Chapter 113 – Drag me with you [2]

"I am Cassius Desdemona’s wife."

The Hall of Welcomes sank into a momentary but weighted silence, every heir looking at the others, stunned to the core.

They had known Cassius was married. They had also learned, from his recent words, that his wife was Anesthesia Amaris’s older sister.

But none of them had anticipated her presence. And none of them had anticipated what that presence would feel like.

It was nothing like Anesthesia with her blinding, all-encompassing aura that constantly surrounded her, making her look like a beacon everyone was naturally drawn toward.

Isolde, in contrast, felt like the kind of woman one never noticed at first, her presence so low it was almost absent. But once you did notice — once you truly looked at her — it became difficult, even more so than with Anesthesia, to fully remove her from your thoughts.

The most subtle things were often the most beautiful.

Every heir in that Hall — including the King and the Queen — found themselves caught off guard by the unique beauty of Isolde Amaris.

The woman herself quietly noted their expressions and the shift in the room’s energy, shaking her head inwardly.

’The Beauty Potion’s effect is truly something incredible.’ She thought, her gratitude toward Cassius deepening.

"So this is my grandson’s wife." Morenna said, her smile spreading. "Now I understand why he fell for you."

"Ah, grandmother, you haven’t even scratched the surface!" Cassius chirped suddenly, drawing strength from somewhere no one could identify. "I could spend days and nights speaking about my wife and still be afraid my mouth would run dry before I even finished the prologue!"

Off to the side, Meadow’s heart gave a violent lurch, her pink eyes glowing with a rapturous light. Something in the back of her mind was screaming at her:

’WRITE IT DOWN!’

And write it down, she did. Her notebook was out of her space ring within seconds, her hand moving in a trembling frenzy of excitement. Her particular devotion to romance was plain to see in every frantic motion.

The people around her glanced her way with puzzled looks, but were far too invested in the scene unfolding before them to spare her more than a moment.

"Is that so?" Morenna laughed heartily, then looked at Isolde, whose lips were twitching with embarrassment. "Is he always like this?"

"Yes, my Queen—!"

"Oh no, beautiful, not Queen." Morenna shook her head. "Call me grandmother, just as my grandson does. You are family now. As for him..."

She pointed at Dantes, who wore his permanent expression of a man who had far better things to do and couldn’t understand why he was still here.

"...you can call him grandfather or uncle. Whichever sits better."

"Do you actually find joy in this?" Dantes said to Morenna, shaking his head, before turning his gaze on Isolde. "Call me whatever the little one calls me."

"I honestly haven’t decided yet." Cassius replied with a sly smile.

"Then decide quickly." Dantes said, sparing him a brief glance before his crimson eyes swept over the assembled heirs. "As for all of you, we apologise for what occurred here today. We will not trouble ourselves asking why two of you decided to fight to this degree..."

His eyes settled briefly on both Cassius and Emrys.

"...you are old enough to bear the consequences of your own actions. For now, I advise you to stay and rest. Wait for your maids to be woken and healed, then go back. We will inform your families in the meantime."

The Heirs nodded, slowly and steadily.

Both the King and the Queen were privately surprised by how these children, after nearly being killed, hadn’t fallen apart. No hysteria. No tears. Just a quiet, collected steadiness.

’Was Morenna right, after all? This generation... perhaps they really could.’

At that thought, his eyes moved from Emrys to Cassius. The King’s lips curved almost imperceptibly.

’And I will need to reassess Cassius. He is stronger than my lad, Raven.’

With that thought, he disappeared from the Hall, he had the aftermath of this event to manage. Which meant dealing with his grandmother.

Dantes sighed with deep irritation at the thought.

Morenna and Persephone remained, though not for long.

"I hope you will stay a few days." Morenna said to Isolde. "I would like to know you better."

"It would be my pleasure." Isolde nodded.

"Then it’s settled." The Queen said, looking back at Cassius still sitting weakly beside Morgan, who had stayed quiet throughout, watching everything with a smile. "I will arrange the Apothecary for you."

Cassius nodded.

Then Morenna and Persephone left, accompanied by Helene, who cast one long, lingering look at Cassius before passing through the door.

"Ah. I feel rather in the way now." Morgan said. She gave her little brother one final hug. "I am glad you are alright, Cass. I must go, I do not want to ruin this event."

"The event is already in ruins, sister."

"Then I’ll only add to the damage." She kissed his forehead. "I will message you later. I have a meeting with Dorian."

"Oh, he’s back in the Kingdom?"

"Aye."

"And he didn’t come to see me?" Cassius’s voice dripped with theatrical disbelief.

Morgan’s lips twitched. "You know him. He is very busy."

"Ask him whether he has forgotten that he may or may not have a little brother whose name is possibly Cassius."

