Cursed and Fated: Offered To The Wicked Alpha Prince
Chapter 29: Brushed her earlobe

Chapter 29: Brushed her earlobe

Gideon steered the car onto a winding path, veering away from the main road leading back to the palace.

Adeline pulled her hand back inside, smoothing her hair behind her ears as she noticed the change in scenery. After a few minutes of driving through a densely wooded area, she realized they were no longer on the familiar route.

"Is this a shortcut to the palace?" Adeline asked, her brow furrowing as she scanned the darkened trees.

"No, it’s the way to my private residence," Gideon answered.

"What?" Adeline blinked, her heart skipping a beat in surprise.

"I thought it would be nice to show you where I actually live. I only returned to the palace a few weeks ago for the regular council meetings," Gideon explained, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Besides, if I don’t maintain a presence there, my stepmother will use every opportunity to prove me unworthy of the crown."

"It must be tiresome," Adeline said, her gaze turning thoughtful as she watched his profile.

"To hold this position?" Gideon chuckled, a sound that held more weight than mirth. He shook his head slowly. "As the eldest Alpha Prince, the crown has been rightfully mine from the moment I was born. It isn’t a burden I chose, but a destiny I won’t let be stolen."

He slowed the vehicle as the private path leading to his residence finally came into view. The trees thinned, revealing the structure of the well-lit residence.

"I mean... you’re fighting for your rights all by yourself," Adeline whispered, her heart aching slightly for the isolation he seemed to accept so readily.

"Isn’t that the universal truth of life? One has to fight their own battles," Gideon affirmed as he navigated the car toward the entrance.

"That’s true, but some navigate those battles more easily with support," Adeline opined. "I do believe you have the support of those who truly care for you, even if you don’t always choose to lean on it."

Gideon applied the brakes and turned his head toward her. "You speak of philosophy sometimes," he replied, a faint glint in his eyes as he unbuckled his seatbelt. They both exited the car and the house, but the butler immediately rushed down the stairs to greet them.

The man turned to Adeline with a respectful bow, introducing himself. "I am Brian. I have been serving Prince Gideon for over two decades."

"Nice to meet you, Brian," Adeline said.

Brian looked toward the Prince. "Your Highness, I didn’t prepare the second room. You didn’t inform me of your arrival."

"It was a sudden plan," Gideon stated simply.

"I will call the servants to prepare a room for Miss Valois at once," Brian said.

"That’s not needed." Without further explanation, Gideon took Adeline’s hand and led her through the main doors.

Adeline felt a knot of nerves tighten in her stomach, wondering if they were expected to share a room. She wasn’t ready for that level of intimacy yet. She swallowed hard as she took in the house, which featured striking modern architecture. Her jaw dropped when they entered his bedroom, and she saw a massive frame covering an entire wall. It was a portrait of Gideon, looking powerful and composed.

"I had that shot taken for a business magazine," Gideon noted, finally letting go of her hand.

"Do you run businesses too?" Adeline asked, her gaze filled with surprise.

"Yes," Gideon replied, sitting down on the edge of the large bed.

"What kind of business?" she asked, her curiosity momentarily overriding her nerves.

"Real estate and construction. As for investments, I have many in various companies," Gideon replied.

"That sounds interesting," she asserted and sat beside him. Removing her heels, she finally felt a bit better and gazed around the modern space. Her eyes then landed on a collection of trophies displayed inside a glass cupboard. She walked over to get a closer look, reading the inscriptions on the bases.

"You won many awards, mostly from your training," Adeline stated, tracing the glass with her eyes. "Come to think of it, in my life, I only won one trophy."

She felt a pang of nostalgia as she recalled a childhood memory from when her mother was still alive. It had been a dancing competition, and she had taken first place. However, after her mother passed away and her father remarried, her stepmother had debarred her from entering any further contests, determined to ensure Janessa was the only one winning in every single one.

Gideon noticed her again getting lost and appeared in front of her. He flicked his fingers in front of her, causing her to snap out of her thoughts.

"What was the contest about in which you won?" he queried.

"It was a dance competition at school," Adeline replied promptly.

"So, you dance!?" he mused.

"Not anymore. I couldn’t pursue it after Mom passed away," Adeline replied.

"You can pursue it if you want," Gideon stated, his hands resting on her waist as he drew her slightly closer. "Do you know a couple of dances? Because I don’t, and I want you to teach me."

"Now? Isn’t it time for your sleep?" Adeline inquired.

"I go to bed late," he answered. "What about you?"

"I slept a lot during the day, so I won’t feel sleepy this early," she answered. "Also, I never learned a couple of dances, so even I am new to this. But I know the steps."

"That will do," Gideon stated.

She nodded and placed one of his hands firmly on her waist, holding his other hand up in the air. "They keep this pose. See, when I move my left foot back, you need to move your left. I will use the count, and you have to remember the beat according to that."

"Alright," Gideon answered.

She began counting while Gideon followed her lead. To her surprise, his steps weren’t faltering. It felt as if he were already a pro, or perhaps he was simply an incredibly fast learner.

As they caught the rhythm, they were now in the center of the bedroom. Their faces were too close that it felt they were inhaling the same air.

"You already know how to dance, don’t you?" Adeline didn’t look away. He gently twirled her, and now, her back touched his chest, his nose already buried in her silky hair while his lips brushed her earlobe.

"If I had said yes, you would not have agreed to dance with me," he whispered huskily.