Xavier picked up a fork slowly, his expression unreadable as he cut into the omelette. He lifted a piece to his lips, chewing thoughtfully. Seraphina stood over him like a queen awaiting judgment.

"Well?" she demanded.

He set the fork down deliberately, leaned back, and let a slow smile spread across his face. "Not bad. Quite good, actually. For someone whose hands were made for quills and jewels, you're surprisingly capable."

Her eyes narrowed, but her blush betrayed her. "Surprisingly?"

"Yes." He leaned forward now, his hand brushing her waist as he pulled her closer. "I'm surprised… at how much I enjoyed watching you work."

Her lips parted slightly, her composure faltering. Then she smirked again, regaining her footing. "So… you admit I impressed you?"

Xavier tilted his head, lips brushing near her ear as he whispered, "More than impressed." His hand slid a little further along her waist. "I'd say you're dangerous in the kitchen."

Her breath hitched, but she managed a coy laugh, pressing a finger to his chest. "Careful, Xavier. If you say such things, I'll expect you to eat everything I make from now on."

He caught her finger, kissed it lightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Then I'll starve myself until you cook again."

Seraphina flushed, biting back a laugh as she tried to hide her face in her hair. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he countered, his tone smug but warm.

The plate sat between them, steam curling upward. But neither seemed eager to eat just yet.

Instead, Xavier tugged her gently closer until she perched on the edge of the counter beside him. She let out a soft gasp, then laughed as he stole a bite of the omelette straight from the plate and held it to her lips.

"Eat your own masterpiece," he said.

She obeyed, letting him feed her, savoring the taste more because it was his hand offering it. "Not bad, hm?"

"Not bad at all," he murmured, brushing his thumb against her cheek to wipe away a stray crumb. "But I still like mine better."

Seraphina smirked, her voice low and teasing. "We'll see. Next time, I'll outdo you."

Xavier chuckled, kissing the corner of her lips before pulling back just enough to murmur, "I'll look forward to it."

The kitchen smelled of herbs and butter, laughter and tension lingering in the air. For a moment, the estate outside felt far away. Just a man and a noblewoman—bodyguard and mistress—sharing stolen intimacy over a simple dish of eggs.

The rest of the omelette didn't last long. Between Seraphina's teasing comments and Xavier's smug insistence on feeding her himself, the plate was soon spotless. She dabbed her lips delicately with a cloth napkin, though the gleam in her eyes betrayed how much she had enjoyed the simple meal.

"Well," she said, rising with her usual grace, "if you keep this up, Xavier, you'll spoil me."

He stood with her, slipping his arm around her waist for the briefest moment. "That's the plan."

She gave him a look, amused and fond, before gently pushing him toward the door. "Come on. I still have documents waiting in my office. Even if you've conquered my kitchen, you can't conquer bureaucracy."

"We'll see about that," he said with mock seriousness, earning a laugh as they walked together down the corridor.

The office was bright with late-morning light, scrolls and documents stacked neatly across the heavy oak desk. Seraphina moved behind it with practiced ease, already scanning the topmost reports. Xavier remained by her side, leaning casually against a nearby pillar.

Moments later, the door opened with a soft creak, and Lloyd entered. The butler bowed with mechanical precision, though his eyes flicked briefly — sharply — to Xavier before he addressed Seraphina.

"My Lady," Lloyd began, voice smooth and formal, "several matters require your attention. The steward from the northern orchard has requested clarification on tax exemptions for this season's frost-ruined crops. Additionally, there are disputes between two farming families over irrigation rights along the western canal. And finally…" He hesitated, glancing again at Xavier before continuing, "a messenger from the capital has delivered correspondence. Sealed by the Emperor's own secretary."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed slightly, fingers drumming the desk. "The orchard exemption I'll review this afternoon. The canal dispute—have both families present their claims before the local magistrate. As for the capital's letter…" She took the sealed parchment from Lloyd's gloved hands, weighing it carefully. "I'll read and respond personally."

