Transcending Fate (Transmigrated to an Otome Game)

Shadows of Desire

After the tension-filled encounter with Elias, Alaric found himself walking beside Gabriel as they made their way back to the banquet hall. The air was still, filled with the distant murmur of the ongoing party. Gabriel's serene presence should have been comforting, but tonight, something felt different.

"Alaric, you seemed quite unsettled back there," Gabriel began, his voice soft yet probing.

Alaric glanced at him, forcing a polite smile. "Just a bit overwhelmed by the events, Father. Nothing to worry about."

Gabriel nodded, though his eyes never left Alaric's face. "I see. But it's important to remain vigilant. The palace can be a dangerous place for those who are not careful."

Alaric felt a shiver run down his spine, not entirely sure if Gabriel's words were meant as a warning or something else. "Of course, Father. I'll keep that in mind. If you'll excuse me, I should get back to the party."

He turned to leave, but Gabriel's hand shot out, grasping his arm gently but firmly. "Alaric, wait. We should talk more about—"

Before he could finish, Alaric slipped on a patch of loose gravel. He felt himself falling, bracing for the impact of the hard ground. Instead, he found himself caught in a pair of strong, warm arms. Blinking in surprise, he looked up to see Gabriel holding him close, their faces mere inches apart.

"Are you alright?" Gabriel's voice was soft, almost a whisper, his breath warm against Alaric's cheek.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Alaric's heart pounded in his chest as he became acutely aware of Gabriel's hand lingering on his waist, the closeness of their bodies creating a charged atmosphere. Alaric's cheeks flushed a deep red, and he quickly averted his gaze, trying to gather his thoughts.

"Y-yes, I'm fine," he stammered, struggling to find his footing. "Thank you, Father Gabriel."

Gabriel's eyes lingered on him for a heartbeat longer, an unreadable emotion flickering within their depths. He finally released Alaric, but the warmth of his touch seemed to burn on Alaric's skin long after. "Be careful, Alaric," Gabriel murmured, his tone carrying a subtle edge.

Nodding, Alaric straightened himself and hurried back towards the hall, desperate to escape the confusing whirlwind of emotions. He felt Gabriel's gaze on him the entire way, a mixture of concern and something darker that he couldn't quite identify.

As he re-entered the brightly lit banquet hall, Alaric forced himself to blend back into the festivities, smiling and nodding at the guests. However, his mind kept drifting back to the garden, to the moment he had spent in Gabriel's arms.

Across the hall, Gabriel watched Alaric from a distance, his expression carefully composed. Behind his calm exterior, thoughts churned—an unexpected desire to control and protect the fragile beauty that was Alaric. He shook his head slightly, pushing those thoughts aside. This was not the time or place for such feelings.

Yet, as he observed Alaric interacting with the other guests, the urge to keep him close and shield him from the dangers of the court grew stronger. Gabriel's eyes narrowed, a hidden determination taking root within him.

Unaware of the intensity of Gabriel's gaze, Alaric continued to navigate the social currents of the banquet, trying to ignore the lingering warmth on his waist and the unsettling encounter that had left him both confused and flustered.