The World Cannot Know

Chapter 25

Matthew Wild

I woke up to a dull, throbbing headache, my mouth dry and my body heavy with the lingering effects of the previous night's drunkenness. As I blinked my eyes open, the morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. I turned my head slightly and felt a warmth beside me.

Sebastian was lying next to me in bed, his presence both comforting and confusing. Shouldn't he be on his honeymoon? His face was relaxed, and for a moment, he looked as if he had no worries at all. Then all of a sudden memories from the night before filled me — the drinks, the dancing, the overwhelming emotions. A mixture of guilt and relief washed over me.

Carefully, I shifted slightly, trying not to wake him. My mind raced with the implications of the previous night. I couldn't remember much after leaving the party. The details were hazy, fragments of conversations and feelings jumbled together in a confusing mess.

I lay back down, staring at the ceiling, my mind spinning. Despite everything, having Sebastian here felt like a balm to my frazzled nerves. I knew it was wrong to feel this way, but the comfort of his presence was undeniable. The lines between what was right and wrong had blurred so much that I didn't know where to draw them anymore.

As I lay there, lost in thought, Sebastian stirred beside me. His eyes fluttered open, and he turned to look at me, a sleepy but concerned expression crossing his face.

"Morning," he said softly, his voice rough from sleep. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been hit by a carriage," I replied, managing a weak smile. "What happened last night?"

Sebastian sighed, propping himself up on one elbow. "You had a bit too much to drink. Alice and Marcus brought you back, but you were in pretty bad shape. I stayed to make sure you were okay."

I nodded slowly, the pieces starting to fit together. "I don't remember much. Just... snippets."

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You were really out of it. Do you remember saying anything... important?"

I swallowed hard, anxiety bubbling up. "I don't know. Did I?"

Sebastian's eyes searched mine, and he seemed to be weighing his words carefully. "Alice and Marcus know you were in a bad state, but beyond that... they didn't mention anything specific. They were just worried about you."

I nodded, too hazy to remember the pervious night. As I closed my eyes again, exhaustion tugging at me, I felt a sense of solace knowing that, for now, Sebastian was here with me. Despite the chaos and the uncertainty, his presence gave me a small measure of peace. 

"Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon right now?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Sebastian's expression grew more serious, his gaze shifting away for a moment. "We ended things early," he said softly.

I blinked in surprise, my mind trying to process his words. "How come?" I asked, my curiosity piqued despite my fatigue.

He sighed, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and something I couldn't quite place. "Katharina and I just preferred being at the castle" he said, his tone carefully neutral. "There were some things we needed to address that were easier to handle here, away from the pressures of the honeymoon."

I frowned, trying to make sense of his answer. "Address? What kind of things?"

Sebastian hesitated, his fingers gently brushing against mine as he sought the right words. "Just... personal matters," he said finally. "It's not something I want to delve into right now. What's important is that you're okay."