The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 129

The Heiress He Underestimated

Chapter 129 When Love Hesitated

45 Pearls

She gave herself a minute to compose herself, blinking back frustrated tears. Then she straightened her shoulders and went back inside.

The rest of the gala was torture. They sat at their table, they smiled at the right people, they made polite conversation. But Drakonius barely looked at her, and when he did, there was something haunted in his expression.

Clara noticed, because of course she did. “What happened?” she whispered during a particularly boring speech.

“He kissed me. Then he pulled away. Said he wasn’t worth it.”

“Oh, that idiot. That handsome, stupid idiot.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“You should wait and let him process. And then you remind him that he doesn’t get to make unilateral decisions about your relationship.” Clara squeezed her hand. “He’s scared. He’s been dying for so long he doesn’t know how to imagine a future. Give him time.”

“What if time isn’t enough?”

“Then you hit him over the head with a medical textbook until he sees sense. But it won’t come to that. That man looks at you like the moon. He’ll figure it out.”

As the gala finally, blessedly wound down, they made their way back to the cars. Frost and Clara walked ahead, still deep in conversation. They’d spent most of the night together, and something had definitely shifted between them.

“So,” Clara was saying. “If someone wanted to learn basic self–defense, hypothetically, where would they start?”

“Hypothetically, they’d need a good teacher. Someone patient who understands that not everyone has military training.”

“Know anyone like that?”

“I might. He could probably fit in a few lessons between his normal work. If the student was motivated.”

“Oh, I’m very motivated.”

Frost’s lips twitched in what might have been a smile. “Good. Motivation is important.”

Elera and Drakonius followed at a distance, the silence between them heavy and uncomfortable. So different from a few hours ago when they’d danced and everything had felt right.

The car ride home was quiet. Clara and Frost were in a different vehicle, giving Elera and Drakonius privacy they didn’t want and couldn’t use.

“I’m sorry,” Drakonius finally said as they pulled up to the house. For tonight. For kissing you and then

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Chapter 129 When Love Hesitated

running away like a coward.”

“Then why did you do it?”

+5 Pearls

“Because I’m scared. Because I want things I don’t know how to ask for. Because loving you is the easiest and hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

“I don’t need it easy,” Elera said. “I need something real. I need you to stop protecting me from risks I’m choosing to take.”

“I know. I’m working on it.”

They went inside and headed for their separate rooms like they always did. At her door, Elera turned back.

“For what it’s worth? That kiss on the terrace? That was the best thing that’s happened to me in a very long time. Don’t regret it.”

“I don’t regret it. I regret everything that came after.”

“Then fix it. Figure out what you want, what you’re willing to risk, and let me know. Because I’m all in, Drakonius. I’m in love with you and I’m not going anywhere. The question is whether you’re brave enough to let yourself love me back.”

She went into her room and closed the door, leaving him standing in the hallway.

Through her door, she heard Clara and Frost saying goodnight down the hall. Clara’s laugh, light and genuine. Frost’s low rumble of response. At least someone’s love life was progressing.

Elera got ready for bed, her mind churning. The kiss had been perfect. The confession had been perfect. And then he’d ruined it with his fear and self–sacrifice.

But Clara was right. He’d figure it out. He had to. Because after tonight, after finally admitting what they both felt, there was no going back to just partners or just friends.

They were something more now. Something real.

Even if he was too scared to admit it yet.

She’d give him time. A little time.

But not too much.

Because life was short and unpredictable, and she’d wasted enough years hiding who she was and what she

wanted.

Drakonius Vex was what she wanted. And she was going to make damn sure he knew it.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow she’d fight for them.

Tonight, she’d let him sit with his fear.

And hope he came to his senses before she had to knock them into him:

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Chapter 129 When Love Hesitated

+5 Pearls

Down the hall, Frost was walking Clara to her room. They’d been talking all night, and somehow neither of them wanted the conversation to end.

“Thank you,” Clara said at her door. “For making tonight bearable. For being a distraction from all the drama.”

“You did the same for me. Usually these events are just work. Tonight was… different.”

“Good different?”

“Very good different.”

They stood there awkwardly, neither quite ready to say goodnight.

“So,” Clara said. “About those self–defense lessons.”

“I was serious about that. If you want to learn, I’ll teach you.”

“I want to learn. And maybe after, we could grab coffee? As friends. Colleagues. Whatever we are.”

“We’re something,” Frost said. “I’m not entirely sure what, but we’re definitely something.”

“That’s the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

‘I’m not good at romance. I’m good at tactics and security and making sure people don’t die.”

‘Lucky for you, I’m good at words. I can translate what you’re trying to say.” Clara smiled. “You like me. You want to spend time with me. You’re willing to teach me how to punch people so you have an excuse to see me regularly.”

That’s… surprisingly accurate.”

‘I’m an editor. I’m good at reading between the lines.” She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek quickly. ‘Goodnight, Frost. Thanks for being my security detail tonight.”

Anytime, Ms. Evans.”

‘Clara. If we’re going to be something, you should probably call me Clara.”

‘Clara,” he repeated, like he was testing how it sounded. “Goodnight, Clara.”

She slipped into her room, leaving him standing in the hallway looking slightly dazed.

Inside, she leaned against the door and grinned like an idiot.

At least one Vex household romance was making progress.

Now if only Elera and Drakonius would get their act together.

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