Ensnaring His Dark Moon

After a long heated discussion and some arguments amongst themselves, the officials left the room.

Aiden paused near the door where he saw Esme standing with Rowan, "My Lady,'' He smiled at her gently.

Esme glanced at him in a daze.

Rowan frowned when sensed a piercing gaze on the two.

He cleared his throat and Esme snapped out of her reverie as she smiled back at him, "Mr. Aiden."

Aiden nodded at her before he turned around to leave.

Esme glanced at his retreating back.

"Is he a pleasant sight?" A cold voice sounded behind her.

Esme turned to look at Aleister who was walking towards them. "What were they so worked up for?" She asked.

Aleister glanced at her with a piercing gaze and she was confused.

Rowan cleared his throat, "I shall leave-"

"No, you come inside," She tilted her head before looking at Aleister, "You too."

Aleister raised an eyebrow at her.

She usually forgot that this was his room but he could not bring himself to mind it.

...

"So, you are saying that more people have been found dead?"

Aleister nodded.

"What has it got to do with you?" Esme asked.

"They died just how the maids in the castle died. I will have to look into this matter as he has made a request to the King about it."

Esme frowned. For some reason, she had an uneasy feeling about this.

"I have something to say," Rowan broke the silence in the room as he stood up from the chair. "Princess's brother was last seen in that village."

"Which village?" Esme's brows tugged together.

"The one which the magistrate had mentioned, where people are dying mysteriously. It is near the border of the Capital City."

After Rowan left the room, Esme and Aleister were left alone, "Aren't you going to look over the things there?"

"What about it?"

"Take me with you," She said.

"Why should I take you with me?"

"I won't be a hindrance. I will be good."

Looking at her obedient face, his face turned dark, "Is he that pleasing to your eyes?" He asked out of nowhere.

"What are you talking about?"

"That blind man. Den. I am talking about him."

"His name is Aiden," As she corrected him, his footsteps came to a halt.

He turned around and walked towards her, "Don't take his name like that," He bent as he placed both his hands on either arm of the chair and leaned closer to her.

Her heart unconsciously skipped a beat when she found him so dangerously close, "What are you doing?" She whispered.

He raised his hand and cupped her face, his thumb stroked her cheek.

Her eyes widened.

"When have I ever done something?" He asked, his words left her feeling conflicted as he continued, "But there are things that I want to do to you," His warm breath tickled her lips.

Esme was entirely stiff to even lift a finger. The wild thoughts that she had suppressed deep inside her mind that night on the seaside were soaring once again.

And she realized that she had yet to see through his intentions, "What do you want?" She clenched the arms of the chair tightly in her palm.

He shifted his hand, placing it above her delicate palm while his other hand was still resting on her face.

Her breathing hitched and she leaned back on the chair, her back was tightly pressed against it.

His fingers wound her fingers which were tightly gripping the wooden arm, "Usually, you quickly catch onto everything. Why is taking so long to realize it, my dear moon?" His hand shifted from her face and he raked his fingers inside her hair. His thumb rested in front of her ear while the other four fingers were behind her ear plunged into her hair.

As he leaned closer to her, her eyelashes fluttered. Her heartbeats were rushed and rapid as she closed her eyes instinctively. Her fingers tightened on the wood.

But all of a sudden, she did not feel the warmth around her anymore. Her face, her hand lacked the warmth that he had provided.

She opened her eyes and glanced at the man who was standing at a distance from her.

"This was stuck in your hair," He showed her the leaf he was holding, "Why did you close your eyes?" He tilted his head to the side, seemingly confused.

Esme stood up from the chair as she touched her neck, "I think something went inside my eyes," She whispered and turned around to walk towards her bed.

He grabbed her wrist and her heart skipped a beat yet again, "Let me see what it is," He said as he stepped closer to her, "We won't want your eyes to hurt."

"No," She pulled her hand out of his grip, "I-I think I am hungry. It's time for lunch so we should eat," She calmed herself as he nodded.

"You didn't eat during breakfast?" He asked.

Esme nodded. She did eat but she was conscious about it and ate with proper etiquette, unlike the way she ate when she was with him. 

...

Two days passed rather peacefully in an uneventful manner and Esme barely saw Aleister in these days as he remained engaged in the matter that the magistrate had brought up. Duke Maverick and Duchess Flora always called her to eat together and the King would also be there at times.

Today, it was the day when Aleister had to go to look over that village. 

After seeing Esme's persistence, Aleister agreed to take her with him. That was under a few conditions that looked something like.

'You should stay with me all the time we are there. Don't talk to others. More so, stay away from that silver-haired ugly man.'

Esme found him unreasonable but she did not say anything about it knowing that he might change his mind about taking her with him. 

Aleister was very pleased with the rare obedience that she was showing instead of baring her claws at him.