Cassian, Nullen, and a few friends gathered around a lounge area, the chatter and laughter blending with the ambient music. Cassian took a sip of his drink and nudged Nullen.
"You should've invited Iridea," Cassian said, glancing at Nullen.
"Why would I?" Nullen asked, raising a brow.
Cassian shrugged. "She's your fiancée. It's normal for her to join us sometimes. That way, the circle gets to know her too."
"There's no need for that," Nullen said flatly. "The engagement… there's still a chance it might not happen. Anything can change."
"When do the families decide the wedding?" Cassian pressed.
"After we graduate college," Nullen answered.
Cassian leaned back, nodding. "I see your point. If it's that far off, she might change her mind… or you might."
"I don't mind getting married to her," Nullen said, eyes on his drink. "She's the only one making a fuss about it."
"Or she might like me more than you," Cassian teased, his grin wide.
"Don't count on it," Nullen said, his tone darkening. He paused, then added, "She's…" but he trailed off, his jaw tightening.
"She's what?" Cassian asked, curious.
Nullen smirked slightly. "She's way out of your league," he said, his tone casual yet cutting.
Cassian chuckled, taking the comment as a joke.
---
The group continued to chat when Celest Skye appeared. With her striking figure, confident aura, and dazzling smile, she effortlessly commanded attention.
"It's rare to see you around these days, Null," Celest said, leaning in to give Cassian and Nullen a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Busy with school and family matters," Nullen replied, his voice flat.
Celest settled beside him, her scent sweet and familiar. "How's the engagement with the princess?" she asked, her eyes meeting Nullen's.
For a brief moment, her Aurelith gem glowed a faint blue, a subtle flicker of sadness.
"Don't ask questions that will hurt you, Celest," Nullen said, his gaze dropping to her charm.
Celest forced a smile, but her gem betrayed her, the blue deepening. "It's not like I can just switch off how I feel."
Cassian observed the two, noting the tension and the way Celest's charm was reacting. "Why don't you two talk somewhere more private?" he suggested, nudging Nullen. "Before her gem shatters."
Nullen nodded, catching the hint. "Let's get some air," he said, standing up. Celest followed without another word.
---
On the rooftop terrace, the city lights sparkled like distant stars. The wind was cool, carrying a subtle scent of flowers from the nearby garden.
Nullen leaned against the railing, arms crossed, while Celest stood beside him, arms wrapped around herself.
"Are you feeling better now?" Nullen asked, his gaze fixed on the skyline.
Celest turned to him, her eyes glistening. "It's not that easy, Null," she said, voice strained. "You're engaged, and you didn't even try to fight it. You just… accepted it."
Nullen's jaw clenched. "What choice did I have?"
"You could've said something. Anything," Celest's voice cracked. "We were almost…"
She couldn't finish her sentence, but her gem flared a deep, sultry red, the color of longing and suppressed desire.
Nullen noticed the color change, and without thinking, he reached out, his hand cupping her face. "Celest…"
Celest's breath hitched as his thumb traced the curve of her jaw. "Null…"
Their lips met , a fierce, desperate kiss that tasted of what could have been. Her hands gripped his shirt, pulling him closer, while his fingers tangled in her hair. For a moment, they were lost in each other, in the intensity of their shared frustration and longing.
But the sound of a throat clearing shattered the moment.
"Ahem," a familiar, sarcastic voice drawled. "So Nullen's a lover boy now?"
Nullen and Celest broke apart, turning to see Iridea standing a few feet away, her arms crossed, expression cool and unreadable.
---
"Iridea," Nullen said, his tone flat.
"Yes, Nullen," Iridea said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "So this is what you're doing? Must be nice."
Celest's cheeks flushed as she pulled away, her gem now a soft, muted blue , the color of shame. She looked away, not daring to meet Iridea's eyes.
"Would you give me and my fiancé some space?" Iridea said, her tone sharp but calm.
Celest swallowed, glanced at Nullen one last time, and walked away without another word.
Once they were alone, Iridea's eyes locked onto Nullen's. "I don't care who you mess around with," she said coldly. "But in the eyes of everyone else, we're engaged. So do me a favor and at least try to keep it discreet. I don't want any rumors that could affect our families."
Nullen's jaw tensed. "So, should I ask for your permission to breathe now, princess?"
"Don't call me that," Iridea snapped. "I'm not a princess. Just a pawn in this messed-up game our families are playing."
Nullen's eyes narrowed, and his gaze dropped to her Emotex Watch. The gem was swirling with chaotic colors.
"What are you feeling right now?" Nullen asked, his voice softer than before. "Your Emotex Watch… it's spinning like crazy."
Iridea swallowed, her jaw tight. "I don't even know. You tell me, Nullen. How should I feel right now? You say you don't mind marrying me, but you can't even stay loyal for a single night."
"I never said I wanted this," Nullen muttered, his jaw clenched. "You told me to ask my parents to call off the engagement, but what good would that do? Even if I did, it wouldn't change anything. Celest and I… we can't just go back to how things were."
"So it's because she's not from a powerful family," Iridea said, her tone biting. "You're fine marrying me because it keeps the family alliance intact. Convenient, isn't it?"
Nullen's jaw tightened, his gaze hardening. "You're the one who's been fighting it since day one. Why do you care now?"
Iridea's eyes flashed, her voice lowering. "Because you're not even willing to fight for what you want. You're just letting them decide for you."
Nullen said nothing, his jaw ticking as he kept his gaze fixed on the ground.
"Coward," Iridea spat, the word hitting him like a slap.
Before he could respond, Iridea spun on her heel, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she stormed away.
As she walked away, she passed Cassian, who was just coming up the stairs. She met his eyes for a split second –, her gaze sharp and blazing ,but didn't say a word, not even a nod of acknowledgment.
Cassian frowned, watching her walk away with clenched fists and tense shoulders. He turned back and found Nullen standing alone, staring blankly at the city lights.
Cassian walked up to him, leaning against the railing. "Well, that went well," he said, forcing a light tone. "You okay?"
Nullen didn't respond, his fingers absentmindedly brushing over the lapel pin Iridea had given him. The gem faintly glowed, its colors swirling in a muted dance.
Cassian sighed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Celest came back to the table and said Iridea caught you two. She looked… furious. Is it bad?"
Nullen finally spoke, his voice flat. "Yeah."
Cassian fell silent, watching his friend closely. Nullen's jaw was tight, his shoulders tense ,a rare sight for someone who usually showed no emotion.
Cassian didn't push further, sensing that whatever happened between Nullen and Iridea was just between them.