… my brother has already chosen you.

  He paused for a moment.

  And his eyes remained fixed on her.

  So in this life… you will belong to him alone.

  Lily exhaled slowly.

  Then raised her gaze to him again.

  Her features seemed slightly tense from the boldness of his words.

  But her voice came out cold:

  I do not know what nonsense you are talking about… but tell me, what do you want from me here?

  He did not answer immediately.

  He kept looking at her.

  His calm smile revealed nothing.

  Then he took one step closer.

  This time—

  Without touching her.

  He lowered his voice slightly.

  What do I want from you?

  He paused.

  As if observing the slightest change in her expression.

  Nothing… for the moment.

  Lily’s brows immediately drew together.

  For the moment?

  Adrian tilted his head slightly.

  Looked at her directly.

  This time there was no trace of humor in his eyes.

  I only want to know…

  Do you truly realize what is approaching you?

  A brief silence settled between them.

  He did not smile.

  And she did not speak.

  Then he continued in a more serious voice:

  I will be honest with you.

  When I learned that my brother had found a girl…

  I thought about using the matter as an excuse to spend some time with him.

  A faint smile appeared on his lips.

  But it did not last long.

  But after I understood the reason for his attraction to you…

  Things changed.

  His eyes remained fixed on her.

  But his body did not move another step.

  And now…

  I have other plans regarding you.

  Lily frowned.

  She did not fully understand what he meant.

  A brief moment of silence passed.

  Then she said in a tense tone… yet still calm:

  You know that I am only a seventeen-year-old girl… and your talk about having plans for me is honestly frightening.

  She paused for a moment.

  As if trying to stop herself from saying more.

  But curiosity came out in the end.

  And yet…

  I feel curious.

  Tell me…

  What are these plans?

  A faint sideways smile formed on Adrian’s lips.

  A small smile…

  But it carried something unsettling.

  He looked directly at Lily.

  Lily… do you believe in what lies beyond the ordinary?

  He paused briefly.

  In werewolves?

  In vampires?

  His eyes were not joking.

  The calm within them carried no mockery.

  Then he continued:

  And what if you were told that there is another world… intertwined with this world you live in?

  A world that truly exists.

  But remains hidden from you.

  The smile slowly disappeared.

  And his voice lowered slightly.

  And what if it were not a choice… but an invitation?

  Would you take it?

  Would you become a part of it?

  Or would you remain here…

  In this false calm you believe is safe?

  The air between them grew still.

  The question no longer seemed imaginary.

  It felt closer to a real offer.

  Lily clenched her hand without noticing.

  Her fingers closed slowly.

  Then she said with composed calm:

  For me… imagination remains imagination.

  She forced herself not to look at the corridor behind him.

  Ken was still there…

  And Aldric as well.

  Then she returned her eyes to Adrian.

  And added briefly:

  In my view right now… you are simply someone obsessed with fictional entertainment worlds.

  She paused for a short moment.

  Then said coldly:

  In fact… I think you have become a hopeless person.

  A silent second passed.

  Then she continued:

  But even if what you say is true…

  I will not accept.

  For only one reason.

  She fixed her gaze on his eyes.

  Because the person who is offering this invitation… is you.

  The coldness in her tone deepened.

  And in my opinion…

  You seem mentally unstable.

  Then she said clearly:

  Therefore—

  For the safety of myself and the safety of my family…

  I refuse your invitation.