265 Love At First Sight?

The lady’s smile widened. “I’m not,” she replied, her voice light, almost playful. “It’s written all over your face.”

My lips parted in surprise.

“I didn’t catch your name,” I said, trying to steer the conversation away from Lord Frederick and the strange chaos he’d left in my chest.

“Well, Nina,” I said calmly, “I wasn’t falling. I was just… surprised. That’s all.”

I suddenly felt like all the air had been sucked from the room.

Olivia’s POV

He studied me for a moment longer, then said, “I hope, Lady Olivia, that one of these days… I might have the honor of taking you out. For dinner, perhaps.”

“Nina,” she offered with a small curtsy. “I’m from the Southern Crescent Court. My mother’s a Seer… which means I’ve grown up reading people.”

His cool fingers curled gently around mine, lifting my hand to his lips. And when they brushed against my skin…

But something deep inside told me–there wouldn’t be much rest in the days ahead. Goddess, if I could just disappear from this place for a little while…

The moment he reached where I stood, the woman I had been speaking to instantly lowered her gaze and gave a graceful bow.

He was beautiful in the kind of way that made you forget how to breathe.

My eyes widened even more as I blinked at the space around me. “Woah…?”

I stared at him.

A deep, mesmerizing green–vibrant and ancient all at once. They weren’t just beautiful. They were haunting. Like they’d seen too much, known too much…

I forced a polite smile. “Lord Frederick.”

All I wanted–was to be in my room.

Then, I opened my eyes–and gasped.

I rubbed my temples and let out a shaky breath.

“Mmhmm,” she hummed, clearly not convinced. “He has that effect. Lord Frederick doesn’t show interest in many people. When he does, it’s… noticeable.”

“It’s one of your gifts,” she explained.

I looked at her again. “Why are you telling me all this?”

Goddess, his eyes.

Just like that, it was only the two of us.

“I really need a nap.”

Not with questions swirling in my head.

“Love at first sight?” I flinched when I heard a woman’s voice behind me. I turned to see a brown-skinned young lady smiling warmly at me. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of… we all fall for him at first sight.”

Just for a moment.

The air around me changed. It felt strange, like the way heat dances above hot pavement. I heard a soft whooshing sound, like wind mixed with whispers. My skin tingled, and something inside me tugged, like an old part of me was waking up.

A strange flutter bloomed in my chest.

We just stared at each other.

And Goddess help me… he was right.

His face was striking. Sharp cheekbones, a strong jawline, and lips that looked like they rarely smiled–but when they did, it probably made kingdoms fall.

I didn’t understand why I was reacting this way.

Waiting.

My wolf spoke with a hint of excitement I hadn’t heard in her in a while. “Your

teleportation ability… it’s finally activated.”

Watching.

He smiled faintly. “Your great-grandmother, Hailee. She was remarkable. Strong. Fearless. And unforgettable.”

I stood there, watching Nina disappear into the crowd. The air around me suddenly felt heavier.

He nodded. “I did.”

I closed my eyes.

Yet here he was, talking about my great-grandmother like he had seen her just yesterday.

I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t even sure what I felt.

And yet I still felt him–like a lingering presence in the air, brushing against my skin. Suddenly, everything about me felt even more… unknown.

“Not just the women,” she said with a little wink. “But yes. He’s charming. Mysterious. Dangerous. And ancient enough to have stories that could fill a hundred libraries. That kind of aura? It’s impossible not to feel something.”

I glanced toward the spot where he’d vanished into the crowd, but he was gone now.

I let him take it.

I couldn’t tear my eyes off him… I kept watching him as he moved further away.

And then… it happened.

I crossed my arms, trying to hide how warm my cheeks were getting. “And do all the women here… fall for him?”

His eyes never left mine as he reached for my hand–slowly, deliberately–as though giving me a chance to pull away.

She had warm brown skin, glowing under the chandelier light, and her eyes sparkled with something between amusement and empathy. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek braid, and she wore a soft lilac gown that shimmered when she moved. She didn’t look

much older than me.

His aura was suffocating.

Like he carried the weight of centuries in his silence.

Dangerous… yet almost impossibly perfect.

Finally, after what felt like forever, he spoke.

Teleportation?

I didn’t want to be here anymore.

And I hated that.

“You knew her?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“What the hell…?” I whispered under my breath.

He stood right in front of me–tall, poised, and intimidating in the most effortless way possible. There was something about him… something commanding, like the kind of power that didn’t need to be announced. It was just there–pressing against your skin, making your breath catch without even trying.

But before I could answer, he gave a small bow of his head and added, “Of course… only if and when you wish it.”

And neither did I.

Just what I needed–a girl who could read through me like glass.

He kissed the back of my hand–not rushed, not lingering, but just long enough to make my breath hitch.

And just like that, the room felt smaller again. I had to remind myself–this man was a few centuries old. For a moment, I’d forgotten. Everything about him felt too youthful, too effortlessly graceful to be anything but timeless.

But I forced myself to hold my ground. I lifted my chin and met his gaze directly, refusing to show weakness–even though every part of me was screaming to look away.

I barely knew him.

I sat down slowly on the edge of my bed, still in disbelief.

It wasn’t like the overwhelming pull of the mate bond I felt with the triplets. This was different. Subtle. Intriguing. Like a thread of silk wrapping softly around me.

“Lord Frederick,” she murmured with respect, before turning to me with a quick smile. “If you’ll excuse me, Lady Olivia.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or panic.

I blinked, his words catching me off guard. “Another…?”

Then she was gone.

I frowned at her words. “I think you must be mistaken,” I said quickly, trying to sound firm–but even to my own ears, the words lacked weight.

“Lady Olivia,” he said in a voice smooth and low–like velvet laced with steel. It held no arrogance, yet it commanded attention.

“I’m pleased I got to meet another special one,” he said softly. “It’s been quite some time since I last encountered someone like you.”

Then he stepped back, the faintest trace of a smile on his lips–like he already knew I’d be thinking about this conversation long after he walked away.

I blinked, completely thrown off, and studied her more closely.

I was in my room.

And yet, standing here, caught in his gaze, it felt like he could see through every wall I’d ever built.

Just to breathe.

He said nothing.

He was… breathtaking.

Silver hair framed his face in soft waves, catching the light like moonlit silk. His skin was pale, smooth, and flawless–like he was carved from marble. And his eyes…

When he pulled back, those haunting green eyes searched my face again.

Great.

But I didn’t.

She smiled, this time more gently. “Because you looked like you needed someone to tell you you’re not crazy for feeling… something for him. We all do.” She flashed a friendly smile and walked away.

Not with all these eyes watching me.