Safe & Sound in the Arms of an Elite Knight: Volume 3 [Parts 1 to 4] by Fuyu Aoki

Author:Fuyu Aoki
Language: eng
Format: epub

“If knowing doesn’t dull the pain, then what will...”

After Chloe left, Ian sunk deeply into his chair. He leaned back, let his gaze drift toward the ceiling, and released a deep, soulful sigh.

He was all too well aware that his feelings had a snowball’s chance in hell of reaching Chloe. How could they, when Chloe already had someone so special, so perfect in her life? This understanding had been with him from the very beginning. But strangely, Ian found comfort in knowing Chloe’s happiness was with Lloyd. If it had been anyone else, he might have harbored resentment. But Lloyd, he had quickly realized, was someone truly capable of making Chloe happy for the rest of her life. His brief encounter with Lloyd had painfully illuminated just how deeply he cared for her.

“I suppose I should just be glad the words even came out.”

Though the playful nature of his confession had fallen short of his intention, Ian felt a sense of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He knew what he’d done was a bit roundabout, a bit sly, even, but he had managed to coax an answer from Chloe, and that was enough for him. Perhaps the pain of their continuing friendship would linger, but that was nothing time wouldn’t fix.

Until meeting Chloe, Ian had cocooned himself in the protective embrace of his books, distancing himself from the people around him. Forget about love; that was something he’d only read about, never experience for himself, he’d thought. But Chloe had inadvertently shown him the depth of his own feelings, revealing that he, too, was susceptible to those pesky complexities of the heart.

Chloe had shown him that truth, and in spite of the hurt, he was nothing but grateful for it.

“Perhaps the world outside isn’t so bad after all.”

The thought occurred to him—a newfound perspective—and no sooner than it had did he stand up and begin to close up shop early, ready to venture a step beyond the confines of his world.

◇◇◇

Lloyd’s steps home today felt just as heavy as they’d been the day before. His stoic face bore a deeper scowl, and he emanated the aura of one who wished to be left alone.

I managed not to trip over empty air today, but my focus still isn’t there.

Along with this thought, a sigh rose to his lips. During training today, he’d pushed himself to concentrate harder. He’d won the day’s mock duels, but only barely, dodging blows by the skin of his teeth on more than a few occasions. Hardly the one-sided dominance he was accustomed to.

This can’t go on for much longer.

Frustration brewed within him. He was the First Order’s ace. He was supposed to exemplify excellence, to be a paragon for others. His current state was unacceptable to him, and yet he felt powerless to change it.

Before he knew it, he’d arrived home. “I’m back,” he called out.

“Lloyd, welcome back!”

There she was, as usual.

But wait, was she “as usual”? Something seemed different about her today, Lloyd noted.

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