<h4>Chapter 206: A Sudden Kiss</h4>


    After a long discussion about the academy and the trial, as well as the dos and don’ts, Fiona took her leave. Eleanor spent some time ying with Freya, while Ethan personally prepared dinner for them.


    Isabe Thomas would be with Freya for the duration of Eleanor’s trial. She had been informed that Eleanor would be at the military academy for the next three months, with limited contact during that time, as it was a restricted area. Isabe had not questioned this; she considered it normal for a Langford family member to serve the kingdom.


    During this period, Isabe had agreed to stay at the vi with Freya, apanying her to and from school. Naturally, Eleanor’s guards and driver would be present at all times.


    Since returning from London, Isabe had been introduced by Eleanor to all the house staff and guards. As she would be living with Freya, Eleanor thought this familiarity would help her settle in... and she was right.


    After meeting everyone, Isabe’s initial unease disappeared. With her years of experience, she quickly tookmand of the household staff. Eleanor was confident she could care for Freya during her absence.


    Leaving Freya to y on her own, Eleanor decided to meet with Isabe onest time to settle final arrangements. She stepped out of Freya’s room and knocked on the door beside it, Isabe’s room. Which was chosen so she could attend to Freya even at night.


    "Aunt Be, it’s me," she said.


    A few secondster, the door opened. "Do you need me?" Isabe asked.


    Eleanor shook her head. "Nothing urgent. May Ie in?"


    "Come in,e in," Isabe said, stepping aside quickly.


    Eleanor entered, closed the door behind her, and went to the table. She pulled out a chair and sat down. "I have to leave tomorrow morning. My reporting time is ten o’clock, so I may not have a chance to talk to you then."


    "Don’t worry," Isabe replied. "I’ll take care of Freya while you’re gone. Besides, didn’t you say her father will be staying here?"


    "Yes, Ethan will be here for the time being. But his work may keep him busy from time to time. He might be around in the evenings and on his days off, but during most working hours, you’ll be the one with Freya."


    "That’s fine. With all the house staff, I’ll have no trouble looking after her. She’s a clever child. In fact, I suspect she might end up looking after me," Isabe said with a small smile.


    Eleanor smiled faintly in return, then drew a bank card from her pocket and held it out. "Aunt Be, take this. It has one million pounds on it. That way you won’t have any difficulty meeting Freya’s needs... or your own... while I’m gone."


    "There’s no need," Isabe said. "If I require anything, I can simply ask the staff."


    "I know," Eleanor replied, "but this is for anything you need to buy personally, or for emergencies. You’ll be taking Freya to and from school, so keep it with you, even if you never use it. The PIN is six-seven-eight-nine."


    Isabe epted the card and slipped it into her pocket. "All right. I’ll keep it."


    "Until I’m back, please don’t go anywhere without security. If Freya were left alone, she might be in danger. I have many enemies who could take advantage of my absence."


    "Don’t worry. I know what to do," Isabe said firmly.


    Eleanor rose from her chair. "Then I’ll head to dinner. If you need anything, ask the staff... or Ethan. Don’t hesitate to purchase or request whatever you require. Above all, take care of your health. You’re not fully recovered yet. I’lle back as soon as I can."


    With that, she left the room, collected Freya from hers, and headed for the dining room.


    ***


    Ethan had prepared a generous spread for dinner, taking extra care because Eleanor would be leaving in the morning. Every dish was one she favoured, each ted with precision and a touch of indulgence. Freya and Eleanor ate heartily, savouring the vours and the warmth of the moment.


    Afterwards, Freya announced she wanted to watch a film before bed. She knew her mother would be departing the next morning and was determined to keep herpany for as long as possible.


    Eleanor understood her daughter’s unspoken sentiment all too well. The thought of their impending separation weighed on her as heavily as it did on Freya. Together, they settled in the movie room to watch one of Freya’s favourite animations. Ethan joined them, quietly taking a seat beside them.


    Half an hour into the film, Freya had drifted into sleep, her small head lolling gently to the side. Without a word, Ethan scooped her up with practiced ease and carried her towards Eleanor’s room. For the past few nights, Freya had been sleeping with her mother rather than in her own bed.


    Eleanor rose to follow, switching off the lights and closing the door behind her. Her thoughts churned. She would soon be leaving Freya to step into another world... one that was unpredictable and dangerous. Fiona had reassured her that idents in the ascension process were rare, and most returned home safely. At worst, she might need to employ a simple cultivation technique that would cripple her future progress.


    She looked ahead to where her daughter slept peacefully in Ethan’s arms. A wave of gratitude swelled in her chest. She was fortunate... blessed even... to have both of them in her life. Her gaze shifted to the broad line of Ethan’s shoulders. This man had changed her life beyond measure; without him, she might not have lived long enough to see this day. She often thought of herself as living a second life now... one with a loving daughter and a measure of peace.


    She knew Ethan’s feelings towards her. He had never hidden them. But the shadows of the past still clung to her, the deep-seated disgust forced upon her years ago making it impossible to step across that threshold.


    And yet, there was so much about him she admired. Above all, she cherished that Ethan had never tried to touch her without consent. She knew, instinctively, that he had wanted to... many times. Women always knew such things. But he had never crossed the line. He had waited, like a gentleman who valued the other’s feelings above his own. He was there whenever she or Freya needed him, often before they even asked, always taking the ce of the man of the family... despite never truly being given the title.


    Eleanor watched him as heid Freya gently on the bed. He adjusted the pillows around her small frame, smoothing the nket before tucking it snugly beneath her chin. Once satisfied, Ethan straightened.


    "I’m going to the guest room. You should get some rest... tomorrow will be a long flight," he said.


    "Yes," Eleanor replied. "Take care of Freya. This will be the longest time she’s ever had to be without me. Aunt Be will be here, but try to return early from the office when you can."


    "Don’t worry," Ethan said. "I’ll manage. Don’t forget... she’s my daughter too."


    "I know how much you love her," Eleanor said softly. "But you also have yourpany to run. With your recent expansion into the neighbouring region, you’ve already got more than enough on your te. Don’t neglect your work."


    She paused, then added, "I’m mostly concerned about her safety. I fear someone might use my absence to harm her."


    "Rx," Ethan reassured her. "Your shadow guards will be with her at all times, and this vi is fully secured. Besides, Grandma will be staying here while you’re away. Above all, trust me. I won’t give anyone the chance to harm my daughter."


    "I know," she murmured. "But I can’t help worrying. You know how many assassination attempts there’ve been against me in such a short time. There’s always someone trying to harm us."


    "Leave it all to me. I’ll handle it. You should sleep early."


    With that, he walked to the door and pulled it open. Eleanor followed, intending to lock it after him.


    On the threshold, he turned back to bid her goodnight. And in that instant, something stirred in her... an inexplicable pull, as though his lips themselves were calling to her. Before her mind could catch up, her body moved of its own ord. She stepped forward, rose onto her toes, and pressed her lips to his.


    The moment her mouth met his... warm, soft, startling... something like an electric current jolted through her. She broke away almost instantly, stepping back in rm before mming the door shut between them.


    Her heart was hammering so violently she thought it might burst through her chest. She could hardly believe what she’d done. She had kissed him... of her own ord! This wasn’t supposed to happen. Her rational mind hadn’t decided it... yet the deed was done.


    Frozen in ce behind the closed door, she felt her face burn. Shame prickled at the edges of her thoughts.


    "What have I done? I kissed him. I kissed him on my own. What a disgrace! How will I be able to face him tomorrow?"