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NINETEEN
Hade
The midnight bells has just stopped ringing as Hade traced the hallway back to the banquet. His heart feels like exploding and he can't stop smiling. He feels like a five-year old happily skipping because he got to kiss his girl's cheeks.
If only his mother did not interrupt. He was sure she saw what he did. Oh well, he'll save his mother's teasing for later.
It was Eli's fifteenth birthday. Tonight, he's going to ask his father's blessing to ask the Hales for Eli's hand. They don't have to be married now, he knows Eli is still too young. And he just turned eighteen as well a few months ago. Besides, the house he planned as a wedding gift for her has just started building a few week ago.
He wanted to ask her a year ago, when she entered the Harvest. But it was a bad time for everyone. Sir Greg has just died from battle, along with his brother Oliver. Both the Hales and the Vandenbergs wer
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Sand Castle TWENTY
Eli It's not that I don't know the answer the Hade's question. It's just that I haven't ponder on it yet. Everything was the way I like it back at the boarding school. I was living the life I wanted. And then in a span of a month, my whole life turned upside down. I lost a sister, our home was bombed, my mom and two siblings got injured, and there's this whole Eye thing in my dreams that I'm not sure if I like it or not. And then I got engaged on the spot. Everything was happening so fast that I feel like if I stop to even breathe for just a second, then something bad would happen, and I fear every second for my family. My every day feels like I'm only fueled with adrenaline and the anxiety that I have to keep moving for the safety of my family. Maybe I've only realized it when Hade dropped me the question, but I've never really stopped for a moment to think about my feelings about the marriage or about... Hade.
Sand Castle TWENTY ONE
Hade It was almost sunrise when Hade got home. Winston opened the door for him, and he let himself in. He heard his butler greet him a good morning, and he greeted him back. He was about to head upstairs when he saw light coming from the lounge room on his left. "Who's in there?" He asked Winston. "The Young Lady, Lord Hade. I was just about to wake her up," Winston replied. Hade recoursed his direction and walked towards the lounge room instead. Winston followed suit. True enough, he found a sleeping Elizabeth on one of the corner couches. Her hand was still clutching a book. There's also a mug on the coffee table beside her. Hade reached to caress her cheeks. Peace was written all over her face. She looks like a sleeping angel. "Should we wake her up, Young Lord?" He heard Winston quietly ask behind him. Hade shook his head as he continued to caress her face. "No, no need." In less than three d
Sand Castle TWENTY TWO
Eli I woke up with a bright smile on my face. Millie even noticed my quirky mood. "You're glowing this morning, my Lady. Did you sleep well last night?" Millie asked. I just smiled at her response. "Not really, but I did have a good night." After dressing up, I quickly ran downstairs to the dining hall. I was excited to see Hade this morning. But by the time I got downstairs, the dining hall was empty, like usual. "No Hade again?" I asked Winston after he greeted me good morning, disappointment evident in my voice. "My apologies, Young Lady. The Young Lord had to tend to an important matter that needed his urgent attention this morning. Would you like some lemon cupcakes after your breakfast, Miss?" I sighed. I nodded at Winston and took my chair from the far end corner and dragged it towards Hade's seat. I looked at his empty seat longingly. It's not that I seem too eager to see him after that session w
Sand Castle TWENTY THREE
Hade Hade was left all alone in the assembly room after his father left. He was planning his retirement in the next few years, so he was starting to pass on all responsibilities to Hade as the next head of the entire Vandenberg clan. He was already over forty, so he knew it's time for him to step down and live whatever remaining years he has in life. Time to let his son continue his work in court. He knows very well the depth of Hade's capabilities, and that he's assured he'll do well as a seatholder. As Hade went over the council documents his father handed to him, he heard the door open. He turned around to expect his father or Eli, but it was Liv who entered. "Hey," he said briefly, and then went back to whatever he was reading. He heard the door shut close and Liv's approaching steps. He then felt a pair of hands massage his back. He looked back and tried to stop her hands. "Liv, what on earth are you doing?"
Sand Castle TWENTY FOUR
Hade Hade wasted no second and ran to the door. He passed by Winston and he was about to head to the staircase when Eli emerged from it while a servant was carrying a suitcase behind her. She's here! My Eli is really here. He couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at her. Eli must have felt his presence so she looked in his direction. Their eyes met for a second before Eli averted her gaze. He could tell her eyes were cold. And he's not used to it. He's used to Eli's warmth, and her sunshine smiles, and everything that makes her his Eli. Eli stopped walking when she was in front of him. "Take that to our room, please. Thank you, Millie." Hade remained unmoving as the servant walked away to the master's bedroom. Eli called their room "our" room. His heart sang. Hade could see as Eli fidgeted with her hands. He, too, ransacked his brain for anything to say to her, but nothing really comes to mind.
Sand Castle TWENTY FIVE
Eli The light is blinding my eyes. It's a little past sunrise, but the wedding team is already here to take care of everything I need. Meanwhile, I was like a walking zombie. "Whatever happened to beauty sleep?" I heard Ginger say. She's the one taking charge of all beauty for the wedding. I just gave her a small guilty smile. She told me about the rest I needed to take before the wedding, but with all the things happening between me and Hade, that's a bit impossible to achieve. "Now look at your skin. It's all dry and dull, and ugh... Diddy, go get me ice cubes. Quickly," she instructed her assistant. She then pulled out a large pouch from inside her large suitcase and laid down whatever was in there on the coffee table beside the bed. "Come lie back here, darling," she instructed me, and so I did. When her assistant came back, Ginger started a massage therapy on my face, starting with the ice cubes. And then she put
Sand Castle TWENTY SIX
Hade What the hell was that for?! Hade tossed and turned in his bed for the nth time that night. Eli totally ditched him earlier and kicked him out of the room while he was still turned on. He's probably still turned until now. She left him hanging and now he can't stop thinking of what might have happened earlier. Was she punishing him? He was sure he would really doit if Eli would allow him. Heat started to rise in his body again as he remembered how Eli took off her dress provocatively in front of him. Shit. I need a drink. Hade surrendered and jumped out the bed. He doesn't think he'll be able to sleep with a hard-on and dirty thoughts of Eli that are keeping him awake. He opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of wine. Screw milk, he'll sleep better with this. He popped it open and took one big gulp out of the liquid. With the bottle in hand, he walked
Sand Castle TWENTY SEVEN
Eli "Then take me right now." I felt Hade froze in place. He opened his eyes to look at me. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed them again when no words came out. I heard him clear his throat. "Elizabeth, stop playing," he growled like a warning. I shook my head. "I'm not." Hade was about to say something when I sat up and positioned myself on his stomach. Without breaking any eye contact, I slowly raised my loose nightgown and took it off me. As I've told Hade, I don't wear anything underneath my nightgown when I sleep, so when I took it off, I was immediately naked in front of him. I feel like melting under his stare. I suddenly wanted to hide, but the lust I see in Hade's eyes made me want to keep going. The moon shone brightly tonight, lighting up parts of my body that I've never let anyone see or touch before. Until now. Hade swallowed. Hard. I slowly leaned down to reach for hi
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