Chương 13: Petals and Thorns

Astra blinked, her confusion evident as she tried to grasp Elias's words. Leaning in, he offered a smile and spoke softly, "Everyone else might be oblivious, but I can sense the strength within you, little girl."

He was uncertain about how she obtained her power or its full extent, yet he could unmistakably feel its presence. Elias held no objections to it.

Astra appeared to be on a mission, a mission to dismantle the lives of those she believed had betrayed her. Prior to each assignment, he meticulously unraveled the life of the person in question and those surrounding them.

Camilla's text in the morning prompted him to compile a comprehensive file on her granddaughter within two hours. This revelation was surprising, given Camilla's typical demeanor.

However, he had noticed a transformation—once a pushover, the granddaughter had undergone a profound change on her birthday. Elias anticipated the moment he would uncover the origins of her power.

He engaged with everyone under his protection. For the first time in 2500 years, he was taken aback. Astra was peculiar; her aura was shrouded in secrecy.

Astra found herself admiring Elias. His proximity was such that she felt his warm breath on her face. Moreover, she couldn't help but find him strikingly handsome. It wasn't just his looks; there was an allure about him that captivated her.

Elias continued, his tone steady, "My promises are unwavering. Just as I assured Camilla, I'll ensure your safety throughout this little crusade of yours."

Astra's brows furrowed as she echoed, "Little crusade?"

Elias affirmed her words with a hint of mockery in his smile, "Indeed, a mission to upend lives because you perceive your father favors your stepmother and her daughter more. Quite the little crusade, I'd say."

Astra's anxiety dissolved with his remark. She couldn't help but sneer in response, "And I thought the shadow guards were top-notch. Do you even bother doing homework before taking on an assignment, or is this just a half-hearted effort?"

The term "little crusade" struck a nerve within her. Violet and Sophia's intent to end her life wasn't trivial, and given their past success, she was resolute in preventing a repeat.

Clearly, the shadow guards weren't taking her situation seriously, leading to her frustration. Elias maintained a smile as he responded, "Our information indicates that Violet and her mother desire to distance themselves from you, nothing more."

Astra's gaze darkened, and an urge to shout that future events remained hidden from his knowledge gripped her. Suppressing it, she took a breath and pressed a button in resignation. This felt futile.

She stared ahead in silence, feeling Elias's gaze upon her. He drew her closer, his head against her neck, and Astra's attempt to push him away ensued.

Elias's hand found its place on her nape, detaining her, while he took a deep inhalation of her scent. A surge of rapid heartbeats and a flush on Astra's cheeks betrayed her unease.

"What are you doing?" She managed to voice out.

Elias only nestled in deeper. When the elevator shifted its path, Astra's brow furrowed in puzzlement. She inclined to turn around, but Elias's arm encircled her waist, thwarting her movement.

He withdrew slightly, his proximity unnerving Astra. Her gaze met his captivating green eyes, and she was momentarily entranced.

Unconsciously, Astra leaned in until their noses brushed, before catching herself and questioning her own sanity.

Feeling it best to distance herself, though she remained rooted in place, Astra believed creating space was her only refuge.

Elias displayed no inclination to move either; his gaze locked onto hers. With a gulp, Astra ventured, "D-did you manage to discover... what I am?"

Elias responded, his voice steady, "Not yet, blossom."

The mention of "blossom" caused Astra's heart to skip a beat, and she echoed, "Blossom?"

Elias offered an explanation, his smile warm, "Imagine a serene garden graced by an array of lively flowers. Amidst them stands a solitary blossom. With its tender petals and delicate fragrance, it exudes an air of unblemished innocence, inspiring feelings of calmness and tranquility. At a glance, this bloom seems to embody fragility and gentleness. Its beauty possesses an almost otherworldly quality, captivating all who encounter it. However, as dusk descends and storm clouds gather, the once-placid blossom undergoes a striking metamorphosis. At the touch of the first raindrop, its petals contract into a defensive posture, revealing hidden thorns concealed beneath its gentle façade. Its seemingly pure visage shatters as it readies itself to fend off threats with vicious resolve. Just like you."

He had been considerably taken aback by the extent of Astra's investigation into the board of directors of her fiancé's company.

It appeared that not only did she intend to sever ties with Alexander but also plotted to carry out a hostile takeover of his enterprise.

Admittedly, the Raynes displayed a lack of foresight by retaining only 30% of the company's shares.

Elias found himself amused when contemplating Astra's reputation.

"You're quite the strategist. You not only dismantled the online standing of your stepmother and stepsister but also prevented the schemes of the three women they had enlisted to undermine your birthday. Now, you're seen as a victim while they're cast as bullies. Releasing that video from your birthday party, with you featured prominently, was a wise move to dispel suspicion."

A malicious grin adorned Astra's face. She had manipulated Archana to give the illusion that someone at the party had secretly recorded the video against the rules.

In the video, every detail of the day her necklace shattered, exposing Violet's falsehood, was laid bare. Silas and Sophia's mistreatment of her was unequivocal. And as Elias pointed out, her visible presence within the footage prevented any suspicions from falling on her.

Throughout the day, she remained in the headlines, her Stellarnet follower count surging by over 150 000. Astra had refrained from posting thus far, strategically choosing to wait until tonight.

Delay worked in her favor, as the general concern stemming from her silence fueled the influx of negative comments directed at Violet and Sophia on their respective pages.

The highlight of it all was witnessing Violet and Sophia losing their composure on Archana due to the continuous notifications streaming in from Stellarnet.

Astra mused, "Blossom... I like that. It makes sense. As you said, the flower defends itself when threatened."

Elias chimed in, "You defend yourself like a fragile bloom armed with a sword, cutting down adversaries with petals sharper than thorns."

Astra acknowledged that Elias's perspective was limited by his lack of foresight, especially concerning Violet and Sophia's ultimate intentions—her death. She was convinced her reaction was anything but an overreaction.

Attempting to break free from his hold, Astra found Elias's grip unyielding. His mere smile sent her heart racing. Her gaze inadvertently fell upon his lips.

Aware that he had caught her looking and raised an eyebrow in response, Astra averted her gaze, her cheeks aflame.

The situation felt humiliating. Never had she anticipated that an encounter with the leader of the shadow guards would devolve into such a chaotic moment.

As the elevator doors neared their opening, a glimmer of hope kindled in Astra's eyes. But before she could request Elias to release her, he leaned in, capturing her lips in an unexpected kiss.

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