<h4>Chapter 208: nning to be Friends</h4>


    Evaline:


    I gazed through the car window as Draven steered through the towering iron gates of the Thorne estate. Even though night had already swallowed the sky, the world beyond was banished by the glow ofmp-posts lining the winding drive.


    The entire estate was aglow with twinkling Christmas lights that were tracing the edges of hedges and the mansion’s gothic spires. A soft cinematic hush followed us inside the gates, punctuated only by the crunch of fresh snow under tires.


    Draven pulled into the cobblestone courtyard beside the grand fountain, and I did not bother distracting myself with thendscape anymore. I was already holding my breath while my heart fluttered in anticipation.


    He turned the car off before stepping out and opening the passenger door. I climbed out, shivering with more than just cold. There was a mixture of anxiety and wonder crawling through me.


    I watched as Draven propped my suitcase beside the car trunk and shut it.


    Just then I spotted Sera and three familiar staff making their way from th east side of the building. Their expressions froze as soon as their curious gazesnded on me, their eyes widening in surprise.


    I turned abruptly toward the car that just came to a stop behind Draven’s, needing something else to focus on. Less than a secondter, Kieran stepped out with crispposure.


    He handed the car key to one of the servants and made his way toward us. "You two just standing out here is ridiculous. Come inside before you freeze." His tone was filled with amusement as he walked past me and took the lead.


    We followed him through the main entrance into the mansion’s great hall. The grandeur was always there, yet tonight?... the ce looked breathless. Columns wrapped in gands, a huge crystal chandelier lit with pale gold light, and firelight flickering across tapestries of deep reds and greens made it feel like I had stepped into another world.


    But I wasn’t really looking at decorations... I was searching. And it turned out someone was aware of my scanning gaze.


    Kieran teased softly, "Don’t worry, River is not crouching behind a holly bush to scare you." Embarrassment made me flush, the joke wasn’t entirely wrong. Maybe I was afraid of how he would react to me showing up here unannounced.


    Dusty snowfall was pattering faintly against the windows as Draven and Kieran guided me upstairs. We climbed the wide staircase, then down a long hallway before turning toward a door.


    "Here’s your room." Draven announced softly, almost as if he was holding his breath, before shoving the door open.


    I stepped inside... and my breath caught.


    The bedroom was HUGE! It was big enough that one could set up five different bedrooms in it.


    Wide eyed, I took in every little detail of the masterpiece of architectural elegance and modern luxury present before me.


    A massive, arched floor-to-ceiling window was dominating one wall, its ck metal grid dividing the ss into perfect symmetry. It was flooding the room with the soft hues of the dcorative lights outside, casting golden reflections across the gleaming marble floors.


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    The bed was positioned against a paneled feature wall with built-in lighting. The bedding was in soft brown and beige, with plush pillows and a sleek velvet bench at the foot of the bedpleting the picture of indulgentfort.


    Arge photo of a misty forest scene was hanging above the bed. Below, nightstands with elegantmps and bronze details were sitting on either side of the bed.


    To the left of the bed, near the window, was a cozy seating nook with two leather chairs and a low coffee table. There were also tall indoor nts sitting around the room.


    A thick rug was spread across the floor, inviting me to walk on it bare feet.


    But if this wasn’t already breathtaking enough, I waspletely at a loss for words when my gaze followed the spiral staircase next to the bathroom, leading up to what seemed like a private library/study.


    The room was designed as a double-height ceiling with a mezzanine level. A sleek, wrought-iron railing with gold ents enclosed the space, running the length of the upper floor. From below, I was able to see bookshelves filled with leather-bound books and scrolls.


    "River designed this ce. It was a lounge area, a rxing space for us. But we haven’t used this ce in recent years. So, when I was discussing with Oscar and Draven about inviting you here, we decided to renovate it just for you." Kieran filled me in as he watched my stunned expression.


    His words made me turn my shocked gaze to him. Not only he just confirmed that except for River, they all were part of this n, but also that such a room had been renovated within days just for me.


    I couldn’t even bring myself to fathom how much money they poured into transforming it so quickly. They cared that much... enough to give me a private, grand bedroom I didn’t deserve.


    My eyes searched for Draven and I saw him observing me closely, it was almost as if he was waiting for some sort of confirmation.


    Kieran pulled my attention back to him as he spoke. "Take your time. Settle in. We’ll be down for dinner in about an hour." He gave me a warm smile and turned to leave, motioning Draven along.


    But Draven... he was up to something. He stepped beside me and draped one arm around my shoulders. I stiffened slightly, surprised by his action. "I’ll stay here to her unpack, I’m nning to be friends with her since we are almost same age."


    Kieran’s eyes flickered to Draven’s resting hand. He reached out and effortlessly pped it away. "Respectful distance, Draven."


    Draven opened his mouth, as if to protest. He nced at me, his eyebrows raised, then directed his question to me. "Is it okay if I help you unpack?"


    I took a breath and ’considered’ before answering. "Yes-yes, I would like that."


    My lie felt thin. The truth was, I was thrilled at the idea of him staying near me.


    Kieran was silent for a moment but he didn’t object. He gave one more brotherly warning to Draven through onest nce before he left the room.


    <strong>* * *</strong>


    <strong>Author’s Note:</strong>


    Hopefully, the details of the bedroom wasn’t too much (though I feel it was).