Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Glimmer

Chapter 66: Glimmer

Valerian pushed open the heavy front doors and stepped inside his mansion. This was once a place that had long been nothing more than a house to him. But tonight, for the first time in years, he was coming home with excitement.

After Noelle had fully recovered, he had brought her here to stay, ensuring she would have everything she needed. His estate which was a cold and empty fortress before, now housed her. And with her presence, something about it felt warm.

He expected to hear laughter the moment he arrived, or perhaps the soft murmur of Noelle’s voice drifting through the corridors as she humored Alexei’s endless curiosity.

But instead, the first thing he saw was Alexei.

The little boy was making his way down the grand staircase with a thick blanket dragging behind him. His small hands gripped the fabric tightly while his silver–grey eyes blinked sleepily under the dim chandelier light. He had clearly just woken up. His hair was a tousled mess and his little feet were barely making a sound as he descended.

Valerian halted mid–step.

Alexei froze as well.

For a moment, the two looked at each other as if making sure they were seeing the real person.

Then, the boy’s lips parted in surprise before his entire expression shifted, lighting up like the dawn breaking over the horizon.

“You’re back,” Alexei murmured, his voice still laced with drowsiness, but there was relief.

Valerian exhaled softly as his usually impassive features softened. He had spent days orchestrating the final pieces of his silent war against the Blackwoods. And yet, standing here now, in the stillness of his home, he felt something loosen in his chest.

“Did you miss me?” he asked the little boy playfully.

Alexei didn’t hesitate. He nodded once as his grip on the blanket tightened.

Valerian’s lips twitched in amusement as he finally moved forward, reaching the foot of the staircase just as Alexei took the last step down. He could see the boy fighting sleep, swaying slightly on his feet, but there was determination in his eyes.

“Where’s Noelle?” Valerian asked, glancing past him toward the upper floors.

Alexei yawned, rubbing at his eye with a small fist. “She fell asleep,” he murmured. “She was reading… but then she got all quiet, and I checked, and she was asleep. So I got her a blanket.” He lifted the one in his arms as proof. “But I was cold too, so I got another one.”

Valerian huffed a quiet chuckle, resting a hand atop Alexei’s head. The boy leaned into the touch, comforted by the familiar warmth.

“She’s in the library?” Valerian guessed.

Alexei nodded again, then yawned once more.

“Come,” Valerian said, scooping the boy up effortlessly despite his protests. “You’re falling asleep standing.”

“I’m not,” Alexei grumbled, but his head was already resting against Valerian’s shoulder, his small hands curling into the lapel of his uncle’s coat.

Valerian carried Alexei with ease, ascending the staircase with careful steps. The little boy barely stirred, his small hands gripping Valerian’s coat even as his breaths grew slow and steady

He went straight to Alexei’s room, pulling back the covers and settling him onto the bed. The boy mumbled something incoherent, shifting slightly as Valerian tucked the blanket around him.

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Chapter 68 Olmer

“You should sleep, I’ll take care of her,” Valerian murmured.

+25 BONUS

But Alexei was already nodding off, his silver–grey oven flutt

ut before he could respond.

Valerian let out a quiet chuckle, brushing a hand over his head before standing. He turned off the lamp, casting the room in darkness, then silently stepped out, closing the door behind him.

Without hesitation, he headed straight for the library which was also his study.

The moment Valerian opened the door, he froze.

Noelle was curled up on the couch, fast asleep while hugging a book close to her chest. Her breathing was soft and steady and her face looked relaxed in a way that made something deep inside him ache. He had been gone for only a few days, but it had felt like an eternity.

Without hesitation, he shrugged off his coat and tossed it onto the chair before stepping forward. Slowly and carefully, he knelt beside her as his fingers ghosted over the back of her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin.

He wanted to wake her. Wanted to hear her voice, see her drowsy, confused expression when she realized he was finally home.

But instead, he did something far more foolish.

He quietly slipped onto the couch and took the book away from her He then pressed himself against her like a man starved of warmth. Instead of pulling her into his arms, he curled into her instead. He rested his head against her chest while his arms were wrapping loosely around her waist.

He buried his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply, allowing himself to drown in her scent. She was soft, warm, his, and he clung to her like a needy puppy finally reunited with its owner.

Noelle stirred slightly. Her body shifted at the unexpected weight pressed against her. For a brief moment, Valerian worried she would wake, but instead, she let out a small sigh and instinctively tightened her hold on him, her arm draping over his shoulders.

His lips curled into a small, satisfied smile.

Valerian burrowed closer, nuzzling against her like a fool, letting the tension of the past days melt away.

“I missed you,” he murmured against her skin.

Even though she didn’t hear him, it didn’t matter.

For now, this was enough.

After a long moment, Valerian exhaled softly, reluctantly pulling away. He shifted carefully, making sure not to wake her as he slid his arms beneath her. With effortless ease, he lifted her into his arms and cradled her against his chest before he completely stood straight up.

She was fast asleep with her head resting against his shoulder, completely unaware of how tightly he was holding her. The warmth of her body, the soft rise and fall of her breathing–it was enough to make him whole again.

As he carried her, Valerian couldn’t help but indulge in the moment. It felt right to have her in his arms like this, to know she

was here and safe.

But just as he was about to reach her room, a small groggy voice murmured against his collar.

“Water…”

Valerian paused, glancing down to see her brows furrowing slightly, her lips barely parting as she let out a sleepy groan.

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

“Water? Let me get you some, my love,” he whispered with fond amusement.

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Chapter 86 Glimmer

+25 BONUS

He remained holding her close. He then stepped into her room and carefully laid her down on the bed. He tucked the blanket around her snugly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face before quietly slipping away.

He quietly but quickly made his way to the kitchen and filled a glas with water before heading straight back to her room.

He sat beside her, gently pressing on her soft cheek. “I got your water.”

Noelle who was still caught in the haze of sleep, obeyed without question. She reached out lazily, letting him guide the glass to her lips as she drank.

The moment she was done, she sighed in satisfaction and sank back into the pillows.

“Thank you…” she murmured, completely unaware of who had just taken care of her.

Valerian smirked, amused and a little smug.

“You’re welcome, darling.”

But Noelle was already asleep again, completely oblivious to the way he was looking at her. If anyone had seen the way his eyes glimmered, they would have known—she was his whole world.

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