Chapter 92: Unspoken Questions
Elisa’s resentment was palpable as she sat in silence. Galatea couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly. “Aren’t you happy to sleep with Mommy tonight?”
“I am happy,” Elisa muttered, a little pout in her voice. “But tonight was supposed to be special. Watching the stars together is something couples do… not just mother and daughter. It feels like such a waste.”
Galatea couldn’t help but smile at Elisa’s blunt honesty. These two children, Caspian and Elisa, were clearly eager to push her toward Alaric. Heartless little rascals, she thought, shaking her head.
“Well… it’s the wrong person to watch the stars with,” Elisa grumbled. “The stars aren’t as beautiful anymore. Mommy, you can keep watching, but I’m going to sleep.” She yawned and immediately crawled into bed, drifting off to sleep within moments.
Galatea sighed, watching her daughter’s retreating form before turning her gaze back to the vast starry sky. Tonight’s sky was undeniably beautiful, but it wasn’t the same without the special company Elisa had imagined. Alaric’s words lingered in her mind: The woman he wanted.
Galatea’s thoughts turned inward as she considered Alaric’s position. He had the background and the abilities to be proud of. His temper, though harsh at times, was tempered by his surprising patience with her. Was she overthinking this? she wondered. Could she truly move on from the past and start anew?
These questions swirled in her mind, making it impossible to fall asleep. Galatea lay wide awake, the hours slipping by as she pondered everything—her relationship with Alaric, her future, and the lingering doubts that clung to her thoughts.
The next morning, Elisa woke up early, her natural restlessness evident as she bounded out of bed. Galatea followed suit, getting ready quickly as they prepared to leave.
“Good morning, Mrs. Knight. Breakfast is ready. Please follow me,” a polite waiter greeted them as they entered the dining room.
“Mommy! Elisa!” Caspian’s voice called out as he waved them over. He was already seated at a private table, a mischievous grin on his face. Galatea glanced up and immediately saw Alaric sitting at the table, looking perfectly composed, as always.
“Good morning,” Galatea greeted him, sitting down across from him. Though she tried to act normal, the lack of sleep from the previous night was evident. Her dark circles betrayed her exhaustion.
“Good morning,” Alaric responded. “Did you sleep well last night?”
Elisa, always blunt, piped up with an answer before Galatea could speak. “Not really. When I went to bed, Mommy was still awake. And this morning, she was lying there with her eyes wide open, still fully dressed. I guess she didn’t sleep at all.”
Galatea felt heat rise to her cheeks as Elisa’s words echoed in her ears. “You naughty girl! Why are you making up stories?” she scolded, though her tone was soft.
“I’m not making up stories!” Elisa retorted, crossing her arms. “It’s just logical deduction. Just look at your dark circles now. You didn’t sleep, Mommy. And if you two were really close, like you’re about to get married, you’d sleep well together. But you’re too shy, aren’t you?”
Galatea’s face flushed even more, but this time, it was because of Elisa’s pointed remarks. “Atlas Storm, if you continue talking, I’ll really get mad!” she said, using Elisa’s full name for the first time.
Immediately, Elisa covered her mouth, realizing she had pushed her mother too far. Galatea glanced quickly at Alaric, only to find him smiling mischievously. Her stomach did a little flip. She quickly lowered her gaze to avoid his eyes.
“Daddy,” Caspian chimed in, trying to change the subject. “This place is amazing. Can we stay here for a few more days?”
“Yeah, Daddy, we don’t start school until the day after tomorrow. Let’s stay longer!” Elisa joined in eagerly.
Alaric, his usual calm demeanor unshaken, gave a small apologetic smile. “I’m really sorry, Harry, Elisa, but I have work to do at the company today. We need to go back.”
Elisa groaned, but Alaric added, “But don’t worry, there will be many more weekends and holidays for us to spend together. I promise.”
“Yay, hooray for Daddy!” Elisa cheered, and for a brief moment, the atmosphere lightened.
Meanwhile, Galatea remained quiet, her gaze fixed on her plate as she tried to hide her embarrassment. She couldn’t shake the feeling of discomfort lingering from Elisa’s earlier comments.
The breakfast ended quickly, and soon they were all back in the car. Alaric drove, and Galatea sat in the passenger seat, her eyes glued to the window as she tried to avoid looking at him. Her lack of sleep made it all the more difficult to concentrate.
As the car rumbled to life, Alaric turned on the stereo. Taylor Swift’s “Enchanted” began to play softly. The melody was gentle, weaving a soothing rhythm that seemed to match the quiet tension between them.
“Hey, it was enchanting to meet you…”
The song was like a slow caress, and Galatea found herself lost in it for a moment. All I know is I was enchanted to meet you. The lyrics echoed in her mind, and for the first time, Galatea truly thought about Alaric—about how he had enchanted her, how he might really feel about her.
But did he really care? Or was this all part of his drive to conquer her? The thought made her heart flutter uncomfortably.
“Galatea.” His voice broke through her reverie.
“Huh?” She turned quickly to face him, startled.
“There will be many nobles at the banquet tomorrow. This will be your first public appearance as my fiancée. I just hope you won’t look like you do now.” His voice was matter-of-fact, but there was something almost tender in his tone.
Galatea instinctively touched her face, self-conscious about her tired eyes and the dark circles. “I understand,” she replied softly. “I won’t embarrass you.”
“I hope so,” Alaric said, his voice oddly serious.
The rest of the ride was quiet. Galatea kept looking out the window, the landscape blurring past. She couldn’t shake the feelings swirling within her, the confusion, the unanswered questions. Alaric’s words, his actions, everything seemed to hold a deeper meaning, but what that meaning was, she couldn’t yet tell.
Finally, they arrived at her house. Before she could open the door, Alaric reminded her, “Get some rest tonight. I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon.”
“Okay,” Galatea nodded, trying to gather her thoughts.
“Harry, Elisa, go home with Mommy. Daddy has to go to work,” Alaric said, his voice calm but firm.
“Okay, Daddy, take care of yourself,” Elisa called out, waving as she and Caspian followed Galatea inside.
As soon as they entered, Mia approached with a concerned look on her face. “Stellan, there are guests at home. They’ve been waiting for you for a while.”
Guests? Galatea thought, surprised. She had no idea who it could be.
But as she entered the living room, she froze in shock. Griffon stood up from the sofa and walked toward her. Behind him, Caspian stood in the doorway, looking just as startled.
“Griffon?” Galatea asked, feeling a chill run down her spine. How did he get here? And why so early?
“Sorry to bother you so early in the morning,” Griffon said, his voice polite but his eyes sharp.
“Never mind,” Galatea replied, though she couldn’t mask the anxiety in her voice. “If Griffon had called ahead, you wouldn’t have had to wait for me.”
“It’s my fault. I didn’t expect you to be out so early,” Griffon said, his tone almost casual—but his words felt loaded.
Was it possible he knew about her night with Alaric? The thought made Galatea’s stomach twist. What did Griffon know? And how much of it did he intend to reveal?