𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

007

Together, they left the dining room, the tension of the evening lingering but less oppressive now that they were alone. Blaise kept her hand in his as they made their way up the grand staircase, the steps echoing faintly in the quiet of the manor. Neither of them spoke, but the silence was comfortable, filled with the unspoken understanding that they didn't need words to communicate.

As they reached the door to Blaise's room, he paused for a moment, turning to look at Cassiopeia with an expression that was equal parts gratitude and affection. He squeezed her hand gently before opening the door and leading her inside, the familiar warmth of his room a welcome contrast to the coldness they had just left behind.

Inside, Blaise let out a quiet sigh, as if finally allowing himself to relax now that they were away from his mother's watchful eyes. He released Cassiopeia's hand only to wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as they stood in the center of the room.

"Thank you," he murmured into her hair, his voice barely above a whisper. "For being here. For understanding."

Cassiopeia leaned into him, resting her head against his chest. "Always," she replied softly, closing her eyes as she took comfort in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. They stood there for a long moment, wrapped in each other's presence, letting the calm of the room soothe the frayed edges of the evening's events.

Blaise pressed another kiss to the top of her head before finally guiding her over to the sofa by the fireplace. "Let's just relax for a while," he suggested, his tone lighter now, the warmth returning to his voice as the flames danced softly in the hearth, casting a gentle glow over the room.

Cassiopeia sighed softly, shifting in her seat to get more comfortable. "I think we should get changed," she suggested, a hint of weariness in her voice. "This dress is starting to feel a bit too much." She rocked back and forth slightly, trying to ease the discomfort that had settled in from wearing the elegant attire for so long.

Blaise chuckled, a rare, genuine sound that seemed to lift some of the tension that still lingered in the room. It wasn't often that Blaise felt this carefree, especially not when he was home, surrounded by the cold, suffocating atmosphere of the Zabini manor. But having Cassiopeia there with him, her innocence and warmth cutting through the gloom, brought a peace to his heart that he hadn't realized he needed.

"Of course, darling," he agreed, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "Let's get comfortable. I'll change in the bathroom, just like earlier, so you can have the room to yourself." He stood up, moving with that same graceful ease that was so quintessentially Blaise.

He grabbed his pajamas from his bag and made his way to the bathroom door. Just before stepping inside, he turned back to her, a small, affectionate smile on his lips. "Just knock when you're done, and I'll come out."

Cassiopeia nodded, giving him a reassuring smile of her own as he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving her to change in peace.

Once the door clicked shut behind him, Cassiopeia moved to her bag and began to change out of her dress. She chose a set of pajamas that perfectly reflected her personality—simple, soft, and comforting, yet with a touch of elegance. She wore a pair of light, silky pajamas in a soft lavender hue, the fabric flowing gently around her. The top was a camisole with delicate lace trim around the neckline, feminine and understated, while the matching shorts were equally comfortable, with a small satin bow at the waist. The material was cool against her skin, a welcome contrast to the formal attire she had been wearing all day. It was the kind of sleepwear that felt luxurious, yet practical, fitting for someone like Cassiopeia who valued both comfort and a touch of sophistication.

Once she was dressed, Cassiopeia took a moment to breathe, letting the tension of the evening begin to ebb away. The soft fabric against her skin, combined with the quiet of Blaise's room, helped her relax, even as the weight of the evening still lingered at the edges of her mind.