"Trust me, it'll be worth it. And while we are at it, I might as well give a tour for you; wouldn't that be great?"
Astron looked into Maya's eyes, and for a moment, he saw the flicker of anticipation there. The subtle way her gaze softened as she spoke, the slight lift in her tone—this wasn't just about the suit or the preparations for the banquet. It was about something more personal. He understood what she was really asking.
Though his original intent in coming here had been to utilize Maya's connections and the Evergreen family's influence for his own objectives, Astron wasn't blind to the nuances of their relationship.
Maya had been a constant…..– someone who had risked much to stand beside him, and this was her way of seeking something in return—a moment of closeness, a piece of time together that wasn't just about strategy or survival.
After a brief pause, he gave a small nod, his calm demeanor never wavering. "A tour sounds fitting," he said, his voice as measured as always. "I have no other pressing matters tomorrow."
Maya's smile brightened at his agreement, a subtle hint of relief washing over her features. "Good. It's settled then," she said lightly, but there was a deeper sense of contentment behind her words. "We'll visit the tailor first, and then I'll show you around the city. There's a lot you've yet to see."
Astron remained quiet, simply offering her a nod in response, but internally, he acknowledged the significance of what was happening. He had prepared for this banquet meticulously for over a week, ensuring every detail was accounted for and tomorrow was clear in his schedule.
Spending the day with Maya, though not part of his initial plan wasn't something he needed to refuse.
In fact, it seemed like a natural progression, a step in a relationship that was steadily becoming more complex.
As they settled down at one of the garden tables, the peaceful surroundings embraced them. The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of jasmine, and soon after, Alfred appeared with a silver tray, carefully placing the desserts in front of them—a delicate arrangement of pastries, fruits, and rich cream.
Maya picked up a fork, taking a small bite of the dessert, her gaze drifting over to Astron, who had remained quiet. After a moment, she set the fork down and asked, her tone softer, more personal, "Are you always running around like this? All the time?"
Astron paused mid-bite, thinking over her question. He knew Maya had been observing him, seeing the way he moved through life with a constant sense of purpose and urgency. It was a fair question, one that held more depth than a simple inquiry. Finally, after a moment of reflection, he gave her a small nod. "That could be said, yeah."
Maya looked at him closely, her eyes searching his for a deeper understanding. She placed her fork down, leaning forward slightly. "Don't you ever get tired of it? Of always being on the move, always doing something?"
Astron met her gaze calmly, and his answer came without hesitation. "No." He set his own fork down, folding his hands together. "This is how I've lived for as long as I can remember. I don't think I'd know what to do if I wasn't running toward something or handling the next problem." His voice was steady, revealing nothing unusual, but the weight of his words made Maya realize how much this rhythm defined him.
She frowned slightly, her brow furrowing as she processed his answer. "That sounds exhausting, Astron. Don't you ever need to stop, to rest?"
Astron gave a small shrug. "It's more exhausting when I'm not doing anything. The stillness—it doesn't sit well with me." His violet eyes flickered with a brief hint of something unspoken, but he didn't elaborate. It wasn't so much that he avoided rest—it was that the quiet moments forced him to confront things he preferred to keep buried. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Maya leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "I suppose I can understand that," she said softly, though her eyes never left him. "But it's still hard for me to imagine. You make it seem so… effortless. Like you're always in control, always one step ahead."
Astron allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile to touch his lips. "Control is an illusion. Because of that, you always need to be prepared for everything, even the unknown."
Maya watched him quietly, knowing there was more to Astron than the calm, composed exterior he presented. There was a part of him she hadn't fully seen yet, but she was slowly beginning to understand just how deeply his experiences had shaped him.
Maya's thoughts drifted as she watched Astron, her expression softening with a mix of understanding and concern. 'Maybe he doesn't know how to stop,' she mused silently. 'Or maybe he feels guilty when he's not doing something, always pushing forward because stopping means facing something else—something he's not ready for.'
The idea lingered in her mind, and she found herself wanting to change that, to show him that rest wasn't a weakness, that there was value in moments of peace. It wasn't just about getting him to slow down—it was about helping him see that there could be joy in those moments, too.
Her heart gave a small flutter of determination as she glanced at him again, seeing the weight he carried, even in his calm demeanor. 'Tomorrow,' she thought, a spark of resolve blooming within her. 'Maybe I can show him how to enjoy something simple, how to take a moment just for himself.'
A faint smile crept onto her lips, and inwardly, she cheered herself on. 'Let's do a good job of it tomorrow.'
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