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

Author:Fuyu Aoki
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter Two: The Feelings that Lie Beneath

The midday sun hung over the royal capital’s Merchant Quarter. There, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the market area, stood a charmingly antique storefront.

“Your patronage is always appreciated, Miss Chloe.”

It was here, in this quaint and cozy bookstore, that Chloe had made her first independent purchase, and it was today that she returned to buy the sequel to the novel that had captured her attention that day: Love & Knight.

“No, no, thank you, Ian. Your recommendations are always a treat,” Chloe responded, her head bowed in polite gratitude as she clutched her new purchase close to her chest.

Ian, however, raised a concerned brow. “I hope this is just my misunderstanding, Miss Chloe, but...you seem a bit troubled today.”

Chloe gave a small, startled squeak. “Y-You can tell?”

“Yes,” Ian said gently. “Well, you let out a deep sigh when you were picking out your book earlier.”

A mix of emotions flickered across Chloe’s face—agitation at being read so easily and embarrassment for causing concern. “D-Did I now? I’m sorry about that.”

Ian’s tone was reassuring. “There’s no need to apologize. It seemed like you had something on your mind.” He paused, mustering the most earnest face he could. “So, is there?”

“Well, it’s just...” Chloe began, but she trailed off into hesitation.

“It might help to talk about it. It’s just us here, Miss Chloe.”

Chloe was torn between her own reservations and the sincere kindness in Ian’s offer. Perhaps he might offer some insight, she thought. With a deep breath, she began, “The other day, I...I confessed.”

“I see, you confessed...” Ian responded automatically, but then the full impact of her words struck him. “Y-You confessed?!” His voice, usually so calm and measured, rose in surprise, echoing in the quiet bookstore.

Chloe, taken aback by his reaction, quietly affirmed, “Y-Yes?”

Ian quickly tried to regain his composure. “Ah, sorry for my outburst. I was just surprised,” he explained, clearing his throat. “By a confession, you don’t happen to mean...that kind of confession?”

A blush crept onto Chloe’s cheeks. “Y-Yes, that kind of confession...”

“And it wasn’t Sir Lloyd you confessed to, was it?”

“Yes, it was,” Chloe replied, her voice soft.

Ian had become acquainted with Lloyd through the ordeal with Lily. Bit by bit, the truth he’d so desperately wanted to avoid came into full view. With a hint of resignation, he ventured, “And would I be correct in assuming that he...”

The blush now having spread across her entire body, Chloe nodded, confirming Ian’s unspoken question.

“And so he did.” Ian’s posture deflated, as if his spirit left him. “Of course he would. I knew that much,” he said, this time too quiet for Chloe to hear. “She’s a charming girl, and he is a brave knight. There was no place for me, the humble bookstore owner...”

Chloe, straining to hear his quiet musing, asked, “What was that?”

Ian quickly masked his disappointment with a strained smile that struggled to reach his eyes. “Nothing, nothing at all. Just coming to terms with things, that’s all.”

“C-Coming to terms with.

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