Chapter 265
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Chapter 266 Ceremony Delay
Her gaze slowly slid sideways.
Hadrien leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, staring intently at his obedient little Guide as she brushed her teeth.
In the next second, he caught a sharp, watery-eyed side-eye glare from her.
He tilted his head.
Even like this, she was adorable. He could never get enough of looking at her.
Seeing that he showed no sign of leaving, and even tilted his head in what felt like quiet teasing, Lyra spun fully around, turning her back to him.
A low, magnetic chuckle rumbled behind her, warm and indulgent. The sound sent a pleasant shiver racing down her spine.
Lyra held her back rigid and refused to glance over her shoulder.
Behind her, Hadrien’s eyes traced the line of her glossy hair, drifting slowly downward, greedy as a serpent along the pale, delicate curve of her nape.
When his gaze landed on her sharp, bony shoulders, he paused and frowned.
His determination to help her gain weight grew stronger.
Back when she had sprained her ankle, the doctor had mentioned it. She was far too thin.
With so little padding to cushion falls, she would get hurt more easily than most people.
A while later, Hadrien checked his Star Brain.
Three minutes had passed, yet Lyra still kept her back turned.
He shook his head faintly.
“I’m heading out p>
At those words, Lyra whirled around instantly.
The bright light in her eyes made Hadrien’s heart lurch.
He leaned forward on purpose. “That happy to see me go p>
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Lyra stepped back, her eyes blown wide like a startled kitten.
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Hadrien’s narrow eyes crinkled in amusement. He reached out and ruffled the top of her hair.
“Get some good rest p>
With that, he turned and left her bedroom.
Lyra craned her neck, waited for the door to click shut, and let out a long breath.
Thinking back, the side of Hadrien she had seen before was never his whole self.
He was cold on the surface yet burning-warm underneath, with a sly, hidden edge only those close to him got to witness.
He seemed unbreakable, yet deep down, he was prone to insecurity.
He even knew how to beg for attention with nothing but his eyes.
Take the two times he had made food for her.
The first time, he had accidentally upset her. Whether he feared she still held resentment or not, he had stared at her with those sad, downcast eyes, pleading silently.
The second time, their bond had shifted, making him bolder. Even so, he needed her where he could keep her in sight.
No more poor-little-me looks. Instead, he claimed he had feared something terrible had happened to her alone in her room when she stopped replying, and coaxed her downstairs under that pretense.
At the core of it all, he hated letting her slip out of his sight, both for her safety and for his heart.
Early the next morning, Hadrien went downstairs and made breakfast.
Lyra was still asleep. He kept the food warm and worked his way through the leftover midnight fruit while waiting for her.
Seated in the ground-floor living room as sunrise spilled in, he watched an unfamiliar team arrive to relieve the Storm Squad.
Perhaps his words in the group chat had made a strong impression on them.
The burly, bear-built squad captain stepped up at the front door and greeted him.
“Good morning, Mr. Vale p>
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Hadrien nodded. His sharp gaze swept over the man.
Lyra had told him this was Gideon’s old unit.
He wondered if those massive, intimidating figures had scared her before.
Garen offered his greeting, gave the house a quick scan, spotted no sign of the Guide, then stepped quietly to his assigned post.
Hadrien popped a few berries into his mouth and checked the time.
He had been away from Core Prime for a long stretch, and Yannis was not replying to messages.
He walked over to Garen.
“Aren’t we having the official welcoming ceremony for the new Guide p>
Garen turned slightly toward him. “There is supposed to be one p>
“Has it been rescheduled?” Hadrien asked.
Traditionally, the press conference announcing a newly ranked Guide would happen the day after results came out.
Half a day ahead of time, the White Citadel’s chief would personally inform the Guide and bring formal clothes and stylists to discuss preparations.
Hadrien cared little for all the pomp, yet he refused to let his Guide be slighted.
“I’ve received no official orders,” Garen answered flatly.
He paused, then added, “Though word is Ms. Kaelin’s ceremony might get pushed back p>
Hadrien lifted an eyebrow. “Why p>
“I don’t know how accurate the rumor is, but Oversight Bureau agents took Yannis into custody last night. Allegations of bribery p>
Hadrien pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
“Thanks for telling me p>
He pulled out his Star Brain and messaged the president of the Guide Protection Association.
Predictably, the president claimed total ignorance regarding Yannis’ situation.
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As for the welcoming press conference, he explained they needed extra time to prepare something suitably grand, to show proper respect for Lyra.
This was why the procedure differed from past cases.
Hadrien read over the reply.
He recalled mentioning merit points while chatting with Lyra the day before, so he asked a follow-up question.
“Will Guide training also be delayed p>
The GPA president replied, “That will not change. We finalized plans yesterday. The Guide teaching her has an appointment this morning, so their initial meeting was scheduled for this afternoon p>
Knowing Hadrien was Lyra’s prospective personal Sentinel, the president worried he would think they were neglecting her. He added another note.
“I already informed Ms. Kaelin of this. She was aware. I sent her a message early this morning, though she has not yet responded p>
“Understood,” Hadrien sent back.
Right as he finished the exchange, Lyra came down the stairs.
He hurried forward to meet her.
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Feral Sentinels Obey Only Hor
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.