NOVEL WEB Chapter 121: Under the Bed
It had been a month since Aurion had been hiding in Lossiriel's chambers. Over that time, they had grown closer, and their days were often filled with quiet conversations and shared secrets. Today, they were going through her wardrobe, preparing for her father's return from the Dwarf realms of Nogrod and Belegost.
Lossiriel held up a silver tunic embroidered with intricate patterns and inspected it critically. "This one?" she asked, tilting her head.
Aurion glanced at it and shrugged. "I mean, it looks nice. But then again, everything you wear is white or silver. Do you ever get tired of it?"
"Absolutely not," Lossiriel said with a smile. "White and silver suit me. Besides, they're elegant, timeless. Don't you agree?"
Aurion found himself staring at her, the way the light danced off her platinum hair and how her icy blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "Yeah," he said, a little breathlessly. "They really do."
She noticed his expression and narrowed her eyes playfully. "Aurion, are you staring at me again?"
"Uh—no," he stammered, quickly looking away.
Lossiriel smirked, walking up to him and giving him a playful slap on the arm. "You're hopeless."
Aurion laughed. "Maybe. But at least I'm helping."
They both laughed, but their moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching the door. Lossiriel's playful expression vanished, replaced with urgency.
"Hide!" she hissed, gesturing wildly.
Aurion scrambled under the bed just as the door opened, revealing a tall, dark figure. It was Maeglin, Lossiriel's twin brother.
"Lossiriel," Maeglin greeted curtly, his tone cold.
"Maeglin," Lossiriel replied with equal frost.
Aurion, hidden under the bed, watched the exchange. It was immediately clear that the siblings didn't share a warm relationship. Maeglin's dark hair and sharp features were a stark contrast to Lossiriel's luminous beauty, and the tension between them was palpable.
"Father will be here soon," Maeglin said. "He expects us to meet him."
"I'll be there," Lossiriel replied coolly, brushing off his attempt to command her.
Maeglin stared at her for a moment before his lips twisted into a sneer. "Try not to embarrass yourself," he muttered before turning to leave.
"Try not to fall off your horse," Lossiriel shot back under her breath as the door closed behind him.
Aurion waited a few moments before crawling out from under the bed. "Well, that was awkward," he said with a nervous chuckle.
Lossiriel sighed, shaking her head. "He's insufferable. I don't know how we're related sometimes."
Aurion hesitated, then said, "He doesn't look anything like you."
"He takes after Father," she replied simply, smoothing out her dress. Then, noticing Aurion's bemused expression, she gave him a sly smile. "And before you say anything, yes, I know I look amazing in white and silver. You don't need to tell me again."
Aurion chuckled. "I wasn't going to say that. But… you really do."
Lossiriel rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. "Hopeless," she muttered again, gesturing toward the bed. "Now get back under there before someone else decides to walk in."
As he slid back under the bed, Aurion couldn't help but grin. Despite the danger of his situation, Lossiriel's presence made everything feel a little brighter.