Chapter 265: Love At First Sight?

Words : 1335 Updated : Oct 14th, 2025

Olivia’s POV The moment he reached where I stood, the woman I had been speaking to instantly lowered her gaze and gave a graceful bow. "Lord Frederick," she murmured with respect, before turning to me with a quick smile. "If you’ll excuse me, Lady Olivia." Then she was gone. Just like that, it was only the two of us. I suddenly felt like all the air had been sucked from the room. He stood right in front of me—tall, poised, and intimidating in the most effortless way possible. There was something about him... something commanding, like the kind of power that didn’t need to be announced. It was just there—pressing against your skin, making your breath catch without even trying. His aura was suffocating. Like he carried the weight of centuries in his silence. But I forced myself to hold my ground. I lifted my chin and met his gaze directly, refusing to show weakness—even though every part of me was screaming to look away. He said nothing. And neither did I. We just stared at each other. Waiting. Watching. He was... breathtaking. Silver hair framed his face in soft waves, catching the light like moonlit silk. His skin was pale, smooth, and flawless—like he was carved from marble. And his eyes... Goddess, his eyes. A deep, mesmerizing green—vibrant and ancient all at once. They weren’t just beautiful. They were haunting. Like they’d seen too much, known too much... His face was striking. Sharp cheekbones, a strong jawline, and lips that looked like they rarely smiled—but when they did, it probably made kingdoms fall. He was beautiful in the kind of way that made you forget how to breathe. Dangerous... yet almost impossibly perfect. I didn’t understand why I was reacting this way. I barely knew him. And yet, standing here, caught in his gaze, it felt like he could see through every wall I’d ever built. And I hated that. Finally, after what felt like forever, he spoke. "Lady Olivia," he said in a voice smooth and low—like velvet laced with steel. It held no arrogance, yet it commanded attention. I forced a polite smile. "Lord Frederick." His eyes never left mine as he reached for my hand—slowly, deliberately—as though giving me a chance to pull away. But I didn’t. I let him take it. His cool fingers curled gently around mine, lifting my hand to his lips. And when they brushed against my skin... A strange flutter bloomed in my chest. It wasn’t like the overwhelming pull of the mate bond I felt with the triplets. This was different. Subtle. Intriguing. Like a thread of silk wrapping softly around me. He kissed the back of my hand—not rushed, not lingering, but just long enough to make my breath hitch. When he pulled back, those haunting green eyes searched my face again. "I’m pleased I got to meet another special one," he said softly. "It’s been quite some time since I last encountered someone like you." I blinked, his words catching me off guard. "Another...?" He smiled faintly. "Your great-grandmother, Hailee. She was remarkable. Strong. Fearless. And unforgettable." I stared at him. "You knew her?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. He nodded. "I did." And just like that, the room felt smaller again. I had to remind myself—this man was a few centuries old. For a moment, I’d forgotten. Everything about him felt too youthful, too effortlessly graceful to be anything but timeless. Yet here he was, talking about my great-grandmother like he had seen her just yesterday. He studied me for a moment longer, then said, "I hope, Lady Olivia, that one of these days... I might have the honor of taking you out. For dinner, perhaps." My lips parted in surprise. I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t even sure what I felt. But before I could answer, he gave a small bow of his head and added, "Of course... only if and when you wish it." Then he stepped back, the faintest trace of a smile on his lips—like he already knew I’d be thinking about this conversation long after he walked away. And Goddess help me... he was right. I couldn’t tear my eyes off him... I kept watching him as he moved further away. "Love at first sight?" I flinched when I heard a woman’s voice behind me. I turned to see a brown-skinned young lady smiling warmly at me. "There’s nothing to be ashamed of... we all fall for him at first sight." I frowned at her words. "I think you must be mistaken," I said quickly, trying to sound firm—but even to my own ears, the words lacked weight. The lady’s smile widened. "I’m not," she replied, her voice light, almost playful. "It’s written all over your face." I blinked, completely thrown off, and studied her more closely. She had warm brown skin, glowing under the chandelier light, and her eyes sparkled with something between amusement and empathy. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek braid, and she wore a soft lilac gown that shimmered when she moved. She didn’t look much older than me. "I didn’t catch your name," I said, trying to steer the conversation away from Lord Frederick and the strange chaos he’d left in my chest. "Nina," she offered with a small curtsy. "I’m from the Southern Crescent Court. My mother’s a Seer... which means I’ve grown up reading people." Great. Just what I needed—a girl who could read through me like glass. "Well, Nina," I said calmly, "I wasn’t falling. I was just... surprised. That’s all." "Mmhmm," she hummed, clearly not convinced. "He has that effect. Lord Frederick doesn’t show interest in many people. When he does, it’s... noticeable." I crossed my arms, trying to hide how warm my cheeks were getting. "And do all the women here... fall for him?" "Not just the women," she said with a little wink. "But yes. He’s charming. Mysterious. Dangerous. And ancient enough to have stories that could fill a hundred libraries. That kind of aura? It’s impossible not to feel something." I glanced toward the spot where he’d vanished into the crowd, but he was gone now. And yet I still felt him—like a lingering presence in the air, brushing against my skin. I looked at her again. "Why are you telling me all this?" She smiled, this time more gently. "Because you looked like you needed someone to tell you you’re not crazy for feeling... something for him. We all do." She flashed a friendly smile and walked away. I stood there, watching Nina disappear into the crowd. The air around me suddenly felt heavier. I didn’t want to be here anymore. Not with all these eyes watching me. Not with questions swirling in my head. All I wanted—was to be in my room. Just for a moment. Just to breathe. I closed my eyes. Goddess, if I could just disappear from this place for a little while... And then... it happened. The air around me changed. It felt strange, like the way heat dances above hot pavement. I heard a soft whooshing sound, like wind mixed with whispers. My skin tingled, and something inside me tugged, like an old part of me was waking up. Then, I opened my eyes—and gasped. I was in my room. "What the hell...?" I whispered under my breath. My wolf spoke with a hint of excitement I hadn’t heard in her in a while. "Your teleportation ability... it’s finally activated." My eyes widened even more as I blinked at the space around me. "Woah...?" "It’s one of your gifts," she explained. I sat down slowly on the edge of my bed, still in disbelief. I didn’t know whether to laugh or panic. Teleportation? Suddenly, everything about me felt even more... unknown. I rubbed my temples and let out a shaky breath. "I really need a nap." But something deep inside told me—there wouldn’t be much rest in the days ahead.

Chapter 265: Love At First Sight?

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