The evening had arrived, bringing with it a sense of finality. The lingering thoughts from earlier still filled Alexander's mind, but now, there was something else, something both exciting and unnerving.
Sophia had asked him for something simple yet profound: to move into his chambers permanently. And, despite his hesitation, despite his internal battles, Alexander had agreed. He had given orders to Damien to inform the butler, and by nightfall, everything would be set.
He had no idea why her presence had begun to feel like a necessity rather than an option, but it was undeniable. He wanted her close, wanted to feel the steady presence she had become in his life.
The dinner ended on a soft note, with the last of the servants clearing the table. The dishes were cleared away, and the final courses were consumed. Sophia gave a small, deliberate stretch, breaking the moment of silence that had settled between them.
The evening had been quiet, but there was something palpable in the air. She knew it was time.
"Alexander," she began, her voice tinged with a note of feigned apprehension. "There's something I need to confess."
Her words hung in the air, charged with the unspoken weight of something deeper. Alexander glanced up, his gaze sharp with curiosity, though his thoughts were still clouded by his recent internal turmoil.
"What is it?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of concern.
Sophia paused, her hand resting lightly on the table, fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her glass. The weight of the confession pressed on her chest. She had made the decision to tell him everything tonight, but it wasn't easy. She had carefully rehearsed the lines in her mind, yet as the words left her lips, there was no certainty in them.
"I've been hiding something from you," she said softly, her eyes shifting to avoid his gaze. "Something I wasn't sure I should reveal, but I know now that I must."
She looked at him again, meeting his gaze with a careful deliberation. His brow furrowed slightly, a faint shadow of worry crossing his features. What could she be hiding from me now? The thought floated through his mind, and she could hear the uncertainty in his thoughts, as clear as day.
Sophia took a slow, deliberate breath before continuing. "I didn't want to burden you with it, but I can't go on without telling you the truth. I think it's time."
Later, after the meal had been finished and the table cleared, the two of them retired to Alexander's chamber. Sophia's heart beat in her chest as she prepared herself. She had waited for this moment...the moment when she would confess her hidden truth to him.
Damien was there as always, assisting Alexander with his wheelchair. With a practiced ease, Damien guided the prince into the room and helped him settle comfortably.
Sophia, on the other hand, excused herself to bathe and change into her nightwear. The night ritual was something they both did separately, but the anticipation of the evening's conversation lingered in the air. She took her time, washing away the remnants of the evening and slipping into the softness of her nightdress.
When she returned, Alexander had already settled into bed. His posture was relaxed, but the weight of his thoughts was heavy. He had given her the space to prepare herself, but now, as she entered the room, he turned his gaze to her.
He watched her carefully, his thoughts unreadable for the moment, but she could sense the unease in his quiet demeanor. He waited for her to make the first move, to break the silence that had hung between them since dinner.
Sophia's eyes met his, and her heart skipped a beat. She could feel the vulnerability in him, the silent invitation for her to speak, to let him in on the truth.
She walked to the bed, her movements slow, deliberate, each step measured. There was no turning back now.
"I've been keeping something from you," she began again, her voice soft, but steady. "Something I should have told you sooner."
Alexander, his brow furrowed in concern, met her eyes. He could sense the weight in her voice, and his thoughts danced between curiosity and worry. What is it?What is she hiding?
Sophia sat on the edge of the bed, close to him, but not quite within his reach. The distance between them felt like a chasm, and yet, she felt an undeniable pull toward him. She wanted to tell him the truth, wanted to trust him completely but there was fear, too. Fear of what might come after.
She took a deep breath and let the words slip out, her voice trembling slightly. "I can hear thoughts, Alexander. I didn't want to admit it, but I've been hearing them since I fainted that day."
There was a moment of stunned silence, and Sophia could almost feel his disbelief radiating off him. His eyes searched hers, trying to find some sign of truth in her words.
"You can hear thoughts?" Alexander repeated, his voice tight, as if the weight of the words had yet to sink in. How?Why didn't she tell me sooner?
She nodded slowly, the tension in the room thickening. "Yes. It started after I fainted that day. At first, I thought it was just a side effect of the headache or the pressure. But now, I know it's something real. Something I can't control."
Her fingers rested lightly on the edge of the bed, and she leaned in just slightly, making sure he could see the sincerity in her eyes. She could feel his confusion and fear, his mind racing to make sense of the revelation.
"I didn't know how to explain it," she continued softly, "but I wanted you to know. I didn't want to hide it from you anymore."
Alexander looked at her, his mind a storm of conflicting thoughts. He couldn't deny that what she was saying made sense, in some way, and yet, it was impossible to believe. He shook his head slightly, disoriented by the complexity of the situation.
"I don't understand," he murmured. How can this be true?
Sophia reached out, gently taking his hand in hers. She could feel the warmth of his skin beneath her touch, but his mind was turbulent, and she could sense the skepticism in his thoughts. Am I imagining this? Is she telling the truth?Can I trust her?
"You don't have to understand right away," she said softly. "But I can prove it to you, if you want. I know it sounds unbelievable. But I hear your thoughts right now. I hear them clearly." She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're thinking, How could she possibly know that? And, What is happening to her?"
A flicker of shock passed across Alexander's face, his thoughts freezing in place. She really can hear me. He let out a slow breath, his mind working overtime to process this new reality.
For a moment, he just stared at her, disbelief and awe blending together. Then, he shook his head slowly, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "This is hard to believe," he admitted, his voice low and almost apologetic. "I don't know what to think, but…"
He hesitated, his hand tightening around hers as he made a decision. "I trust you, Sophia. I believe you." His voice softened with sincerity. "Whatever this is, I trust you."
The relief in Sophia's chest was almost overwhelming. She hadn't realized how badly she needed those words until they left his lips. She squeezed his hand gently, her voice soft. "Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."
Alexander leaned back against his pillows, taking a moment to absorb her confession, his thoughts swirling with everything she had shared. Finally, after a long pause, he spoke again.
"I think we should keep this between us," he said, his voice quiet but resolute. "For your safety, for both of us. If anyone finds out about this, about what you can do…" He shook his head, his mind racing with possibilities. It's too dangerous.
Sophia nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Yes, I agree. We'll keep it between us."