CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

My eyes fluttered open, gentle sunlight pooling around the room greeted me as I woke up. Head still pounding lightly, I slowly get up from the cozy bed which I found myself tucked in safely, and as I did I felt all my limbs were soar and achy but I am still able to get up, but then worry suddenly rushed into my still exhausted body as I realized that I am inside an unfamiliar room, this wasn't the winter court, this wasn't even the night palace and I am pretty sure of that.

My eyes took a quick scan around the room and relief washed over me as I saw the Night Lord lounging prettily on a recliner, staring over something over the bright expanse at the wide opened windows with his brows furrowed. I was about to call him but awkward noise escaped from my mouth instead which made his head quickly turned over my direction.

I cringed, I literally cringed as I saw how deadly his look was, no kindness can be seen on his eyes, only icy rage lingers on those hazelnut orbs and it frightened me. If I ever saw his face like that again, remind me to hide away because I swear that Taemin looks so scary with it! 

"W-Where I am?" Thankfully, my question has extinguish the fire burning on his eyes and it swiftly turned calm. No, his whole emotion changed completely, I can feel the relief flooding into him through the bond as his attention snapped fully into me and the silent fury oozing from him has quickly morphed into something like exhaustion. 

As I tried to study his face closer, tiredness can undeniably seen through those dark crescents under his eyes. Did he had troubles getting sleep? Or did he didn't get any sleep at all? 

"You're in my home,​​​​​​" that was only what he said as he walked closer to me then settling himself at the edge of the bed. 

"But why is this room seems to be different from the rest of the Night Palace?" I asked curiously because the walls were not made out of the same white and gray marbles, and place looks utterly plain compared with the rest of the Night Palace. Oh, don't get me wrong, it still holds the same luxurious vibe of the palace but this version seems to be diminished, like it's more on the aesthetically clean side.

"It's my room, it's my real home. I have you settled here instead because there's no longer spare room remaining here since I also have a guest staying here other than you. This is not the Night Palace, Naeun, and you're terribly away from that place. It's my turn to ask questions dear," he said so sweetly which made my heart to skip a beat but his face suddenly turned seriously as he continued, "Tell me, what the heck were you doing in the Court of Terrors?"

Chill run down in my spine as I heard his question. The mere mention of the name of that place made me remember all the terrifying things that I experienced last night.

Night Dwellers, that was what they called themselves, were the most savage faeries that I have ever encountered in my stay here in Verboden and I think they have done a good job in wreaking intense fear into me. And to be honest,  I don't want to go back there and I  am beyond willing to do or even sacrifice everything just to ensure that I'll forever be away from that place for good.

The Court of Terrors—well, kudos to who ever faerie who named that ty place because they have perfectly chose the right name for it. I can't deny that its overall built was a marvel yet every corner of that place seems to be thrumming with danger. The whole court is an epitome of nightmare and I know everyone who have been in there would never disagree with me on this matter. 

My throat bobbed as I stumble for the right words to say and with a final gulp I said, "I-I left the Winter Court...for good and I was t-there because I cam looking for you. I cam looking for the Night Palace but I stumbled to that court instead."

Taemin's eyes went as round as the glaring sun above when he said, "You did what?!" 

"I said I left the Winter Court for good," I repeated but this time, I ensure that it's slow and clear for him to understand. 

"I know, I heard you but what I mean was that why did you did that? Why did you suddenly decided to leave? Is there something happened?" Taemin asked, his brows furrowed once again. 

I cannot make myself to speak because if I do, I'm afraid that I might blurted out the things that I shouldn't and I don't want to tell him what I fell for him, at least not yet.

I think it's too early to do so since I have just called off my relationship with Myungsoo. Also, I want to take things slow with the Night Lord, I want to maximize my time to get to know him more and somehow put my heart at ease before I can officially gave the both of us a chance. Would it be wrong if I want it that way? 

"We.. had a fight."

"And what sort of a fight was this?" 

"It's a grave one,"

"Tell me how grave," 

"Does it matter?" 

"Of course, it does. Mind spilling?"

"Seriously Taemin? Are you really that interested in my life?" I asked unbelievably. 

The Night Lord shrugged then a playful smile appeared on his lips as he said, "I don't know but what I'm sure is that I'm really interested in you."

A blush crept into my cheeks as I heard his words, and it actually stunned me for a moment. Damn this pricky grand duke, how dare he make things this difficult for me?

"W-What did y-you say?" I blurted through stutters which earned a light chuckle from the prick. 

"Nothing, I just want to make you smile since you look so grave and I swear it doesn't suits you," his voice was soft, almost feather light. 

"You can't blame me, I've been through a lot!" 

"I know, I know. That's why I'm trying to make you ease a little bit. I hate to see you like that, Naeun. I know you would not believe me but it makes me a hundred times lonelier whenever I see you sad," he look away from me as he whisper those words through the air, he looks so solemn and...sad but then he continued, "I have a lot of things that I want to tell you yet I'm afraid that you might hate me if I do. But at least let me take away your sadness because... because I am the happiest when you are happy, Naeun. Just let me and that would be enough."

Here I am again, entirely flustered of the cheesy words of the Grand Duke of the Night Kingdom but I'm not complaining! As I finally processed what he said, a smile abruptly tugged up on my lips. I wish