Chapter 281
Chapter 282 Dressed to Impress
His large harud kept patting gently against her back.
If you won’t sleep, how about I tell you a story about a little turtle p>
Right after those words left his mouth, a disgruntled little fist thumped against his stomach
Hadrien’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“Fine, then what about the boxing-champion snail p>
Unsurprisingly, he took another hit from the so-called champion.
A low laugh rumbled out of him.
Muffled by the blanket, the sound reverberated like soft drumming right against her ears, tingly and warm.
Lyra bit her lip, too flustered to lift her head, buried under covers steeped in his scent.
He had not switched his bath products. That crisp, clean citrus fragrance lingered, wrapped now in his body heat, turning into a cozy, warm aroma trapped beneath the blanket.
“Alright, don’t stay buried in there You’ll get light-headed once we head downstairs p>
Hadrien pulled her out from under the covers.
Lyra’s checks burned bright red She shot him one glittering glance, then twisted sharply away.
Hadrien kept smiling. He lay down on his side, propping one hand beneath his head, his other hand tapping lightly at her arm
“Sleep p>
Slowly, under the steady rhythm of his touches. Lyra’s eyelids fell shut.
Then he moved closer too.
Even through the blanket, his warmth seeped over her, perfectly mild, never overbearing.
His breath fanned softly over the top of her head.
Lying beside the person he cherished most, Hadrien felt deep, quiet happiness settle in his chest.
11:22 Mon, Sep 21
After an unknown stretch of time, Hadrien heard hovercar engines and voices outside He tapped her shoulder quickly.
Tyr4 wake up It’s time p>
Lyra blinked her eyes open.
Hadrien had already climbed out of bed.
He went over to her room and fetched her toothbrush and towel.
The room lights flickered on. Lyra sat up, squinting.
“I already brushed my teeth and washed my face earlier, she typed.
Hadrien paused. T’d forgotten
He stepped out and returned shortly, slinging a set of clothes over one arm. grabbing his own toiletries from the bathroom.
“I’ll get ready in another guest room You start preparing
As he walked past her, the sight of her sleepy, sluggish form made him ruffle her hair
He repeated his warning. “No ice on your face. There is no swelling at all p>
Lyra looked toward him. “Got it
Still hazy from her short rest, she sat quietly on the bed with messy, sticking-up hair, looking utterly soft and docile.
Fighting the urge to pull her tight into his embrace, Hadrien pressed a kiss to the top of her head and hurried out.
Once he was gone, Lyra could not suppress a happy grin and headed downstairs.
Outside the courtyard stood not only the styling crew. but also members of the Wastelands Squad and Storm Squad.
This was a major occasion; every team member would be accompanying them.
Lyra’s eyes lit up.
They had all dressed with extra care.
11.22 Mon, Sep 21
Rows of sharp-looking men in crisp uniforms made for quite a striking sight.
She gestured for Zane to let the stylists inside, then typer a question
Have you all had breakfast p>
Flynn nodded. “We ate on the way. Mr. Hadrien asked us last night to bring this breakfast for
you
Ax Lyra’s personal guard. Hadrien outranked them in both past credentials and present station, so they addressed him respectfully as mister.
Flynn stepped forward Lyra took the food and smiled at him.
“Thank you.
Flynn froze for a moment.
She had already carried the food inside.
After setting aside Hadrien’s portion, she ate while sitting in a chair and letting the makeup artist dab product across her face.
Once her makeup was finished, she prepared to slip into that elaborate ceremonial gown.
At that exact moment. Hadrien came down the stairs, treshly changed
Lyra halted mid-step, her gaze locking onto him, unable to look away
He looked so handsome!
As if to match the tone of her gown. Hadrien wore a crisp all-white suit. The moment he appeared, he became the locus of every eye in the room.
Unbuttoned at the outer jacket, it revealed a pale gray waistcoat and dress shirt underneath. His solid chest filled out the top of the vest, while lower buttons cinched tightly around his defined
waist.
The stiff shirt collar framed his long neck, with a jet-black bow tie sitting just below his Adam’s apple, like an exquisitely wrapped gift.
Even the restraint collar around his neck no longer looked like a punitive device; instead, it acted as a sharp, stylish accent.
His silver-gray short hair had been styled upward, exposing his full forehead and those familiar, cutting-edged features. A few loose strands fell loosely at his temples, softening his stern aura, lending him easy, dashing charm.
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11:22 Mon, Sep 21
Hadrien had been adjusting bis cufflinks, his long, well-defined fingers resting against the sleeve edges The second he spotted Lyra below, his movements stalled, his gaze fixed on her
The makeup artists had highlighted her most captivating trait her unmatched, pure-bright
Her short cheek-framing hair had been pinned neatly back, leaving her slender neck fully exposed
Barely any heavy makeup showed on her features, yet simply standing there, she seemed to make the whole room glow
Glossy hp glaze coated her lips, with richer crimson at the center, resembling plump, ripe cherries.
Eyeliner widened and rounded her eyes, tilting upward at the outer corners like playful cat
eyes
Every small shift of her expression balanced sweet innocence and alluring charm.
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Mon, Sep 21
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.