Golden Melody

Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Outside the Mansion.

The night air greeted Jayson.

The complete opposite of what he had just endured.

Jayson walked toward the shoreline, the sound of waves steady and grounding.

He sank onto the sand, arms resting loosely on his knees as he stared up at the night sky.

For the first time that night—
His mind was clear.

"...It's late, why are you here?"

The voice came from beside him.

Ashel sat down without waiting for an invitation.

Jayson didn't look at him.
"I couldn't do it," he said flatly.

A brief silence passed.

Then Ashel spoke again, quieter this time.

"...Even with that level of influence... You still stopped?"

That made Jayson scoff softly.
"So you did know."

Ashel didn't respond immediately.
And that silence—
Was that enough of an answer?

Jayson let out a dry laugh, shaking his head.

"That's low. Drugging your own son."

Ashel exhaled, the weight of it clear in his posture.

"...We thought—"

"—that forcing it would fix everything?" Jayson cut in sharply.

Now he looked at him.

And there was no heat in his gaze.
Just disappointment.

"I don't care what you put in my drink," Jayson said, voice low but firm.
"Or how strong it is."

His jaw tightened.
"I will never force her."

The words weren't loud.

But they carried more weight.

Ashel looked away, shame flickering across his expression.
"...I'm sorry."

Jayson leaned back slightly, eyes returning to the sky.
"...Don't do it again."

A pause.
"Not to me."

Not to her.

Ashel nodded faintly.

He didn't say what he was really thinking.

That the drink hadn't been meant for Jayson.

That it was supposed to affect Zatariel instead.

And somehow—
This outcome was better.

Because if Jayson handles it well, even if he had struggled that much...

If it's someone else, they might not have stopped at all.

Ashel let out a slow breath.
"...You did well tonight."

Jayson didn't answer right away.

The waves filled the silence.

"...I just did what I had to."
But after a moment, he added—
"...Because I love her."

Ashel glanced at him, something like pride softening his expression.
"...I know."

They sat there in silence after that.

Inside the mansion, the night had quieted.

Zatariel stood outside his mother's room for a moment longer before finally stepping away.