The firstborn of the Desdemona laughed, finding her little brother entirely too dramatic sometimes. She nodded regardless. "I will, Cass."

Then she turned to Isolde and smiled at her. "It seems I was right about your finger size. It was good seeing you, Isolde. We will talk properly next time."

Without waiting for an answer, she kissed Cassius’s forehead one last time and slipped into the shadows.

She was gone.

Once again, the Heirs were alone. Yet none of them spoke, every pair of eyes following Isolde as she walked steadily toward Cassius.

She didn’t glance at anyone. Not even her own sister.

Her entire focus was her husband. She reached him in seconds, crouched down — her white robe pooling against the floor — and looked at his current state with a faint smile.

"We haven’t seen each other for weeks and here you are, nearly killed in a terrorist attack." She said, her voice carrying amusement beneath the complaint. "It seems I did well going to Vorn for blessings."

"More than well, darling." Cassius replied. "You must have convinced the Lord of Death himself to spare my soul. How did you manage that?"

"Beauty privilege."

"Are you trying to make me jealous? If so, you have succeeded."

"You don’t look nearly jealous enough."

"Should I show it openly then?"

"I would love that. But that is a conversation for another time." Isolde said softly, then tilted her head. "You look in very poor shape, Cass. Can you even walk?"

"I can barely stand straight." He answered, then laughed suddenly. "But I believe I have enough strength left in me for one round, darling."

"One round?" She echoed, confused.

"Look outside." He said.

And not only Isolde, every heir who had been listening in silence turned their heads. Through the crack in the western wall, they could see that the sun had already gone. The blinding silver light of the moon shone against the dark horizon.

Night had come.

"Do you know what happens during the evening portion of this event?" Cassius continued.

And there, everyone understood at once.

Klaus — who had been standing not far from Cassius throughout — burst into laughter and immediately propelled himself through the shattered stone and debris using his wind, landing in front of the DJ setup.

It was still intact.

His eyes swept across it. "Let’s try this!"

Trusting his instincts, he worked the setup, and immediately, music began to fill the Hall.

Soft and unhurried, made for two people sharing a tender moment.

"Hahah, I did it!" Klaus cried out then he, along with every other heir, fixed his eyes on Cassius slowly rising with Isolde’s help.

"Are you sure?" Isolde said, her voice going warmer, looking at his burned, torn, dirty clothes and his numerous wounds. "We can wait until you are healed. We will have another opportunity."

"Do you mind my current appearance?" He asked.

Isolde paused, then rolled her eyes. "Of course not."

"Then let’s dance, darling." He whispered, taking her hands. "I cannot miss the chance to make new memories with you."

"Even if you will hurt yourself in the process?"

"That makes it even more worthwhile."

"You realise we are being watched?" She continued. "All of them are listening, watching, staring at us and no one else. I can already feel the jealousy on my back. You want to do this in front of everyone?"

’I don’t mind it being private. Do you really want to show everyone how much you love me?’

"Let them hear. Let them watch. And let all of them know..." His voice was tired but unwavering. "...that I am your husband."

All around, the Heirs watched with wildly varying expressions.

The girls — most of them — wore faces caught between jealousy and a deep, involuntary blush, looking as if they were watching their favourite drama unfold live in front of them.

The boys were divided: the jealous, the quietly admiring, and the entirely unbothered.

But among all of them was Meadow, who — seeing this scene — witnessed a side of Cassius she had never suspected existed. Without quite realising it, she had opened a new notebook. White, with red stripes.

A recent purchase after her meeting with Cassius.

On the first page, she wrote the title: ’About the Last Born of the Desdemona.’

Meanwhile, Isolde paused at his words, looking at him deeply.

She was honestly amazed by him, wondering again, as she often did, why Cassius had chosen her.

He was so much more than she had ever expected. So much that she still couldn’t fully understand what in her had drawn his interest, earned his love to the degree that he had been willing to be killed by her, and was now willing to claim her in front of everyone without a trace of shame.

It was a wonder to her. But that wonder only deepened her feelings, and the fierce, possessive certainty that she would keep him for herself and herself alone.

She smiled with love, taking his hands in hers, her purple eyes gleaming.

The music was already playing. Klaus, to his own great surprise, was discovering he genuinely enjoyed being a DJ.

’I am talented in everything. Sigh. How magnificent I am.’ He thought, deeply satisfied with himself, as he played on for his friend.

"How could I refuse now?" Isolde laughed softly. "I will guide you through the steps. Is that alright?"

"That’s the only way I can move right now anyway." Cassius said, abandoning his weight to her without hesitation. "Go on then, darling. Guide me."

Isolde took hold of her husband without a second thought, her heart swelling with both pride and love.

"HERE. WE. GO!" Klaus roared.

"Shall we then, husband?"

...and the dance began.

—End of Chapter 113—