The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 40

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 40: Too Good Of An Offer**

**Evelyn’s POV**

Evelyn felt a swirl of uncertainty as she bid Alexander goodnight, her mind racing with unspoken questions. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions about his intentions, so she retreated to her room, the weight of the evening lingering in the air. The next morning, a knock on her door jolted her from her thoughts. Expecting either Wendy or Nina, she opened the door, only to be taken aback by the sight of Alexander standing there, his presence both commanding and unexpected.

Without a word, he strode into her room, heading straight for her wardrobe. Evelyn watched, bewildered, as he began to sift through her clothes. He deftly combined her familiar garments with some of the new outfits tailored specifically for her. “You need to get comfortable wearing clothes that you may not be used to,” he said, his voice steady and authoritative. “As other events unfold, you will be expected to don attire befitting your title. When you’re at home, you can dress as you please, but once you step outside these grounds, you represent the Kingston Family.”

“I understand,” Evelyn replied, her mind racing. Did my shocked expression not convey my disbelief at his astonishing words? Was he truly serious about this?

Before she could rein in her surprise, her brows knitted together in confusion. “Why?” she blurted out, the question escaping her lips before she could temper it.

The bluntness of her inquiry hung in the air, and she regretted it instantly. What could possibly motivate him, of all people, to extend such an offer? The prospect of navigating this new world felt daunting, and she couldn’t fathom why he would want to involve himself in her struggles.

Clearing her throat lightly, she sought to mask the embarrassment creeping up her cheeks. “It’s just that… surely, you have better things to do than deal with my problems.”

Alexander’s gaze momentarily drifted to a corner of the room, perhaps searching for the right words or simply processing her statement. “I suppose you’re not wrong in that respect,” he finally replied, his tone thoughtful. “There’s always something vying for my attention; however, I would much rather be here than wade through another tedious document.”

His words stirred something within her, a flutter of hope. Yet, a nagging skepticism lingered in the back of her mind. There were days when she struggled to muster the energy for Wendy’s lessons, so the idea of him willingly engaging in this endeavor felt almost surreal.

“…Alright,” she conceded, her voice softer.

With a curt nod, Alexander settled himself at the table across from her. As they shared a meal, a comfortable silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the occasional comment. She took the opportunity to inquire about the soldiers, aware that the chill of autumn was settling in.

“I believe everyone is faring well enough,” he replied, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips, which caused a delightful flutter in her stomach. “Thankfully, nothing disastrous has broken out among the groups, as of yet.”

His attempt at humor caught her off guard, and instead of feeling awkward, she found herself giggling, which only encouraged his smile to deepen.

Yet, amidst the lightness, Evelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Alexander appeared unusually weary, dark circles under his eyes betraying a lack of restful nights.

Was he, too, suffering from sleepless nights like she was?

Since moving her belongings into a different room, her own sleep schedule had spiraled into chaos. It wasn’t as though she was falling asleep earlier or later than usual; in fact, she was hardly sleeping at all.

“Alexander, are you feeling alright?” she ventured, concern lacing her voice. “You look exhausted.”

He took a long sip from his glass, his gaze glued to his plate as if it held the answers to his fatigue. “I haven’t been sleeping well,” he admitted, his voice low.

Evelyn bit her lip, weighing her words carefully. “…me neither,” she finally confessed, the admission hanging heavily between them.

At that moment, he lifted his gaze to meet hers, and she felt as though she had unveiled a hidden truth. But the conversation shifted, and the moment passed without further elaboration.

Strangely, Alexander chose to walk her back to her room after dinner. The gesture felt oddly domestic, almost too familiar for the nature of their relationship. But she kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to disrupt the fragile peace they had built.

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