"Yes, my Lady." Lloyd bowed again, his jaw tight. When he straightened, his gaze once more flicked toward Xavier—this time longer, lingering on the way Seraphina's hand rested lightly on her guard's arm as she spoke. His lips pressed into a thin line before he turned crisply, bowing once more.

"By your leave."

"Dismissed, Lloyd."

He departed silently, but not without a stiffness in his shoulders that betrayed the grinding of teeth. The door clicked shut.

Xavier gave a low chuckle. "He likes me about as much as those thieves liked my moonbeams."

Seraphina smirked faintly, not looking up from her parchment. "Lloyd has served me since childhood. He doesn't adjust well to… change."

"Or competition," Xavier teased.

Her quill paused just long enough for a flicker of a smile before she returned to writing.

When she finally set the parchment aside, Xavier straightened from his post. "Speaking of change, I've been thinking… The guards last night did a damn good job, especially your berserker—what's his name?"

Seraphina raised a brow. "Captain Renald. Why?"

"His leadership was solid. When I was dealing with the assassin leader, he held the others together, bought time, kept order. I'd like to meet him properly—and the rest of the unit. Thank them myself."

Her eyes softened at the sincerity in his tone. "You surprise me, Xavier. Most men of your… talents rarely think of those beneath them."

"They weren't beneath me last night," he said simply. "They were the line holding the church. They deserve recognition."

Seraphina studied him for a moment, then inclined her head. "The training yard. South wing of the estate, near the barracks. You'll find them there."

Xavier stepped closer, leaning down until his lips nearly brushed hers. "Good. Then I'll pay them a visit."

She tilted her face up, waiting, and he gave her what she wanted—what they both wanted. A deep, lingering kiss, tongues brushing, the taste of butter and herbs still faint between them. When they parted, she exhaled softly, a satisfied smile curving her lips.

"Go on," she whispered, voice husky. "But don't you dare come back bruised."

He smirked, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "I'll try not to outshine your berserker too much."

Then, with that easy swagger of his, Xavier turned and left the office, the heavy door closing behind him.

Seraphina sat back in her chair, one hand pressed lightly to her lips, her satisfied smile lingering.

The sun was bright as Xavier crossed the estate grounds, heading toward the south wing. In the distance, the clang of steel and the shouts of exertion echoed. The training yard awaited—full of men who had fought under his watchful eye, and one berserker captain whose leadership had caught his attention.

Xavier grinned faintly, anticipation building. "Let's see what these men are really made of."

The clang of steel rang across the south wing before Xavier even stepped through the stone archway. Shouts and grunts carried on the breeze, punctuated by the rhythmic thud of boots striking dirt.

The training yard was alive.

Dozens of Seraphina's guards drilled in pairs, wooden blades clashing, shields locking, muscles glistening in the late-morning sun. At the center stood a mountain of a man with cropped red hair and a scar that ran jagged across his jaw—Captain Renald, the berserker who had held the line last night. His voice boomed across the yard, barking instructions, correcting footwork, and driving his men harder with every swing.

"Again! Keep your guard tight—bandits don't fight fair!"

He turned as Xavier entered, and for a brief moment, the yard stilled. The guards' eyes flicked toward the newcomer, whispers running through the ranks.

Xavier smiled faintly, stepping onto the packed earth as if he belonged there. "Don't let me interrupt."

Captain Renald's gaze was sharp, assessing, but respectful. He strode forward and offered a nod. "Sir Xavier. Word spreads fast. The men haven't stopped talking about last night, all those who weren't there have all heard of you and are curious to meet you..."

Xavier's smile deepened. "Well it's to be expected. You all did well though—better than many I've seen. You kept formation, you didn't break under pressure, and you bought me the time I needed. Without you, the church might not be standing this morning."

The men shifted, glancing at each other, pride warming their tired expressions.

****

A/N:

I know my update is really slow but bear with me. I'm very busy with RL stuffs with little time to write, please let's all support the book with powerstones and Golden tickets

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