353/285 When It Motereu


    283/285: When It Mattered


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    The marketce was especially lively that day. More merchants than usual had arrived because of the week-long celebration for the Queen’s pregnancy. The King had opened the borders to traders for the asion, though strict protocols were still in ce to maintain security.


    Beatrice found herself enjoying the outing far more than she expected. She wandered from stall to stall, looking at different goods ai. asionally buying small items. Lord Evan apanied her closely, and to her surprise, Uriel was there as well… carrying most purchases.


    er


    “Are you sure you don’t need to go, my Lord?” she asked Uriel deliberately while browsing through a boutique that disyed neatly folded scarves. “I thought you needed to buy medicines.”


    “Right, my lord,” Lord Evan added politely. “I will make sure Lady Beatrice remains safe with me around.”


    Beatrice caught the brief gloomy look that crossed Uriel’s face before he quickly masked it with his usual calm expression.


    “Gustav and Juno are handling that matter for now,” Uriel replied simply. “I’ll just check on themter.”


    Beatrice said nothing more, though inwardly she wondered how long he nned to keep denying his feelings. His actions gave him away too easily. Why else would he spend his time following her around like this while she was clearly apanied by another man?


    “Look, Lady Beatrice,” Lord Evan said warmly, lifting a beautiful blue scarf from the disy.


    “This would suit you very well. Would you like to try it?”


    Fully aware that Uriel had been quietly stealing nces at them, she nodded. “Yes, I’d like to try it.”


    Lord Evan stepped closer and, instead of simply handing her the scarf, gently ced it around her neck himself.


    “See? It looks wonderful on you,” he said with a bright smile, his eyes shining with open admiration.


    Beatrice returned his smile sincerely,


    Lord Evan truly wasn’t a bad choice. She appreciated a man who showed initiative and made thoughtful, gentlemanly gestures like this.


    It was only unfortunate… that her heart had already chosen someone else.


    “I’ll take this one,” Beatrice said with a pleased smile. She grabbed her purse to pay for it but


    283/285 When it Mattered


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    Lord Evan quickly stopped her.


    “There’s no need,” Lord Evan replied quickly. “I already paid for it.”


    That made her raise a brow in surprise. Evan chuckled and scratched the back of his head.


    “You wouldn’t let me pay for your earlier purchases, so I took the initiative to buy the scarf while you were looking around… and then offered it to you.”


    Beatriceughed softly. “Aren’t you a charmer? You certainly know how to pamperdy.”


    She meant it. She feltfortable around Lord Evan. There was something sincere and about the way he treated her.


    Ibborn


    Cady


    “I admire you, Lady Beatrice,” Evan continued warmly. “It’s already an honor that you allowed me to apany you today. Being able to buy you something, even something small


    I’d dly buy everything you wanted if I could”


    He stopped abruptly when Uriel suddenly coughed hard beside them.


    “Are you alright, Lord Uriel?”


    Beatrice’s attention shifted instantly. It was as if her body reacted before she could even think. She quickly stepped closer to him and gently patted his back.


    “What happened? Don’t tell me you caught a cold” she said worriedly, reaching up to touch his forehead.


    Uriel had always disliked winter. Unlike her, he was never fond of cold weather. She still remembered how he used toin every time the season arrived. And now that he was human… wouldn’t the cold affect him even more!


    “I’m fine…” Uriel muttered and then added, “I should go check on Gustav and Juno instead.”


    And just like that, Uriel walked out, leaving Beatrice with a deep frown. ‘Seriously?!’ Beatrice inwardlyined.


    Meanwhile, Uriel was silently cursing to himself as he walked away. If he stayed any longer, he might end up pulling Beatrice away from Evan, and that certainly wouldn’t look proper. He was frustrated with himself for losing control so easily.


    He shouldn’t even be lingering around Beatrice, He still had plenty of responsibilities to attend to. But he couldn’t help staying close, especially knowing Evan was with her. The thought alone irritated him.


    Still, he knew he had no right over her at all.


    “I’m so doomed,” he muttered under his breath with a heavy sigh.


    “Yes… You truly are.”


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    Uriel froze at the familiar voice. He turned in surprise, only now noticing Gavriel standing nearby with the Queen. Both of them were dressed in simple clothing, scarves wrapped around the lower halves of their faces likemoners. Still, he recognized Gavriel instantly.


    “What are you two doing here?” he asked.


    “What else?” Gavriel shrugged casually. “We’re buying things. I want to get some clothes for my baby.”


    “Isn’t that a bit too early for that?” Uriel replied, clearly unconvinced.


    Gavriel scoffed, then nced toward the boutique where Beatrice and Evan had been earlier.


    “They already left while you were standing here muttering to yourself,” he said calmly. “Evan already led Beatrice in another direction.”


    “Tomorrow is the masquerade ball,” Gavriel continued calmly. “If I were you, I wouldn’t waste any more time. Be honest with yourself… “Because living with regret is far worse than risking everything for what you truly want.”


    His words were simple, but they carried weight. Uriel knew Gavriel wasn’t just speaking casually. He was giving him a rare piece of advice.


    Some chances didn’te twice.


    Uriel frowned at Gavriel and couldn’t help teasing him. “And since when did you start giving personal advice? Are you really my ruthless and terrifying cousin?”


    Gavriel simply shrugged, then pulled Althea closer to his side as if the answer spoke for itself.


    “Look at me,” he said with a quiet hum. “Do you see how happy and fulfilled I am right now? It’s because I didn’t hesitate when it mattered.”


    His arm tightened slightly around Althea’s waist, his gaze steady as he added,


    “If I had waited… I might have lost everything.”


    The meaning behind his words was clear. Some decisions were meant to be made boldly.


    Some feelings were not meant to be hidden forever. And some people… were not meant to be


    let go.


    D


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