Her Rebirth.-Chapter 128

Who exactly was he?

Amelia, the silent observer inside her own mind, found herself lost in that question more often than she admitted. The commoner named Kai, his image had been carved into her thoughts with frustrating familiarity. She could almost recall the curve of his smirk, the soft cadence of his voice, the way he tilted his head when amused.

She had gone back to that bookstore, her body had, at least, over and over again, under the flimsy excuse of browsing, but always seeking him. Seeking Kai.

But why? Why couldn’t she remember?

None of this was present in her memories of her past life. There was no mention of a Kai, no trace of a friendship, nothing. It was like watching another woman live her life in fast-forward, one she had inhabited but never fully owned. Was it a dream, a vision from a different timeline? She didn’t know.

The more she tried to remember, the more it slipped through her fingers, like water through cupped palms.

A sudden voice snapped her from her thoughts.

"Well, well, little sister, why are you staring off into space? Or are you thinking about how much you missed me?"

Amelia turned, meeting Cassius’ playful eyes. He was dressed in black and silver, and her brother looked every inch like a proper noble though it was still obvious he was a rogue. His grin was wide and annoyingly endearing.

"In your dreams," she replied, raising a brow. "Besides, you should act more proper and carry yourself in a manner fit for a noble."

Cassius shrugged nonchalantly. "Meh, who cares."

"Enough," Reynold said, approaching with a glass of wine in hand. "Cassius, stop disturbing Amelia."

"How is that your business though?" Cassius muttered. "Besides—" he paused, then leaned in with a roguish grin. "She was extremely glad I graced her with my presence."

Before Amelia could retort, a smooth voice interrupted.

"You look stunning tonight."

She turned, and she saw Aldric looking at her with a warm smile.

Before, this would have made her heart thud endlessly. While it still fluttered, her heart was being occupied with another.

She met his gaze with a polite smile. "Thank you, Your Highness," she said smoothly.

Aldric’s jaw ticked, but he said nothing. This is why he didn’t like her. She was too uptight, too cold like a porcelain doll. Unlike Celine, who would’ve turned red and stammered. If not because Amelia was the first to confess and he could see how eager she was too please him, he would have thought she bore no feelings for him.

Suddenly, the ball became quiet, and little murmurs filled the air.

Prince Keiser had come, and beside him was her father, Duke Valemont. They were talking, albeit politely.

During the conversation, he turned, and his gaze met Amelia’s and he smirked.

Did he just smirk at me?

"What is he doing here?" Cassius said as he placed his elbow on Amelia’s shoulders. "Did Father invite him?"

"Cassius," Amelia said sharply, brushing his arm away. "Remove your elbow."

She turned toward Aldric, whose smile had grown tight and unpleasant. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Keiser’s appearance either.

Their father, never one for idle conversation, soon excused himself, likely to tend to duties elsewhere. And then Keiser began walking toward them.

"Why is he coming here?" Aldric muttered under his breath.

When Keiser reached them, it was Aldric who spoke first.

"What are you doing here?" Aldric asked with a forced smile.

Keiser smiled faintly. "To congratulate the Valemont brothers, of course. It would be rude not to."

Everyone knew it was bullshit. Prince Keiser hardly ever attended banquets, not even when it was ordered by the emperor so why would he be here now, unless of course, he had something to gain?

Keiser turned to Cassius and Reynold and extended a hand. "Well done, both of you. You truly brought glory to the empire."

Cassius accepted the handshake, not caring about the tension. Reynold hesitated, but nodded politely.

Keiser then turned to Amelia.

"Lady Amelia," he said, offering a hand. "May I have the honor of the first dance?"

Amelia hesitated. She really didn’t want to have anything to do with Keiser, so she said, "I have a fiancé."

"She does," Aldric cut in, his voice firm. "It would be improper."

Keiser didn’t seem to care, or rather, he didn’t. His gaze remained locked on Amelia. "A dance isn’t a proposal, merely a gesture of celebration. Or, peradventure..." His gaze darkened slightly. "Do you wish to refuse my offer?"

Amelia’s heartbeat quickened. There was something almost menacing in his gaze, a feeling that if she refused, it might not end well.

"...Very well," she said at last, softly. "Just one."

Aldric’s lips pressed into a thin line as he watched her take Keiser’s hand.

And this look, like she had betrayed him, caused her heart to sting just a bit.

She walked to the center of the ball with Keiser, and the orchestra began. She placed her gloved hand in his, and Keiser’s other hand slid to her waist and then pulled her closer, until there was barely space between their bodies. Amelia felt herself stiffen as she felt his warmth on her.

"You’re tense," he murmured near her ear, his breath grazing the curve of her neck.

"I wasn’t expecting to dance with Your Highness," she replied flatly.

He chuckled. "Then you should be honoured."

They moved in perfect synchronicity, like they were the perfect pair. Keiser was an excellent dancer, his movements were smooth and practiced. He guided her across the floor as though claiming territory with every step. And she... she hated how easily her body responded. How aware she was of the heat radiating from him, the scent of smoke and cedar clinging to his collar.

It would have been better if the one whom she was dancing with...

"You’re lost," he said softly.

She kept her eyes forward, head held high. "You’re imagining things."

"No," Keiser whispered, dipping her low. His lips were close enough to brush hers if either of them leaned in just an inch more. "You’re thinking of something or perhaps dreaming of another while in my arms. That’s almost insulting, Lady Amelia."

She inhaled sharply as he pulled her back up, his grip tightening slightly around her waist.

"I said I wasn’t," she answered.

"Well, your eyes betray you," he said. "I wonder... who is it that stirs you so?"

Amelia remained silent, but something in her chest throbbed.

...Kai.

Not Aldric, but Kai.

Amelia’s heart raced in panic. The one she loved was Aldric, so why was her heart going to another?

Keiser tilted his head, watching her as they turned. His hand splayed across her back, possessive now, and when he spun her, she could feel the echo of his fingertips.

"I don’t mind," he said as they circled one another again. "That you think of him."

Amelia raised a brow. "You sound almost jealous."

"No," he replied, his voice dipping. "He is your fiancé, after all."

She almost stumbled. But Keiser caught her instantly, their bodies flush, his hand splayed across her waist now as if daring her to push him away.

She whispered out of guilt, "Yes, he is."

But he wasn’t the one she thought about.

The music reached its crescendo, and he dipped her again, this time slower. His eyes scanned her face, searching, as if trying to read the secrets she wouldn’t speak.

"You intrigue me, Lady Amelia."

When the music stopped, he bowed slightly, and she curtseyed. They walked apart in silence.

Aldric was waiting.

"You humiliated me," he said coldly the moment they were alone. "Dancing with him, how could you?"

She blinked. "I didn’t humiliate you. It was one dance. You saw his expression. I didn’t have a choice."

"You always have a choice," he snapped. "You danced with my brother, a man I clearly disapprove of."

"What would you have me do? Cause a scene?"

"Anything but smile and follow him like you wanted to!"

Her eyes blazed. "You’re being ridiculous."

"I’m being jealous," he admitted, then more softly: "Because I care. I don’t want to share you with anyone."

His tone caught her off guard, and Amelia could feel her heartbeat vigorously.

She knew exactly what her younger self was thinking.

His pride was wounded, yes but it stemmed from fear of losing her. He was jealous because of her.

Slowly, she nodded.

"Alright, I understand, Aldric. It was partly my fault too. I should have vehemently refused."

"Yes, you should have," Aldric repeated.

She then took his hand and smiled at him.

"I’m really sorry, okay? But I love you and only you, so trust me, okay?"

After a pause, he nodded. "I will."